Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in on just about everything and seem to offer more than anyone else to get players they really want. I wouldn’t expect them to offer a handful of picks for DeSmith, but there is a case to be made that they would benefit from acquiring the Canadiens newest netminder.
Of course, the Lightning have Andrei Vasilevskiy so they are not hoping to land a new started. They did also add Jonas Johansson to be their backup, but he is far from a proven piece. In fact, he played only three NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche and was in the AHL for his other 26 starts.
The 27 year old did play well in those three NHL games and was great in the AHL, posting a 2.33 GAA and a .920 SV%. But he really struggled in 11 NHL games in 2021-22 posting a 4.69 GAA and a .856 SV%. So there are some questions about his ability to be a reliable backup.
Also, the Lightning don’t really have another option in the minors. Hugo Alnefelt figures to get the bulk of the starts for the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, but the 22 year old is not likely ready for NHL duty quite yet.
Cap space is always an issue which is why a trade of DeSmith would make more sense for the Lightning just as the season is set to begin. DeSmith would actually have more value for the Lightning if he already passed through waivers and then was eligible to be sent to the minors.
The Lightning would not be interested in claiming DeSmith with his $1.8 million cap hit. However, if he passed through waivers, the Canadiens could then retain half and trade him to the Lightning as a $900,000 cap hit that can be sent to the minors and actually not cost anything against the cap unless he is needed on the NHL roster.
It is the Lightning, so if DeSmith passes through waivers and the Canadiens retain 50% of his cap hit, it would make sense for Tampa Bay to offer up a 6th and 7th round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft for DeSmith.