During rounds 2-7 of the National Hockey League draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Washington Capitals have made a number of moves in an effort to shake up their lineups beginning with the upcoming season and continuing beyond that. Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev was traded to the Utah Jazz, while depth forward Tanner Jeannot was traded to the Kings, allowing Tampa Bay to free up more than eleven million dollars in salary-cap space. It is possible that this kind of money is sufficient to either retain captain Steven Stamkos or make a substantial free-agent signing. Furthermore, it will go a long way towards increasing the amount of room available to secure a long-term contract deal for cornerstone defenseman Victor Hedman.
A defenseman named J.J. Moser, who is 24 years old, a forward prospect named Conor Geekie, and two draft picks were acquired by the Lightning in exchange for Sergachev, who was signed through 2031 and was earning $8.5 million yearly with the deal. After making eight consecutive appearances in the playoffs, winning two titles, and reaching the final three times, Tampa Bay is able to reload its prospect pool with a second-round pick in 2025 and a fourth-round pick this year.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, a highly compensated centre, was acquired by the Capitals from the Kings in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Additionally, the Capitals acquired Logan Thompson from Vegas in exchange for two third-round picks. Before suffering an injury prior to the playoffs, Thompson, who is now 27 years old, was a member of the All-Star team and participated in 37 games for the Golden Knights during their run to the championship in 2022-23.
Additionally, Washington sent fourth-line winger Beck Malenstyn to Buffalo in exchange for the 43rd pick, thereby acquiring defenseman Cole Hutson, who was born in the United States. The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken a step towards improving their defence by obtaining the rights to Chris Tanev, who is a pending free agency, from Dallas in exchange for a seventh-round choice in the year 2026.
Akira Schmid was acquired from New Jersey by the Vegas Golden Knights along with teenage forward Alexander Holtz in a transaction that also involved Paul Cotter and a third-round pick being traded to the Devils. This move was made in a hurry to replenish the goalkeeper depth of the team.
