Many around the league think that the biggest need for the Tampa Bay Lightning this season is defense, hence the reason they were often mentioned right alongside Noah Hanifin, the biggest name on trade market, right up until the Calgary Flame was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night. So, of course general manager Julien BriseBois’ first move for the Bolts was to bolster their offensive ranks.
On Thursday, he sent Jack Thompson and a 2024 third-round pick to San Jose for forward Anthony Duclair and a 2025 seventh-round pick. Defense through superior offense might be the Lightning’s motto down the stretch.