The Red Wings have gotten better this summer, but have Steve Yzerman's moves been enough to take Detroit to the postseason for the first time since 2016? The Atlantic Division features the back-to-back champion Panthers, a veteran Maple Leafs team, an upstart Canadiens team, and a pesky Senators team. That could make for a tough road to the postseason for Detroit.
And don't forget - the Tampa Bay Lightning are still firmly in the mix and will be a problem for Detroit in 2025-26. The Bolts won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2019-20 and 2020-21, and have made the playoffs in eight straight seasons. With a veteran roster that features plenty of firepower and elite goaltending, the Lightning are going to be a thorn in the Red Wings side yet again this season.
Lightning haven't been busy this offseason, but they haven't needed to be
Perhaps the most noteworthy transaction from Tampa Bay so far this offseason is signing Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract. Gourde was with the Lightning from 2015-2021, and after three and a half years in Seattle, was traded back to the Lightning in March. On June 2, the veteran forward inked a six-year, $13.98 million contract to stay in Tampa through the 2030-31 season.
Heeeeere's Yanni!
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 2, 2025
We have signed forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract worth an AAV of $2.33 million.
📝: https://t.co/EKMGH8oAaZ pic.twitter.com/7y1M08XOqy
Gourde is a solid role player that will provide depth to Tampa Bay's bottom-six. He could also spend some time on the penalty kill. This past season, he appeared in 57 games and collected 31 points on seven goals and 24 assists with the Kraken and Lightning. He was a key piece of Tampa's back-to-back title runs, and brings plenty of postseason experience to an already battle-tested roster.
Between the pipes, Tampa Bay signed goaltender Jonas Johansson to a two-year contract extension on May 7. Johansson has appeared in 45 games for the Bolts over the past two seasons backing up Andrei Vasilevskiy.
The Lightning also brought in defenseman Pontus Holmberg on a two-year deal. Holmberg spent the first three seasons of his NHL career with the Maple Leafs, appearing in 159 games and collecting 49 points on 19 goals and 30 assists. He is a bottom-pairing defenseman who will most likely see between 10-15 minutes of ice time per game.
These moves aren't going to make national headlines, but they help round out an extremely talented roster that has high hopes for 2025-26.
It's also worth noting that the Lightning acquired prospect Sam O'Reilly from the Oilers in exchange for reigning Hobey Baker Award winner Issac Howard. O'Reilly was drafted 32nd overall by the Oilers in 2024, and scored 28 goals while dishing out 43 assists for 71 points in 62 games last season for the London Knights of the OHL.
Red Wings will have their hands full when facing Tampa's talented, experienced team
Despite losing Steven Stamkos last offseason, the Lightning still paced the NHL with 3.56 goals per game in 2024-25. With playmakers such as Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, and Brayden Point manning your top line, you're going to be in good shape.
Brandon Hagel erupted for a 90-point campaign last season, and he could be in line for another big year on Tampa's second line. Other players such as Nick Paul, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Gourde make this a deep offensive unit that can light the lamp with the best of 'em.
Tampa's D-core is still led by Victor Hedman, who has showed no signs of slowing down, and Vasilevskiy continues to put up elite numbers between the pipes. With a roster as talented and experienced as Tampa Bay's, they are a team that can never be counted out. The Red Wings will have their hands full when they meet the Bolts this upcoming season.
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