![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/brisebois-e1770121503972.jpg\")
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Tampa Bay Lightning could be making waves among NHL trade rumors as this year’s deadline approaches on the horizon.<\/p>\n
The latest round of NHL trade rumors could feature the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> making a big splash.<\/p>\n After a so-so start to their season, the Lightning have come back to grab a strong foothold on a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. That situation has prompted GM Julien BriseBois to make a push to add to the club\u2019s roster at this year\u2019s trade deadline.<\/p>\n BriseBois revealed the Lightning\u2019s deadline strategy amid ongoing NHL trade rumors. The notable GM stated during an interview on NHL Network that his approach to this year\u2019s deadline hasn\u2019t really diverged from previous seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cMost years, we approach (the deadline) like we are approaching it now. There are very few opportunities over the course of a calendar year where you can add talent to your team.\u201d<\/p>\n BriseBois confirmed that the NHL trade deadline and the period comprising the NHL Draft and opening of free agency are the occasions most conducive to adding significant talent to the team. As such, there\u2019s no doubting that the Lightning will be a major part of NHL trade rumors moving forward.<\/p>\n However, the Lightning, like most contending teams, have limited cap space, a depleted farm system, and a lack of draft capital. But that situation won\u2019t likely stop BriseBois from making waves at the upcoming trade deadline.<\/p>\n Improvement Remains Lightning\u2019s Priority at Deadline<\/p>\n The Lightning have remained remarkably consistent after finding their groove this season. The club has managed to weather major injuries while scoring just enough to stay ahead of the pack.<\/p>\n But that situation won\u2019t preclude the team from looking to upgrade any way it can. That\u2019s why fans shouldn\u2019t be surprised to find the Lightning square in the middle of NHL trade rumors.<\/p>\n As BriseBois stated, the goal is to improve any way the team can.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re looking at things through the same prism we usually do. If there\u2019s an opportunity for us to add a player that will make us better now and beyond, that would be our priority.\u201d<\/p>\n That comment suggests that there isn\u2019t a single target in mind. The club will be casting a wider net, looking to find talent wherever possible. As for specific names, the Lightning have yet to narrow down their sights, at least for the moment.<\/p>\n NHL Trade Rumors Suggest Lightning Dangling Top Prospects<\/p>\n Despite the Lightning lacking high-end talent, the club is willing to part with its top prospects. As the Fourth Period\u2019s David Pagnotta noted, the Lightning could be willing to part with top prospects<\/a>, including Sam O\u2019Reilly.<\/p>\n O\u2019Reilly found his way into NHL trade rumors earlier this season. The Edmonton Oilers<\/a> traded the 19-year-old former first-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning for fellow top prospect Isaac Howard.<\/p>\n Howard has found his way into the Oilers\u2019 lineup, while O\u2019Reilly remains as an overager in the OHL this season. But it\u2019s been O\u2019Reilly\u2019s name that popped up in NHL trade rumors, as he is the Lightning\u2019s most valuable trade chip.<\/p>\n O\u2019Reilly could fetch the Lightning an upgrade in their forward core. The club seems all right on the back end. So, the main target could be a middle-six scoring winger, much like last season. At last year\u2019s deadline, the Bolts added Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken.<\/p>\n So, if NHL trade rumors prove correct, the Lightning could be looking to add another name or two in a similar vein.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tNestor Quixtan<\/a> Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Lightning\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty The Tampa Bay Lightning could be making waves among NHL trade rumors as this year’s deadline approaches…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":455751,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[556],"tags":[64,63,575,85],"class_list":["post-455750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nhl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=455750"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455750\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/455751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=455750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=455750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=455750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}