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Lightning Rolling — Do They Even Need a Deadline Move?

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk
By Ryan Frost-Garant | Last updated Feb 27, 2026 2:15 PM ET

As the NHL trade deadline nears, the Lightning sit tied with the Carolina Hurricanes atop the Eastern Conference. Despite injuries throughout the season to key players such as Victor Hedman and Brayden Point, the Lightning have shown no signs of slowing down.

In this most recent edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Elliotte Friedman had this to say of Tampa Bay’s deadline plans:

“Tampa to me… they don’t have a lot of holes there. I’m beginning to wonder if they almost just say this is our team and we’re pretty good.”

A major reason Tampa has the option to skip on big additions at this trade deadline is its ability to find NHL-level talent that other teams have not. During the absence of Hedman, Darren Raddysh, 29, has developed almost out of nowhere into a top-pairing defenceman. This season, Raddysh has 53 points (17 goals, 36 assists) through 51 games. He’s already set career highs in all major offensive categories and still has many more games to play this season.

Important Depth Signings

The signing of center Dominic James and defenceman Charle-Edouard D’Astous has also significantly improved the team’s depth. Both of these signings are a result of tremendous scouting.

Dominic James, a year ago, was playing for the University of Minnesota-Duluth of the NCAA. As a former 6th-round draft pick, he was left unsigned by the Chicago Blackhawks. Tampa Bay saw his potential and signed him to a cheap two-year contract. This season, James, 23, has had 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists) in 42 games playing on the 4th line with limited minutes.

The signing of undrafted defenceman D’Astous, 27, is arguably even more impressive. Last year, he played for Brynäs IF in the SHL. In May of last year, the Lightning signed him to a no-risk, one-year contract.

D’Astous has taken this opportunity and made the most of it. He played briefly in the AHL this season, but lately D’Astous has shown he can perform in the NHL. This season, D’Astous has played in 45 games and produced 19 points (3 goals, 16 assists). Both players have provided great depth for a Tampa team that looked like it would have issues with depth going into the season.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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