Did GMs of Lightning and Panthers Master the NHL Trade Deadline Again?

Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers general managers, Julien BriseBois and Bill Zito, have proven time and again that salary cap issues and trade challenges don’t faze them. As Ken Campbell writes, these GMs consistently make bold moves that elevate their teams, and the recent trade deadline was no exception.

A few years ago, I told Zito that he had a “cowboy” approach to trades, to which he objected, explaining that every decision he makes is carefully analyzed from all angles.

Well, Zito and his counterpart in Tampa, BriseBois, certainly don’t let obstacles hold them back. They’re known for taking risks, and both of their recent trades demonstrate that their focus is on the present, not the future.

In a move designed to strengthen their roster, the Lightning traded away two first-round draft picks, a second-rounder, and Mikey Eyssimont in exchange for forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken. Meanwhile, the Panthers traded goalie Spencer Knight and a first-round pick for defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Both teams have appeared in the Stanley Cup finals for the past five years, and with GMs like Zito and BriseBois at the helm, it’s clear that their decisive, bold leadership keeps them on the path to potential success in 2025.