For Tampa Bay Lightning players and fans, Wednesday's Game 5 win against Montreal to clinch their second consecutive Stanley Cup will set off months of celebrations before moving on to the 2021-22 season.
General manager Julien BriseBois won't have the luxury of participating in extended festivities. On July 17, all NHL teams (except Vegas) must submit their protection lists for the Seattle expansion draft. Lightning management will have to prepare that list and participate in leaguewide trade discussions before that day. Almost immediately, BriseBois will have to consider what the future of his team will look like.