Tampa Bay Lightning: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

4. Will they trade for Erik Karlsson at some point?

This isn’t a question that most NHL fans want to be asked but it has to be. Tampa has been connected to the Ottawa Senators defenseman ever since last trade deadline when he was on the block. It looked like he was going to go to Tampa a few weeks ago, but it was shot down, though both sides were continuing to talk. Getting Karlsson would just put the Lightning over the top considering they could roll out a top four of Hedman, Karlsson, Stralman and McDonagh nightly. It would be one of the best top fours in the league, if not the best.

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is nothing short of aggressive. We’ve seen him go all-in before, like last season when he traded for McDonagh and Miller from the Rangers to strengthen his team. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get this done with his track record in Tampa. Karlsson is one of the best defensemen in the league, as he had nine goals and 62 points in 71 games last year for the Senators. Just two seasons ago, he had 82 points in 82 games for Ottawa when they didn’t even make the playoffs. He can change the game in the blink of an eye in any situation.

It seems like Karlsson is in a holding pattern right now, but rest assured, Yzerman will be keeping a close eye on him as this gets closer to the season or even into this season.