Tampa Bay pulls desperate cap-clearing move

The Tampa Bay Lightning had to make a move. On Friday, the team placed defenseman Philippe Myers on waivers. There is a simple explain for the move: the Lightning is expected to get Anthony Cirelli back soon, and will need cap space to activate him from long-term injured reserve.

Tampa may not get the cap relief they need if Myers goes unclaimed by tomorrow’s deadline. Sending the blue liner to the AHL would not clear his entire contract off the books as just $1.125MM of the $2.55MM cap hit would be buried. If he is claimed, it would give them enough room to activate Cirelli without making an additional move. Myers has a cap hit of $2.55 million this season and $1.4 million in 2023-24 after signing an extension with the Lightning on Aug. 26.

Myers was acquired by the Lightning, along with forward Grant Mismash, from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Ryan McDonagh earlier in July. He’s taken part in 11 games this season and has recorded a goal and three points.