Tampa Bay Lightning Cut Roster, Waive Some Big Names

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced they have waived forward Tyler Johnson and defenseman Luke Schenn. Both players were expected to be a part of this year's team after the trade with the Ottawa Senators freed up some money, but that's apparently not the case for at least opening night.

Tyler Johnson and Luke Schenn are among those placed on waivers by Tampa.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 11, 2021

This is the second time Johnson has been waived in the past few months, and the first time around the versatile forward went unclaimed. Johnson is 30-years-old with four years left on his contract that pays him $5 million per season. Last season he appeared in 65 games, recording 31 points and chipped in with seven points in 25 playoff games. The undrafted forward has played in 534 career NHL games.

As for Schenn, the rugged defenseman was in a battle for the bottom pair right-side position and appears to have lost. The expectation was Schenn would see a regular shift with Zach Bogosian heading to Toronto via free agency, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Look for Cal Foote to take Schenn's spot in the lineup. The 31-year-old Schenn is signed for this season at $800,000.

Given that Tampa will likely be in LTI all season, and because Cal Foote has performance bonuses in his EL contract, it would make a lot of sense for Tampa to include Foote in their opening day roster in order to maximize their flexibility when recalling/assigning players. https://t.co/mratWugYRo
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) January 11, 2021

Tampa Bay will hope both players clear so they can be included on their taxi-squad.

Photo credit: Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire

Tyler Johnson and Luke Schenn placed on waivers to help provide salary cap flexibility- See @frank_seravalli time line for some clarity
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) January 11, 2021

Tyler Johnson working on tipping Victor Hedman’s shot from the point as Group A session wraps up. #BoltsCamp pic.twitter.com/gZpj1LilF2
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) January 5, 2021