Tampa Bay Lightning’s Top Free Agent Fits This Offseason

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a position to make some solid additions to the roster this offseason. They have the cap space and can address some key needs. Let’s look at three who could be fits.

Each of these three potential free-agent additions will be based on what was discussed in a previous story on the Lightning’s positional needs this offseason. Transactions since that story was published will also play a role, as will the salary cap.

This is to avoid just grabbing all the top free agents and saying “let’s ride.” That’s not how building a roster works. Being at least somewhat realistic is a requirement.

That being said, I’m treating this thought experiment as if all three get signed. That’s strictly because I want to challenge myself to make four free-agent signings work. The Lightning currently have $13,170,001 in cap space.

One rule is that I will be avoiding restricted free agents. Pushing for the Lightning to offer sheet someone feels like an unlikely proposition, so I’m skipping it altogether.

John Carlson, Defenseman

• Previous team: Anaheim Ducks (midseason acquisition from Washington Capitals)
• Previous cap hit: $8 million
• Last season’s stats: 71 games, 14 goals, 46 assists, 60 points, 106 blocked shots, 26 hits, 3.9 defensive points share (DPS)

This has been hammered home before. The Lightning need to deepen the defense, and it’ll likely take an addition or two.

Even in his mid- to late-30s, John Carlson is still a strong presence on defense. He’s also a right-handed shot, something the Lightning’s defensive core lacks.

Of those still under contract, Erik Cernak and Max Crozier are right-handed. Darren Raddysh, one of their top defensemen last season, fit the bill, but now, he’s a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Even if they bring back Declan Carlile out of necessity, he’s another left-hander.

Carlson would fill that void, even if he’s six years older than Raddysh, who is 30. He has a longer track record that would be worth a cap hit, and it could be a short-term deal.

Previously, he garnered $8 million per season. If he wants that again, the Lightning should stay away. But if he would accept something along the lines of two years, $10 million, or an average annual value (AAV) of $5 million, then discussions can get underway.

Logan Stanley, Defensemen

• Previous team: Buffalo Sabres (acquired in midseason trade with Winnipeg Jets)
• Previous cap hit: $1.25 million
• Last season’s stats: 76 games, nine goals, 17 assists, 26 points, 84 blocked shots, 110 hits, 3.2 DPS

This one took some thought. Obviously, there are strong contenders, notably Rasmus Andersson. However, having both Carlson and Andersson sounds extremely unrealistic. Andersson’s cap hit is only going to go up, and he’s likely a longer-term commitment.

It would likely be hard to combine the cap hits of other options, such as Jacob Trouba. Brent Burns is 41 years old. This isn’t a team that needs any potential news additions to the Tony DeAngelo saga.

This decision-making led me to Logan Stanley. He has played at least 63 games in the past two seasons and played in 76 last season. It was a career high, but he can get the benefit of the doubt. At 6-foot-7, 231 pounds, he brings a large presence to the ice.

He’s another left-handed shot, but he provided good results at a low cap hit. Let’s also be real: Good luck signing two right-handed defensemen. That cap hit will likely go up, but it will likely increase by a manageable amount. Let’s say, for example’s sake, $2.5 million. That would give the Lightning the flexibility to address other needs.

Ok, that’s $8 million in cap space used. Let’s see what can be made with the remaining $5 million.

Jack Roslovic, Center

• Previous team: Edmonton Oilers
• Previous cap hit: $1.5 million
• Last season’s stats: 21 goals, 15 assists, 36 points

Roslovic could be an intriguing addition that could work with the cap. He’s been seeking a long-term contract for a while now, and he’s been with four different teams over the last three seasons.

Perhaps the Lightning could swoop in and provide a two- or three-year contract. He wouldn’t require a major cap hit and could probably be locked down at $3.5 million per season on the high end. He could provide scoring depth as a third-line center.

There are more experienced options out there, such as Boone Jenner, but overall, it’s a thin market in general, let alone at this position. He wouldn’t be a saviour on the power play, but it’s a position of need. The Lightning have options who can take faceoffs, but they need another option whose primary position is center. They have Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli, but after that, it’s slim pickings.

As you can see, there is some emphasis on adding to the defense. It’s where they have the fewest options in-house, and that’s where they had the most injuries last season. In a thin free-agent market, the priorities need to be known, and that influences the choices.

Of course, it would be an accomplishment to sign even one of them because free agency is a gauntlet. However, this at least provided a thought experiment into who could make sense.