Each July, groups across the NHL have a golden alternative to improve their roster. The primary week of free company is likely one of the most enjoyable occasions of the yr for hockey followers. Star gamers change groups, position gamers obtain profitable contracts, and generally clever signings are made. In the end, free company is “growth or bust” for many entrance places of work. Too usually, we witness contracts groups remorse tendering down the road and wreck their probability at competing for the Stanley Cup.
Associated: Greatest Tampa Bay Lightning Targets of All Time
How have the Tampa Bay Lightning finished in free company lately? I began a mini-series two weeks in the past inspecting the crew’s earlier free company lessons. To this point, we’ve got graded the 2019 and 2021 free company signings, because the summer season of 2020 noticed no important additions by way of pen and paper. Shifting gears to the 2022 offseason, the Lightning made their third-straight Stanley Cup Closing look. The crew made a number of minor additions however misplaced in spherical one towards the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, let’s assign a letter grade to every of their signings in the summertime of 2022.
Ian Cole
With the losses of Ryan McDonagh and Jan Rutta on the backend, the Lightning had holes on protection. Fortunately, common supervisor Julien BriseBois discovered a diamond within the tough as a short-term alternative. He signed veteran defenseman Ian Cole to a one-year deal at a cap hit of $3 million. Cole spent the earlier season in Raleigh with the Carolina Hurricanes however beforehand received two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Cole stepped in and boosted the Lightning’s left facet, ending fourth on the blue line in scoring by notching three targets and 14 assists for 17 factors in 78 video games. Cole performed a shutdown defensive position with a stable 10.98 defensive zone begin proportion (DZS%). He dominated his minutes from the again finish, with all his possession metrics above the 50% mark (by way of Pure Stat Trick). Moreover, All Three Zones graded Cole within the upper-echelon of rush protection and zone exit microstats. In the end, this one-year cut price labored effectively for each side, which supplies Cole the best grade of the mini-series to this point.
Grade: A-
Vladislav Namestnikov
Lightning followers have been optimistic when the crew introduced Vladislav Namestnikov would return for a second stint in Tampa Bay. The Russian ahead signed a one-year deal incomes $2.5 million. Namestnikov bounced round a number of groups earlier than signing again with the Lightning. In any case, he had probably the most success within the metropolis that drafted him. Nonetheless, Namestnikov didn’t final the whole season in Tampa Bay, as he was flipped to the Winnipeg Jets within the three-team commerce on the 2023 Commerce Deadline. Fortunately, the Lightning grabbed workhorse Michael Eyssimont in change for the veteran ahead.
Grading his 57-game run with the crew in 2022-23, Namestnikov performed a lackluster position on the roster, including six targets and 9 assists for 15 factors. Namestnikov posted some incredible underlying numbers within the decreased position, although, controlling 54.86% of the on-ice anticipated aim share (xGF%) and 53.53% of the scoring-chance share (SCF%). Namestnikov was first rate in his second go-around with the Lightning and his underlying metrics and commerce bundle enhance his grade a bit as effectively.
Grade: B
Haydn Fleury
Though he wasn’t an NHL common, Haydn Fleury made severe strides in direction of the tip of his tenure with the Lightning. The crew signed him again in July 2022 to a two-year, $1.525 million deal. Head coach Jon Cooper noticed the younger blueliner as an ideal seventh choice, giving him between 20-30 video games per season. Fleury was drafted seventh general by the Hurricanes a decade in the past however has not lived as much as his draft place. Earlier than signing Tampa Bay, Carolina gave up on their as soon as blue-chip prospect, sending him to the Anaheim Geese mid-season.
Fleury didn’t play his finest hockey in Tampa Bay nad he had restricted alternative on a stable blue line. In 53 video games as a Bolt, Fleury notched one aim and 5 assists for six factors throughout two seasons. The crew didn’t possess the puck sufficient with Fleury on the ice, as all his possession metrics have been beneath the 50% mark. In any case, Fleury earned what a depth defenseman within the league makes at that stage of knowledgeable profession.
Grade: D
Closing Ideas
Tampa Bay was visibly drained all through the 2022-23 common season following three-straight Stanley Cup Closing appearances. This fatigue confirmed within the playoffs, which resulted in a first-round exit. The crew made a number of stable additions, together with the primary A-tier grade of the mini-series to this point with Cole. Namestnikov’s deal continues to impression the roster at present, with Eyssimont growing right into a stable middle-six ahead. Plus, Fleury discovered a brand new residence out west in Winnipeg for the upcoming season. The Lightning continued to depend on the commerce deadline for his or her predominant roster strikes, a development that continues with the 2023 grades.
