After starting with the biggest signing of the free agent frenzy, it turned into a rather quiet day for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Well, not exactly quiet as the howls of anger could be heard from every corner of Lightning Nation once it became apparent that franchise icon Steven Stamkos would not be re-signed. The greatest player in organization history instead signed with the Nashville Predators.
With an estimated $5,855,000 of cap space available according to PuckPedia, the Lightning still have some holes to fill, especially up front. In his media availability, Julien BriseBois did mention that he has some things that he is trying to close up (he even mentioned that his phone was buzzing with messages while talking).
In addition to Jake Guentzel, the Lightning did make some other moves, they just didn’t garner quite as much press as the players are most likely to find most of their ice time in Syracuse. All four skaters, three defenseman and one forward, were signed to one-year, two-way contracts.
Defense:
Tobie Paquette-Bisson – a 6’3″, 194-pound, left-shot defenseman that played with Laval last season. The 27-year-old was the associate captain for the Rocket and put up 9 goals, 18 assists in 69 games. In 214 AHL games with Laval, Ontario, and Rochester he has 17 goals and 52 assists.
Steven Santini – 6’2″, 209-pound, right-shot defenseman. He was drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft by the New Jersey Devils and has found his way into 123 NHL games with New Jersey, Nashville, and St. Louis. Last year he played with the Ontario Reign where he put up 5 goals and 15 assists in 64 games.
Derrick Pouliot – 6’1″, 204-pound left-shot defenseman. The 30-year-old former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins is the definition of well-traveled having played NHL games with the Penguins, Canucks, Blues, Golden Knights, Kraken, Sharks, and Stars. In his 226 games he has 8 goals and 46 assists.
Forward
Jesse Ylönen – 6’1″, 190-pound right winger. This was an intriguing signing as Ylönen is just 24-years-old. He wasn’t qualified by the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2018 draft, the Montreal Canadiens. He’s shown that he can produce at the AHL level with 85 points (34 goals, 51 assists) in 120 games with Laval. It hasn’t quite translated to the NHL as he has 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in various stints with Montreal. He’s also the son of former Lightning forward Juha Ylönen, who played 65 games with the Lightning in 2001-02.
The signings will bolster Syracuse with some veterans who could also bounce up to the Lightning from time to time if needed. It is possible that Ylönen could be in line for one of the open spots on the Tampa Bay roster. These aren’t the most exciting signings an organization can make, but they are important in strengthening the organization. Syracuse had a solid season last year and will need these types of players to help them build on that success.
