Tampa Bay Lightning Report Cards: The Defense

#8 Mark Barberio

My 2013/2014 Forecast: Some growing pains but nothing catostophic, 25 points in 65 games, 14-15 minutes per game.

GP: 49 G: 5 A: 5 Pts: 10 +/-: 10 PIM: 28

Mar 1, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mark Barberio (8) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Lightning defeated the Stars 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Where Gudas’s season was up-and-down, Barberio’s season was a roller-coaster. On the whole, he played about as well as one could expect a rookie to play, but ultimately he wound up losing his everyday role with the team once Mike Kostka was acquired. Kostka provided much of what Barberio provided, but with less risk in the defensive zone.

At the top of his game, Barberio provides terrific speed and skating from the back end. He can often be seen leading the rush, or controlling the play from the point, and, usually, his skating allows him to make risky offensive decisions and still get back in time. Usually.

There was also the other side of the coin, where Barberio appeared to struggle with NHL-level physicality along the boards. Not to mention the confidence issues. Most of those had evaporated by the Olympic break, but that’s when Kostka came into the fold. Kostka’s good play, more than anything Barberio did wrong, is the reason why Barberio has struggled to make it into the Lightning lineup of late.

Grade: C

Looking Ahead: It’s still too early to say what Mark Barberio will be at the NHL level. He’s a player who has historically taken time to adapt to new settings and situations, but he has adapted, over time, thanks to his hockey IQ. Barberio will probably find his way into a couple of playoff games, and good performances could win him more time. Next season, it’s reasonable to expect Barberio to take a step forward, although there’s no telling how big or small that step will be. While I wouldn’t be shocked if Barberio’s name came up in trade talks as part of a package for, say, a legitimate #2 defenseman, I think the Lightning have every intention of staying patient with him and letting the chips fall where they may.