Tampa Bay Lightning Report Cards: The Defense

#25 Matt Carle

My 2013/2014 Forecast: Solid year, 35-40 points, some frustrating defensive hiccups, 22+ minutes per game.

GP: 82  G: 2  A: 29  Pts: 31  +/-: 11  PIM: 28

Mar 22, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Carle (25) handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It was a quiet year for Matt Carle. In a good way. While his offensive numbers were slightly down, Carle played a solid two-way game and remained a go-to guy for Jon Cooper when the chips were down.

One reason for lower offensive numbers was the emergence of Victor Hedman. Carle found himself demoted to the second power play unit, when he received powerplay time at all, and the result was just seven points on the powerplay. His overall minutes were reduced as well, going from 23:45 in the lockout season to 22:11 this year. These, however, are good signs. Carle is a good #2 defenseman, an ideal #3 defenseman, but he’s only going to be the #1 defenseman on poor teams. Hedman’s emergence around November of this year allowed Carle to slip into a role he’s more suited to, a quieter role, but one he exceled at and should continue to excel at.

Grade: B

Looking Ahead: Carle’s 84 games of playoff experience will be very useful for the Lightning in the coming post-season. He’ll provide leadership, and hopefully will elevate his intensity, which could prove contagious. Beyond this year’s playoffs, Carle should provide exactly what he did this season for the next several years. While his $5.5 is pretty steep, there’s no reason to believe the Lightning won’t be able to make it work for the length of the contract.