Tampa Bay Lightning: 30 Best Draft Picks In Franchise History

Jun 8, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Cedric Paquette (13) celebrates after scoring during the third period of game three of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

18. Cedric Paquette

Draft Year: 2012

Position: Forward

Every team needs that player that can do a little bit of everything. The player whose contract doesn’t take a huge toll on the salary cap and is invaluable to the team. Cedric Paquette is one of those players, and he is once again proving it this season.

Besides the fact that his rugged style of play means he is injury prone, whenever Paquette is out on the ice, he contributes in a big way. Whether it is winning faceoffs, killing penalties, or scoring goals while playing a physical style of play, Paquette is one of those players that you love to have on your team but hate playing against.

What I really like about Paquette and always will is the way he plays the game. He does everything you want in a bottom-6 and does it really well. He forechecks like a machine even though he is not the best skater and will use his physicality to wear down the oppositions best player. He always is on the ice against the oppositions top line and is effective in shutting them down more times than not.

In a contract year, Paquette has not been able to stay on the ice. His production is surly missed but hopefully he can come back and provide a spark to the bottom-six forward unit. After putting up 12 goals and 19 points last year, it doesn’t look like he’ll match that production, but he can still throw in a few goals while providing that physical style of play that is surly missed when he is out.

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