Tampa Bay Lightning: Top 5 Contracts That Need To Be Signed

1. Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos is a top notch player and one of the best goal scorers in the league. Not to mention he is the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Steven Stamkos is the face of the Franchise and has had four seasons scoring over 70 points.

In 77 games last year, Steven Stamkos scored 64 points and finished with a plus-three plus-minus rating. He had 216 shots, for a 16.7 shooting percentage. Stamkos also finished with a 49.9 face-off win percentage.

If there is anything concerning about his stats, it’s his plus-minus rating. Stamkos has taken his foot off the brake to focus a little more on defense, which has shown offensively. Although his efforts, he didn’t seem to affect his defensive stats. Stamkos had a plus three plus-minus and had 45 giveaways last year.

For the Lightning, Stamkos’s value is much higher when he focuses on his offensive game. Although Stamkos had his worst defensive year in 2011-2012, it was his best offensive year and the year that solidified him as a top scorer in the league. For Stamkos’s contract to be worth it, he will have to prove he can play both defense and offense together efficiently, or be willing to go all out on offense.

Stamkos was already offered an eight-year deal worth 65 million dollars but is yet to accept it. Steven Stamkos may be holding out for more money, but it seems petty and out of character for him. They are so close to attaining their dreams; he can’t just throw that all away because of money.

The Lightning can’t afford Stamkos at a higher rate without giving up something good. It’s obvious he wants to win a cup here, but he must want something more. Stamkos may want to be closer to relatives and friends, a much better reason for leaving than money.

If the Lightning want to be top competitors for many years to come, they have to stick to the deal that is already on the table. Stamkos is a good player, but at a higher price, the Lightning could lose several good players. Hopefully, Stamkos will sign.

Next: 2. Nikita Kucherov

2. Nikita Kucherov

Nikita Kucherov is a young up and coming player. Kucherov is only 22 years old and had the most points of on a Tampa Bay Lightning team which also hold Steven Stamkos. Kucherov also had a plus-nine plus-minus rating; a let down from last year’s plus-38 plus-minus rating, but still good.

Nikita Kucherov could be the most significant signing the Lightning have this year. Kucherov has played good all three years with the Lightning, his best being in the 2014-2015 season. But the most impressive part of his game is how he didn’t slow down.

Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson also had great years that year. Palat, Johnson, and Kucherov made up one of the best lines in hockey. But in the 2015-2016 season, Johnson and Palat slowed down a little. Kucherov, however, kept pace by scoring a career-high 30 goals.

There are a lot of big contracts coming up for the Lightning; You have Stamkos and Kucherov this summer and Victor Hedman the next. It would be very hard for the Lightning to keep all of these players. Someone is going to have to take a salary cut or be moved.

I think the Lightning should prioritize signing Kucherov and Hedman. If Stamkos is signed at a high rate, then the Lightning could lose both. Hedman might be the best player on the Lightning right now; you can’t lose him.

Nikita Kucherov should be a priority to maintain the Lightning reputation of being an offensive power. If Stamkos is signed, Kucherov, Mathew Carle, and Ben Bishop could all be on the trade block. Let’s hope “Kuuuuuch” gets signed.

Next: 3. Alex Killorn

3. Alex Killorn

Alex Killorn is a very underrated player with tremendous skill. Last year, Killorn scored 40 points in 81 games, while maintaining a plus-14 plus-minus rating. Killorn was on the ice for 75 goals and had 154 shots. He is a clutch player who has no issue in scoring important goals when the Lightning really needs him to.

Killorn is good defensively and can play on all four lines. Killer’s versatility almost makes him a no-brainer for the Tampa Bay Lightning to re-sign. He is strong on his stick and a great tipper. In addition to Killorn’s versatility, there is no denying he is a crowd favorite here in Tampa Bay.

If there is anything concerning it is his face-off percentage. Killorn only averages a 38.8 face-off win percentage. Killorn plays center but doesn’t have too. He seems to be just as comfortable on the wing. This gives Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper room to shake things up when injuries happen to the team needs a spark.

Killorn’s contract will probably be worth around three million dollars. This would be a million dollar boost from his last contract. This is a reasonable price for Killorn and would be a good signing.

The Lightning will need to be careful on how they spend their money. They already have two big contracts in Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. Killorn is another player, not as expensive, but important.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have many decisions to make this offseason. The Lighting needs to keep depth players like these. They are very dependable. Hopefully, Killorn’s contract will be an easy decision, and he will re-sign.

Next: 4. Vladislav Namestnikov

4. Vladislav Namestnikov

Vladislav Namestnikov is only 23 years old and is already making a big difference on the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the 2015-2016 season, The young Russian center scored 35 points in 80 games, while maintaining a plus-17 plus-minus rating. He scored a career high of 14 goals, two of them being game-winning goals.

Vladdy has played on the Lightning’s main roster before, but the 2015-16 season was his first full season in Lightning blue. We’re pretty sure fans all around the Bolts Nation hope there are many more seasons on the horizon.

Namestnikov is a fast and skilled player, who loves to create chances. He fits and plays well on both the third and fourth line and seems to have good chemistry with Bryan Boyle. He was on the ice for 54 of the Lightning’s goals and only on the ice for 29 of the opponents goals.

Overall, Namestnikov is a good player. There are still a few things he needs to work on, but given the fact he’s still young, he has plenty of time to come into his own. Keeping that in mind, he could get some money tossed his way. He is a depth forward, which are key for long playoff runs. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for him to be signed just above a million dollars.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have a lot of decisions to make in this year’s offseason. The success of the franchise revolves around young players like these who will make big differences after a year or two. Hopefully, Namestnikov will be one of the many contracts signed over the course of the off-season.

Next: 5. Cedric Paquette

5. Cedric Paquette

Cedric Paquette is 22 years old and is in his third year with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Paquette only played 56 game this year due to several injuries. But, in this amount of time he scored 11 points. It doesn’t sound like many, and it’s not, but scoring not his job.

Paquette is a defensive centerman and fits nice on the third or fourth line. He is young and is dedicated to defense.

This is not something that usually goes hand in hand. He is a disciplined player and ready to play more minutes.

The young center has had quite a few injuries at such an early age. Injuries are always somewhat of a concern, but unfortunately, this comes with the territory when you have Paquette’s style of play, having 137 hits last year. He brings the physicality that the Tampa Bay Lightning need.

Paquette will probably get paid around one million dollars. Maybe below that due to injuries and lack of offense. Paquette is a young player and is yet to have a full year. He may take a little more time to find his game, but he is definitely someone who provides value to the Tampa Bay Lightning overall.

Next: Which Crunch Players Will Make Lightning's Main Roster?

The Tampa Bay Lightning needs more physicality and Cedric Paquette can help. The Lightning would be wise to sign Paquette another year just under one million dollars. Hopefully, Steve Yzerman will be able to create a mutually beneficial agreement that will see Paquette return to the Tampa Bay Lightning.