Tampa Bay Lightning sign 2016 pick Taylor Raddysh to entry-level contract, could go shopping in the offseason

As reported on the teams website, Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman announced Monday that the team had signed prospect Taylor Raddysh to an entry-level contract. The 19-year-old Raddysh was Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Taylor Raddysh to an entry-level contract, according to the team’s official website. General Manager Steve Yzerman announced the three-year deal Monday; picked 58th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Raddysh has been playing in the Lightning’s farm system.

"Raddysh, 6-foot-2, 209 pounds, played in 58 regular season games this season with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, recording 42 goals and 109 points with a plus-67 rating. He led the OHL for assists with 67, ranked second for points and tied for sixth for goals. Raddysh recently helped the Otters to the J. Ross Robertson Cup as champions of the OHL, registering 12 goals and 31 points in 22 games."

According to Fox Sports, Raddysh has fared well in international  play as well. Skating for Team Canada in the 2017 World Juniors, Taylor tallied five goals — tying him for fourth in the tournament — and six points in seven games.

According to the Tampa Bay Times’ Joe Smith, Tampa Bay’s eyes should be on the Western Conference Finals right about now. Why, exactly? Well, it’s no secret the Lightning need more offense from their defense, and Yzerman has said getting that production is a priority in the offseason. That means it’s time to talk trades. Defense-rich teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators won’t be able to protect all of their talented blue-liners in June’s expansion draft, so they’re sure to be interested in getting something for their players rather than losing them for nothing.

"The Predators will likely use the eight skater protection option (as opposed to the seven forwards, three defenseman alignment) to keep their top four of Ellis, P.K. Subban, Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm. The Ducks have to pick from Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen and Cam Fowler, hoping Kevin Bieksa waives his no-move clause so another young defenseman can be protected. That means right-shot Brandon Montour could be available.And if the Lightning dangles a strong enough package, whether it involves Drouin or dipping into its deep prospect pool of forwards, who knows what impact defenseman it could land?"

Who do you think the Tampa Bay Lightning should pursue to solve their defensive issues?