Bolts by the Bay
Fansided

Top five worst free agent signings in Lightning history

By Henry Yoho

Jul 12, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; A general view of Tampa Bay Lightning fans during the Stanley Cup Championship parade. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; A general view of Tampa Bay Lightning fans during the Stanley Cup Championship parade. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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TAMPA, FL – JUNE 13: Valtteri Filppula #51 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks on prior to Game Five of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at Amalie Arena on June 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JUNE 13: Valtteri Filppula #51 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks on prior to Game Five of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at Amalie Arena on June 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

The truth is, Valtteri Filppula played an important role during his Lightning tenure. Filppula signed a five-year, $5 million deal to come to the Lightning to fill the hole at center left behind by Lecavalier’s departure. With such a huge role to replace, the Lightning went out and spent some big money on the veteran center, whose offensive output did not quite fit the bill the club was stuck with.

Filppula was expected to produce like a top-two center right off the bat, even becoming the top center at times. Filppula produced 171 points over 292 games with the club. As time went on, his minutes and offensive output dwindled as he became more of a defensive forward who still served as a valued veteran presence. The lack of high-end offensive output did not validate the high price tag of five million per year. It tied the team’s hands a bit toward the end of the deal, which saw the Lightning would eventually trade to the Philadelphia Flyers in his final year.

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