Bolts by the Bay
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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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MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 22: The puck hits the back of the net behind Anders Lindback #39 of the Tampa Bay Lightning on a second-period goal by Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens in Game Four of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 22, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 22: The puck hits the back of the net behind Anders Lindback #39 of the Tampa Bay Lightning on a second-period goal by Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens in Game Four of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 22, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

Free-agent goalie Anders Lindback was brought to Tampa from Nashville on a team-friendly contract. Signing for two years and 3.6 million in total was not the issue. Just a season removed from being a single win away from the Stanley Cup Final, the Lightning were in a position to be a playoff contender again before the start of the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. With the magical run of Dwayne Roloson in 2011 in the past, the glaring hole left in the crease demanded a more dependable goaltender if the Lightning were to get back to the playoffs.

The Lightning skater group that Lindback backstopped was capable of being a playoff team. Without the chance to get the saves they needed, the Lightning would finish second to last in the Eastern Conference. You can often look at the best goaltenders and see the best head coaches and vice versa. With Lindback’s save percentage at just .902, the shortened season would see the Lightning eventually fire Guy Boucher.

The saving grace for Lindback came in the form of trading for Ben Bishop. Bishop’s quick emergence kept Lindback from being what was holding the team back. With Lindback not being counted on as much in his second season, the Lightning would become a playoff team again with steady goaltending and reaching their potential.

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