Bolts by the Bay
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2023 Trade Deadline Primer: Five Players the Lightning Should Pursue

By Stephen Parrino

VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 18: Luke Schenn #2 of the Vancouver Canucks waits for a face-off during the third period of their NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Arena on January 18, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Tampa won 5-2. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 18: Luke Schenn #2 of the Vancouver Canucks waits for a face-off during the third period of their NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Arena on January 18, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Tampa won 5-2. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Ivan Barbashev — RW/LW, St. Louis Blues

Age: 27
Stats: 55 GP | 10 Goals | 18 Assists | -4 | 16:15 TOI/G
Contract: 2023 UFA, $2,250,000
Misc. Stats: 27 Blocked Shots | 110 Hits | 0:43 PK TOI/G

Trade board rankings:

  • Daily Faceoff: 7
  • The Athletic: 7
  • TSN: 5

Hello Ivan Barbashev, the forgotten (for now) piece in St. Louis that The Athletic named as their perfect fit for the Lightning.

Barbashev is an effective two-way forward with upside scoring potential. Even though his scoring has come back down to Earth this season after 60 points in 81 games last year, he still represents a potential major upgrade to Tampa’s middle-six. But it is not only offense for Barbashev as he is also the prototypical forechecker that Tampa usually seeks.

Should we end up acquiring Barbashev, I do wonder if we would see some sort of tinkering of the forward lines. We know the top line is set with Hagel, Kucherov, and Point, but the middle-six could try a different look with Barbashev, who is best suited around more offensive style players to maximize his scoring potential.

Assuming we would like to keep Killorn and Cirelli together on a matchup line to other team’s top lines, I wonder if we would see Paul, Stamkos, and Barbashev added to a line. Not only would that benefit Barbashev, but also potentially Stamkos who despite his versatility in all facets of the game is still at his best as a scoring threat.

Trade board rankings: Daily Faceoff, The Athletic, TSN

Contracts and salary cap: CapFriendly

Player statistics: Natural Stat Trick

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