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Five potential one year defenseman rentals for the Tampa Bay Lightning

By Benjamin Henderson

Mar 7, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole (28) looks to shoot the puck against the Philadelphia Flyersin the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole (28) looks to shoot the puck against the Philadelphia Flyersin the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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We here at Bolts by the Bay chronicled yesterday five potential forwards the Tampa Bay Lightning could look at as a one-year rental option for the 2023-24 season. As we mentioned yesterday, Tampa could sign guys for longer but need to remember that Brandon Hagel will need a new deal in the 2024 offseason that pays way more than the $1,500,000 he’ll make this year.

But even though Tampa has seven defensemen under contract for next season, and eight if you count Phillip Meyers, it is still an unproven group once you get past Hedman, Sergachev, and Cernak.

Nick Perbix, for example, had on-ice Corsi numbers (total shot attempts for compared to total shot attempts against) of 51.6% but also had the benefit of starting in the offensive zone 55% of the time.

Likewise, Darren Raddysh saw action down the stretch and into the playoffs and had a Corsi percentage of 52% but also started in the offensive zone 64% of the time.

Finally, Hayden Fleury had a more difficult task starting in the offensive zone just 46% of the time, leading to a Corsi of 47%.

We can dive even deeper into the numbers, but there would have to be concern among Bolts Nation if Ian Cole isn’t brought back, and these are the seven members of the blue line for next season.

Similar to our list of potential forwards, Tampa is, at best, going to have around $3,000,000 to play with for a one-year rental, and that’s if Alex Killorn and Ross Colton are not brought back.

With that in mind, here are five unrestricted free agents Tampa might look at this offseason.

Tampa Bay Lightning Rentals: Ian Cole

  • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • Age – 34
  • 2022-23 Cap Hit: $3,000,000
  • 2022-23 Offensive Zone Start: 44%
  • 2022-23 Corsi Numbers: 51%

The answer for a rental might be the player Tampa already has. This isn’t to say that Ian Cole is a perfect solution. Averaging one hit every 13 minutes, Cole was more physical than Sergachev and Hedman (which shouldn’t be a surprise), as well as Perbix.

But Cernak, Bogosian, Fleury, and Raddysh all had a better hits-per-minute ratio.

He also took 28 minor penalties, six more than the next closest player for Tampa (Sergachev), and was tied for sixth most in the NHL this past season.

With that said, his Corsi numbers were solid when you consider that he often times was starting in his own zone. His 200 shot attempts last season were the second-highest of his career, and the 97 shots that found their way on target were the highest of his career.

Cole was also credited with the most takeaways of his career, and he still averaged over a shot block per game.

But it’s understandable if Tampa fans are leery of giving Cole another go at age 34.

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