Bolts by the Bay
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What is the best squad possible of former Tampa Bay Lightning players?

By Benjamin Henderson

May 1, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Ondrej Palat (18) skates with the puck while being defended by New York Rangers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Ondrej Palat (18) skates with the puck while being defended by New York Rangers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Lightning
Montreal Canadiens left wing Jonathan Drouin (27)  Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Lightning Fourth Line

  • Jonathan Drouin (Montreal – 2 goals, 27 assists)
  • Adam Erne (Detroit – 8 goals, 10 assists)
  • Taylor Raddysh (Chicago – 20 goals, 17 assists)

If you want a fourth line of guys who just bang into other guys, there are some other options out there. Also in time, a guy like Nolan Foote will hopefully supplant someone on the bottom six.

But if you want a fourth line that can kind of score goals, this might be your best bet.

Drouin of course is the true wildcard of this bunch. The offensive skill is there to be an above average fourth line center. But his poor attitude and constant run ins with management and coaches make him a liability.

Erne has spent the last four years in the Motor City and hasn’t developed into anything more than a bottom six forward.

Raddysh showed a ton of potential this year in Chicago after being traded there last season as part of the Brandon Hagel deal.

You could make the case that Raddysh should bump up to third line and bring Joseph or Johnson down. But given his youth we are still going to give him the sheltered minutes of a fourth line guy.

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