Grading the free agent signings for the Tampa Bay Lightning

May 9, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Stars center Luke Glendening (11) passes the puck against the Seattle Kraken during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 21, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Calvin de Haan (44) goes to check St. Louis Blues center Matthew Highmore (15) during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

C -. . D. Carolina Hurricanes. CALVIN DE HAAN

One year, $775,000
2022-23 Stats – 12 points, +7, 53 games played

It’s not even that Calvin de Haan is a bad player. All his underlying numbers last season were solid, and he seemed to do fine as Carolina’s bottom pair defenseman.

But he was bumped out once Shayne Gostisbehere came to town and did not appear in the playoffs for Carolina.

So with the Tampa Bay Lightning needing to make upgrades along the blue line, grabbing de Haan when they could have spent a little bit more to grab someone else feels like the blue line depth issues aren’t being fully addressed.

He is a veteran that has decent offensive upside, and at a one-year deal at the league minimum, it will leave Tampa in a position to be still able to make a trade deadline deal if needed down the road.

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