Going For A Second Cup

There is unfinished business in Tampa Bay when it comes to this past season's ending and with Brayden Point still unsigned this late into August. General Manager Julien BriseBois made headlines by signing goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to a monster deal earlier this summer, and he's making waves again today as he went out and brought in a Stanley Cup champion on a rather inexpensive contract as he signed St. Louis native Patrick Maroon to a one-year, $900,000 deal. Maroon's deal allows the Lightning to get a little bigger around the net and on their bottom-six without costing them an arm and a leg. For Maroon, this may give him the best chance to win a second Stanley Cup before he winds down his career.

His ten goals and 28 points in 74 games likely wasn't why the Lightning saw Maroon as a good add. Instead, his efforts in the playoffs where he was a physical presence while scoring three goals and seven points in St. Louis' 26-game Stanley Cup-winning postseason is more what BriseBois needed for his team.

"We're very pleased to add Pat to our organization today," BriseBois said in a press release. "He brings size and physicality to our group as well as significant playoff experience. We expect Pat’s to be a great addition to the roster."

He also brings the experience of winning a Stanley Cup and knowing what it takes to make that happen - something the Lightning desperately seemed to need in their four-game exit at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Maroon isn't going to win a scoring title nor will he change the way the Lightning play over 82 games, but he's a good locker room guy who can add a handful of points and will take a beating in front of the net to help someone else score. The Lightning could have used that against Columbus, and they'll have that piece of the puzzle for this upcoming season.

This is a great signing by BriseBois, and it could be that missing element that the Lightning needed. Like Bryan Trottier when he signed with the Penguins, the elder Maroon will provide experience and leadership to a younger team in the Lightning while playing in a defensive role for the team. Getting that kind of experience and leadership usually costs money, but the Lightning found a nice deal in Maroon for less than a million bucks.

If he wins a second Stanley Cup, it might just be the deal of the summer.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!