NHL Free Agency: Grading the Lightning’s signings
Please Sign Cedric
Re-signed Cedric Paquette to one-year deal, $1 million AAV
Lightning fans know what to expect from Cedric Paquette. He’s not a point producer. His career-high is 19 points in 2014-15. Since then, his numbers have declined with each passing year. He was down nine points last season. He’s not in the lineup to have his name appear in the box score.
He’s in the lineup for his two-way versatility. He can play any forward position, is responsible in his own end, and has solid puck possession numbers. As a fourth-line guy, he plays his role perfectly.
There’s little to no risk here for the Lightning. It’s a one-year deal so they can do this same song and dance next year if they choose. Since Tampa Bay didn’t have much money to spend, even if they wanted to offer Paquette more, they didn’t have the funds. Especially after the big money deals they handed eventually handed out.
For Paquette, he was a restricted free agent and was unlikely to get much more if they had gone to arbitration. He’s betting on himself a bit with a one-year deal, which could mean good things for the Lightning if he over-performs this season. He’s comfortable in Tampa and comfortable with his linemates.
Paquette does have a history of injuries and his calculated recklessness doesn’t lend itself to staying healthy for a full season. Asking him to play a safer style would be taking away a big part of his game, so don’t expect that to happen.
It’s not a splashy move, but there’s zero risk and overall tough to find fault with.