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NHL Free Agency: Grading the Lightning’s signings

By Jeremy Lambert

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 12: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal during Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round against the New Jersey Devils during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on April 12, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 12: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal during Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round against the New Jersey Devils during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on April 12, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – APRIL 30: J.T. Miller #10 of the Tampa Bay Lightning checks Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins into referee Kelly Sutherland #11 during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on April 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/NHLI via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – APRIL 30: J.T. Miller #10 of the Tampa Bay Lightning checks Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins into referee Kelly Sutherland #11 during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on April 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Medium Money Miller

Re-signed J.T. Miller to a five-year deal, $5.25 million AAV

J.T. Miller is coming off back-to-back 50-point seasons. In 19 games with the Lightning after the trade deadline, he scored 10 goals and 18 points. His play did tail off a bit in the playoffs as he finished with eight points in 17 playoff games.

Miller has been in the league six seasons, is only 25 years old, and already has 57 games of playoff experience under his belt. For reference, Erik Karlsson has played in just 48 playoff games. As if he needed more reasons to want out of Ottawa. 

A five-year deal isn’t bad for either party. The Lightning get him during his prime years and Miller gets good money with a chance to cash in further when he’s 30. As of now, he’ll be used on Tampa Bay’s third line. $5.25 million a year for a third line guy is a steep price, but he’s good enough to play a top six role. Given the cap crunch Yzerman is facing in the coming years, there’s a good chance Miller ends up on one of the top two lines in a couple of seasons.

The deal looks slightly worse if Miller ends up on the third line for the majority of this deal. While the cap will rise, paying over $5 million for a third line guy isn’t good economics, not matter how good Miller is. Of course, if Miller continues to produce 50 points a season in a checking forward role, you probably won’t hear anyone complain.

Grade: B

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