Tampa Bay Lightning sign Patrick Maroon to one-year deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning were looking to add some playoff experience to their roster this summer. They’ve turned to Stanley Cup champion Patrick Maroon, who’s getting a one-year deal with $900,000. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning had some very specific goals going into this offseason. Their cap situation forced them to go with cheaper options. Hoping to bolster their blueline, the Lightning signed Kevin Shattenkirk after he was bought out. After getting swept in the first round of the 2019 postseason, the Bolts were looking to add some experience. They’re getting it in the form of Stanley Cup champion Patrick Maroon.

According to the Lightning, Maroon has signed a one-year deal worth $900,000. Last season, the St. Louis narrative helped the St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup Final. Maroon posted seven points during their Stanley Cup run, including the series-winning goal in overtime in Game 7 against the Dallas Stars.

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The Stanley Cup champion will be reunited with Jon Cooper, who was his head coach back in juniors. Maroon played for the St. Louis Bandits of the NAHL and won the Robertson Cup, given to the league champions.

Tampa was looking to add some grit and experience to their lineup. Maroon brings both of those elements. Tampa had the best regular-season record of any team in the salary cap era but didn’t have enough size and grit to win in the playoffs. At $900,000, Maroon is a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Lightning.

They have enough depth to be able to replace him if he isn’t a good fit. And at $900,000, Tampa could just bury him in the minors if they need to. The Lightning still have to worry about signing restricted free agent Brayden Point to a deal, but Maroon’s deal shouldn’t affect that.

In 449 career regular-season games, Maroon has 88 goals and 206 points. Those points have come split between the Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, and Blues. This season is the first time Maroon will start a season in the Eastern Conference, as his time with the Devils was due to being traded at the 2018 trade deadline.

Last season, he put up 10 goals and 28 points in 74 regular-season games. Maroon has enough skill to play with skilled players. It will be interesting to see precisely where he will play in their lineup, but he will likely see most of his time on the third or fourth line. Maroon could get some power-play time, as the Lightning have yet to replace J.T. Miller, who was their primary net-front presence.