In the previous article we focused on how the forwards of the Tampa Bay Lightning are doing in the NHL to this date while also exploring the potential future of these players. Today we will be looking at the defense and goaltending of this team.
Defense
Kevin Shattenkirk - 79 OV with 2 years at 3.4 million per. GP 37 G 8 A 16
Kevin is a stud d-man and is the lightning number 1 guy. He's having another great NHL season and should see his OV raised back to 80 or higher for next year in the NEFHL. At 3.4 million, he's definitely a bargain and we are well aware that after next season he's going to get quite expensive unfortunately.
Hampus Lindhlm - 73 OV with 1 year at 950 K per. GP 25 G 1 A 4
Hampus was in a contract dispute to start the year in Anaheim and missed around a dozen games. He obviously hasn't put up great offensive numbers yet but we expect those numbers to improve as the season goes on and at the end of the day, he's in a contract year so signing him cheap for 4 years isn't the worst case scenario. He is probably our best all around d-man in the NHL right now and expect him to be in a lightning uniform for many years to come.
Marc Streit - 71 OV with 4 years at 2.25 mill per. GP 31 G 5 A 11
We signed Streit for 4 years thinking he may retire at the end of the season but he's actually having a good nhl season and hope to use him next year too!
Francois Beauchemin - 75 OV with 2 years at 3.6 mill per. GP 35 G 0 A 6
He's having an awful season much like pretty everyone in Colorado this year. He has good ratings this year so he may be someone we try and move at the deadline if things keep up this way.
Nick Schultz - 71 OV with 2 years at 1.5 mill per. GP 11 G 0 A 3
It looks like Schultz is a victim of young d-men coming up in Philly and is playing time is hurting because of it. His 82 DF and about 70 OV should keep him in the NEFHL next season. Could definitely be a deadline move as well.
Chris Wideman - 66 OV with 1 year at 560K per. GP 31 G 1 A 7
Chris is finally a mainstain in Ottawa and is playing very good hockey with them. We were hoping his AHL numbers would translate more to the NHL but its hard to do in a bottom pair role and 2 PP unit. He may be our number 6 D next year.
Goalies
Jonathan Quick - 83 OV with 4 years at 5.75 per. GP 1 SV% .933
Quick got injured in the very first game of the year but should be back before the end of the season. This pretty much guarentied to keep the same ratings as last year except in DU of course
J-F Berube - 65 OV with 2 years at 950K per. GP 4 SV % .901
Halak was just put on waivers by the Islanders so look for Berube to get more starts and hopefully work himself into a legit back ratings for next season.