The free agent signings are still trickling in as the summer meanders its way through August. While there hasn’t been any movement on the major restricted free agent front, a couple of familiar names inked deals that will give them a shot at making the NHL.
First up is Jaydon Dureau. The former Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick is trying his hand in a different organizations after not being tendered a contract by the Bolts. The 24-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Manitoba Moose, the AHL affiliate for the Winnipeg Jets. Dureau, who grew up in Saskatchewan, split time between Orlando and Syracuse while he was in the Lightning organization. He had success with the Solar Bears as he recorded 73 points (29 games, 44 assists) in 103 games. That never translated to his time in Syracuse as he played in 36 games with just 3 goals and 4 assists over six seasons.
One of his teammates during those brief forays into Syracuse was Sean Day. The defenseman made his NHL debut with the Lightning, playing in two games in the 2021-22 season. He was a mainstay on the Crunch defense for four seasons where he put up 92 points in 215 games. Day, 27, spent last season with HV71 in Sweden where he put up 2 goals and 9 assists in 45 games.
He signed a one-year deal with the Bridgeport Islanders on Wednesday. While it’s not a NHL contract, there is a path to the top for Day if some of the New York Islanders young defenders falter.
Hockey News
The Top 25 Under 25 ranking continues [Raw Charge]
Jaydon Dureau and Sean Day both made the countdown in 2022 with Day taking the 11th spot and Dureau at 17. It was Day’s only appearance while Dureau made it again in 2023 at the 21st spot. There are two days left to make your picks. If you have already done it, make sure to let your friends know about it. Let’s see how many entries we can get!
Top Right Wings in the NHL – Nikita Kucherov [NHL.com]
Sure he’s been denied the Hart Trophy the last two years, but at least the NHL Network named him the best right-winger in the game. So he’s got that going for him.
Hedman says playing for Sweden is a ‘dream come true’ [NHL.com]
For the first time in his hockey career, Victor Hedman is going to the Olympics. The 34-year-old Lightning captain has tasted glory at every level he’s played at, and now he is setting his sights on Olympic gold. It’s still amazing that he was left off of the 2014 squad.
Which teams spend their money most wisely? [The Athletic]
Not going to lie, didn’t expect to see the Lightning at the top of this list, but here we are. As Dom writes,
“Now, the Lightning have exactly zero problem contracts on the books but several solid deals, and their forward core is locked in at an incredible price. Between Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, [Brandon] Hagel and [Anthony] Cirelli, the Lightning are paying $40.8 million for $58.5 million of value.”
Good for them!
Five players in danger of negative regression next season [Daily FaceOff]
Once again, positive news as there are no Lightning players on this list. Old friend Vlad Namestnikov made it as did three Washington Capitals (if you include the honorable mentions).
Stadium Series Merch is here [Tampa Bay Sports]
While the jerseys are still shrouded in mystery at least you can buy some swag. The logo does look really great on the pucks.
