Last season, defense was a position of weakness for the Tampa Bay Lightning. This past summer, General Manager Steve Yzerman went out and fixed that problem by adding names like Matt Carle and Sami Salo to the roster. Both guys can step right into the top-six and provide an immediate, positive impact. That being said, there are still question marks surrounding the Bolts’ defensive core. With a lot of young players in the system, spots are up for grabs.
Assuming that Matt Carle, Victor Hedman, Sami Salo and Eric Brewer are all locks to make the roster, the Bolts are left to fill positions five, six and seven. Let’s take a look at the names available to fill those spots and then take a vote on who should round out the defense core.
Marc-Andre Bergeron
Bergeron’s NHL career has been a most interesting one. Born with a very solid amount of offensive talent, MAB has never had a problem putting up points. However, his defensive game leaves a lot to be desired. Simply put, he’s a liability every time he steps out on the ice. Is that something the Lightning can afford in a quest to make the playoffs? You be the judge. At 32, MAB is hardly a spring-chicken. He has NHL experience, but he isn’t trusted by the coaching staff. His time in Tampa may be coming to a close, especially with some young guys coming up through the ranks.
Mark Barberio
#8 for the Syracuse Crunch, Mark Barberio is the pure definition of an offensive superstar. With 61 points in 74 games with the Admirals last season, Barberio has put on a show over the course of his AHL career. What’s really nice about Barberio is the fact that he’s been working hard on his defensive game; he isn’t a liability in the American League. However, can we be sure that he won’t be a liability in the NHL? Barberio is one of the top defensive prospects in the game right now and there is definitely a spot for him with the Lightning down the line.
Keith Aulie
If you’re looking for size on the back-end, Aulie is the guy to go with. At 6-6, 229 pounds, Aulie is an absolute monster out there. He has NHL experience, he’s a big body and he can chip in effectively. However, it’s pretty clear that he could still use a little bit of time to develop before becoming a full-blown NHL player. He is in desperate need of some help with his offensive game; it’s fairly weak right now.
Radko Gudas
One of the lesser known prospects around the NHL, Gudas is a defensive stalwart. He’s not the biggest guy in the world, but he makes a huge impact every night. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t make mistakes or cost his team goals. Realistically, there’s a great chance he sticks in the NHL one day. He’s physical, defensively solid and good for 20 points per season. While some seasoning in the AHL might be good for him, perhaps it is time for him to make the jump.
Brian Lee
Acquired in a trade that sent Matt Gilroy to Ottawa, Brian Lee really impressed some people last season. He was calm, collected and solid at both ends of the ice. With his big frame, good hockey sense and smart decision making, there’s no reason Lee shouldn’t be in the NHL whenever the season starts. He didn’t work out in Ottawa, but his career thus far in Tampa has been a great one. He closed last season with 4 points in his last 5 games showing Bolts management that he is more than just a plug to fill a back-end hole.
Brendan Mikkelson
Someone who doesn’t get a lot of press, Mikkelson is an interesting guy to think about from a Lightning fan’s perspective. Last season, he didn’t really do anything to anger management or the coaching staff, but the question is: did he do enough to keep his job? With only 3 points in 41 games, Mikkelson was never counted on to be an offensive difference maker. At the same time, his defensive game, while solid, wasn’t anything special. One thing that may separate Mikkelson from the pack is that he has a fair amount of NHL experience (127 games). However, is that enough?
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Well, now the decision making is up to you! Choose three of these players to round out the Lightning’s top-seven defenders. As always, thanks for reading.
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