Raw Charge
It’s that time of year. The days are getting shorter. Players are starting to get ready to head to the cities they play in, and teams are starting to put together their training camp rosters. While the vast majority of free agents have been signed, there are a few out there that still need contracts. For some of those players, the road back to the NHL might lie in a professional try-out contract. One of those players might be Patrik Laine. Could the Tampa Bay Lightning be the team that signs him? There has been some mention that the Lightning could be a landing spot for the 28-year-old, but it’s mostly speculation at this point. Still, if it doesn’t cost them anything isn’t it worth a look? Bringing in a right-shot forward that has 224 goals in 537 career games with 85 of those coming on the power play could be a big boost for a special teams that has been streaky at best over the last couple of seasons. Imagine a Lightning power play that featured Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, John Carlson, and Patrik Laine? That gaping hole on the right side of the power play that has been there since Steven Stamkos left would immediately be filled by the big Finn launching shots. Of course, there are some concerns with signing Laine, even to a try-out deal. First and foremost, his injury history. That chart above is from the 2024-25 season because he only appeared in five games for Montreal last season. When he’s on the ice he’s been effective, but that’s been a problem. He hasn’t cracked the 56-game mark since the 2019-20 season and has played under 20 games in two of the last three seasons. The best ability is availability, right? Right? Second, is where he would play at 5v5. During that 2024-25 season, he spent most of the time on Montreal’s third line with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. For him to do that, it would complete alter what the Lightning like to do with their third line. Laine is, to put it kindly, not the most interested in defensive hockey. Grinding away on the forecheck isn’t exactly his style. As for the first concern, the beauty of a PTO is that it doesn’t tie a team to a player. If he struggles in camp, the Lightning can part ways without any obligation. Should he excel, they can also limit their financial exposure by signing him to a bonus-laden contract. The league allows for performance bonuses on entry-level contracts, 35+ contracts, and players who have appeared in 400 career games and spent more than 100 days on injured reserve the previous season. A one-year, bonus-heavy deal works for both sides. The Lightning are protected if he can’t stay healthy, and Laine gets a chance to rebuild his reputation in order to land a bigger contract next season. There have already been a few such contracts signed this summer. Mats Zuccarello signed a one-year deal with the Kings for $1 million. However, he can earn another $5.5 million in bonuses. The Lightning have a little wiggle room this season in regards to the cap, and if they do they should be able to absorb it in next season’s cap (even after signing Kucherov to his new contract). Addressing the second concern might be a little tougher for the Lightning. Playing for Jon Cooper means playing defense. Not quite to the level of John Tortorella (who Laine briefly played for in Columbus), but Laine can’t expect to be on the team and completely ignore his defensive responsibilities. Who he ends up with linemates could mitigate that impact. Theoretically, there is a spot open on a line with Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel, two of the Lightning’s top defensive forwards. Teaming up with Dominic James and Ilya Mikheyev might not be as strong defensively, but it would be an entertaining trio if nothing else. Could a healthy Laine find some time on the top line? He hasn’t played top line minutes since 2022-23, but it would help limit his defensive exposure. Another option would be to a variation of what the Lightning did last season. There were quite a few games last year when the Lightning would dress eleven forwards, but basically play ten. Usually it was a fourth-line forward like Curtis Douglas that got minimal five-on-five time, but there is nothing saying they couldn’t do something similar with Laine. Basically he would be a power play specialist that took enough shifts at 5v5 to keep warm throughout the game. Laine is likely waiting for a guaranteed contract, but if that doesn’t materialize soon, a PTO might be his only path to the NHL this season. Of the teams that might offer him a spot, the Lightning could be an ideal spot for him to rebuild his reputation.
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