Tampa Bay Lightning Unexpectedly Terminate Contract With Two-Time Cup Champion

With one-year left on his current deal at $2 million, the money just didn't make sense for Tampa Bay, and reportedly, the 33-year old asked to be moved to get a full-time chance at the NHL once again.

This past season, Sheary appeared in just five games for the Lightning, as he played 59 for the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, and given that he's a two-time Stanley Cup winner, it makes sense that he wants a bigger opportunity.

Over his career, Sheary has played in 593 games with Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Washington and Tampa Bay, tallying 124 goals and 267 points in that time, showing that he can be a fantastic addition for any team in the NHL.

At $2 million, Sheary certainly comes in at a very cheap price, and for contending teams looking for depth wingers to play significant minutes in their middle or bottom six, Sheary certainly makes plenty of sense.

For now though, we'll see how this contract termination plays out, and if Sheary does indeed hit the free agency market, it's safe to say that he'll have plenty of interest as a cheap, depth piece for a team that's potentially contending for a Stanley Cup.

Vladislav Gavrikov is a veteran defenseman who could be a valuable addition to the Lightning’s blue line. Adding him to the penalty kill would give the team the added level of defense that they are lacking, especially within the blocked shot category. Gavrikov led the Los Angeles Kings in blocked shots (140). While playing for the Kings, he is primarily used during the penalty kill. A major factor that could contribute to the Lightning not signing Gavrikov could be him being picked up before they get the chance to, or he may simply be out of their price range. Gavrikov’s current contract with the Kings is a two-year contract worth $5.8 million average annual value (AAV).

If price is the main concern while searching for a strong defenseman, a cheaper choice could be Erik Johnson. Having a defenseman like him could benefit the team in many ways, starting with his experience. He is going into his 19th season in the NHL. Due to his consistent time in the league, he is known for his leadership role. He is a reliable defenseman as he was a big factor for the Colorado Avalanche during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and for Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics, in which he helped the USA win silver. He was drafted first overall in 2006 by the St. Louis Blues and has played for the Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres, and Philadelphia Flyers. He would be able to bring his experience not only on the blue line, but also by mentoring younger defensemen such as Emil Lilleberg and JJ Moser.