New Jersey Devils: Looking At A Cap Strapped Tampa Bay Lightning Team

Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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New Jersey Devils
Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9): (Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports)

Tyler Johnson

Over the last three seasons, Tyler Johnson’s stock has fallen but his offensive stats have not as much as people make it sound. He put up 50, 47, and 31 points with the last of which coming in a shortened season. While at first it looks like a sharp decline, he still averages just under half a point per game, which is above most Devils players and still a good middle-six winger.

His goal-scoring ability would be a welcome addition to most teams. In the playoffs, however, he did have a rough time with seven points in 25 games. It is a small sample size after a break and no one really knew what to expect.

Should the Devils target him? 

For four seasons at $5 million, it will be a hard sell to move him even to a bad team. The Devils could do it, but with his size and the roster, the asking price would have to be high to take him off of the Lightning’s hands. They need to add a really good sweetener to help get them out of this jam. This one should be a no from the Devils.