The Lightning should take a flier on this Senators forward.
The Lightning should take a flier on this Senators forward.
After being traded by the Detroit Red Wings to the Ottawa Senators during the 2023 NHL Offseason, Dominik Kubalik could never find his footing with his new club. In 74 games this season with the Senators, he had 11 goals, four assists, and a minus-30 rating. It was a challenging year for the 28-year-old, and he is not expected to be brought back by the Senators.
While Kubalik had a rough season for the Senators, he is somebody the Tampa Bay Lightning should consider taking a flier on. He is unlikely to command much more than a league-minimum deal in free agency and would have the potential to be an excellent bargain addition for the Lightning because of it.
Kubalik is a clear bounce-back candidate for the 2024-25 season. Before his down year with the Senators, he had 20 goals and 45 points in 81 games with Detroit. He also has a 30-goal season and two 40-point seasons on his resume. As a result, he could regain his scoring touch with a change of scenery.
Kubalik would have the potential to thrive playing with stars like Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel, and Steven Stamkos (if he re-signs). He could be an excellent option for their middle six and power play as well.
With the Lightning having limited money heading into the offseason, they are in a position to take a chance on a player with past success like Kubalik. Let's see if they do just that from here.
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