The Tampa Bay Lightning should be making some additions to their roster this off-season. When looking at their group, it is fair to say that they could use a bit more forward depth. Due to this, they should consider the possibility of reuniting with an old friend, pending unrestricted free agent Cole Koepke.
During this past off-season, the Lightning decided to part ways with Koepke. This was after the 27-year-old winger spent most of the 2023-24 season in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch, posting 20 goals, 39 points, and a plus-8 rating in 53 games. He also appeared in nine games with the Lightning that campaign, where he had two assists and 23 hits.
After becoming a free agent last summer, Koepke signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. While with the Original Six club, the Two Harbors, Minnesota native broke up and proved he can be a solid bottom-six forward at the NHL level. In 73 games, the 6-foot-1 winger recorded new career highs with 10 goals, seven assists, 17 points, and 177 hits. With numbers like these, he would provide the Lightning's bottom six with a bit more secondary scoring and plenty of grit if brought back.
When looking at the Lightning's current lineup, Koepke could slot nicely on their fourth line or even work as an extra forward. In either scenario, the Lightning would be getting another solid energy player, which is never a bad thing for a playoff team to have.
On an affordable short-term deal, Koepke could be a nice player for the Lightning to bring back to Tampa. He showed this season with Boston that he can be impactful in a fourth-line role, so it will be interesting to see if the Lightning pursues the pending UFA if he hits the market on July 1 from here.
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