Philadelphia Flyers left wing Jakob Pelletier (22) takes the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/18a469df-fc56-4819-a37f-bd96fede1ce9.jpeg] Philadelphia Flyers left wing Jakob Pelletier (22) takes the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Lightning have had a particularly quiet offseason [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-take-measured-approach-in-quiet-free-agency], signing smaller dollar amount contracts with low-risk, but high-reward players. No signing highlights that philosophy more than Jakob Pelletier. The 24-year-old left-winger is a former first-round pick of the Calgary Flames [http://thn.com/calgary] who has shown flashes of positive results but has struggled to stay healthy. The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year, two-way contract, which will allow the Lightning to send him down to the AHL [http://thn.com/ahl] without the use of waivers. Throughout his career, Pelletier has dominated the AHL, scoring 51 goals and 130 points in 139 games. His time in the NHL has been a bit of a different story, scoring 11 goals and 29 points in 86 appearances, but his best traits could help him carve out a role within the Lightning's bottom six as early as this season. Although he is listed at just 5-foot-11, 181 pounds, Pelletier plays a physical game, finishes his checks on the forecheck and remains engaged on the backcheck. He's a good skater with wonderful playmaking instincts and vision, which could help the Lightning improve their bottom-six scoring. Currently, the projected makeup of the bottom six predicts to be some combination of Gage Goncalves [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/exciting-lightning-forward-should-hit-new-level], Nick Paul, Connor Geekie, Pontus Holmberg [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-made-good-move-signing-ex-maple-leafs-forward], Yanni Gourde [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/yanni-gourde-signs-six-year-contract-with-lightning], Zemgus Girgensons [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-s-zemgus-girgensons-named-to-latvia-s-roster-for-2026-olympics-in-milan] and Michael Chaffee. Outside of Paul, Gourde and possibly Goncalves, no forward is stapled to a spot in the lineup, which creates healthy competition and forces each player to be at their best at all times. Throughout an 82-game season, players will have ups and downs, and the organization will suffer several injuries, which should provide Pelletier an avenue to make his mark. A strong training camp and preseason will go a long way for the Quebec native as he looks to move his way up the depth chart. Lightning Make Smart Move Signing Ex-Flames First-Round Pick [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e08628a3-d80d-4457-a422-a233f314709f.webp] Lightning Make Smart Move Signing Ex-Flames First-Round Pick The Tampa Bay Lightning are bringing in a former first-round pick. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-make-smart-move-signing-ex-flames-first-round-pick]
