The offseason has slowly chugged along, and with it, news has gradually dripped out. The latest being forward Patrick Maroon signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning on a one year deal worth 900,000.
It is another in a long line of signings from the Lightning that makes you ask how they get away with it. They are obviously playing within the rules, and they continue to be savvy with their long-term signings. Nonetheless, it frustrates you as an onlooker to no end.
If you're one of the best in the league, no matter what players are going to want to be part of it. That is the nature of the beast. It has happened for a while, and after that, you're either able to flip assets or keep that player on with a long term deal.
The most impressive part is the way they keep it churning. The Blackhawks and the Kings of the last decade were able to do it to a degree but then fell in love with the wrong players making for an even bigger cleanup than they were anticipating. The Blackhawks and Kings, because of it are still trying to get out of it. The Lightning are able to duck and dive where others weren't.
While it hasn't yielded a Stanley Cup yet (what up first-round sweep), it feels inevitable for this core to make a lasting mark on the league. Maroon is another player that is joining this group to hopefully get them over the hump. As long as they continue to win, this machine doesn't look to stop.
Now they better hope they don't see the Blue Jackets in the playoffs.
