Small moves to big impact

While the Tampa Bay Lightning were busy making moves on the ice to reach the Eastern Conference Final for a second-straight season, the front office was busy making moves off it to ensure future success for the franchise.

The Lightning made a handful of under-the-radar deals with players already in the pipeline during the 2016 playoffs. With the offseason now in full swing, we’ll revisit these signings and their impact on the Lightning organization.

Tanner Richard

A third round draft pick (71st overall) at the 2012 NHL Draft, Richard completed his third full season for Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse and set career highs for assists (43) and points (53). The 23-year-old forward played in 71 games for the Crunch and finished the season as the team’s scoring leader. Richard ranked tied for seventh in the AHL for assists. He also added 11 goals, tied for seventh most on the Crunch.

In 214 games for Syracuse over four seasons, Richard has put up 112 points (26 goals, 86 assists) and averages 0.52 points per game.

On May 21, the Lightning re-signed Richard to a one-year, two-way contract. Richard will likely begin next season again in Syracuse, but should his production continue at the level he displayed in 2015-16, he could get the callup to Tampa Bay and make his NHL debut in 2016-17.

Joel Vermin

Like Richard, Vermin was re-signed to a one-year, two-way deal on May 21.

Vermin made his NHL debut with the Lightning this season on November 19, 2015 against the New York Rangers and recorded over 10 minutes of ice time. In his second game in the NHL, Vermin tallied his first point, an assist …

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