Tampa Bay Lightning Forward Linked to Summer Trade

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be looking to make some adjustments to their roster this offseason as a first-round playoff exit is not something that's taken lightly. The Lightning have some major decisions to handle on their roster and it appears there could be some odd men out in the process. 

Forward Ross Colton is one of the Bolts players who is likely being moved this summer. Hockey insider Frank Seravalli sees Colton as a prime trade candidate, thanks to his age, being a pending restricted free agent and the fact the Lightning really don't have much resources to work with.

Colton is a 26-year-old grinder who loves to play an in-your-face style. He's coming into this own as a staple on the team's third line and has the offensive instincts to jump in the top-six when needed. Colton recorded 32 points in 81 games during the regular season and chipped in with four points in six Stanley Cup Playoff games. Last season he made $1.1 million against the cap and will be looking for something north of $2.5-3 million this season. Tanner Jeannot is also a pending restricted free agent in Tampa, but considering the massive haul of five draft picks and a defenseman it took to land Jeannot from the Nashville Predators, it would be crazy to see them turn around and move Jeannot this offseason.

The Lightning only have a projected cap space of $450,000 for 2023-24 and will surely be making some summer moves. Colton shouldn't be buying green bananas anytime soon.

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