In our most recent gradebook article, we evaluated the Lightning left-wing group, who predominantly helped buoy the Bolts’ scoring throughout the season and positively influenced the standings. In this issue, I will provide an overview of the right-wing corps and discuss their season through a summary weighing the pros and cons of each player’s season, culminating in a final grade. As we all know, Jon Cooper loves to put the lines in a blender, so positions were determined based on which role each player saw the most shifts in. The Lightning right-wingers had a productive season, led by none other than Hart Trophy candidate Nikita Kucherov.
Nikita Kucherov
Grade: A++++
If Kucherov’s year didn’t merit an A+, then it’s safe to say that no winger would ever earn one. Despite a bevy of talent surrounding him, Kucherov’s dominant play was likely the single most significant driver behind the Bolts’ seventh consecutive playoff berth. Kucherov finished the season with 44 goals and 100 assists, both career marks. Regardless of whether Kucherov captures his second Hart Trophy next month, his historic year is worthy of an A+.
Pros and Cons
Pros - It’s tough to zone in on a singular pro throughout such a historic season. Kucherov’s 100th assist put him in rarified air when he became the third player ever to record 40 goals and 100 assists in the same year, following the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Kucherov also broke the all-time record for assists by a winger, a record he previously shared with Jaromir Jagr, who also recorded 87 assists in a season. He shattered his best by 13 assists, making him the fifth player to record 100 assists in a season.
Cons - Although Kucherov had a statistically strong postseason with seven assists in 5 games, the Panthers kept him mostly quiet and prevented him from bringing his “A” game. His goalscoring at 5v5 dried out a touch in the later stages of the season, but it was still a phenomenal year for 86. The only other con there could be is that it will be tough to top such an outstanding year in the future.
Contract
Kucherov is still signed to his 8-year, $9.5 million AAV deal through 2026-27. It remains one of the best-value contracts in the entire league.
Tanner Jeannot
Grade: D+
It's hard to give Jeannot such a low grade, given his lousy injury luck and inability to find his footing with constant interruptions to his play when coming in and out of the lineup. Jeannot managed seven goals and seven assists in 55 games. There are many theories on why Jeannot has not recaptured his rookie season success in Tampa. His usage as a bottom-six forward forced to play closer to the perimeter rather than the net front has hindered his production. Paired with nagging injuries, it has been a challenging run. Should Julien Brisebois keep Jeannot, I expect his production will be closely tied to how he is deployed in the lineup.
Pros and Cons
Pros -Jeannot shot the puck at a decent 11.86% clip over the past year, but with such a low shot volume (only 59 shots over his 55 games), it’s hard to conclude that he is an impact scorer. Jeannot managed 182 hits on the puck's defensive side despite his limited playing time. He also managed to win 23 faceoffs despite only being a secondary centerman when the primary faceoff taker got ejected from the dot.
Cons - Jeannot did not bring the offensive punch he was brought in for this year. He still has an above-average shot but does not get enough of them on goal from dangerous areas to make a significant difference for the Bolts. While his physical play is excellent, he leaves much to be desired on offense.
Despite his tough stretch in Tampa, it might be good to see Jeannot get some top-six minutes and potentially some time on the second powerplay unit to reignite some of his scoring ability. No disrespect to defensive stalwarts like Tyler Motte and Luke Glendening, but it will be difficult for Jeannot to meet his lofty expectations when he is saddled to a line whose primary objective is to chip pucks out of the zone and prevent chances.
Contract
Despite some unmet expectations from Jeannot, his contract worth $2.66 million per year is not breaking the bank for the Bolts, which makes it a bit easier to stomach his shortcomings. Assuming he remains with the team beyond July 1, his 16-team no-trade clause will kick in next year, but rumors are circulating that Jeannot is on the trade block as of early June.
Michael Eyssimont
Grade: B
Eyssimont had a sneakily solid season in 2023-2024. In 81 regular-season games, he managed 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. These numbers are far from the gaudy stats Kucherov put up, yes. But Eyssimont’s effectiveness in his limited minutes provided a significant boost to a bottom-six group that needed it badly.
Pros and Cons
Pros - With Eyssimont on the ice this year, the Lightning generated 447 chances and allowed 407. They also outscored opponents 43-29 when Eyssimont played. Furthermore, they had more than double the high-danger goals for than goals against—28 to 11. Eyssimont’s tenacity, with or without the puck, creates chaos for opponents that undeniably positively impacts the Bolts’ fortunes.
Cons - Eyssimont’s shooting percentage remains below 10%, scoring 14 goals on 149 shots on net. He creates a lot of danger, but the finishing hasn’t quite been up to snuff. However, this is likely the only glaring weakness in Eyssimont’s game. If he strengthens his scoring touch, look out. Eyssimont would be a severe pain to play against in tight-checking situations like the playoffs.
Contract
Entering the second year of his two-year, $1.5 million contract, Eyssimont provides play well above his annual pay grade, with a hair above $800,000.
Mitchell Chaffee
Grade: B
In his first year of NHL action, rookie winger Mitchell Chaffee put up four goals and three assists in 30 games. Chaffee showed glimpses of being another prototypical Lightning bottom-six impact forward who plays a gritty style of hockey and can find the back of the net when needed.
Pros and Cons
Pros - From a statistical standpoint, Chaffee was as well-rounded as inexperienced rookies. Along with his four goals and three assists, Chaffee scored on nearly 15 percent of his shots on goal, a promising number for someone playing his first games in the NHL. He put up 88 hits in just 30 games while blocking 20 shots. He only took two penalties while drawing 6.
Cons - It’s hard to say there are many definitive cons for Chaffee, but I suppose the largest one boils down to uncertainty. It’s difficult to determine whether Chaffee’s trajectory will continue upward, making him a mainstay in the lineup a la Yanni Gourde, or if he will fizzle out and become the next Mitchell Stephens, Adam Erne, or Alex Barre-Boulet. He put forth a promising rookie effort, and I am rooting hard for him to continue working on his game and becoming a difference-maker for the Bolts.
Contract
On May 16, Chaffee inked a new two-year contract worth $800,000 annually. He is an intriguing talent who presents himself like the early years of Carter Verhaeghe or Barclay Goodrow during his stint in Tampa.
Austin Watson
Grade: C-
Expectations for Watson were relatively low, and he was often a healthy scratch than a regular lineup player. When called upon, he provided some sandpaper towards the bottom of the lineup, but it wasn’t particularly memorable. I think that he met the level of play demanded of him. Granted, that isn’t saying a ton.
Pros and Cons
Pros - Watson had 77 hits during his season, which is good given his limited playing time. He also did not record a single giveaway at any point throughout the year and blocked a solid 20 shots.
Cons - Watson only scored one goal and tallied three assists, which is pretty paltry even for his limited ice time. The Lightning were outchanced by a 92-72 margin with Watson on the ice. The high-danger chances were 32-21 in favor of the opponents, too. It’s not ideal to provide so little offensively and still give up most of the chances, especially the highest caliber ones. Yet, at the end of the year, the Bolts only allowed one more high-danger goal than they scored when Watson was playing. Overall, there are far worse 12th/13th forwards out there, but Watson wasn’t particularly effective.
Contract
Watson’s one-year deal worth $776,665 expired at the end of the season, making him an unrestricted free agent.
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