Related: Devils News & Rumors: Severson, Stadium Series & More They spent a boatload to acquire Tanner Jeannot - who’s also an RFA - at the trade deadline, so they’ll want to clear money to re-sign him this summer. Colton Should Be Affordable Through a Tradeīecause of the Lightning’s cap situation, they may have trouble keeping Alex Killorn and Colton the former will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. There’s a fit for what the Devils need, and given the Lightning’s cap situation, he may not cost much to acquire. He doesn’t create much in the offensive zone or on the rush through his passing, nor does he generate breakouts from the defensive zone by passing.īut given what else he offers - shooting, forechecking, physicality - there may be more to like about his game than there isn’t. The other is that he’s not a great passer by any stretch. The Devils like forwards with sound two-way games, so that could be an issue. There are a couple of weaknesses in Colton’s game, one being he struggles defensively. Ross Colton’s microstats for the 2022-23 season Colton ranked in the 88th percentile in recoveries and 77th percentile in pressures: There’s the physical presence and ability to hit, but he is a high-end forechecker that’s no surprise, given how the Lightning have built their roster. Ruff’s system is primarily rush-based, so he’d likely fit in with what the Devils want to do offensively.īut where Colton will add something different is on the forecheck. Even when it comes to zone entries and exits, he’s shown an ability to move the puck efficiently with possession. He still excels on the rush, ranking in the 91st percentile in shots off the rush. Still, Colton had a solid year, and when looking at his microstats, he’d bring something different to the Devils. His goal-scoring did fall off a bit in 2022-23, but that’s mostly due to his shooting percentage at full strength falling below ten percent. And he’s been an efficient five-on-five scorer, averaging 1.99 points per 60 minutes. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ross Colton (Photo by Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)Ĭolton has posted an expected goals percentage (xG%) above 51 percent in each of his three NHL seasons. He’s averaged 21 goals per 82 games in his three NHL seasons, but he’s also not afraid to throw his body around he had 188 hits in 2022-23. Adding some depth to complement them lower in the lineup could be the plan, and that’s where Colton could help. Dawson Mercer isn’t physical like Meier, but he’s showing he can be annoying to play against while scoring 25-30 goals as a top-six winger.Īssuming the Devils get Bratt and Meier - their two main restricted free agents - signed to new deals, they might not need to acquire a big-time scorer this summer. The Devils have their skill players in Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, while Timo Meier gives them a bit of both in someone who can score 35-40 goals but also throw the body around. That could present Fitzgerald and the Devils an opportunity to take advantage and a quality depth player to the roster’s middle-six. Colton, a New Jersey native who grew up a Devils fan, could be a cap casualty, as the Lightning only have $450,000 in cap space (without LTIR usage) entering the offseason.
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