On the first day of NHL free agency, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois not only set up the roster for the 2022-23 season, but also locked in the core of future rosters for many years to come. He found a veteran for the left side of the defense in Ian Cole, a reliable middle-six forward in old friend Vlad Namestnikov, and a little defensive insurance in Hayden Fleury to help cover a temporary opening caused by shoulder surgery for Zach Bogosian.
Mr. BriseBois also brought some scoring in for the Syracuse Crunch as he signed Felix Robert.