BREAKING: Ex-Chicago Blackhawk Officially Signs With The Tampa Bay Lightning

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Sam Walker
September 9, 2023 (3:16 PM)

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Lightning Swiftly Replace Josh Archibald with Tyler Motte

In a quick pivot, the Tampa Bay Lightning wasted no time finding a replacement for winger Josh Archibald, announcing the signing of former Chicago Blackhawks winger Tyler Motte to a one-year contract worth $800,000.

Motte's Offensive Showing

Tyler Motte, aged 28, split his previous season between the Senators and the Rangers, showcasing some solid offensive contributions. He recorded eight goals and 11 assists while playing for these two teams, marking career-best numbers in assists and total points. Although Motte isn't typically recognized for his scoring prowess, these stats demonstrate his value beyond his gritty style of play.

A Versatile Forward

Motte's reputation in the NHL centers around his gritty playing style and versatility. He can slot into all three forward positions if needed, although he has limited experience at center. Additionally, he's a penalty-killing specialist. Over his seven-year NHL career, Motte has donned the jerseys of five different teams, tallying 43 goals and 38 assists in 331 games.

Waiting for the Right Deal

This marks the second consecutive summer where Motte had to wait until just before training camps started to secure a contract. Last year, he signed with Ottawa on September 14th, netting himself a raise to the tune of a $1.35 million agreement. This time around, Motte's contract comes with the lowest price tag of his career, but it provides the security of a guaranteed deal heading into training camp.

Rick Dhaliwal from CHEK TV reported that Motte initially aimed for a higher price tag earlier in the summer and switched agents in pursuit of a more favorable deal. Nevertheless, this contract with Tampa Bay serves as a solid fallback option.

Filling Archibald's Role

Tyler Motte is set to fill the void left by Josh Archibald, who had originally been expected to take on the role following Pat Maroon's trade to Minnesota. Motte is likely to see regular action on Tampa Bay's fourth line and contribute to the penalty kill. However, if injuries hit, his track record suggests he can step up to the third line as well. It's a sudden shift in circumstances with Archibald's departure, but GM Julien BriseBois appears to have found a capable replacement in Tyler Motte, even on short notice.