Lightning owner: Yzerman had 'A-plus' offseason
Steve Yzerman's offseason report card came up aces.
While the Tampa Bay Lightning were disappointed after failing to qualify for last year's postseason - the Lightning missed the playoffs by a single point - the summer changes initiated from the general manager's office received a top grade from team owner Jeff Vinik, per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.
It was a busy offseason for the Lightning, which kicked off the summer by bringing in young and highly-regarded blue-liner Mikhail Sergachev from the Montreal Canadiens, whose acquisition cost the team former third overall pick Jonathan Drouin.
With training camp now underway, the expectation is Sergachev will compete for a spot on the team's bottom defensive pairing. A first-round pick by the Canadiens in 2016, the 19-year-old made impressive strides upon returning to junior last season, scoring 43 points in 50 games with the OHL's Windsor Spitfires and played a major role en route to a Memorial Cup victory.
Related - Sergachev thrilled for chance with Lightning: 'They asked for me'
With Sergachev in the bank, Yzerman continued to make moves as the offseason progressed, agreeing to terms with veteran free agents Chris Kunitz and Dan Girardi. Both players will bring an added layer of experience to a Lightning squad that many pundits see as a Stanley Cup favorite.
While the new faces should help push the Lightning to the next level, Yzerman also went to work in retaining the club's core pieces, signing center Tyler Johnson to a seven-year extension and later coming to terms with Ondrej Palat on a five-year deal.
For now, Yzerman is the offseason champion. But will his moves be enough to live up to his summer grade and lead the Lightning to the franchise's second Stanley Cup?
Fans will know soon enough, as the chase begins Oct. 6, when Tampa Bay opens its season against the in-state rival Florida Panthers.
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