The Tampa Bay Lightning will begin their prep schedule this week. The two-time defending champions lost a few pieces of their offense, including Yanni Gourde, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, during the offseason. However, they were able to convince good old Corey Perry to come to Florida for two years.
The 36-year-old veteran was a great asset to the Montreal Canadiens last year with his poise, leadership and on-ice play. He's not the 50-goal scorer he once was, but for a player his age, he still delivers.
In signing with the Lightning, many expected Perry to have a secondary role, given the depth the team has on offense. However, Jon Cooper obviously has no intention of underutilizing the Ontario native. Perry has been shifted with none other than captain Steven Stamkos and Ross Colton for the prep games.
Perry was never a skilled skater, even when he was younger. Now 36 years old, it's not going to get any better, as we saw last year in Montreal. However, playing with good skaters like Stamkos and Colton, Perry's pace won't show too much on the ice. It could even be a very interesting trio for the Lightning. A mix of veterans, coupled with a young, defensively sound center in Ross Colton, could hurt opposing teams.
