Tampa Bay Lightning Are Reportedly Joe Pavelski's Top Option in Free Agency

As if the Lightning weren't already stacked enough, one of the top free agents of the NHL offseason is eager to join them.

Joe Pavelski reportedly has the Tampa Bay Lightning at the top of his wish list heading into free agency.

The news comes in wake of Pavelski's agent hinting at the fact that a return to the San Jose Sharks, the team he's spent his entire 13-year career with, is unlikely.

The Lightning would have to figure out a way to work him in considering they're up against the cap, but if they did, they'd be adding an elite center to a team that won 62 games and finished with an absurd 128 points.

Pavelski, a premier center while with the Sharks, finished the 2018-19 season with 38 goals and 64 points.

The amount of depth at center that he'd give the Lightning would be ridiculous. Pavelski would be joining the likes of Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point, both of whom finished the season with over 90 points.

The league better prepare for the worst, because if the Lightning do end up finding a way to add Pavelski, chances are they won't roll over in the first round of the playoffs like they did last year.