Tampa Bay Lightning Trade Deadline: Red Wings Forward

The trade deadline for the Tampa Bay Lightning will be a hot topic this season.
They have been active in making trades the last few seasons.
It started with Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow.
Most recently, Tanner Jano and Michael Acimon.
The question this season is what the Lightning should do.
Buy or sell?
Here at Last Word, Kyle Pereira and Jack Pallotta begin a series looking at some potential trades.
Let’s say they buy, who wins?
What are they giving up?
This time we would like to introduce Daniel Sprong of the Detroit Red Wings.
Tampa Bay Lightning Trade Deadline Target: Daniel Sprong Since his 2015 draft year in Pittsburgh, his Penguins organization had high expectations for Sprong.
The second-round draft pick joined the QMJHL and played at a points-per-game pace in the AHL during the 2017-18

season.
Unfortunately, Sprong was not successful with the team that selected him.
He scored just seven points in 24 games with the Penguins before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks.
Sprong spent the next few seasons with the Washington Capitals, proving that his scoring ability was still intact.
However, starting with the 2022-23 season, Sprong’s name will be in the spotlight.
He signed with the Seattle Kraken as a free agent and scored 21 goals and 46 points in 66 games.
Sprong signed a one-year contract with Detroit last summer.
Like many other free agents on the market this year, Sprong jumped at the chance to earn a higher salary as the cap increases over the next few seasons.
He played in 50 games for the Red Wings this season, scoring 13 goals and 32 points.
Sprong established himself as a legitimate offensive threat throughout the league.
Why would the Lightning be interested in a player like Sprong, who is on an expiring contract?
Spring Scouting Report

The Dutch native’s fast and explosive running ability is the basis of his dynamic attacking ability.
Sprong has excellent balance and puck control, allowing him to outrun defenders and retain possession.
Additionally, he has a lightning wrist shot that allows him to beat goalies anywhere on the net.
Sprong is a high-volume shooter, ranking 10th in the league with 10.
6 shots per 60 at 5-on-5 this season.
He is versatile because he can rush, cycle, and use the man advantage.
Additionally, his passing skills have improved, making him more of a dual offensive threat than before.
After all, 73% of his assists over the past two seasons have come from main players.
On the other hand, his defensive side still needs work.
But with the right role and the right amount of effort, Sprong shouldn’t be a problem defensively.
For example, Sprong has Derek Lalonde starting 9.
71% of plays in the defensive zone (9.
71DZS%), which ranks second from bottom among Detroit forwards.
What else does Sprong have to offer?

Sprong Strengths Once again, Sprong is best known for its dynamic offensive game.
Microstat data from Corey Sznajder in all three zones further proves this point.
With the Kraken last season, Sprong ranked in his 91st percentile in rushing offense per hour.
Sprong uses his long stride to create separation with defenders to keep him away from the rush.
And he always adds a few fakes before taking a shot towards the goalie.
Sprong is deceptive with his puck handling and misplaces goaltenders.
Additionally, Sprong proved he can compete in cycling with Detroit this season.
He ranks in the 60th percentile and 69th percentile in cycle attack and forechecking this year.
Additionally, the Lightning could improve their rushing offense with the help of Sprong.
In the last three games recorded on Last Word, the Lightning led the Rush by a 28-20 (41.
67% RSHT) margin.
The Lightning lost to the New Jersey Devils 14-0 on January 11th.
It’s unacceptable for a playoff-level team to not produce rushing shots for a 60-minute game.
Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Nick Paul and Michael Eisymont led the team with three rushing shots each in games recorded.
Signing Sprong allows the Lightning to add another element to their offense for the second half of the season.

The red flag for Sprong is how well he can replicate his play in a larger role.
Sprong has played primarily against bottom-six forwards the past two seasons.
He’s proven he’s better than bottom-six players, but can his two-way ability allow him to survive on the second line?
We know Sprong can play rush and cycle.
There is evidence that his offensive style is system safe.
Microstat supports vision testing, and Sprong could work with Jon Cooper’s system.
The phrase “on the fence” has been attached to Sprong’s name since his draft year, and the phrase remains intact at the 2024 NHL trade deadline.
Moreover, Julien Brisebois does not like to rent forwards.
Historically, all of the company’s timely acquisitions have been multi-year projects.

Mr.
Sprong is likely to test the public market this summer.
He had another solid season to earn his paycheck in the offseason.
Therefore, Lightning should not be interested in renting it.
What It (Possibly) Means for Daniel Sprong The 2023 NHL trade deadline provides two equivalent deadline deals for a potential Sprong trade.
Max Domi (0.
82 points per game) was traded to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Anton Khudobin and a 2025 second-round draft pick.
Vladimir Tarasenko (0.

76 points per game) was traded to the New York Rangers for Sammy Breis, Hunter Skinner, and a conditional draft pick.
Like Sprong, both forwards have versatile offensive skills.
Tarasenko takes deadly shots, but Domi prefers to pass first.
Sprong is younger than both players and has dual-threat offensive instincts.
By this point in the season, he’ll be producing a solid return of 0.
64 points per game.
The Lightning have the resources to target a player like Sprong at the deadline.
Sprong has a cap hit of $2 million, making him an affordable option for the cash-strapped Lightning.
Below is a hypothetical offer to acquire Sprong from the Red Wings.