Cal Foote

Foote was in and out of the Tampa Bay lineup a year ago, both during the regular season and in the playoffs. He managed just nine points in 56 games, while averaging barely over 13 minutes (13:08) of ice time per night. The Lightning reshuffled their defensive corps this offseason, losing Ryan McDonagh and Jan Rutta while adding Ian Cole and Philippe Myers. Foote would seem to have an excellent chance of being a regular for Tampa in 2022-23, but nothing in his past performance suggests a full-time gig will lead to desirable fantasy production.

Foote appears ready to make the jump to the NHL after posting 28 points in 62 games with AHL Syracuse. He earned a job in training camp and could at least factor in as a rotational player to relieve veterans like Luke Schenn or Jan Rutta. A first-round pick in 2017, Foote is a top defensive prospect in the league, and could play his way up to a top-four role regularly. If he can make progress throughout the year, look for him to approach 15 points, but it'll be his defensive work that keeps him in the lineup.

Foote is the Bolts' top defense prospect. He has all the tools -- smarts, skill and size -- to be a good, defense-first top-four NHL blueliner, but he's not likely to be an offensive force. Foote finished tied for ninth in scoring (31 points) among rookie defenders in the AHL in 2018-19, but his point-per-game average of 0.41 dropped him to 13th on the same list. The 20-year-old American has been focusing on his foot speed, but that area of his game still needs work. Another year in the AHL would serve him very well.