What’s Next for Back-to-Back Stanley Cup Winner Patrick Maroon?

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Patrick Maroon has had an interesting few seasons. A player who seemingly is the last pick on every team, he signs one-year, low-budget deals with teams much later than most would expect as a free agent, yet he’s somehow managed to win two Stanley Cups since being traded by the Edmonton Oilers two years ago. Ironically, the most recent one he won, was in Edmonton.

Related: 4 Points About the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Win Over the Dallas Stars

A back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion with the Lightning and the St. Louis Blues, Maroon might be that player a team considers good luck. He’ll be a free agent this coming offseason (again) and there’s no telling where he’ll sign considering a flat salary cap and a Lightning team that will have its own cap issues to deal with.

Maroon is an unrestricted free agent this off season. He offers the size and toughness a lot of teams need and he’ll come in at a price every team can afford. He’s a team-complexion changer. Lightning coach Jon Cooper said, “I’d give guys roles and make sure they all know what they are, and he knows his. He’s got character, and he is a character. It’s two good attributes to have.”

Maroon said of Monday’s win:

”I thought last year was something else, but this year was something special. I’ve been fortunate enough to be on so many good hockey teams, and to go back to back, most people don’t get the chance to play in a Stanley Cup Finals, I got to do it back to back, and win. I got the chills talking about this.”

So What Does That Mean for Maroon?

Is this the type of statement that suggests Maroon will keep looking to land with a winner? If so, teams like Tampa, Colorado, Vegas, or even Dallas will be on his radar this Fall.

But, could this mean that after two Stanley Cups, he’s ready to try and cash in on free agency and potentially his status as a good luck charm? It might not be the best financial landscape for Maroon to hit it out of the park, but GMs will be looking at his contributions in relatively little time on ice and thinking there’s a spot for him. Could he get a two-year deal and a bit of security?

It certainly could be something he’ll be looking for.

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