Carter Verhaeghe: Not qualified by Lightning

Verhaeghe did not receive a qualifying offer from the Lightning and will become a UFA on Friday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Verhaeghe appears to be the victim of the Lightning's impending salary-cap crunch. As a restricted free agent, he would have had arbitration rights that would have likely made him too expensive for the Lightning to keep. The 25-year-old racked up nine goals and 13 points in 52 NHL appearances in his first campaign. He also had two assists in eight playoff appearances as the Lightning completed a Stanley Cup run.