The Story Behind Nicklaus Perbix’s Breakout Season

Nicklaus Perbix emerged as a consistent option for the Tampa Bay Lightning throughout the 2023 season. The off-season prior, the Lightning lost Ryan McDonagh and Jan Rutta to salary cap casualties. These departures left two big holes in the defensive core. Perbix rose to the challenge by playing 15 minutes a night. He solidified himself as a legitimate full-time NHL defenceman in just 69 games of experience.

Nick Perbix’s Breakout Season

Born in Elk River, Minnesota, Perbix spent his junior days with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. Perbix recorded four goals and 29 points in 56 games during the 2017-18 season. He went on to spend the next four seasons with St. Cloud State University of the NCAA. Perbix recorded 89 points in 135 career games. Then, Perbix finished the 2022 season with the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate. Perbix added eight points in 12 games for the Crunch. Additionally, he played in the Winter Olympics for Team USA. In 10 games, Perbix recorded four points. This path led him to become a full-time member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Perbix’s Puck-Moving Role

Perbix is a disciplined defenceman who played his role for Head Coach Jon Cooper. He followed Tampa Bay’s structure and thrived under it. Perbix is another example of how Cooper can make nearly any player successful in his system. Moreover, Perbix scored five goals and 20 points in 69 games. His point total ranked third-best amongst Tampa Bay defenceman. In addition, all 20 of his points came at 5v5.

Perbix tied Mikhail Sergachev for the team defence lead in 5v5 primary assists per hour with 0.59. Corey Sjanzder’s All Three Zones micro-stats tracking project backs up his strong passing ability. Perbix helped set up scoring chances and shots for the Lightning all season. Perbix ranked in the 88th percentile of shot assists per hour amongst defencemen.

Breakouts and Possession Numbers

Nicklaus Perbix is a steady presence and is great with the puck on his stick. Furthermore, Perbix excels as a puck-moving defenceman on the breakout. Perbix falls under the “best puck movers” category for Sjanzder’s zone exit microstats. He placed in the 85th percentile of defensive zone puck touches per hour. In addition, he ranked in the 87th percentile of retrievals leading to exits. Perbix frequently gains possession of the puck and hits open forwards swinging on the breakouts. He allows the offence to generate many quality chances. Perbix’s possession numbers back up this claim further.

Perbix is controlling possession on the ice by out-chancing the opponent. He controlled 55.91% of the goal share when on the ice at 5v5. Additionally, Perbix managed 52.32% of the expected goals. 54.07% of the scoring chances, and 54.52% of the high-danger Corsi on the ice at 5v5. While Perbix faced weaker competition, he was excellent in his role assigned by Coach Cooper.

Looking Ahead To Next Season

If there was ever a time for Nicklaus Perbix to breakout, he will have a chance to do so. Perbix is projected to slot on the top pair alongside Victor Hedman to start the 2023-24 season. The 25-year-old defenceman will continue to develop with time. He likely won’t play any powerplay time because of Hedman and Sergachev, but expect him to be steady at even strength. Furthermore, Perbix signed a two-year extension with the club on January 2nd. The contract kicks in at the start of the season, two years with an annual average of $1.125 million per season. This is a player who fought his way onto one of the best teams in the league. He offers another fantastic success story out of Tampa Bay.