It’s a brand new period of Tampa Bay Lightning hockey. They’ll have a brand new captain and a piece of the group will look very totally different. After final season, it’s clear there needed to be some type of change in the event that they wish to hold the window of rivalry open. Right here’s a take a look at three must-dos (and don’ts) for the Lightning in 2024-25.
Do: Should Give Gage Goncalves Ice Time
Whereas there are a few guys within the Lightning system who deserve extra NHL time, 2020 second-round decide Gage Goncalves stands out particularly. The 23-year-old heart is coming off his finest skilled season but.
In 69 video games with the Lightning’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, Goncalves had 13 targets and 45 assists for 58 factors. This efficiency earned him a spot within the 2024 AHL All-Star Sport representing the Crunch and the North Division. He additionally had a robust playoff efficiency with six factors in seven video games.
It’s time for the Lightning to see what Goncalves can do on the highest degree of hockey. He performed two video games for the group final yr and by no means received on the scoresheet earlier than heading again to Syracuse. However together with his low cap hit and the Lightning’s lack of depth after the highest line, he can’t spend most of his time within the AHL going ahead. We’re in a brand new period of Lightning hockey the place the following era ought to begin to get its flip.
So why Goncalves over different guys equivalent to Conor Geekie? Nicely, Geekie’s place within the Lightning’s future is rather more sure. Saying the Lightning want to offer ice time to a prime offseason acquisition isn’t a really profound take both. There’s a case to name up defenseman Declan Carlile because the Lightning want the defensive depth. Like Goncalves, he’s additionally beginning to enter his mid-20s and dangers losing away within the minors.
Lastly, I don’t assume different prime choices equivalent to Dylan Duke are going to be prepared simply but, although their appearances in a Lightning uniform will definitely be welcomed. Goncalves simply stood out as essentially the most urgent to name up. He was the perfect participant on the Crunch final season and may transfer as much as Tampa Bay in consequence.
Don’t: Should Not Overuse Andrei Vasilevskiy
It must be fully anticipated that goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy will return to kind in 2024-25. Nonetheless, since he did have again surgical procedure a yr in the past and he simply turned 30, the Lightning must be taught from final season and never overuse their star participant.
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I get why he performed as a lot as he did post-surgery. It was the group’s finest probability to win video games. However it wasn’t the perfect for the long run. Vasilevskiy additionally was very inconsistent, and overuse was undoubtedly an element.
Fifty-two video games, the quantity he performed in final yr, in a season is okay if it’s throughout 82 video games, however not 60. He’s additionally going to play each single playoff recreation, as he ought to. Backup Jonas Johnasson isn’t stellar like how most backups will not be. However he’s adequate to offer Vasilevskiy an evening off, so he will be prepared for a very powerful video games.
If “The Massive Cat” has one other setback or sustains an harm that turns into power, it might set the Lightning again a really very long time. Managing the workload is a should.
Do: Should Get the Most Out of Jake Guentzel
In every other yr, Lightning followers would have beloved this acquisition. Jake Guentzel is a robust ahead coming off his finest season up to now and can make much more noise if he’s on the identical line as Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Level.
However the context of his arrival comes with a bitter context. Many see his arrival as making a selection over the long-time captain, Steven Stamkos. It’s a sense that isn’t with out benefit. Stamkos is a future Corridor of Famer and was the chief within the locker room. Guentzel additionally received a $9-million-a-season payday and Stamkos walked. I get all of it.
Nonetheless, Guentzel would possibly get unwarranted flack in consequence. If he begins off sluggish, there’s going to be numerous “ought to’ve paid Stamkos” speak.
In season one with the membership, Guentzel wants to show heads. If he can present some management then even higher. No matter will get the Lightning again the narrative of “In JBB (Julien BriseBois) we belief”. No one has to come back out and be a Conn Smythe winner, however a robust season will make it simpler to dwell with a few of the strikes remodeled the summer season.
There are definitely different must-dos and must-don’ts. Nonetheless, these have been the three that stood out specifically. If the Lightning adhere to those three particularly, the season will go a lot better each on and off the ice.
