The Tampa Bay Lightning are poised to begin the 2024-25 season and make a run at profitable one other Stanley Cup. To enhance on the first-round exits of the earlier two seasons, the crew needed to make some troublesome selections within the offseason, together with letting long-standing standout captain Steven Stamkos go away in free company and delivering one other path with the signing of Jake Guentzel. The Lightning are tight to the wage cap ceiling, which has compelled them to signal budget-friendly gamers to finish their roster. Nevertheless, these gamers may be worthwhile additions to the crew if they’ll play as much as and even exceed their potential.
Zemgus Girgensons
In July, the Lightning signed the Latvian to a to a three-year contract price a median annual worth (AAV) of $850,000. The 30-year-old has performed 688 profession NHL video games with the Buffalo Sabres, recording 89 targets and 188 factors. An NHL All-Star in 2015, he left Buffalo rating second amongst all skaters in Sabres’ franchise historical past for hits (1,239) and tenth for video games performed. Girgensons is a stable two-way participant and may very well be a bottom-six issue on a extra proficient lineup.
Corey Sznajder from AllThreeZones traditionally ranks Girgensons within the higher echelon of zone-exit and forechecking micro stats amongst forwards every season. Girgensons will placed on a special jersey for the primary time in his profession and play beneath improved techniques and training. His new contract grades effectively in comparison with latest offers for gamers like him, and he may find yourself being one of many higher price range signings for this season in the NHL.
Darren Raddysh
After a number of seasons within the American Hockey League, the 28-year-old earned a everlasting spot on the Lightning’s protection final season and did very effectively with this chance. Raddysh confirmed he can produce effectively from the purpose on the NHL stage, recording six targets and 33 factors in 82 video games. Total, the 6-foot-1 defenseman displayed that he can deal with the NHL stage and be an offensive menace. He simply outperformed his $975,000 contract from final season and will match or exceed final season’s numbers.
Raddysh ought to solely proceed to enhance as he adjusts to the NHL. Given his offensive manufacturing, he ought to get loads of reps on one of many Lightning’s power-play items this season, and there have been hints popping out of coaching camp that Raddysh may get a take a look at Stamkos’ outdated spot on the man-advantage. (Fom ‘Can Darren Raddysh Assist Fill Lightning’s Energy-Play Void Publish-Stamkos?’ Tampa Bay Occasions, Oct. 3, 2024)
Cam Atkinson
In July, the Lightning signed the free agent ahead to a one-year contract price $900,000. He initially was not headed at no cost company, however a contract buyout by the Philadelphia Flyers in April gave the 35-year-old an opportunity for a recent begin. The veteran ahead has battled damage all through his profession. Not too long ago, Atkinson missed the 2022-23 season whereas recovering from herniated disk surgical procedure, then returned final season, ending with 13 targets and 28 factors in 70 video games.
A 2008 sixth-round choice of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Atkinson nonetheless has sufficient left within the tank to assist create offense off the frenzy along with his velocity. His good fingers can nonetheless translate his zone entries into passing performs and scoring possibilities for his linemates. In his final preseason sport on Sept. 30, Atkinson skated on a line with Nick Paul, which may very well be a preview of the 2 teaming up on the third line when the season begins.
Victor Hedman
The newly-appointed Lightning captain was just lately named the Twelfth-best participant within the NHL this season, in line with rankings handed out by the NHL Community. He signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Lightning in July. The contract, with an AAV of $8 million, will start within the 2025-26 season. Hedman will make $7,875,000 this season. He had 76 factors (13 targets, 63 assists) final season and 7 factors (one purpose, six assists) in 5 playoff video games, and matching these numbers whereas successfully patrolling the blue line will make that contract appear to be a discount.
Associated: Lightning’s Eyssimont Harm Creates Alternative for Girgensons and Ylonen
Whereas he appears to outperform his contract on the ice, Hedman has already had an excellent begin off the ice. On Tuesday (Oct. 1), Hedman and his spouse Sanna pledged $150,000 to Hurricane Helene aid efforts, which can be cut up between the Coast Guard Basis and the Tampa Police Benevolent Affiliation. Hedman additionally led the Lightning out into the neighborhood to go to those that proceed to serve the Tampa Bay neighborhood within the restoration efforts because the lengthy restoration effort will get began.
The preseason is starting to wind down. The Lightning have two video games remaining, on Oct. 4 in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes and on Oct. 7 at dwelling in opposition to the Florida Panthers, which was moved from an earlier date on account of Hurricane Helene. The Lightning will begin the 2024-25 season on Oct. 11 in opposition to the Hurricanes, and we’ll start to see which gamers will make headway into outperforming their contracts for the approaching season.
