Regardless of a first-round exit to the Florida Panthers in 5 video games final season, the Tampa Bay Lightning had spectacular particular person performances all through their lineup. The spotlight participant of the season was their famous person winger Nikita Kucherov, who grew to become the fifth participant and first winger in NHL historical past to report 100 assists in a season.
Associated: Kucherov Turns into Simply fifth Participant to Get 100 Assists in a Season
Moreover, Kucherov scored 44 targets of his personal, giving him 144 factors on the season. This effort was sufficient to win him his second Artwork Ross Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s main level scorer. He received the trophy for the primary time in 2018-19 when he notched 128 factors in 82 video games. Following a stellar offensive season, can he match his level totals with captain Steven Stamkos out of the image?
Kucherov Misplaced Certainly one of His Large Weapons This Offseason
Tampa Bay suffered a vital loss to the ahead core with Stamkos this summer season, who Kucherov has arrange commonly through the years in any respect strengths. Final season, he assisted on 28 of Stamkos’ targets, 15 of them instantly as major assists. Whereas Stamkos will miss an elite passer like Kucherov dearly in Nashville, his capturing expertise elevated Kucherov’s help totals to an extent.
It seems the 2 benefited from enjoying alongside each other, and with time this season, we are going to see who was the principle issue amongst the long-time duo. The distinction maker will probably be how the dynamic of the Lightning’s particular groups modifications with out Stamkos. The workforce loses one of many greatest shooters from the fitting circle within the league whereas changing him with a left-handed shot in Jake Guentzel.
Whereas followers will miss Stamkos dearly in Tampa Bay, he was not the first passing goal for Kucherov. That title belongs to Brayden Level, who scored 33 targets assisted by Kucherov, with 26 of them instantly from Kucherov’s tape. Level sinks into that bumper place on the highest power-play unit and executes completely timed performs with the Russian winger for fast strikes. Their work collectively helped contribute to the best energy play share within the league final season.
One other identify to look out for is Brandon Hagel, who’s developed chemistry with Kucherov over the previous two seasons. Whereas Hagel arrange Kucherov for extra targets, he was one of many winger’s prime passing targets final season. If issues don’t click on with Guentzel on line one, Hagel can simply slot into that first-line left-wing function.
Jake Guentzel Will Make Up for Stamkos’ Loss
Regardless of being a left-handed goal, the Lightning upgraded in a Guentzel for Stamkos swap. Guentzel can do all of it offensively, much like a Swiss Military knife. He has additionally confirmed he can elevate stars by means of Pure Stat Trick’s line instrument. When traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on the commerce deadline, Guentzel helped the workforce’s superstars, together with Finnish centerman Sebastian Aho, attain new heights offensively.
With out Guentzel on his wing, Aho notched a stellar 3.12 on-ice targets for per 60 (GF/60) at 5-on-5 in roughly 884 minutes final season. As soon as Guentzel joined the workforce, the duo spent about 190 minutes collectively at 5-on-5, and the outcomes have been marvellous. The 2 scored 3.79 GF/60, a large enhance as soon as Guentzel joined Carolina’s prime line. This spectacular scoring tempo would have ranked eleventh amongst skaters in uncooked on-ice GF/60 at 5-on-5 final season. Alternatively, Aho’s on-ice scoring charge finishes 83rd-best within the NHL with out Guentzel. In different phrases, Guentzel proved he can elevate star gamers round him to the subsequent degree.
Let’s analyze uncooked on-ice purpose charges with Kucherov and Stamkos over the previous two seasons, much like how we did with Guentzel and Aho, with a bigger pattern measurement. Over the previous two seasons, Kucherov and Stamkos recorded 3.56 GF/60 collectively at 5-on-5 in about 823 minutes. When Stamkos was away from Kucherov, his on-ice GF/60 noticed an incredible dip.
This pattern measurement isn’t minuscule both. In over 1,300 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time with out Kucherov, Stamkos was on the ice for two.81 GF/60. In the meantime, isolating Kucherov from Stamkos reveals totally different outcomes. In roughly 1,700 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time with out Stamkos, Kucherov had a uncooked on-ice GF/60 of three.65, a slight elevation in comparison with his scoring charge with Stamkos on his line. Is it doable that Stamkos held Kucherov again offensively at 5-on-5 in recent times?
Remaining Ideas
Briefly, it’s truthful to say the lack of Stamkos in his present state is not going to negatively influence Kucherov’s offensive efficiency this season. The Russian famous person could submit related numbers to his profession 12 months with an upgraded linemate in Guentzel. Nevertheless, Stamkos’ one-timer on the fitting circle is invaluable to Kucherov’s level totals and the Lightning energy play. So long as head coach Jon Cooper can discover another for the particular groups unit, Kucherov received’t be in an excessive amount of hassle with out Stamkos this season.
