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Have the Tampa Bay Lightning Improved Over the Offseason? – The Hockey Writers – Tampa Bay Lightning


Will the Tampa Bay Lightning be higher this season than the staff they have been after they misplaced to the Florida Panthers in Spherical One? Fellow author Harrison Smajovits and I are again to debate the reply, and, inevitably, we are going to deal with the various modifications to the Lightning roster which have taken place this summer season.

Allow us to set the stage earlier than we ring the metaphorical battle bell: Steven Stamkos signed with the Nashville Predators. Ryan McDonagh returned to Tampa Bay from Nashville. Mikhail Sergachev was traded to the Utah Hockey Membership for Conor Geekie and J.J. Moser. Cam Atkinson and Zemgus Girgensons signed with the Lightning. Oh, and Julien BriseBois signed Jake Guentzel, top-of-the-line free brokers in the marketplace, to a seven-year contract.

Evidently, the opening-night roster will look considerably completely different from 2023-24. However does “completely different” imply higher? That’s what we’re right here to debate.

Harrison Smajovits – Sure

This may not be what followers need to hear. They’ve a degree. When a franchise participant leaves, it’s onerous to consider the staff improved. However the actuality is the Lightning’s roster shuffle has upped their fortunes for the long run.

With the acquisition of Guentzel, they add a longer-term possibility to exchange Stamkos’ manufacturing. Final season, he averaged 1.15 factors per sport, the perfect of his profession. He solely improved when he joined a a lot better Carolina Hurricanes staff with 1.47 factors per sport. Think about what he can do enjoying on the identical line as Nikita Kucherov.

The Lightning made the precise transfer to carry again McDonagh. He nonetheless has loads left within the tank, and his absence has been felt on the a lot thinner protection since he was traded to the Predators in 2022. He additionally brings management. In spite of everything, he used to put on an “A” for the Lightning. Dropping Stamkos’ management is a professional concern, however a minimum of they added a well-known chief.

Sure, it’s not nice so as to add McDonagh and lose Sergachev, and Moser received’t totally change his offensive manufacturing. However the defensive manufacturing will probably be there. Moser has proven he can block over 120 pictures a season and isn’t afraid to be bodily with 99 hits. There’s all the time the prospect he’ll take a step ahead in his improvement, giving the staff a powerful defenseman at a less expensive cap hit.

The Lightning have additionally improved their prospects. They acquired Conor Geekie from Utah within the Sergachev commerce, including a key constructing block who might make an influence as quickly as this season. This is also the season when ahead Gage Goncalves shines. He was an American Hockey League (AHL) All-Star final season and is able to transfer as much as the best stage.

Additionally, let’s be actual. Quite a lot of this season is contingent on how properly goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy performs. Issues might need turned out higher final season if he hadn’t been just a few months faraway from again surgical procedure. This season will probably be no completely different. Nonetheless, administration addressed its defensive points whereas filling a niche in offensive manufacturing. They’ve additionally added items for the long run. I might say the Lightning are very a lot a playoff staff and are higher positioned to win extra Cups sooner or later.

Nick Haydon – No

Effectively stated, Harrison. Now, I’ve the unenviable place of arguing why the staff will probably be worse. I’m not enthusiastic about it as a result of, like Fox Mulder says, “I need to consider.”

Guentzel is a professional alternative for Stamkos’ offensive manufacturing. Heck, he may even be an enchancment. Nonetheless, the opening Stamkos leaves within the locker room and throughout the group is irreplaceable. The ripple results will probably be felt on and off the ice, and I fear the staff will be unable to regulate in time to be a severe contender.

If I’ll, here’s a situation that illustrates this: Kucherov receives the puck in his workplace on the facility play, appears as much as make the seam move to Stamkos for his patented one-timer, and, alas, he sees Guentzel in a special place as a result of he’s a left-handed shot. Kucherov hesitates for a cut up second, and the facility play is disrupted. That will appear excessive. The staff will, after all, observe relentlessly to make sure these errors is not going to occur. Video games, although, are completely different, and I’m not positive such a seismic shift may be ironed out swiftly sufficient.

Associated: Lightning’s Busy Offseason Bolsters Organizational Depth

Extra virtually, Guentzel’s arrival does little to handle the shortage of offensive depth that hamstrung the staff. Solely 5 gamers had greater than 50 factors final season, and a kind of (Victor Hedman) was a defenseman. Swap Guentzel for Stamkos, and we nonetheless have 4 forwards with greater than 50 factors.

Ryan McDonagh rejoins the Lightning after two years with the Nashville Predators (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Including McDonagh felt proper, however, once more, virtually talking, it didn’t change a lot, significantly with the departure of Sergachev. He’ll assist fill the management vacuum left by Stamkos, however defensively, he doesn’t reinforce the core as a lot as fill in for Sergachev. Certain, he’s higher defensively, however his presence alone can not shore up that leaky again finish. Moser, as Harrison identified, has the potential to be an actual difference-maker.

What we are able to agree on is that Vasilevskiy will decide the trajectory of this season. If he regains type, the Lightning may have many extra alternatives to win. Total, although, the staff in entrance of him appears and feels remarkably unchanged.

Smajovits

I need to say I respect the hypothetical scenario you led off with. Not having Stamkos arrange for the one-timer will change issues a bit. Nonetheless, if Kucherov can’t make the adjustment, that will probably be a serious drawback. In concept, albeit a middle, Brayden Level might attempt to fill the function as he’s additionally a right-handed shot. He doesn’t have the identical slapshot as Stamkos, and the entire setup is completely different with one right-handed shot as a substitute of two, however Level ranked ninth within the NHL in targets final season and had 31 targets assisted by Kucherov in 2023-24. They need to be capable to determine one thing out.

Kucherov additionally has expertise with different left-wingers corresponding to Brandon Hagel and Anthony Duclair. He isn’t void of expertise with these conditions. However, for enjoyable, let’s get inventive. Guenztel doesn’t take a number of face-offs — solely 23 final season. However they may take the chance and, once in a while, swap Level and Guentzel. Guentzel wins the face-off and instantly flips it to Kucherov to arrange Level for a objective. Increase.

As for protection, they aren’t as sturdy in comparison with earlier years. That’s the reason they introduced again McDonagh, and dropping Sergachev’s offensive manufacturing will probably be felt. However with the choices coming from trades and people being developed within the minors, the Lightning may be capable to overcome it. Take a look at who they’ve been in a position to develop out of what appears like skinny air.

Nick Perbix and Darren Raddysh come to thoughts. Am I saying they’re nearly as good as Sergachev? Completely not. However what I’m getting at is the Lightning can discover the depth, even when slowly however absolutely. Don’t neglect Dylan Carlile is developing the pipeline and will make an influence this season. Gamers like him may help carry a recent identification to the roster. However, as we each agreed, fingers crossed that Vasilevskiy is prepared or we may be arguing moot factors.

Haydon – Causes for Optimism

Harrison, I’ve equal respect for pondering outdoors the field and slotting Guentzel in at heart. Nonetheless, it’s taking a number of maneuvering to make this roster work. By that I imply take a look at how a lot hypothesizing we’ve got to do to take care of what is definite to be main changes. I’m not satisfied that this roster improved within the offseason. It merely appears reshuffled.

There’s a number of hope for the long run with the event we’ve got seen and the improved depth of the group. However relating to sport one of many 2024-25 season, this season’s Lightning roster would battle to beat final season’s roster. That’s what leaves me questioning whether or not or not the staff is in a greater place to contend for the Stanley Cup proper now, not three or 4 years down the road.

Total, although, along with us agreeing that a lot of the load lies on Vasilevskiy’s shoulders, we each agree that the long run appears brighter in Tampa Bay. I’m enthusiastic about what this season has in retailer, and it’s protected to say are each rooting for this dynasty to proceed.

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Olivia Brown
Olivia Brownhttps://usdailysports.com
Olivia Brown specializes in soccer, covering MLS, NWSL, and international competitions. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Sports Media. Olivia has written for Goal.com and ESPN FC, providing thorough coverage and in-depth analysis of the sport.

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