No two hockey gamers are the identical. Superstars like Sidney Crosby, Artemi Panarin, and Jack Hughes create shot alternatives for his or her workforce in any sport state of affairs, whether or not on the forecheck, cycle, or off-the-rush. Then again, gamers like Teuvo Teravainen, Yanni Gourde, and Yakov Trenin produce shot makes an attempt purely off the forecheck and cycle. Then we now have the offensive blackholes who wrestle to create offense irrespective of the state of affairs or linemates.
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The Tampa Bay Lightning made a number of additions to their ahead core this summer season, and all three will play completely different roles for the workforce. Beginning with Jake Guentzel, he might be a first-line level producer, whereas veteran Cam Atkinson might be in a middle-six secondary position. Lastly, Zemgus Girgensons will play an ideal fourth-line depth position this season. In what conditions will the brand new Lightning forwards generate probably the most offense?
Jake Guentzel Generates Photographs in Any State of affairs
Some of the versatile offensive gamers within the NHL, Guentzel, can produce pictures in any state of affairs. He proved he could possibly be elite on two groups, including the “system-proof” label to his identify. AllThreeZone’s workbook by Corey Sznjader, Guentzel completed nicely above the league common in pictures generated off the forecheck/cycle and the frenzy with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The common pictures off the forecheck/cycle on a per 60 charge was 8.63 for the 2023-24 season, and Guentzel recorded 13.06 pictures on this atmosphere per hour. As well as, he recorded 13.06 pictures off the frenzy per hour in comparison with the league common of simply 7.96.
Irrespective of the state of affairs for Guentzel, he’ll efficiently produce pictures for himself and his linemates. Figuring out that he can play at practically a 1.5 points-per-game tempo with out Crosby on his line, think about the harm he can do with one of many league’s finest passers, Nikita Kucherov. We predict Guentzel will document over 90 factors for the primary time in his profession this season, and his capacity to create offense in any state of affairs strengthens this perception.
Cam Atkinson Creates Photographs Off the Rush
Atkinson likes to generate pictures off the frenzy. Regardless of being 35 years previous, he performs with velocity and puck management. Atkinson notched 12.08 pictures off the frenzy per 60 final season, 4 extra pictures than the league common of seven.96. In the meantime, he completed slightly below the league imply in pictures through the forecheck/cycle with 8.20 on a per-hour charge. Whereas accidents have derailed his profession in current seasons, Atkinson will get a contemporary begin with the Lightning underneath a superb head coach and offensive system.
Within the first half of final season, the workforce was abysmal at creating pictures off the frenzy. Because the season went on, they improved with their zone entries. Atkinson is thought to move the puck nicely off the frenzy, so we hope to see him assist Mikey Eyssimont mature his offensive sport. Having a 3rd line that may generate offense off the frenzy isn’t simple to search out and would add one other layer of worth to a top-heavy Lightning offense.
Zemgus Girgensons Stays a Distinctive Case
Girgensons stays a query mark. Whereas the Latvian native completed nicely beneath the league imply in pictures off the forecheck/cycle and the frenzy, he’s spent his total profession with a subpar Buffalo Sabres group. Then again, Guentzel and Atkinson have had alternatives on a number of groups, together with Stanley Cup championship rosters. Girgensons has but to look in a playoff sport after virtually 700 video games of NHL expertise.
We aren’t totally certain what Girgensons can do offensively in a brand new atmosphere. He’s confirmed two-way depth, registering double-digit aim totals 4 occasions in his profession. Nevertheless, perhaps he has one other stage to his sport. We study rather a lot about NHL gamers after they change groups for the primary time.
How The Lightning Generated Offense Final Season
The Lightning offense didn’t come from a selected supply at 5-on-5 final season. The workforce completed roughly common in pictures off the forecheck/cycle and the frenzy. Gamers like Kucherov and Brandon Hagel created offense in all situations as twin threats, whereas a participant like Brayden Level was thought of a rush specialist resulting from his absurd quantity of managed zone entries. Then again, Steven Stamkos and Conor Sheary produce pictures off the cycle. Changing Stamkos with Guentzel is an enormous improve as a result of Guentzel will impression the Lightning’s rush offense and 5-on-5 scoring rather more. Finally, all three gamers ought to profit the Lightning offensively of their distinctive methods this season.
