The depth they had when they won the Cup has eroded, but can they put it together for another run? Is there another diamond in the rough for the organization that can bring them back to glory?
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42 Comments
Just let them get it the playoffs and no one wants to see them in the first round. Wouldn’t be surprised if they are a wild card team; but no one wants to have to beat Vasy 4 out of 7.
Tampa certainly ain’t out of contention. That Kucherov, Hedman, and Vasilevskey core is still going incredibly strong not to mention stammer can still do his thing.
Between Coopers coaching and JBB they will be a contender. Never count them out.
Raddysh was pretty good and will make bottom pairing. Nobody guessed perbix would be a top 4 defensmen and he was great. I expect a durprise offensive plYer like Brown or maybe someone from the minors
I definitely think they'll be a competitive team during the year, might eek into the playoffs. I don't think they will be a dominate force though. They were very good for a long time and now they're on a downswing. That's how this salary cap era league seems to be operating. Good luck to tampa
My hot take: TB misses the playoffs
Any team with a core of Point, Kucherov, Stamkos, Hedman, Cirelli, Hagel, Sergachev & Cernak with Vasy in net, you’re still a contender. Considering the cap crunch due to the flat cap, i actually like what JBB did in free agency.
I'd say they're in the same position as Colorado – a playoff team for sure, but not a favorite.
Tampa Bay is likely to surprise us again after getting into the playoffs. They may make it through 2 playoff rounds.
I think the RW behind Kucherov will be a question mark, since Jeannot's highly unproven and they'll have to bank on him becoming the next Hagel. Up the middle and on blue line they'll be fine, and top-6 LW is solid as ever, but at best the depth will be suspect until they're battle tested. Wonder if in hindsight they wish they kept those draft picks instead of trading so many for Tanner.
I dont think they are the perenial top dog anymore but thats what the cap does to back to back cup winners. Still a good team overall with space to fill still. Playoff favorite for sure. Cup favorite maybe not but if they make it in they have the experience of how to win playoff games
Generally, in all sports, teams on a decline, have a very obvious year of decline and everyone writes them off as being over, then they have one last burst, before falling off the map. If that holds true, this season would be that last burst. I think they had to get younger and faster, and they did (a little). I've been a Lightning fan since 92, and this has been an incredible run, and if this is the end of it, so be it. But I don't think it's quite over yet.
ABB will get his chance in the top 6 this year, push Jeannot down to 3rd line and swap Finley/Groshev for Waltteri Merelä who will most likely compete for an open spot with the big team. Oh and swap Hagel and Stamkos, though Coop will chew gum and shuffle the lines every two shifts anyway…
If I know Kuch, he’s been angrily shooting pucks in his garage all summer. Never count out the bolts.
It sucks for the exits but exciting to see a fresh young team with the vets and vasy going into the new season
As a Tampa fan it sucks to lose fan favorites, but we need some youth, especially if we plan on continuing to go on deep runs through the next few years. Hopefully the “long” summer will relieve some of the fatigue for the older core
Looks like it’s over for the lightning have fun rebuilding you got your cups through shady tactics and now it’s over 😂
To me TB knows this is probably the last year where all the “Key” pieces are in place for a last Cup run. I see Julien Bresisbois finding both another RW top 3 & even a goaltender after camp cuts. Look for TB to not set regular season records, but scare everyone in the playoffs. One or 2 pieces added & another magical run could happen.
They will be in the playoffs still, even with all the players that are gone. That top 6, top 4 on D and goaltending is still excellent and they know how to get it done.
Might not be able to cruise into postseason like before but on the other hand, they are now rested. Still going to finish top 3 in the division.
One winger from the bargain bin or via trade or from camp, some sureing up on the 3rd pair on D and a backup goalie and that's all they need. Act surprised when they get it done with no money.
As a Tampa fan for a long time, I think they may have improved. The School Bus line did not produce well, and for Tampa they need a solid 3rd and 4th line. They needed to get younger with better two way forwards. I think a pair of wingers will help immensely, but overall, they got younger in the bottom 6. As far as leadership, we have Stamkos and Hedman. 2 of the best leaders in the league. AK17 was a huge loss, and Colton reminded me of Tyler Johnson from 2014 to about 2019. Just a ton of heart and never giving up, but I feel his replacement is worthy and equal. Maybe a little more disciplined. Also, Alnfelt is a fan favorite here. We’ve been waiting. Hopefully this is his year for the call up.
Great year for Nick Paul??? He had a 30+ game goalless streak to end the season…
And I expect Bellemare and Maroon to be back once theyre put on waivers by their new teams.
Theyre done. Chasin that playoffspot only to get rekt in first round.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see ABB come up on that second line. Had a hell of year in the AHL, and had needed top 6 minutes on the NHL level. Tampa has never had that spot open till now
I don’t think their done. The core is all still there and at or right around their prime. While depth scoring is a concern, I think depth speed and defense got a lot better than last year. Vasi had probably his worse year to date and he is still a top 10 goalie. I think they have 2 years of prime cup window contention left.
The road got harder with the cap and losing players but it’s still open.
I wouldn't call them a cup favorite at this point. They will still make the playoffs and, at worst, drop to a wildcard spot. I think they still have a few seasons before they fall out
Great year for Nick Paul??? You've got to be kidding.
Am i the only one Who think whit Buffalo Ottawa and detroit they maybe a chance they miss the playoffs
They should look to give both pulijarvi and comtois cheap one year deals and see if they can turn them around, both a big fast and relatively young. They could help with depth and wont cost alot. In pulijarvi's case it could be a big help to try and find his game knowing he won't be asked to do too much with the upper guys on Tampa carrying the load.
Nick Paul was a completely different player when he was in the top 6 until Cirrelli came back from injury. I think if they play him on the 2nd line he could put up Killorn like numbers. Jeanott is the wild card, if they can get him to back to his rookie year form that could make a huge difference.
How about Merelä and Huuhtanen? Will they be able to compete about a spot in bottom6?
Everybody loves a winner, until they win too much.
The Lightning have just lost to many players to overcome another Cup Runneth over. I loved the teams that did win, they where unbelievable. But when Palat left, and now that Colton and the other exits are happening, I do not think they will have another CUP for quite some time. But loved the teams that they had in the past. Many going into the Hockey Hall of Fame, well deserved. Just life moves on for all of us. I guess I can just watch YOU TUBE videos of how great they really where. GO KINGS GO. LOL
This year in particular they lost a lot of their long term grit, but it was old grit that didn't overcome the truculence that Toronto brought in. I'd be surprised if they don't reload more grit at the trade deadline. This is still a strong roster that, barring excessive injuries to key players, will be in the playoffs.
Looking forward to Tampa missing the playoffs this upcoming season. Other teams knocking on the door!
I trust that Julien BriseBois will find adequate replacements for who my Bolts lost. Steve Yzerman taught him well. I'm most worried about someone being able to competently give Andrei Vasilevskiy a break because Jon Cooper needs to lighten the Big Cat's load based on what the star goalie said after the season ended. BriseBois really needs to get this right because the Red Wings, Sabres and, to a lesser extent, the Senators are coming.
I think they’re on the perfect track actually, young players able to move up. The only thing I’m worried about is them being able to say goodbye to their star players when the time comes.
Feels like the same situation the Hawks were after the 2015 cup win. Core players still able to produce albeit w/ some decline evident. (Seabrook) I'd consider the lighting capable of deep playoff runs still but w/ their cap limitations they'd probably be better off finding success within their own org/scouting
What if Tampa got Nylander from toronto
First year I have season tix and am worried about the Bolts⚡Dont recognize my team anymore
Cup favourites? Absolutely. Cup contenders? No, but give it a couple more years
Love the videos!
Tampa won't make the playoffs.Buffalo and Ottawa in,TB and BOS out.
Atlantic feels wide open for anyone wouldn’t be surprised if the top 3 teams from there are teams that missed the playoffs then Tampa, Boston, and Toronto fighting for wild cards