12/29/2023 0 Comments Original tampa bay lightning rosterPotentially trading the captain away has likely gone through GM Julien BriseBois' mind, but it seems very unlikely that that will come to fruition after everything Stamkos has done for the team and city. But it's not that simple, as the Canadian is making $8.5 million in 2023-24 and will be looking for around the same AAV on his next deal. Obviously, both player and club want to get an extension done. ![]() But the team is very tight to the salary cap, and Stammer will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Stamkos has been the heart and soul of the Tampa Bay Lightning since being selected No. Expect him to start 50+ games as the Lightning look to challenge the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs for the Atlantic Division crown. Andrei Vasilevskiy had a longer than usual offseason after the Round 1 exit, and he should be well-rested and ready for another campaign. ![]() Kucherov is still one of the best right wingers in the game, and many would argue he is the best, period. Still, the top line of Stamkos, Kucherov and Point remains one of the league's premier units, and the three can consistently compete for 100-point seasons. Both players won two Stanley Cups in Florida and will be difficult to replace, especially the leadership and high-energy play from Killorn. This offseason, it was longtime veteran Alex Killorn who signed with the Anaheim Ducks, and Pat Maroon who was traded to the Minnesota Wild. But does this team have what it takes to win four championships in five seasons? Is the aging core still good enough?Įvery season, the Lightning seem to lose a few key complementary pieces, although the core always stays the same. Similar to last year, they could lose in the first round or win the Stanley Cup - that's just the parity that exists in the NHL today. Expect that, despite a gauntlet of an Atlantic Division, the Bolts will again finish top-three in the division. But the firepower is still there, led by superstar talents in Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Andrei Vasilevskiy.Īlthough Tampa Bay finally lost to an Eastern Conference team in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, falling to the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games, they very well could have won again if a few bounces had gone their way in the series. That's even more glaring with the dry prospect pipeline this team has. Like any perennial Stanley Cup contender, there will come a time when the Lightning will need a full-scale rebuild. The Bolts won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 20, and came within two wins of the three-peat after losing to the Colorado Avalanche in one of the most thrilling Stanley Cup Finals in recent memory in 2022. Lightning fans remain hopeful BriseBois will continue to do what’s best for the franchise, not only for the immediate future but also to sustain more long-term success.There's been no better National Hockey League team than the Tampa Bay Lightning since the end of the 2018-19 season, and the results speak for themselves. With a number of aging pending free agents, and salary cap issues, change is inevitable. The Lightning are going to look much different in 2023-24. I would expect to see BriseBois move the forward at the NHL Entry Draft to try and recoup some of the slew of draft picks who were sent to the Nashville Predators for Jeannot. ![]() ![]() He has a chance to be an impact top-six forward and if he’s given more ice-time on another team next season, look for his numbers to skyrocket. Personally, I’m not sure that’s the wisest of moves.Ĭolton is finding his own in Tampa Bay and produced 32 points in 81 regular season games and another four points in six playoff games. The Lightning only have a projected $2.4 million in cap space to work with this summer and considering the massive package the team traded away to acquire Tanner Jeannot, another pending restricted free agent, it’s very likely they prioritize him over Colton this summer. Nicholas Paul of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with teammates Michael Eyssimont and Ross Colton (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)Ĭolton was named a prime trade candidate by hockey insider Frank Seravalli and rightfully so.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |