Tampa Bay Lightning 2023-24 NHL Season Preview
How much more gas do the Tampa Bay Lightning have left in the tank? We’re about to find out. Tampa Bay won back-to-back Stanley Cups but were then knocked out in the first round this past year. Can the Lightning get back to cup contention or has this team gotten old and this is the new normal? Let’s preview the team and go over everything you need to know heading into the 2023-24 NHL Season.
Line Combination (Combinations Obtained via DailyFaceoff.com)
Not listed are the goalies. That group includes Andrei Vasilevskiy, Jonas Johansson, and Matt Tompkins.
Even casual fans know who this core is by now. The top line of Stamkos, Point, and Kucherov is as good as it gets around the league. Those three posted 115 goals combined a season ago. The D still hasn’t gotten over the loss of Ryan McDonagh but this year’s unit is younger and improved.
New Faces
There isn’t much to review here. The additions are all bottom end roster players. That list includes Tyler Motte, Conor Sheary, Luke Glendening, Calvin De Haan, and Jonas Johansson. Unless you want me to write six paragraphs on depth pieces, I say we keep things moving.
Three Players To Watch
- Brayden Point
Point scored 51 goals a season ago and is so much fun to watch. He’s worth watching this team alone. The former second round pick is blazing fast and has established himself as a true number one center.
- Steven Stamkos
We know how great Stamkos is. However, he’s in a contract year and it doesn’t sound like he’s happy about where things stand. Could this be the last year of Stamkos in Tampa Bay? He’s still a machine even at 33 years old.
- Victor Hedman
Hedman is on bounceback watch. It was a really down year. Hedman lost his PP1 spot to Mikhail Sergachev and saw his point total dip from 85 to 49. Can Hedman get back to being the stud we all know and love? Hedman basically epitomizes this entire team. Old but the talent is obvious.
Biggest Riser
The answer here has to be Brandon Hagel. What a steal that trade was. Yes, it cost two first rounders but Hagel is a stud. Hagel finally got an increased role in Tampa notching over 18 minutes of ice time per night. He cashed in on 30 goals and keeps getting better. Hagel fits exactly what they do and is also one of the best forechecking wingers in the league too. There is a reason why the Lightning gave him that extension.
Biggest Faller
Tanner Jeannot stinks. I don’t know what they were thinking with that trade. Tampa gave up way too much trying to replicate the Hagel deal. The problem is Jeannot isn’t very skilled. Now he’s a 4th liner there. Yes, Jeannot will rack up the hit totals but he’s never going to be worth the acquisition cost.
The Biggest Question Is…
Can the Lightning hang on while the Big Cat is out. That’s the question. Andrei Vasilevskiy underwent back surgery and will probably be out until Christmas. Can Tampa survive in the meantime? If no, is this team actually in danger of missing the playoffs?
Verdict
I have the Lightning back in the playoffs but I’m not sure they’re a Cup team anymore. The team is aging and missing your stud goalie for half the season is going to hurt. Still, I expect Tampa to be very competitive. The top end talent is too legit for them to totally fall off.
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