Tampa Bay Lightning preview: Nikita Kucherov leads Stanley Cup hopefuls
Projected Lineup
How will the Tampa Bay Lightning look this season? They’ll have one heck of a roster.
Forwards
Ondrej Palat – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
Yanni Gourde – Steven Stamkos – J.T. Miller
Alex Killorn – Anthony Cirelli – Tyler Johnson
Adam Erne – Cedric Paquette – Cory Conacher
Extra forward: Danick Martel
Injured: Ryan Callahan
Last season, Miller, Stamkos, and Kucherov formed a pretty impressive trio. However, I’ve seen the Lightning split them up during the preseason. I think it would be for the best if they did so. The Lightning can always go back to that trio if things don’t work out.
Palat is a great possession player who is strong in transition. Point is on the verge of being a true star after an amazing season. And obviously, Kucherov is Kucherov. One of the best darn players in the NHL.
Gourde is the latest Bolts player to come from out of nowhere to produce. He’s got a strong two-way game and is very confident in transition. Stamkos is one of the best shooters in the NHL and has developed into an excellent two-way player as well. His work in transition is underrated and he’s one of the best in the league at zone entries.
Killorn would be a strong fit on the second line, but I think he’d make the third line even better. He’d provide a two-way player who can help Johnson out in transition. Johnson, by the way, is great at zone entries. Cirelli has shown a lot of promise and should be able to handle a top nine role.
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Defensemen
Victor Hedman – Anton Stralman
Braydon Coburn – Mikhail Sergachev
Extra defenseman: Slater Koekkoek
Hedman is the reigning Norris Trophy winner. And deservedly so. Hedman has always done his best work with Stralman by his side. He’s a perfect complementary defenseman. Hopefully, the Lightning realize this and refuse to separate the duo.
Now, I think Sergachev should be getting second pairing minutes. But I’ve seen Girardi get too many chances and he does have experience playing with McDonagh. Basically, I’ll believe Sergachev gets the role he warrants when I see it. There is some value in having Sergachev on the third pairing. A Girardi and Coburn pairing would be awful.