Team Preview - Tampa Bay Lightning

09/10 stats
34-36-12 (80 points)
Regular season: Eastern Conference: 12th Overall: 25th

  The Tampa Bay Lighting had a pretty horrid year overall last year. Despite a league tying best in goals from Steven Stamkos (51, splitting the Rocket Richard Trophy with Sydney Crosby) and a solid performance from forwards Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, the Lightning fell seriously short of having a good year. They finished a lowly 25th overall with 80 points, 23rd in goals for, 27th in goals against, 29th in plus/minus, 22nd in penalty kill, 24th in shootouts, and led the league in penalties. The team hasn’t made the playoffs since the 06-07 season where they squeaked into the 8th spot over the Islanders. They finished 29th the next two years consecutively but it did give them two very important links to restoring them to Stanley Cup Championship winning form. Steven Stamkos (drafted first overall in 2008), and Victor Hedman (drafted 2nd overall in 2009). These two kids, alongside proven veterans and leaders on the ice now have a new owner, new coach, and new boss with a new way of thinking.

  Steve Yzerman and Steven Stamkos are the top two reasons to get excited about the Tampa Bay Lightning.

  Removed Manager Brian Lawton and removed Coach Rick Tocchet have been replaced by Steve Yzerman as Vice President and General Manager, and Guy Boucher as Head Coach. Both are in their first year of their new respective roles. This change in philosophy and dynamic could return the Tampa Bay Lighting back into the franchise it was just six short years ago. Three times Stanley Cup Winner, 10 times NHL All Star appearing, Conn Smyth, Frank J. Selke, Bill Masterson, and two times Lester B. Patrick Trophy winner Steve Yzerman knows winning, and intends to keep it going in sunny Florida. His most recent account for winning came in the 2010 Winter Olympics after Canada won gold on home soil with Yzerman as manager.

“It was extremely hard to approach to Illich’s to inform them (and Ken Holland) I had decided to take this offer..” Yzerman said during a conference call when asked about his departure from the Detroit Red Wings organization. “They’ve taken great care of me.” he went on, “In some ways it’s scary for me. I’ve been sheltered by them since I was an 18 year old kid.. but I’m excited and I think this is the right place to do it.”

   Guy Boucher was a prized new talent within the NHL as more than Tampa was interested in hiring him for his NHL debut. He won Coach of the Year in Hamilton of the American Hockey League after leading his team to a 52-17-11 record last year and winning has always followed him. Luckily enough he signed a four year contract with the Lightning after (supposedly) turning down a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“It’s a great opportunity for me and my family, and having Steve Yzerman here certainly was one of the big reasons why Tampa Bay was appealing to me.” said Guy Boucher in an interview with Don La Greca and E.J. Hradek on their NHL Live Program. “The teams that I’ve had have been known to be structured and extremely hard working.”  Boucher will attempt to make the transition from Tampa’s past defensive faults and play a better defensive game. Rick Tocchet, in my opinion, was fit enough for that bill.

  July was a big month for the newly appointed General Manager, Steve Yzerman. A month in which he showed his management success in the Olympics wasn’t just a fluke. In the month of July alone Steve Yzerman hired, re-signed, acquired, and dealt pieces of the puzzle that have made them a far better team already.

  After hiring Boucher as coach, Yzerman then was able to pull Scouting veteran Al Murray away from Hockey Canada. During his three years spent with Hockey Canada he was responsible for all player evaluations and selections for national junior evaluation and selection camps as well as the men’s under 18-squad. Murray also has twelve years as director of amateur scouting for the Los Angelis Kings tacked onto his resume.

  On forward Yzerman acquired Simon Gagne for Matt Walker and a 4th round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft, a low price to pay for the 10 year veteran of Philadelphia. In 664 games he scored 259 goals, 265 assists, a plus/minus +143, and 72 powerplay goals. The left winger of Quebec will fit it more than nicely with Steven Stamkos or Vincent Lacavalier. Fortunately for the Lightning and Yzerman Simon Gagne waived his no-trade clause only to be traded to the Lightning. Even more good news as Tampa rode shotgun on the deal with a cash-strapped Flyers’ Team.

"In adding Simon to the Lightning today, we acquire a very talented player that will play alongside our top forwards," Lightning vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman said. "With his combination of speed and skill we are excited to have him with us and grateful he was willing to waive his no-movement clause. This trade not only makes us a better team in the short term, it helps create long-term flexibility for us, which all along has been one of our top priorities."

  Even higher up on the charts of deals made under Yzerman’s regime is the contract extension of Lady Bing Trophy winner, RW Martin St. Louis. St. Louis put up 94 points last season, just one shy of team leader Steven Stamkos. He hasn’t scored under 80 points since the 2005-2006 campaign just two years (lockout included) after his Art Ross, Hart, and Stanley Cup winning season in 2003-2004. St. Louis has spent all (but 13 games ) of his eleven year NHL career with the Lightning, and after signing a four year $5.6 million per-year contract extension it’s apparent that’s where he’ll spend the rest of it. Other players to re-sign include Steve Downie, Teddy Purcell, Paul Szczechura and Nate Thompson to two, and one year contracts respectively. New comers;  Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Dominic Moore, Chris Durno, Sean Bergenheim, Blair Jones, Mitch Fritz, Niklas Persson, Juraj Simek, and Mike Angelidis have been added for depth.

  With the roster in its’ current form the top two lines should be able to get the job done with ease. Power forward Ryan Malone will likely spend time on the top line with captain Vincent Lacavalier and right wing Martin St. Louis. Phenom Steven Stamkos centers line two alongside left wing Simon Gagne, and Steve Downie. Truthfully, these top six can be mixed up in any combination and it should be productive.

  2008 1st overall draft pick Steven Stamkos defined himself as a legitimate super-star last year. After posting 46 points in his rookie year, he went on to deny the odds of the ‘sophomore slump’ last season tallying 51 goals, 44 assists, and 41 powerplay goals. He led the league in powerplay points and powerplay goals, and was fifth overall in total points scored. In Tampa Bay’s last game of the year, Stamkos netted goal 51 into the empty net (of pulled Clemmensen ) with just 13 seconds remaining to play. Sydney Crosby scored twice on that day already, but prizes can be shared. The two would split the coveted Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s two most prolific goal scorers of the year.

"That's probably the fastest I've skated all year. After all the posts I've had, sometimes you get one like that. It's nice either way. I'll take it. I guess it was meant to be, to get that one in the empty net.  It's pretty surreal," Stamkos said. "To do it my second year in the League and to share it with players like Crosby is pretty special and with a guy like Ovechkin in the mix is pretty special because he's such a dominant scorer."

  The other top center (and center of attention), captain Vincent Lecavalier, had (for himself) just a sufficient year. He was more spotty than usual, but you know you’re talking about a good player when 70 points seems like any kind of an underachievement. Lacavalier undoubtedly takes more heat for his point production by the amount he makes, $7.727 million per-year. He is an outstanding leader though, and an outstanding community member as well. He notched 24 goals and 56 assists with a -16 rating and 25 powerplay points. After overcoming the odds by a better than expected (by mid term) 70 points total in 09/10, he looks poised to have another high impact year with the likes of a better cast supporting him. Grinder Steve Downie is one of the wingers likely to be bouncing back and forth between Stamkos’ and Lacavalier’s lines. The 6’0 200lbs. Newmarket Ont. native plays a lot bigger than he actually is. His upside is the tenacity in which he plays with. The most recent re-signing of the year (by Steve Yzerman) showed he has more offensive touch than he had shown in his first two years in the NHL. Downie’s forte is his ability to make opponents’ life difficult, and open up the ice for skill players to manage the puck. On top of accomplishing that last year, he also tallied 22 goals, 24 assists, 11 powerplay points, and a +14 rating. He finished the league 3rd in penalty minutes (208) besting Philadelphia’s own Dan Carcillo by just one minute in the sin bin. The 23 year-old with make $1.85 million in each of the two years he is contracted for and if he plays like he did last year; he’s earned it. The other winger being juggled among the top lines is Ryan Malone. Malone, at $4.5 million per-year through 2015, has never played to his pay rate. After winning the Cup in Pittsburgh, Malone signed in Tampa to a 7 year $31.5 million contract by (now) rightfully fired Brian Lawton. It’s not to suggest Malone isn’t a productive player, but more truth lies in the fact that he is overpaid, and will never match his pay rate to his skill level. He was one point above Steve Downie last year notching 21 goals, 26 assists, 15 powerplay points, and a -8 rating. He, like Downie, uses his size to plant in front of the next, or to tie up defenseman in efforts to get the point producers some clear ice. Physically, at 6’4 220lbs., Malone is a beast and can raise his game to better those around him. Coach Guy Boucher will have to find a place where he is most productive to nullify some of the major cap hit Malone presents the team with. Yzerman, though likely never to be admitted by, will surely wonder what other pawns he could have to play with had he been hired two years ago. 

  Unless the plan is to spread the wealth among three or four lines, the top two are seemingly set. The third and fourth lines have got much better from last year, but Coach Guy Boucher will have his hands full trying to figure out where everyone else plays, and more importantly where the best chemistry can be found.

  Heading into his third NHL season, Paul Szczechura could be on the verge of breaking out for the Lightning and being a very resourceful player. His work ethic, ability to play both ends of the ice, and hockey smarts are all good signs for the team. Recently signed center Dominic Moore scored 4 goals and 1 assist in 19 games in the Canadien’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Moore’s upside is his skating and passing ability. Alongside skilled players, or even a role in which he helps a player (like Pouliot) find his game, Dominic Moore was a good signing for Yzerman. Another strong signing is that of Chris Durno, formerly of the Colorado Avalanche. Durno is a hard working 6’4, 205lbs player that has put in his dues in the minors and wants to stay up with the big boys. He spent 3 years in the ECHL, followed by 4 years in the AHL on 5 different teams. Durno had an impressive NHL debut with the Av’s recording 4 goals, 4 assists, plus/minus +3, and 47 penalty minutes in 41 games.  2003 1st round draft pick (22nd overall of the Oilers) Marc Pouliot has not been able to find his scoring niche is his five years pro. The hope is that he’ll develop into the player he was drafted to be, and keeping in mind that all four (Szczechura, Moore, Durno, Pouliot) can play center or the wing, the mix-matching and potential for chemistry is very much prevalent throughout lines three and four of the Lightning. One of the names to pay close attention to this year is Teddy Purcell. Purcell, at 6’3 202lbs is a promising 24 year old acquired from LA in 2009. The re-signed 4th year pro has great skating and scoring ability. Despite not shying away from hitting, he needs to play a bit bigger this year. If his continued development can make him stronger it will bode well for himself in terms of ice time and what his team gains in depth. Sean Bergenheim was Yzerman’s most recent (free agent) signing. After 5 seasons with the New York Islanders the Finn continues to try and find himself in a different setting. He was selected in the first round of the 2002 draft (22nd overall) but his point production has been very poor. A new setting with better players might kick him into gear. The time needs to be now as he’s only signed for a one year deal. James Wright also stands a chance of making this roster after 48 games played last year. At only 20 and still a bit underdeveloped, it may do him best to stick around in the minors a bit longer. If Detroit’s over ripening tendencies have rubbed off on Yzerman, (which surely they have) Wright stands much less of a chance for this year.

“Puck position starts with drafting good players.” Said Yzerman in a question of comparison to the ‘Red Wings’ way of doing things to that of his own. “The Wings just go out and find the best players. They draft guys who have skill and go out and compete. The same will apply here, we will build through the draft.”

  The powerplay (8th in 2009-2010) has gotten unquestionably better, but the bottom lines and penalty kill seemingly need more work. Depth players Nate Thompson, Adam Hall, and Blair Jones are more than capable fourth liners, but the adage of a role playing penalty killer could put them right where they need to be on offense. Although two of their top three penalty takers are gone from last year (Konopka and Walker) the team needs to improve greatly over its’ 2009-2010 finish of 22nd on the penalty kill.

  The Lightning lack loads of tradable assets to improve their third or fourth lines, but if these aforementioned players can play a notch higher than last year they might be just fine. The picked-through free agents list yields two forwards’ names that would fit in great with Stamkos and Gagne. Bill Guerin and Darcy Tucker are two veteran right wingers that the Lightning should take a long look at. At further glance the real patch work that could be done is the strengthening of their 3rd defensive pairing.

  After re-signing Mike Lundin on defense, Yzerman turned to free agency to sign a familiar face and top notch defenseman in Pavel Kubina. Kubina signs for two years at $3.85 million. He played 76 games with the Atlanta Thrashers last year where he tallied 6 goals and 32 assists. He is a 12 year veteran who was originally brought up by the Lightning and was a key piece in winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 03-04. Veteran Brett Clark was added for two years at $1.5 million and brings more experience and responsibility to the corps of Lightning defensemen. He has spent the last eight of his eleven year career in Colorado, and will likely help Chris Durno with his transition to the Bay Area. Also signed on defense were Mathieu Roy, Mike Vernace, and  Vladimir Mihalik to one year, two way deals and Radko Gudas to a three-year entry level contract. The added veterans will replace the loss of Paul Ranger and David Hale on the offseason, but the hard loss is that of Kurtis Foster. Part of the genius of Yzerman was to also acquire a second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Andrej Meszaros. Meszaros had signed a six year $20 million contract the year before with the Lightning which will free cap dollars up currently, and long term. 22 year old 2006 1st Round Draft selection Ty Wishart will be pushing to make the roster this year after two full seasons in the AHL. Wishart has excellent size, is mobile, and has the hockey sense to be a dominant defenseman. Not only wopuld it be good for Ty, it would pressure depth players like Matt Smaby and Matt Lashoff in their continued development, and still push the depth down the charts.

  Victor Hedman didn’t often look like a rookie last year, and will be a cornerstone along with Stamkos for Tampa’s future. In 74 games the towering 6’6 230lbs. Swede posted 4 goals and 16 assists, with a really impressive -3 rating. He also appeared in 9 games for his country in the 2010 Winter Olympics where he notched one goal and one assist with a +5 rating. I expect him, like Stamkos, to follow up his NHL debut with a superb second season pro. Fellow Swede Mattias Ohlund returns to be a part of this top 4 for Tampa after posting just 13 assists in his first year with the team. The 33 year-old 12 year pro is capable of moving the puck and playing a positionally sound game. He needs to better his efforts this year as he heads into year two of a seven year deal he signed the first day of free agency in July 2009. Three top-six defenseman have left and two have come in. If Yzerman decides to run the youth and give more time to the 6 and 7 defensemen it shows his desire to bring these young players up and give them a chance this year rather than acquiring a more solid top 6 defenseman to make a run at the Playoffs. Kim Johnsson, Paul Mara, or Mike Mottau would be a great fit on the back end for the here and now. 

  Dan Ellis has been signed to replace Antero Niittymaki’s departure to San Jose.  Ellis has spent the last three years in Nashville, always splitting time with someone. In 31 games last year Ellis went 15-13-1 with a 2.69 GAA and .909 save percentage which mirror Niittymaki’s numbers (21-18-5 2.87 GAA  .909 SP) and better 2A goalie Mike Smith’s. Ellis, 30, and Smith 28, will be an interesting tandem next year. Both have shown in moments to possess raw talent and promise, but neither have ever been able to solidify themselves as number one goalies in the NHL. Mike Smith heads into his 5th year pro and last year contracted in Tampa. Smith has shown moments to be NHL start-worthy, but his play in Tampa over the past two years has been short of expectations.  He will need to find his game and play consistently to keep his spot over the up and coming youngsters currently in Norfolk.

   Yzerman has bettered his net depth by trading away long time prospect Karri Ramo, 24, to the Montreal Canadiens for 24 year old Cedirck Desjardins. Desjardins is on the rise, and looks to have the skill sets to make it to the NHL in some capacity in short order. Just last season Desjardins led the AHL in goals against posting a 29-9-4 record with a 2.00 goals against average, .919 save percentage, and 6 shutouts.Desjardins also appeared in the AHL All-Star Game in which he was named the top goaltender in the skills competition and at seasons end he earned selection to the AHL Second All-Star Team. He also, in 2008, won the Kelly Cup in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones with which he was the playoff MVP. Cedrick should get some good ice time in Norfolk, with an outside shot of being called up if Smith or Ellis can’t take the heat. Desjardins comes in a bit more comfortably in the fact that he was coached by Guy Boucher last year in Hamilton’s dominant year and brought in under (newly-hired scout) Al Murray’s wing. Another very bright star within Tampa’s depth chart is goaltender Dustin Tokarski. The 20 year-old Humbolt, Sask. Native was drafted 122nd by the Lightning in 2008. Despite a small 5’11 190lbs. frame, Tokarski has an ability to win games and come up big in the clutch situations.  Dustin played his first full season with the Norfolk Admirals last year recording a 27-25-3 record with a 2.51 GAA and .915 save percentage with 4 shutouts.

  2010-2011 will be a year of restructuring and learning for Steve Yzerman, Guy Boucher, and the Tampa Bay Lighting. The good news for the team and fans is that the team seems to be on the way up in the shorter term. Although it’s not impossible, I’m not predicting a playoff birth just yet. At $13 million under the cap (but within a budget of their own) we’ll see if Yzerman has his squad set or not. As being the first year Yzerman takes reign in the rebuild, he may just let the youth play out at the start to get these kids some deserved ice time. But looking at free-agent names like Bill Guerin, Darcy Tucker, Kim Johnsson , Mike Mottau, and Paul Mara and comparing it to how close the team is from being complete.. it makes one wonder what the adage of one of these players would do for the team. Perhaps a Playoff birth isn’t as far off as most thought.

- Kendall Grubbs

Transactions to date:

In:
Steve Yzerman (general manager)
Guy Boucher (head coach)
Simon Gagne
Pavel Kubina
Dan Ellis
Marc- Antoine Pouliot
Dominic Moore
Chris Durno
Sean Bergenheim
Brett Clark
Blair Jones
Mathieu Roy
Mike Vernace
Cedrick Desjardins
Mitch Fritz
Niklas Persson
Juraj Simek
Mike Angelidis
Radko Gudas

Out:
Brian Lawton (general manager)
Rick Tocchet (head coach)
Alex Tanguay
Jeff Halpern
Stephane Veilleux
Paul Ranger
David Hale
Kurtis Foster
Andrej Meszaros
Antero Niittymaki
Lukas Krajicek
Matt Walker
Zenon Konopka
Drew Miller
Todd Fedoruk
Karri Ramo
Brandon Bochenski
Mark Parrish
Martins Karsums
Chris Lawrence