NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Brandon Bochenski, RW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Nashville Predators)
Matt Carle, D (Acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks)
Adam Hall, RW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Pittsburgh Penguins)
Andrew Hutchinson, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the New York Rangers)
David Koci, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Chicago Blackhawks)
Olaf Kolzig, G (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Washington Capitals)
Zenon Konopka, C (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Ryan Malone, LW (Acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins)
Andrej Meszaros, D (Acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators)
Vaclav Prospal, LW (Acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers)
Mark Recchi, RW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Atlanta Thrashers)
Gary Roberts, LW (Acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins)
Radim Vrbata, RW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Phoenix Coyotes)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Dan Boyle, D (Traded to the San Jose Sharks)
Mathieu Darche, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Sabres)
Marc Denis, G (Signed as a free agent with the Montreal Canadiens)
Andreas Karlsson, C (Signed a contract to play in Europe for the 2008-09 season)
Filip Kuba, D (Traded to the Ottawa Senators)
Brad Lukowich, D (Traded to the San Jose Sharks)
Craig MacDonald, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Alexandre Picard, D (Traded to the Ottawa Senators)
Brian Rolston, RW (Acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild, later signed with New Jersey)
Andre Roy, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Calgary Flames)
Tim Taylor, C (Retired)
2007-08 Season Finish: 5th Southeast Division, 15th Eastern Conference, 71 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Did Not Make Playoffs
2008-09 Prediction: 3rd Southeast Division, 9th Eastern Conference
The Tampa Bay Lightning were probably the most active team when free agency began on July 1st. After finishing in last place in the league for the 2007-08 season, the team revamped itself on offense, defense, and goaltending in order to ice a more competitive team for the 2008-09 season. The Lightning's offense underwent the most changes, with many talented forwards brought in through free agency and trades. The two best forwards in Tampa Bay remain Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. Lecavalier is one of the top forwards currently in the NHL, and he brings the Lightning lost of offensive skill and depth as well as lots of leadership and toughness. St. Louis gives the team plenty of offensive depth and goal-scoring skills. The Lightning signed one of the most coveted players on the free agent market this summer when they acquired the rights to Ryan Malone in a trade with Pittsburgh. Malone gives the Penguins lost of offensive depth and physical play. Returning to the team after a brief stint with Philadelphia is Vaclav Prospal, who brings excellent goal-scoring skills and veteran depth to the Lightning. Radim Vrbata provides the team with good offensive depth, while Jussi Jokinen gives the Lightning an excellent shooter, particularly in a shootout, and capable goal-scorer. Michel Ouellet brings plenty of offensive depth and toughness to the team, while veteran Mark Recchi brings lots of offensive talent, veteran depth, and leadership to the Lightning. Gary Roberts, Evgeny Artyukhin, Chris Gratton, David Koci, and Nick Tarnasky all give the team lots of physicality and gritty play, while Ryan Craig provides decent offensive skills and a bit of toughness. Adam Hall, Jeff Halpern, and Jason Ward all bring plenty of offensive depth and skill to the Lightning's checking lines. The Lightning have a few prospect forwards who could likely make the team at training camp. 2008 1st overall pick Steven Stamkos seems a sure bet to make the team, while Blair Jones and Brandon Segal may find it tough to make the team given the depth on offense. Given the Lightning's abundance of forwards, it's likely that several will be assigned to the minors to start the season, while a few could be used as trade bait to improve their defense.
While the Lightning stacked up on forwards during the summer, the team neglected to add veteran depth to their defense and decided to go with younger defensemen to build their blueline. Matt Carle and Andrej Meszaros were both added via trades at the cost of Dan Boyle, Brad Lukowich, and Filip Kuba. However, Carle brings decent offensive skills to Tampa Bay's blueline, while Meszaros also provides good offensive talent and a bit of toughness. Paul Ranger also gives the team a decent offensive blueliner with some physicality, while Shane O'Brien brings lots of toughness and gritty play to the team's defense. Mike Lundin and newcomer Andrew Hutchinson both provide the Lightning with decent defensive skills. Given the lack of defensive depth on Tampa Bay's blueline, prospects Vladimir Mihalik, Janne Niskala, and Matt Smaby could all have a good chance of making the team at training camp. With the team lacking veteran talent on their blueline, the logical choice for the Lightning would be to trade one or more of their excess forwards for defensive help. If Tampa Bay fails to land an experienced blueliner early in the season, the team will likely find itself struggling to keep goals out of the net.
To solidify their goaltending, the Lightning added veteran goalie Olaf Kolzig via free agency. Kolzig gives the team plenty of veteran depth and experience, those his age is starting to catch up with him as he struggled at times last season in Washington. Backing up Kolzig for the 2008-09 season will be Mike Smith. He gives the Lightning a solid backup and has plenty of promise to possibly be their starter. Prospects Karri Ramo and Riku Helenius could challenge Smith at training camp for the backup role, but both will likely spend the season in the minors given Smith's experience.
STRENGTHS
- Lots of quality depth offensively.
- Plenty of quality, young defensive talent.
- Solid depth in goal.
WEAKNESSES
- Have way too many forwards signed to NHL contracts.
- Lack experience on defense.
- Head coach Barry Melrose hasn't coached in some time.
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