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Tampa Bay Lightning 2024-25 NHL Season Preview | The Hockey Writers Roundtable
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Sep 13, 2024
Host Matthew Zator welcomes Tampa Bay Lightning writers Harrison Smajovits and Jack Pallotta to The Hockey Writers Roundtable to preview the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season. 0:00 Intro 1:41 Impact of Steven Stamkos' Departure 5:16 New Addition: Jake Guentzel 7:14 New Addition: Cam Atkinson 9:09 Forwards - Big Storylines/Burning Questions 10:23 Lightning's Defense 14:24 Goaltending - Andrei Vasilevskiy & Jonas Johansson 17:26 How do the Lightning stack up in the Atlantic Division? Quick Fire 20:44 Biggest Storyline/Question Mark Going Into 2024-25 22:13 Breakout Stars 24:13 One Player That Needs to Bounce Back 25:54 Potential X-Factors 27:19 Rookie/Prospect That Could Surprise & Make the Team 28:19 Prospects to Watch 30:00 Who will lead the team in scoring (forwards & defense)?
View Video Transcript
0:00
Hello, everybody and welcome into another season preview show here on the Hockbearers YouTube channel
0:06
I'm your host, Matthew Zattor, and we are up to the Tampa Bay Lightning as we get ready for the 2025 season
0:12
We've got a couple writers that cover the lightning here at the site. I got Jack Palada and Harrison Smadjavitz
0:19
Jack, how's it going? We're getting pretty close to the season as we're recording this
0:24
It's been a long off season. Not much has happened since Free Agency with the Lada teams, but how's it going
0:30
everything's been good i just got back down to the Tampa bay area a couple weeks ago and
0:35
seasons right around the corner i think roughly 40 days and i'm looking forward to it nice and
0:41
harrison how's it going things are pretty good for me as well matthew thank you for asking
0:45
relaxing as well done sunny well not sunny right now it's been actually raining quite a bit today
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the other caveat of florida but itching for hockey got to say that ever since the end of the
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stanley cup final for sure And with the lightning, they didn't go as far as we probably used to
1:04
It's a little further, right? So hopefully this season, they'll get more than just a round
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And we'll see. There are a lot of changes in the lineup. And we'll start, let's go and just jump right in
1:18
I mean, Lightning, of course, got kicked really early in the playoffs. The draft, not much to really talk about
1:24
They didn't have a lot of picks. I mean, they did get, you never know
1:30
the lightning with their lower picks that could turn out in the future, but that's way down the road
1:35
So we'll talk about the current team, and I'll start with the forward group, which saw the big
1:39
change everyone knows about, Stephen Stamcoast is gone. He is not going to be suiting up for the lightning for the first time since he was drafted
1:46
by the team way back a long, long time ago now, and now he's with the National Predators of
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all teams. I didn't expect him to sign with the Predators, but that's where he is
1:56
He's in the Western Conference. I have to deal with him a little more on this side in Vancouver than I used to
2:02
just two times. Now it would be four, I believe. I can't remember how many time to play the Nashville Predators
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But yeah, it's going to be interesting to see him in another jersey
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But yeah, let's start with that first one. Before we get to the new additions, I want your guys' thoughts on what that means for the lightning
2:20
And Jack, I'll start with you. Stamco's being gone. I mean, is that a huge hole
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And of course, we're going to talk about the guys that are going to be replacing him. But how big is this not having him this season
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Is this a hole that Stamcoast has gone? Yes. But I definitely think it's not as big as a whole as the general public has made it out to be over the last few months
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Obviously, Stamcoast is getting up there in age. And he's no longer the player he was at all strengths, especially at five on five
2:51
Well, he was effective on the best power play unit in the NHL last season
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I think adding some new guys in his spot are going to benefit the team in the future and in the long run
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How about you, Harrison? I mean, you've covered the team for a while
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And I mean, Stamcoast is an icon. He leads almost every category you can look at in franchise history
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It's a big presence. It's not going to be in the lineup anymore. No, absolutely
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And to say he's a presence is almost a bit of an understatement. Especially when had grown up in Tampa Bay
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I remember the scene Stamcoast back in 2008. And just how much hockey has grown since he got here
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Like when he was first drafted in the Tampa Bay Times, it was at the back of the sports section
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And by when you get to, I'm not kidding. It just shows. And when you get to 2020, everything like
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actually, let me just go back to 2015. All the big lightning updates are front page news
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everyone's following them. The game has grown so much here, and it's very much in part to the impact
4:01
that Stephen Stamcoast made here in Tampa Bay. And it's one of the reasons why I understand
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the sentiment as to why a lot of people are upset because the face of the franchise is left
4:13
It leaves an emotional hole on the team. It leaves a leadership hole
4:21
Now, when it comes to adding guys like Genssel, I think they definitely do fill that talent gap for sure
4:26
He's five years younger. He can produce. Well, I'm sure when he's on the same line as Nikita Kutrov, you can get even more out of him
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But it's definitely going to sting a bit down here in the community, at least while
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Stamcoast is still in the league. But at the same time, everyone wrote out Marty leaving, especially with how that went down
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with Eisenman, the Olympics. They have to watch Vinay La Cavalier get cuts
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These things just happen in cycles. It happens to be all three of them were the captain at some point on the team
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So the hole is going to be hard to fill from that perspective
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But if you ask me truthfully, I do think in other ways
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the lightning have improved as a team, but we'll get to that later. Yeah, let's jump right into that
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And Jack, you know, starting with Jake Gensel, I mean, that's a big addition
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He's the one that's going to replace Stamcoast on the top line in the power play, all that stuff
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coming over from the Carolina Hurricanes and previous of the Pittsburgh Penguins, signed to a big deal
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What is his impact going to be in his first season here? Jake Gensel is one of the best all-around offensive talents
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I think we've seen in a little while and in recent years in the league. He had the narrative surrounded around his name
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being a line made of Sidney Crosby's for a long time from his upbringing to the HL over to
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the NHL that he wasn't able to perform or be that star player without him
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However, once he got dealt to Carolina at the Trey Deadline last season, he really proved
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that he was a system-proof star in the league and a guy that could thrive in any environment
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which is super valuable, in my opinion, right? You look at a player like Jonathan Huberto, who had an 115-point season with the Florida
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Panthers and then struggled dearly in Calgary. and I think fans should be really excited for Jake Gensel
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He's extremely versatile, can create scoring chances in offense in absolutely any situation
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whether it's on the rush, on the cycle or the four check. And he's a perennial five-on-five goal score
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He's ranked in the top 20 and five-on-five goals and points over the last five seasons amongst forward
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So I think he's an extremely valuable add to this team. He's going to be here for a long time, too
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I signed him to a pretty big deal, and hopefully he produced. produces. But he's produced all his career. So, I mean, I don't really think he's going to slow down
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And he's playing with some pretty good players again, coming from Crosby. So Kutrov's a pretty good guy to be playing with, too, and Braden Point as well. So I, you know, to our other additions, they added Cam Atkinson, as them against Gergensons and the bottom six. I, you know, So
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Atkinson's an interesting one to me. I put him in my premium piece on the substack as being a potential surprise
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free agent that just no, the money's nothing. I mean, whatever he does is going to be
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it's going to be gravy, really. But I think he's going to
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he could return to what he was before. Jack, what do you think about that with Cam Atkinson
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He's a guy that he's, he's shown he can score in the league, but he's dealt with injuries
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not lately and like he had a 40 goal season but that seems like a lifetime ago now
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I do you think he has something right now he's slotted in to be on the second line
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So what do you think about him being added? A little background
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I actually met a guy over the summer who grew up with Cam Atkinson at Avon Old Farm
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So it was nice to hear he had a lot of nice things to say about Atkinson's character and
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I'm expecting him to fit well in this locker room. He's a really solid option off the rush
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He obviously has been riddled with injuries in recent years dealing with that neck injury two seasons ago, which put him out for the entire year, which was unfortunate to see
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Is he suited for the second line right wing role? As of right now, probably not, but in John Cooper's system, arguably the best coach in the NHL, I think anything's possible
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And if he can regain some of that speed he used to have and some of that 40 goal potential, it's untapped here with the lightning with the guy like Brandon Hagel, who really
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exploded on the scene and proved he can carry a line of his own last season I think anything possible I think anywhere in the 30 to 50 point range is more than enough for the contract that he was giving considering he on a cost effective deal of only 900K this upcoming year
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Like I say, that anything he does, if he scores just 10 goals, you're like, that's pretty good
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for your paying him. You're hoping that he goes lower than that. Harrison, what do you think about the forward group in general
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I mean, you're looking at, they've got silver, a lot of firepower in that top
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six. The bottom six still looks good, in my opinion. I mean, really, Samco's being gone
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Yeah, it's a big thing. But what is this team still pretty good up front
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Yeah, I would agree that the firepower is still definitely going to be there. This is a team that
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was at one point at the top of the league in scoring. The defense was definitely their biggest
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issue last year. The offense is not something I'm necessarily worried about, even if it's
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Kutrov still responsible for half the goals like he was last year
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Do the math. It's actually crazy when you look at it. But it's definitely enough that they should be able to make up for it on the offensive side
9:59
Yeah, I think so too. I mean, the thing is, when you have a guy like Kutraub, he's going to have a lot to just having him on the team
10:07
And then Braden Point is probably one of my favorite players over the last few years
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and he just seems to be just getting better as he ages
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So, yeah, I think it's still a pretty good team forward-wise. All right, let's shift to the defense and saw some subtractions and additions as well
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Another big name moved out, Mikhail Surgichev going to the Utah Hockey Club
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another surprising move I didn't see coming because he just signed that big long-term deal
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But now he's in Utah. And they reacquired Ryan McDonough from the Nashville Predators
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So, you know, Harrison, what do you think about these defense with these replacements
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I mean, you're looking at McDonough, who's familiar with the system. He just basically just plug and play, put him back in
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It's probably no problem. But him, but losing Surgiev is a pretty big deal
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Although they did get a really effective guy in J.J. Mosier, who's had a really good since he was drafted
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So, I mean, what do you think about the additions and the defense in general here
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So I actually really like the moves that were made on the defensive side
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I will hate to admit that back in 2022, I was one of the proponents of saying they have to move off of McDonough
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I thought at the time, you know, you have headman, you have Sergachev, you have some guys coming, you have Chernak, you should be able to overcome shedding his salary to get under the cap
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I was very wrong. instantly you felt his absence on defense so having him come back will be great he was an he was an alternate captain with the lightning so some of that leadership so we'll come back in which will definitely help with stamcoats on the way out
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surgachev i definitely understand why they shipped him off to well utah i almost said arizona i've done it already
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it's going to be that way for at least another year. But so once I think the lightning also kind of realized they might have overpaid
12:09
Sergachev just a little bit. He did have a great first season as one of the top defensemen without McDonough
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but then he had the major drop off last season. They have to now be worried about the injury bug with him because he was out
12:27
He came back and he had the big, injury at Madison Square Garden
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He fortunately was able to come back for a playoff game. It makes some kind of difference, but the lightning, I guess, just didn't see it as enough
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to justify the $8 million cap hit, especially when the salary cap is still under $90 million
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I think Mosier is going to make some kind of an impact
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He was a 30-point guy in Arizona. So I think if you bring him to the lightning, you should be able to elevate that even further
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yeah i like i said since he was drafted like he made the nchl right away and he's been a really solid guy on a team that's not very good and he was their top defenseman so i mean and now he's going to be putting a role that's probably more suited to what he is right now and not being forced into a ton of minutes so i'm i'm really excited to see how mosjur does uh on the lightning jack what about you with the new additions that and this defense actually looks quite different when you
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you're looking at these past few seasons, but I mean, still familiar faces when you're looking
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at who leads it and Victor Headman. But there are some new guys that could potentially make a difference here
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Yeah, I mean, I'm excited for the defense's upcoming season. It's really deep
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They have eight NHL caliber defensemen, in my opinion. If you go down to the system, they have guys like Maxwell Crozier, Emil Lilleberg
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show that they were capable of playing NHL minutes last year. I'm super excited for JJ
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Moser. I have a lot more to say about him once we get into our breakout picks
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And obviously having Ryan McDonough back is huge, not only just for the team overall
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but for a guy who has struggled the past few seasons in Eric Chernock, who has paid a
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hefty contract following the cup runs. Yeah, it's going to be interesting, especially with Mosier
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So I won't talk too much more on him because there's more coming up. All right
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Goaltending, the same. It has not changed as the same starter. Vasilevsky who's going to start the season this time rather than being out injured
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And Jonas Johansen, who is his backup, and he will be the backup to start rather than
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the starter. So, Harrison, not much more, not too much to say on their goaltending
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Vasilevsky is one of the best in the NHL still? Is it still solid
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Are you worried about Vasilevsky this season in that, I mean, the injury didn't seem like
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he had problems with after when he came back, took a bit of time for him to get back into
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swing of things, but one question I will ask, because I ask this every year
15:03
asked Jim on every season, every season preview. He needs to be reined in with his workload, though
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Is that something that's going to have to happen this year, though? No, that is absolutely true
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And I think that his workload, and while I admire his work ethic greatly in his training
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I think just how hard he pushed himself is why he ended up with the herniated disc in the first place
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I don't think he is fully understanding yet. He's starting to push 30 now
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The body's a bit different than when you're 21 or 22, just breaking into the league
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It's why he's one of the best goalies in the world, but he needs to definitely tone it back if he wants to have more longevity
15:45
What I'm curious to see as well is just how he does with an extra off season
15:49
of being able to just rep that back, get back into the normal training routine
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because he missed all of preseason in the first two months. And then while I understand it
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John Cooper then pushed him as hard as he could have their star goaltender
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for 52 of the last 60-something games of the season, which you still saw a lot of that bright spots of greatness
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You see a 15 game stretch where he'd have like a couple shotouts, a 915, a 925 save percentage
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And then he would start to tire out. He'd give up like five goals in a game, four goals in a game
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So within a lot of this because he just didn't have that rest. And then he'd have to regroup, get going again
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I think with a more normal routine that we have seen in recent years
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let's say 52 games with this time over 82 as opposed to like 61
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I think we'll see more of the usual Andrei Vasilowski that we've become accustomed to
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I think so too. Like he has to be really, even though it seems like he's a machine once it was to
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put the playoffs, how many games he started in the regular season, then the playoffs
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And, I mean, inevitably, it was going to catch up to him. So, I mean, he's, they definitely got to keep him rested
17:04
And Johansson's got to play more games this season as the backup
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So, but he has to be good. And that's the thing. He has to be good when he gets in so that they feel confident in putting him in
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and not just going with Bazilevsky all the time. So we'll see. We'll see how that all plays out
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All right, Jack, let's take a look at the central division. at the Atlantic Division, which is really tough
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and has a lot of interesting teams in it because you've got teams that are rising
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you think will be rising when last season they didn You looking at the Ottawa Centers the Buffalo Sabres who seems like one of these seasons they going to step forward and make the playoffs
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You also got, of course, the main guys with Toronto, Boston, you know, those types of teams
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Where does the lightning stack up with Stamco's gone, all these changes
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Are they still in that mid-range where they kind of finished? Where do you see them in this division right now
18:04
Now, I think this Atlantic division is going to be roughly similar to last season
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I definitely think the lightning will find themselves back in the playoffs in the 2024-25 campaign
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You got teams like Buffalo, Ottawa, Detroit, who are all trying to make the playoffs after some long droughts here
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And while some of these moves that these teams made were solid, I don't really see them finishing above the lightning just yet after a strong off season
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acquiring a guy like Jake Gensel and him bolstering the death. I think the playoffs are wide open
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in terms of where one through four can finish with the Panthers losing a couple of defensive pieces
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Boston moving on from Linus O. Mark. So I think it'll be really interesting
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I think a lot of it also depends on how the top line plays if they can potentially click as one of the best in the NHL
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with Gensel, Point, and Kutrov. I think you could see the lightning in the top two of the division
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However, if they struggle, and maybe Vasilevsky has a little bit of wear and tear left from that injury
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You could see them as low as four. So ultimately a decently wide range of possibilities for the lightning
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But I am pretty confident they will find themselves back competing for Lord Stanley once again
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Harrison, do you agree with that? Is that where you see the lightning as well? More or less, I'm not sure if I necessarily see them in the top one or two
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I still think Florida is still pretty good. Brono is a great, at least regular season team
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and we'll find themselves at the top of the vision. But I definitely like 100% disagree that the lightning will be in at least the top four and back in the Stanley Cup playoff
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I can certainly see, especially if Vazi is back on a lot of the younger talents able to come in and produce on offense and defense
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And if some of those signies really work out, they can definitely find themselves back in the top three without having to be in a wild card spot
19:59
Yeah, I see that too. I mean, I think they're talented enough that they're going to end up being in that top three and not not being the wild card, although they had to fight for it last season
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But it's, I think this year there's going to, it just depends on if everyone stays healthy
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And that's the biggest thing. And, you know, Gensel was out for a while last season two
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So, I mean, hopefully he can stay healthy all year. Yeah, it all depends on that
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There's always that question mark every team. Injuries always seem to happen and screw things up
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We'll see. We'll see how all the depth kind of steps in if that does happen
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All right. Let's go to our quick fire round. And these are just a quick one or two sentence answers
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And I'll start with you, Jack. And a biggest storyline question mark going into this season for the lightning
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So my biggest question mark of the season, which I've spent a little bit of time writing them out this summer, is does Jake Gensel change the dynamic of this team offensively at five on five
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And for me, the answer is going to be yes. he showed he was able to play with out Crosby with 25 points and 17 games over in Carolina
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last season after the trade so I'm really excited for him right tarrison what about you
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storyline and even though we kind of touched up on it already I still think the biggest
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storyline is are the Tampa Bay Lightning improved from last season just because the expectations
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are very high after back-to-back Stanley Cups three straight trips to the Stanley Cup final
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Stephen Stamcoast is now on the way out. They have to show that a lot of these offseason moves were for the better
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because if they either take a step back or things are pretty stagnant, it's going to look pretty rough for Julian Breezeball and company
21:44
Yeah, it is going to be interesting. I mean, whenever new guys come in
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you don't know if they're going to fit in right away. And even if they do at all
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because looking at Jonathan Hubertoe and Calgary, perfect example, doesn't fit. and it just it's interesting why it doesn't fit but just doesn't so hopefully gensel's not one of
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those guys that just can't fit it doesn't seem like that's going to be came into carolina it was
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fine so i think it'll be fine for him all right uh breakout stars jack uh you you said one i know
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we know already here but you can expand on that a one or two breakout stars of the landing this year
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yeah for me it's j j mozer it has to be 24 year old defense been coming over from
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hefty minutes in Arizona last season, led the team in time on ice, also second in
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defensive zone, start percentage over there. Had a career high of 30 points, I think he can expand on that
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And who knows in this system? I mean, he proved he was a great rush defender last year, and maybe you compare that
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with Victor Hedbin, on the top line. So having taken those offensive risks and generating those high danger scoring chances
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another guy maybe, Nick Purbix as well, who kind of broke onto the scene pretty late from
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Minnesota, Duluth, and St. Cloud. So he's got a pretty exciting guy
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I think he's got a little more on tap potential in him. Yeah, I like Purvix
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I thought he was really good last season and could take a step forward, depending on where
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he plays with the new guys. But Harrison, what about you? I have a breakout star
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So my breakout start, I'm doing it from a slightly different perspective because Mosier is 100% that type of candidate
23:31
I'm going to go with Max Crozier. We saw him for about 13 games last season
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I only had a couple assists, but really showed what he could do on defense. He wasn't afraid to throw his body out there to block the puck
23:43
I think with more playing time in the NHL, we might get some more of that offensive production we saw in the AHA
23:48
He had 21 points in about 49 games, just under a half a point of game, which were a defensive
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defenseman is great. I think with enough development, we could start seeing that level of
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production. I think we'll start to see it over the course of this year. Yeah, that's a good one
24:03
too. We'll see where he kind of fits in with the team, too, because he was pretty good last season
24:09
when he did play. All right, the other side, a bounce back. And I'll stay with you, Harrison
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someone that needs to bounce back from last season. I think the most glaring answer is none other than
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Andrei Vazelowski. If the Lightning do not have their star goaltending, I just don't think they're going to go anywhere
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He's a guy who's going to play every single playoff game. If they should make the playoffs, because, you know, no matter how good you are, there's
24:35
never a guarantee. But even with the high power scoring, if they are not able to get the most out of their
24:43
prize goalie, it's not going to be a fun season. No, that definitely not, especially if they have to lean more on Johansson, which they would
24:51
They don't play Vaselowski, even if it's not playing well. So, yeah, definitely
24:57
Jack, what about you? A little of under the radar pick here
25:01
but I have Connor Shiri, who Julian Breezebaugh signed as a free agent last summer
25:07
signed him for $2 million across three seasons, and he was expected to come in
25:12
and really be that secondary scoring punch with a ton of experience alongside some superstars
25:17
like Obetchkin and Krosby throughout his career. Unfortunately, he suffered a couple
25:21
injuries, wasn't really able to find his game. So I really hope we can see a good bounce back out of him and he can help bolster the
25:29
secondary scoring heading into next season. For sure. Yeah. I mean, you thought, I mean, Sherry's been an interesting guy too
25:37
I mean, he plays in Pittsburgh. He had his best seasons because he played with, uh, with Crosby
25:42
And, and Washington, I was kind of up and down. So yeah, he's definitely a guy that can do it
25:48
It's just will he be able to at this season? And yeah, that'll be an interesting one
25:54
All right, X factor. Now, this could be a player or it could be a situation. I didn't add that in
25:58
I'm thinking X factor could be both. So I'll throw that curve ball in there if you wanted to touch on that
26:05
Jack, what about an X factor this season? It can be player or situation
26:11
I touched on this briefly when we were going over the defense, but for me, it's Eric Ternak
26:16
He struggled a ton once Ryan McDonough was moved off this roster
26:21
And the defensive metrics took a massive dip downward And I hoping that paired back with McDonough hopefully next season they can work as a shutdown pairing and can go out against the other team top lines to give a guy like
26:35
Victor Havvin more free range offensively. So he's on that hefty contract for the next 7,8 years
26:42
And that no movement clause kicks in after this summer, which means he's unmovable for the
26:47
most part. So we're hoping that he could be the X factor this year and can sort of rebound defensive
26:53
and be that shutdown guy in those tough minutes. Yeah, I love Sernak
26:59
I always, every time Canucks had, they wanted a defenseman, I always had Surnack as a target
27:05
for the Canucks. So yeah, I really like him. So hopefully can do it too
27:11
All right, let's talk some prospects, rookie prospect. So Harrison, what do you, someone that could surprise and make the team out of camp this year
27:22
So one guy that I really would like to see, and I think is very likely, could be
27:27
AHL All-Star last year, Gage Concalves. He, I'm just getting those numbers up for a moment
27:34
He had, and of course, now there's an issue here with my screen, they had 58 points in
27:40
69 games, and he had six points in seven games. It's very consistent with his number, was in 2023, sorry, 22, 2020, as well
27:49
you're getting a guy who's getting closer and closer to averaging a point per game
27:53
He's not really someone who's going to give you a lot of goal scoring. He only had about 13 goals last season, but you'll get a lot of playmaking production
28:01
Over 40 of his points, we're on the assist. So I think you can bring him into that bottom six and give some more playmaker production to the offense
28:09
I think that could go a long way. And I think he's someone who's very capable of it. And that will help him break camp this year
28:15
All right. will go further and now prospects that everyone should be watching beyond someone that can make
28:23
the team but watching outside of the NHL. So I'm going to go with two guys for this one
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The first one is Connor Geeky because he's part of that big trade for Mikhail Sergachev
28:36
He's a first round pick from the Arizona Coyotes. He had some very stellar numbers in juniors
28:42
I don't know how long he might be in the NHL. he just signed his pro contract towards the end of the last season
28:47
So it might be some time before he gets to the NHL
28:52
despite how highly he was picked. But just for the fact of the trade and where he was drafted
28:58
it's definitely something you want to keep your eye on when you check in on what's happening in Syracuse
29:02
Another guy that I'm very interested in seeing will be Dylan Duke
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He is one of those mid-round picks for the lightning. They're bread and butter the last couple of years
29:13
He's looked very good at the University of Michigan. He's also signed his entry level deal
29:18
Again, someone that we might not see, at least for the good bulk of the start of the season
29:24
But I'm very curious to see how quickly he gets his footing in professional hockey
29:30
Yeah, two great picks there. I mean, Geeky was Utah's top prospect
29:36
So, I mean, that's a guy that they felt comfortable moving to get surrogative
29:41
So yeah, that's a big guy. And he's probably now the Lightning's top prospect in there
29:47
And Dylan Duke was before her top prospect. So there you go. All right
29:52
Let's move to this could be an easy one or maybe throw something in there because Stampco's not here
29:56
And also Al Kutrov is probably going to win this one. But Jack, who's going to lead the team in scoring on the forwards and defense
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I think the unanimous answer on forward is going to be Nikita Kutrov again
30:08
He sent a historic milestone recording over 100. assist last year as a winger, which is very impressive, did roughly 50% of the team's goal scoring
30:19
And he's so influential, one of the best passers in the game can also shoot the puck
30:24
And yeah, and on defensively, got to be Victor Hedman again, quarterback in that top power
30:29
play unit, best in the league last year, operating around 30%, something like that
30:34
He still got his offensive game, produced well at all strengths. I'm excited for him to continue
30:40
and maybe a captaincy for him as well. Yeah, for sure. Harrison, is that what you got to
30:46
Are you going to throw a curve? Clearly, it's going to be, no, I'm kidding
30:52
It's obviously, you know, Kuturov, 100 assists, 144 points. He won the Art Ross last year
31:00
I think that's a foregone conclusion. Headman's also likely the answer for the defense option, 76 points last year
31:07
You might not have realized it, but it was actually his. second best offensive season of his career at 32 years old
31:14
And I believe his other one was 85. Both were better than the year
31:18
He even won the Norris. So in his early year, in his early 30s and the second half of his career
31:25
he's starting to turn up the dial a bit on the offensive side
31:29
And I don't think anyone's going to be touching him on defense from an standpoint
31:34
No, I don't think so either. I think headman's pretty safe, a pretty safe bet to him to be leading the
31:40
defense. All right, let's finish the show with a bold prediction or a hot take for this
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season. I'll start with you, Jack. What do you got? Might get a little bit of heat for this one
31:50
but I think it's pretty good. I got Jake Gensel wins the Rocket Richard. Playing on that top
31:56
playing on that top line, that first power play unit, it's going to have opportunities. I think
32:02
it's possible if Stamcoast was able to score 40, 50 goals in an environment like this, I don't see
32:06
why a guy like Gensel wouldn't be able to as well. It's a good one
32:11
You're looking at, like you said, Kutraub's the best passer in the game
32:15
He's going to be now feeding Gensel. So, yeah, he definitely got a lot of chances
32:19
And if he can bury some, he could get to that. Harrison, what about you, bold prediction
32:25
So my bold prediction, going back to Cam Atkinson, I think he's going to bounce back and have another 50-point season
32:31
with this lightning team. This is a bold prediction that's banking on his health a little
32:36
bits, but I think he's going to be with some guys on a line that are going to really help
32:40
with getting him back into the groove of things. I can totally see if he's fully healthy, you can get maybe 23 goals out of him and 27
32:49
assists to get to that 50 point mark. Yeah, I think Askinson can hit 20 goals on this team
32:58
He's got the talent. It's just he has to stay healthy. And that's going to be the biggest question mark, can he stay healthy this season
33:05
and I think if he does, he's, I think 20 goals is doable for sure
33:10
All right, before we finish, I know you mentioned Jack, is Headman
33:15
Is he the captain this season? Or do you have someone else in mind
33:19
that could potentially be one instead? I mean, there are a couple other candidates
33:25
I think it's got to be Victor Headman. He's been the heart and soul of that back in for the last decade
33:32
And he just recently signed a four-year extension with this lightning team and he's going to be most likely the new face of the franchise
33:39
for the next couple of years. So I think he's the easy pick
33:44
Harrison, do you agree with that? Absolutely. He's been on this team 15 years already
33:49
The only person who had been on the team longer last season was Stephen Stamcoast
33:53
Now is just by one season. He has shown his leadership for a very long time
33:57
He's wore the A for a while. If you don't look at other candidates, maybe Bray and Point or Ryan McDonough
34:02
With all due respect, Nikita Kutrov, being the best player doesn't always mean you are going to be the best player on the team
34:10
You know, very worthy of wearing the A, don't get me wrong. But I just think just with a gut reaction for most people
34:18
And it's almost a bit of a surprise they haven't already just gone and made the announcement
34:26
That's true. I'm really shocked that hasn't happened yet. I'll probably get named in training camp or something like that
34:32
Yeah, my first thought was Headman, but Point would be my second one because he is, he is the type of, that type of guy too
34:41
But maybe he's a bit too quiet for a leader. So I don't know
34:45
We'll see. I think Headman will be the captain, though. All right
34:49
Well, thanks Jack Harrison for coming on the show and talking the Lightning for this coming season
34:54
We'll see how it all goes with all the new additions. But still, I think it's going to be another exciting season for the Lightning
35:00
So make sure to check on everything that we have at the Hockey Redmond. dot com, our substack, and the YouTube channel as we go through our previews and as the season
35:09
goes on, make sure of checking out all everything on all of our platforms
35:13
But until our next preview, we'll see you next time
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