Steve Yzerman's legacy still lingers with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but it shows what may await the Detroit Red Wings. And, as you've seen over the past few seasons, Tampa remains a hotbed for hockey, so it shows what happens when a winning culture develops again.
And it's why the Lightning will, once again, be tough to beat this season. That core may be older, but they're still more than capable. Something they've proven time and again as recent seasons have gone by.
Forwards
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
Jake Guentzel | Brayden Point | Nikita Kucherov |
Brandon Hagel | Anthony Cirelli | Gage Goncalves |
Conor Geekie | Nick Paul | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
Zemgus Girgensons | Yanni Gourde | Mitchell Chaffee |
Boris Katchouk | Pontus Holmberg |
If Nikita Kucherov's not the best all-around forward in the NHL, then tell me who is, because I can't name anyone. And that includes players like Connor McDavid. Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel are both 80-plus-point players, and neither look like they're anywhere close to exiting their primes.
Then, you got Brandon Hagel, another 80-point player. Add in a two-way forward in Anthony Cirelli and an upstart winger with Gage Goncalves, and the second line's gonna be fun to watch when Tampa's playing someone other than the Wings.
Ditto for Conor Geekie, whose role will expand in the middle-six. Oliver Bjorkstrand will bring a solid, all-around game, and Nick Paul's that proven depth scorer you want in the bottom six.
And I like this fourth line, with glue players in Zemgus Girgensons and Yanni Gourde. Gourde can be a playmaker on that fourth line, while Mitchell Chaffee's shown he can put up some goals despite limited ice time.
I feel like I'm repeating myself these days, but the Lightning's forward group is yet another one the Wings will have their hands full with. It doesn't matter who's lining up where on the ice, you got playmakers and scorers at almost every position. And those who haven't yet put up a ton of points are potential-laden youngsters.
Defense/Goaltending
Left Defense | Right Defense |
|---|---|
Victor Hedman | J.J. Moser |
Ryan McDonagh | Erik Cernak |
Emil Lilleberg | Darren Raddysh |
Maxwell Crozier | |
G: Andrei Vasilevskiy | G: Jonas Johansson |
The defensive rotation's the same story, with Victor Hedman leading the way. The two-way blueliner still puts up points like a forward, and J.J Moser's about due for a breakout campaign.
Ryan McDonagh may not put up points like Hedman, but few blueliners in the league position themselves better to get in front of pucks, and play great defense without landing excessive body checks. That's why he'll have Erik Cernak lining up next to him, since he'll give the top four that physical presence.
Darren Raddysh puts up solid numbers when in the offensive zone, and his presence proves that even guys on the third pairing can produce. Emil Lilleberg can expand his ice time this season to somewhere between 16 and 17 minutes on average, bringing another hard-hitting presence to the table.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has been a staple for this Lightning team for years, and he looked unstoppable last season. He was easily the best netminder in the Eastern Conference and the second-best only to Connor Hellebuyck.
Overall, we're looking at a true contender who could steal the Atlantic Division crown in 2026 if the Florida Panthers show decline. But, I wouldn't be surprised if the Florida teams finished 1-2 in the Atlantic, and that will spell trouble for the Red Wings and the entire division.