Could be this breakout season for Tampa Bay?
After climbing to the Eastern conference final series against Boston Bruins and falling down to the bottom of the NHL, the next season seems to be on the right way, again. Although, last season finished as a disaster, it seems that players and team staffs had to went through this process to make some major changes as a big step forward. The core of the team remained together, but Steve Yzerman as a general manager made important changes regarding of offensive, defensive and also goaltending side. There are reasons why right this season could be breakout for team of Sunrise.
Anders Lindback as a sustainable goaltender number one
It´s like a deja vu for Tampa Bay. After taking year off in 2004/05 season, a large number of netminders went through that hot crease. Lightning reminds Nikolai Khabibulin, the russian goalie which has won the only one Stanley cup for Tampa Bay and actually was the latest permanent wall between the pipes of this team. Now he is gone protecting a net in Edmonton and he let after himself a huge hole. Smith, Ellis, Denis, Garon, Roloson, Desjardins and so on haven´t been able to grab a chance. After all, we can see light at the end of the tunnel which is called – Anders Lindback.
Despite his small experiences from the NHL, he has all of the parameters and abilities to be the right guy for Tampa Bay organization. A tall goaltender never had a considerable chance in the crease behind Nashville´s star – Pekka Rinne. Despite a fact that he is unaccredited man, timing, circumstances and so on suggests next season can be breakout for this guy for many reasons.
Strong defense like never before
You can consider why last season was such a dissapointment, but one thing is true – defensive play was the worst point of the all aspects of play. Signing Sami Salo, Matthew Carle and extending contracts with Brendan Mikkelson Keith Aulie, we are talking about totally different defense. Proven guys like Eric Brewer and Marc-Andre Bergeron will have the large time on the ice, however, we haven´t mentioned the treasure as Victor Hedman. First two defensive pairs seems to be done, spot in the third pair has Brian Lee or Keit Aulie, but in case these guys will be struggling, then will be a chance for Matt Taormina or Dmitry Korolov. The only question mark is just Mattias Ohlund that made some steps foward but it is unlikely he will return at the start of the season.
Stamkos is looking for another „sixtie“
It is unbelievable. He is 22 years old a he shoots pucks to the net like hockey players did in twenty years back. Last season was his best, even if Tampa wasn´t able to reach a playoff spot. His „hockey daddy“ and favourite teammate Martin St.Louis is still on the high level, despite the fact that he is aiming to 38 years. „Stammer the hammer“ how his teammates and fans calls him, is still just 22 years old, he has the best seasons (if it is even possible) in front of him, signed a almost new contract with Tampa´s organization, so why he couldn´t be even better in the upcoming season?
Lads are pushing themselves to the front
It´s not secret Tampa Bay is working with one of the best youngsters across the NHL. Names like Angelidis, J.T.Brown, Crombeen, JT Wyman and Labrie you would remember. All of them played several matches last season as a Lightning´s players and although they just peeped to the best hockey league in the world, they will likely come back playing with big roles. All of them are members of Norfolk Admirals which won before this summer its first Calder cup in the franchise history. The biggest push is expected from Brett Connolly, who is also looking for breakout year after rollercoaster last season.
Guy Boucher is the right man in the right spot
You have to love that guy. He entered to the NHL as the youngest coach and his only experiences were from AHL. Who expected that this man will get Tampa to the game seven in the Eastern conference final series already after the firts season? His responsibility, love of hockey and passion are the main points, why he has ability to squezze from his team more then it seems possible. In coopoeration with general manager Steve Yzerman Tampa Bay Lightning has the one of the best leaderships across the whole NHL due that duo.
Překlad
(Garon, 28. 8. 2012 21:57)