Tampa Bay Lightning aiming for another Stanley Cup with aging group of core players
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Tampa Bay Lightning
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — 50-26-6, second in Atlantic Division, lost in first round of playoffs.
COACH: Jon Cooper (15th season, 622-332-89).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 1 at New York Rangers.
DEPARTURES: F Oliver Bjorkstrand, D Declan Carlile, F Nick Paul, F Corey Perry, D Darren Raddysh.
ADDITIONS: D John Carlson, F Ilya Mikheyev, G Dennis Hildeby, F Jeffrey Viel.
GOALIES: Andrei Vasilevsiiy (39-15-4, 2.31 goals-against average, .912 save percentage) Dennis Hildeby (5-7-4, 2.86, .914).
What to expect
After a fourth consecutive first-round playoff exit, there were some changes to the roster including the 36-year old Carlson, who signed a two-year contract after having 60 points (14 goals, 46 assists) for the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks last season. Carlson has 785 points (170 goals, 615 assists) in 1,159 regular-season games, the fifth-most points among active defensemen.
With 2025-26 Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov, an elite goalie in Vasilevsiiy, defenseman Victor Hedman leading the charge and a deep group of forwards on the roster, Tampa Bay is looking for another run to the Stanley Cup.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: Kucherov is one of the five best forwards in the NHL. Jake Guentzel (38 goals, 50 assists) is a steady presence on the top line and Brandon Hagel (36 goals, 38 assists last season) is a rising star. Vasilevskiy just picked up his second Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the league.
The not-so-good: The core group of defensemen (Hedman, Carlson and Ryan McDonagh) are all 35 or older and need to stay healthy for a full season. Brayden Point was limited to 63 games and posted one of the worst statistical seasons of his career (18 goals, 32 assists). Depth at center will be challenged early in the season with Yanni Gourde expected to miss two months and Dominic James likely out for most of October.
Players to watch
Kucherov is in the final year of his contract. Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said both sides are committed to working out a long-term deal. The top six forwards are elite, but Tampa Bay needs some young prospects to emerge. Two top candidates are Conor Geekie and Sam O’Reilly, two former first-round picks acquired in trades over the past three seasons. Mikheyev has drawn rave reviews in camp and could be a big surprise.
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See AP’s full NHL coverage here