The Tampa Bay Lightning are poised to start out the 2024-25 season and make a run at successful one other Stanley Cup. To enhance on the first-round exits of the earlier two seasons, the group needed to make some troublesome choices within the offseason, together with letting long-standing standout captain Steven Stamkos depart in free company and handing over one other path with the signing of Jake Guentzel. The Lightning are tight to the wage cap ceiling, which has compelled them to signal budget-friendly gamers to finish their roster. Nonetheless, these gamers might be beneficial additions to the group if they’ll play as much as and even exceed their potential.
Zemgus Girgensons
In July, the Lightning signed the Latvian to a to a three-year contract price a mean annual worth (AAV) of $850,000. The 30-year-old has performed 688 profession NHL video games with the Buffalo Sabres, recording 89 targets and 188 factors. An NHL All-Star in 2015, he left Buffalo rating second amongst all skaters in Sabres’ franchise historical past for hits (1,239) and tenth for video games performed. Girgensons is a strong two-way participant and could possibly be a bottom-six issue on a extra gifted lineup.
Corey Sznajder from AllThreeZones traditionally ranks Girgensons within the higher echelon of zone-exit and forechecking micro stats amongst forwards every season. Girgensons will placed on a distinct jersey for the primary time in his profession and play underneath improved programs and training. His new contract grades nicely in comparison with latest offers for gamers like him, and he may find yourself being one of many higher price range signings for this season in the NHL.
Darren Raddysh
After a number of seasons within the American Hockey League, the 28-year-old earned a everlasting spot on the Lightning’s protection final season and did very nicely with this chance. Raddysh confirmed he can produce nicely from the purpose on the NHL degree, recording six targets and 33 factors in 82 video games. General, the 6-foot-1 defenseman displayed that he can deal with the NHL degree and be an offensive risk. He simply outperformed his $975,000 contract from final season and will match or exceed final season’s numbers.
Raddysh ought to solely proceed to enhance as he adjusts to the NHL. Given his offensive manufacturing, he ought to get loads of reps on one of many Lightning’s power-play items this season, and there have been hints popping out of coaching camp that Raddysh may get a take a look at Stamkos’ outdated spot on the man-advantage. (Fom ‘Can Darren Raddysh Assist Fill Lightning’s Energy-Play Void Put up-Stamkos?’ Tampa Bay Instances, Oct. 3, 2024)
Cam Atkinson
In July, the Lightning signed the free agent ahead to a one-year contract price $900,000. He initially was not headed without spending a dime company, however a contract buyout by the Philadelphia Flyers in April gave the 35-year-old an opportunity for a recent begin. The veteran ahead has battled harm all through his profession. Not too long ago, Atkinson missed the 2022-23 season whereas recovering from herniated disk surgical procedure, then returned final season, ending with 13 targets and 28 factors in 70 video games.
A 2008 sixth-round collection of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Atkinson nonetheless has sufficient left within the tank to assist create offense off the frenzy together with his velocity. His good arms can nonetheless translate his zone entries into passing performs and scoring possibilities for his linemates. In his final preseason sport on Sept. 30, Atkinson skated on a line with Nick Paul, which could possibly be a preview of the 2 teaming up on the third line when the season begins.
Victor Hedman
The newly-appointed Lightning captain was not too long ago named the Twelfth-best participant within the NHL this season, in response to rankings handed out by the NHL Community. He signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Lightning in July. The contract, with an AAV of $8 million, will start within the 2025-26 season. Hedman will make $7,875,000 this season. He had 76 factors (13 targets, 63 assists) final season and 7 factors (one objective, six assists) in 5 playoff video games, and matching these numbers whereas successfully patrolling the blue line will make that contract seem like a discount.
Associated: Lightning’s Eyssimont Harm Creates Alternative for Girgensons and Ylonen
Whereas he seems to outperform his contract on the ice, Hedman has already had an ideal begin off the ice. On Tuesday (Oct. 1), Hedman and his spouse Sanna pledged $150,000 to Hurricane Helene aid efforts, which will likely be break up between the Coast Guard Basis and the Tampa Police Benevolent Affiliation. Hedman additionally led the Lightning out into the group to go to those that proceed to serve the Tampa Bay group within the restoration efforts because the lengthy restoration effort will get began.
The preseason is starting to wind down. The Lightning have two video games remaining, on Oct. 4 towards the Carolina Hurricanes and on Oct. 7 at house towards the Florida Panthers, which was moved from an earlier date as a consequence of Hurricane Helene. The Lightning will begin the 2024-25 season on Oct. 11 towards the Hurricanes, and we are going to start to see which gamers will make headway into outperforming their contracts for the approaching season.
