BT's 2008-09 NHL Season Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning

Defense? So long was we score 13 goals a game, we’ll be fine!

I guess that’s the attitude that the Lightning had this offseason, even though they weren’t terrible at scoring goals (ninth in the conference).

Granted, they could’ve used a little tinkering up front, but eight or nine new forwards? When there were already seven carry-overs? I guess Oren Koules and Len Barrie need to prove they aren’t afraid to spend cash.

The biggest wad of bills they handed out this offseason was to incumbent Vincent Lecavalier. Vinny received an 11-year contract over the summer, which is expected to keep him in Central Florida for the remainder of his career, which they Lightning hope includes a few repeats of the 2004 Stanley Cup success.

Two years ago, giving a term and dollar amount like that to Vincent Lecavalier would have been highly scrutinized. Preceding the lockout, Vincent was a mirthfully underachieving scorer, and streaky at best. While he hadn’t scored fewer than 20 goals since his rookie season of 1998, Vincent had seemed immature at times, and unable to put up the consistent numbers that a playmaker like him should have.

Post-lockout however, Lecavalier has proven to be a late bloomer—or at least a beneficiary of the new rules. Since 2004-05, Lecavalier has posted his three highest goal totals (35, 52, and 40), and has played at a point-per game average for two seasons. Including 75 points in 80 games in 2005-06, Lecavalier has 275 points in 243 games—or a 1.13 point-per game average—and he’s finally come out of his shell.

Joining Lecavalier as a carry-over from the old Lightning regime will be Martin St. Louis. Given his age (33) and his size (5'9", 185 lbs.), St. Louis may be looking at a bit of a decline in his production after spending five years in the 30-goal and 70-90 point range.

Also returning to the Lightning this year will be Jason Ward (a solid checking-line option), energy-guy Nick Tarnasky, fearless leader Jeff Halpern, the big and gritty Chris Gratton, Ryan Craig, shootout virtuoso Jussi Jokinen, and Evgeny Artyukhin.

So that would make for two top-line players, a borderline second liner (Jokinen), and six third- or fourth-line players—meaning that the Lightning really only needed a couple of scoring forwards, and maybe a rookie to come in and fill some skates up front, right?

Well...you’re on the right track.

The Lightning got the rookie they needed to plug that hole, as they selected Steve Stamkos with the first-overall pick this past entry draft, and promptly signed the hot-shot junior to his three-year, entry-level contract.

So you would figure the Lightning would be best to look into some second-line muscle to protect Stamkos, and maybe a scorer to sidle up alongside him to help him get his feet wet a little quicker at the NHL level.

Well, the Lightning decided that it was best not to take any chances, and got Stamkos lots of options.

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