What You Need to Know About the 2014 Training Camp for the Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning are less than a week away from opening their 2014 training camp. Before they take the ice as a whole group, there are some things you need to know.

The Lightning rookies are already on the ice fighting for their best first impressions. The rookies took the ice Sept. 11 and got a couple of practices in before heading to Nashville for the prospect tournament Sept. 13-16.

One word that will be thrown around a lot at camp will be "depth." The Lightning are loaded with depth which will make for some very intense competitions, not only at the bottom of the roster but in leadership roles as well.

There will be some big names and high-profile spots to fill when training camp opens. Here is what you need to know before the Lightning come together next week.

Big Names, New Faces

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There is no bigger name in Tampa Bay than Jonathan Drouin.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have some big-name prospects that will be showcasing their talents at this year's training camp. The Lightning have seven players that were drafted in the first two rounds of their respective drafts on the rookie roster.

With the opportunity to land top-six roster spots, there is a lot at stake for these rookies. Here is a list of some of the biggest names on the rookie roster this fall:

• Jonathan Drouin (2013)
• Anthony DeAngelo (2014)
• Slater Koekkoek (2012)
• Andrei Vasilevskiy (2012)
• Adam Erne (2013)
• Henri Ikonen (2013)
• Kristers Gudlevskis (2013)
• Dominik Masin (2014)

The Only Thing Certain Is Uncertainty

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Ryan Callahan signed a big contract this offseason, but even his role isn't cemented in.

We know that Steven Stamkos, Valtteri Filppula and Ryan Callahan have spots locked up. Outside of those three, there isn't a lot that has been locked down. Fans can make inferences on who will have the upper hand, but nothing is set in stone.

The high-level versatility from a handful of the Lightning's forwards makes things even more difficult. Tyler Johnson can play center and wing but so can Alex Killorn. Drouin can, too, and even Stamkos could make a move.

Keep an eye on how many line combinations the Lightning use in camp. Don't be surprised to see players outside of their listed positions. 

Ben Bishop Won't Be 100 Percent

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Ben Bishop's wrist is getting progressively better but it won't be 100% in camp.

Ben Bishop set a lofty bar with his performance last season. Knocked out by injury, Bishop had to watch helplessly as the Lightning struggled in the postseason without him. 

This offseason, he rehabbed his dislocated elbow and is still recovering from wrist surgery. On Sept. 8, he told the Lightning's website (via NHL.com) that his wrist was "getting there" but wasn't 100 percent yet. Odds are he won't be 100 percent throughout camp and may see limited time.

Fans shouldn't panic if they see a few un-Bishop-like goals find the back of the net. Concern should be focused on his aggressiveness and confidence. If he seems to be lacking the solid positioning that launched his 2013-14 season, then there may be cause for concern.

The Future for Us and Them

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Kristers Gudlevskis is a player fighting for a spot on the depth chart, but not just in Tampa Bay.

Depth is a great thing for a franchise, and the Lightning have a lot of it. But, depth can be synonymous with expendable assets.

For proof, Tampa Bay fans need to only look to their starting goaltender. Bishop spent time in St. Louis with Ryan Miller and Jake Allen. He also spent time in Ottawa behind Craig Anderson and with Robin Lehner. 

Now, the Lightning have a similar situation with their goaltenders. Kristers Gudlevskis and Andrei Vasilevskiy will be fighting not only for a spot on the Lightning's organizational depth chart but possibly around the league as well.

It's a similar story for forwards like Brett Connolly who haven't become the day-to-day NHL players yet. A strong camp might bring their value up enough to play a few games and be shipped elsewhere to be an everyday player.

Don't be surprised if this camp and preseason are auditions for a handful of players to get their abilities in front of the other teams in the league. 

Patience Will Be a Virtue

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The Lightning have the depth to be patient. Slater Koekkoek may not have that luxury.

Tampa Bay has shown a willingness to be patient with its prospects. If it feels like they aren't ready, it waits until they are. The best examples are Drouin and Connolly. 

Some players have the luxury of patience. Even if Drouin didn't make the team out of camp, he still has some time. Other players like Connolly and some of the injury-prone players like Slater Koekkoek don't have that luxury.

The latter category needs to make an impact immediately. Don't be surprised to find a handful of players (look to those signed to one-year contracts this offseason) mixing it up on the ice. If they play with a sharper edge, that is to be expected.

Patience is running thin for a handful of Lightning prospects, not only for their time in the Tampa Bay organization but possibly their NHL careers. 

Fans should take note of the players that seem to be at the end of their Lightning ropes. This camp could be their last shot to make an NHL squad in 2014.