1. Are the Lightning still a Stanley Cup contender?
They think they are even though they haven’t won a single round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Lightning will look different without Steven Stamkos and his big shot, especially on the power play. Stamkos, who signed a four-year, $32 million ($8 million per game) contract with the Nashville Predators, scored 19 power-play goals last season. Tampa Bay was No. 1 in the NHL on the power play (28.6 percent).
But they replaced Stamkos with the striker Jake Guentzelwho signed a seven-year, $63 million ($9 million per game) contract on July 1. Guentzel scores in a variety of ways, often attacking from deep and in front of the net. He is a more effective 5-on-5 player than Stamkos as a possession and playmaking player.
The Lightning has always Nikita Kucherovwho led the NHL with 144 points (44 goals, 100 assists) last season. Brayden Point They had 90 points (46 goals, 44 assists) last season. They should be on the top line with Guentzel at least to start training camp.
Victor Hedman is still the anchor in defense with Erik Cernak and the return of Ryan McDonagh via a trade with the Predators. Andrei Vasilevsky is still one of the best goalies in the NHL and Jon Cooper is one of the best coaches.
