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2017-18 Primer: Tampa Bay Lightning

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With the NHL season now just a month away, it’s time to look at what each team has done this summer and what to watch for in the year to come.  Today, we focus on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Last Season: 42-30-10 record (94 points), fifth in Atlantic Division (missed the playoffs)

Remaining Cap Space: $3.25MM per CapFriendly

Key Newcomers: D Dan Girardi (free agency, NY Rangers)m F Chris Kunitz (free agency, Pittsburgh), D Mikhail Sergachev (trade with Montreal)

Key Departures: F Jonathan Drouin (trade with Montreal), D Jason Garrison (expansion), F Joel Vermin (free agency, Lausanne, Swiss NLA), D Luke Witkowski (free agency, Detroit)

[Related: Lightning Depth Chart From Roster Resource]

Player To Watch: G Andrei Vasilevskiy – For the past few years, Vasilevskiy had been referred to as Tampa’s goalie of the future.  With Ben Bishop now out of the picture, he’s now their goalie of the present.  Can he step up and take over that number one role?

Mar 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsWith Bishop missing a good chunk of time last season due to an injury as well as the eventual trade to the Kings, the Lightning got a good look at what the 23-year-old could do and the results were mixed.  Vasilevskiy struggled considerably in his first stint as the starter in December and January with Bishop injured but once the trade occurred, he fared much better down the stretch and the team is undoubtedly hoping that finish is a sign of things to come.

The pressure is certainly going to be on and Tampa’s depth at that position isn’t what it was.  Peter Budaj is coming off of a nice resurgent season but he’s best suited as a backup while journeyman veteran Michael Leighton was brought in to replace Kristers Gudlevskis.  That’s not a great safety net to have behind a relatively unproven starter.

Key Storyline: Tampa Bay’s defense corps last season was led by Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman but the supporting cast had a lot of question marks.  Although the team moved out a couple of big salaries in Drouin (who signed for $5.5MM with Montreal after the trade) and Garrison, those were more to free up cap space over bringing in more proven players on the back end (with the exception of Girardi who is coming off a tough season himself).  Sergachev could push for a roster spot but even if he makes it, it’s unlikely he’d play a key role right away.

Is that group going to be good enough, especially with one of the younger starting goaltenders in the league playing behind them?  There’s no denying that the Bolts should have plenty of firepower, particularly with Steven Stamkos returning (and a healthy Ryan Callahan won’t hurt either) but aside from Hedman and Stralman, their talent level beyond their top-two isn’t great.  If they struggle early on, it wouldn’t be surprising if GM Steve Yzerman looks to bring in another proven veteran at some point.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Mikhail Sergachev Believes He Can Make NHL This Season

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  • Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times caught up with prospect Mikhail Sergachev, and the young defender was clear that he intends on making the Lightning out of training camp. “For me, going back to junior is not an option,” said Sergachev, who was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Jonathan Drouin earlier this summer. Sergachev has dominated the OHL in his first two seasons in North America, and even suited up for four games at the beginning of last season with the Canadiens. While the Tampa Bay defense is quite crowded, he clearly has the talent to break through and establish himself as an NHL force.

Snapshots: Eichel, Franson, Girardi

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We’ve heard several reports over the past few weeks regarding an extension for Sabres center Jack Eichel. The 20-year-old recently made it clear that he wanted to remain in Buffalo, and he reemphasized those sentiments earlier today. However, as opposed to last time, Eichel wasn’t so keen to give a timeframe on any contractual resolution.

“It’s kind of in my agent’s hands and Mr. Botterill’s,” Eichel said (via Tom Gulitti of NHL.com). “For me, it’s all about just going out and performing, playing well, being a good teammate and trying to help make a positive impact on the Sabres and get the organization back to the playoffs. I want to be in Buffalo. I want to be there for a long time. I want to be there when we’re winning. I want to bring that to the city.

“But in terms of the deal, it’s going to get done at some point whether it’s now or a couple months or next year. Who knows? I just know if my play takes care of itself, then good things will happen.”

The former second-overall pick has been productive during his two seasons in the league, compiling 48 goals and 65 assists in 142 games.

Let’s take a look at more notes from around the NHL…

  • Defenseman Cody Franson signed a professional tryout contract with the Blackhawks earlier this evening, and Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times believes the move could give the squad “a much-needed boost on the back end of their back end.” The 30-year-old compiled three goals and 16 assists in 68 games for the Sabres last season, and the writer believes the veteran will be a welcome addition to a team that is “desperate for help on the blue line.” Ultimately, Franson is expected to compete with Jan Rutta, Ville Pokka and Erik Gustafsson for a spot on the team’s third line.
  • Veteran defenseman Dan Girardi signed a two-year, $6MM deal with the Lightning earlier this offseason, and the 33-year-old told Joe Smith of TampaBay.com that general manager Steve Yzerman was a big reason why he chose to sign with the organization. “I came here because ’Stevie Y’ called me personally and said, ’We want you here,'” Girardi said. “I felt that meant a lot to me as a guy who pretty much played his heart out for 11 years in New York, got bought out. You don’t know what’s happening and you get a guy like Steve Yzerman call you personally. It’s like, ’Okay, that’s where I know I need to be.'” Girardi had played the past 11 seasons with the Rangers, and he finished the 2016 campaign with four goals and 11 assists.
  • Alex Nylander is trying to build off his four-game cameo from last season, and the Sabres prospect appeared to be “bigger and more confident” as he prepared for the upcoming Prospect Challenge. As John Vogl of the Buffalo News writes, a solid performance during the rookie tourney could lead to the former first-rounder earning a spot on the team’s NHL roster. “You’ve got to have a good impression on them,” Nylander said. “You’ve got to be working hard and showing what you can do on the ice. It’s like a new start, so it feels really good coming into this year.”

 

Evening Notes: Johnson, Markstrom, Green

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You would think that after signing a new seven-year, $35MM deal, that could cause some complacency for a hockey player. However, not for Tampa Bay Lightning’s Tyler Johnson. The 27-year-old wing is coming off a solid season in which he scored 19 goals and added 26 assists. But after signing a new deal this offseason, Johnson has dedicated himself to a better offseason regimen and plans to be ready for an even better season next year.

According to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Johnson has changed everything from the way he eats to how he works out. He switched to a Keto diet, which is a high-fat, low carb regimen, such as more fish, meat and vegetables and less bread and pasta. In the gym, he is focused on strength training, which he hasn’t been able to do since he has broken his wrist twice over the past three years. Johnson hopes that both his training and eating adjustments should help him stay healthier this year after missing 13 games in 2015-16 and then another 16 last year.

He also hopes to take his game up a notch and help his team return to the playoffs, which is the first time he’s ever not been in the playoffs, including AHL and junior days. “Something I’d rather not do again,” added Johnson.

  • According to Ed Willes of The Province, Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Trevor Linden has high expectations for  Jacob Markstrom, who is ready to take over starting goaltending duties this year. The 27-year-old was a highly touted second-round pick by the Florida Panthers back in 2008 and shown some promise as a backup over the past two years. He played in 25 games last year as the backup to Ryan Miller and finished with a 2.63 GAA and a .910 save percentage. The Canucks also signed the Buffalo Sabres’ Anders Nilsson to a two-year deal this offseason, who could also cut into Markstrom’s playing time if he starts slowly. Nilsson, also 27, had similar numbers to Markstrom. In 26 games, Nilsson finished with a 2.67 GAA, but did have a stronger save percentage at .923.
  • In the same piece, Linden tells Willes that he believes that considering that a significant number of their players are under 25, they have the right coach in Travis Green. He emphasizes the franchise’s focus is on the youth and they believe Green is the perfect coach to complement those players. “Outside of wins and losses, that’s going to be the key. We have to understand we’re in a transitional period,” added Linden.

Danis Zaripov Has Two NHL Offers

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We heard yesterday that Danis Zaripov—the 36-year old Russian winger under a two-year KHL suspension for doping—had interest in the Tampa Bay Lightning, and now Darren Dreger of TSN gives us even more information. Zaripov is believed to have two NHL offers in hand already, and is waiting for two more before deciding where he’ll make his North American professional debut. Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times confirms that the Lightning are not one of those offers, even though they are one of a few “preferred landing spots” for Zaripov.

Zaripov represents a late-summer wildcard, as an unexpected free agent entering the market. His upside is that of a proven playoff performer who can chip in offense at a pretty consistent rate, but it is curious that he could sign before proven NHL scorers like Thomas Vanek and Jaromir Jagr. Zaripov spent one season in North America back in 1998 when he played for the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL, but was before his time as a slightly undersized forward.

That type of player is much more welcome in today’s NHL, and there is definitely interest in bringing him aboard. Outside of the Lightning, the Rangers have been tenuously linked and Evgeni Malkin has thrown his support behind bringing him into the Penguins’ locker room. He’ll likely be brought in on a one-year deal in order to use performance bonuses to mitigate risk.

Latest On Danis Zaripov’s NHL Search

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Legendary KHL winger Danis Zaripov was cleared to sign with an NHL club this week despite his ongoing two-year suspension from the Russian league, and yesterday we learned that the Tampa Bay Lightning had made contact. Today, that connection becomes even more apparent as Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Lightning are a “preferred landing spot” for Zaripov’s camp.

The 36-year old shares an agent—Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey—with both Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov, and Tampa Bay has a long history with giving opportunities to Russian players. Zaripov, who is one of the greatest playoff performer in KHL history, could find a nice temporary home with the Lightning as he appeals his suspension.

The two-year ban was handed out earlier this year, but the NHL ruled that Zaripov wouldn’t have been suspended under their internal doping policy. He’s clear to sign a contract with anyone, and since he’s over the age of 35 it could include performance bonuses (should it be just one year in length). The Lightning have just over $3.25MM in projected cap room for the season.

Morning Notes: Zaripov, Campoli, Byron

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Danis Zaripov has entered the NHL free agent market after being cleared to sign despite a two-year ban in the KHL, and he is one of the most interesting wildcards this late in the summer. Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Lightning have checked in on him, but there has been no contract talks between the two sides.

More interestingly, Igor Eronko of Sport-Express quotes Evgeni Malkin saying that he would “like to see Danis Zaripov in Penguins. I’d enjoy plaing with him on one line.” Zaripov isn’t the answer the Penguins need at center, but would be an interesting addition to their wing depth.

  • Jeff Cox reports that Vegas Golden Knights draft pick Nick Campoli will not be attending Clarkson University as originally planned, and instead will play for the Sioux City Musketeers this season. Campoli was a sixth-round pick this summer, and had played in the OJHL to maintain his college eligibility. Cox reports that he will attempt to take enough courses to regain eligibility and join Clarkson in 2018-19.
  • Blaine Byron explains to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet why he made the decision to pass up an entry-level contract to sign an AHL deal with the Florida Panthers. Byron considers Florida his best shot at making the NHL, and could see a clear path there for him. The huge number of University of Maine alumni in the management and coaching staff probably helped him feel that way, but there is also a clear need for NHL-level forwards in the Florida system. Byron could make the jump sooner than later, meaning an entry-level deal could be signed before long anyway.

Ryan Callahan Healthy After 2 Hip Surgeries

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To start, the talk of Pacioretty playing left wing and Drouin at right wing makes plenty sense. The 28-year-old Pacioretty has put up four straight 30-goal seasons, including a 35-goal season last year. Drouin, coming over from Tampa Bay, had a breakout year with the Lightning, putting up 21 goals and 32 assists in 73 games. The highly touted 22-year-old forward is expected play a major scoring role in the Canadiens future.

  • Corey Long of NHL.com reports that Tampa Bay Lightning’s Ryan Callahan is progressing well from two hip surgeries since the 2015-16 season. He is participating in informal workouts with no limitations and hopes to be back to health this season. The 32-year-old winger managed to play only 18 games last season and hasn’t put up a quality season since his 24-goal season in 2014-15. He still has three years remaining on his contract at $5.8MM per year.

Vladislav Namestnikov Switches Agents

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  • Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov has switched agencies as he has joined Gold Star Sports Management according to agent Dan Milstein (Twitter link). He previously had been with Newport.  The timing of this is notable as Namestnikov is entering the final year of his bridge contract and will be set to enter restricted free agency with arbitration rights next summer.  His qualifying offer will check in just north of $1.93MM.

Salary Cap Deep Dive: Tampa Bay Lightning

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Navigating the Salary Cap is probably one of the more important tasks for any general manager to have. Teams that can avert total cap chaos by walking the tightrope of inking players to deals that match their value (or compensate for future value without breaking the bank) remain successful. Those that don’t see struggles and front office changes.

PHR will look at every NHL team and give a thorough look at their cap situation heading into the 2017-18 season. This will focus more on those players who are integral parts of the roster versus those who may find themselves shuttling between the AHL and NHL. All cap figures are courtesy of CapFriendly.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Current Cap Hit: $71,149,167 (under the $75MM Upper Limit)

Entry-Level Contracts

F Brayden Point (Two years remaining, $687K)
D Mikhail Sergachev (Three years remaining, $894K)

If there was any upside to the injury woes that the Lightning suffered last season, it was the opportunity provided to Point to show that he can be a productive NHL player already.  He wound up producing like a second line forward in his rookie campaign but may be a bit lower on the depth chart when everyone’s healthy.  If he can come close to duplicating his 40 points in 2017-18, it wouldn’t be surprising to see contract extension talks open up next summer.

Sergachev was picked up in the Jonathan Drouin trade just prior to expansion and should be given a long look in training camp.  However, Tampa has seven other defenders on the roster and Sergachev has another year of junior eligibility remaining so it’s not a guarantee he makes the team.  If he does, he’ll likely start in a third pairing role with the potential to move up later on.

One Year Remaining, Non-Entry-Level

F J.T. Brown ($1.25MM, UFA)
F Erik Condra ($1.25MM, UFA)
D Slater Koekkoek ($800K, RFA)
F Chris Kunitz ($2MM, UFA)
F Vladislav Namestnikov ($1.938MM, RFA)
F Cedric Paquette ($813K, RFA)
D Andrej Sustr ($1.95MM, UFA)

Potential Bonuses

Kunitz: $1MM
Point: $258K
Sergachev: $850K

Total: $2.108MM

Up front, Kunitz was brought in to try to help replace some of Drouin’s offense while giving them another veteran voice as well.  It will be interesting to see how he performs away from the Penguins; if he shows he can do so, he should be able to land a similar deal next summer.  Namestnikov is coming off of a bit of a down year but before that was showing signs of being a top-six forward.  If he can rebound, he’ll be in line for a nice raise but if not, he could become available in a trade with Tampa having several quality prospects in the system.  Paquette’s production has stagnated in the teens so while he’s a decent checker, he shouldn’t command a big raise next summer.  Brown is coming off a dreadful season and could see his roster spot usurped by a prospect before too long while Condra cleared waivers last year and could do so once again come October.

Defensively, Sustr has somewhat quietly carved out a regular role for himself on the third pairing.  However, he may price himself out of a spot next summer as GM Steve Yzerman could look for a cheaper replacement to save some money as his cap hit is starting to get high for someone who’s primarily a depth option.  Koekkoek has yet to lock down a full-time roster spot but as he’s now waiver eligible, he’ll likely get a longer look this time.  He’s on a one-year ‘show me’ contract and if he can land a regular role, he’ll set himself up for a pay bump next summer.

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