2012-13 record: 18-26-4 (40 points)
Missed the playoffs.
Captain: TBA
The Tampa Bay Lightning were the third ranked offense in the league, with 3.06 goals per game, and have the two highest scoring players over the last three years (stick tap to Teebz at Hockey Blog in Canada), yet missed the playoffs last season. So, what went wrong? Well, when those same two players account (Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, in case you're wondering) for almost a third of the team's goals and the third highest scorer on the team (Teddy Purcell) finished 21 points behind the second leading scorer (Stamkos), that could be a problem. Throw in a defense that was just plain dreadful and a goaltending situation that has been toxic for years, and you can get why the Lightning missed the playoffs. Things don't figure to get any easier, as Vincent Lecavalier was bought out and taking his spot as the second line center is Valtteri Filppula, who himself had a bad season, finishing with 17 points, which would have put him in a tie for ninth on the team. On the plus side, the Lightning do bring in Jonathan Drouin, who had a dynamic year for Halifax last year, and certainly, he has a chance to produce, only this time, it will be Stamkos instead of Nathan MacKinnon and St. Louis instead of Martin Frk as possible linemates. Defensively, the Lightning return most of the same cast that gave up an alarming 3.06 GAA, and while the goaltending did them no favors, the blue line still bears the share of the blame. One player that needs to have a big year is Victor Hedman, who has been alright, but hardly the player that merited a second overall selection in 2009. Anders Lindback was the starting goaltender for the Lightning to begin last season. However, he was not ready for the job, and backup Mathieu Garon fared no better. Ben Bishop was brought in mid-season, and he will battle Lindback for the starting job this year. Both did well at their previous stops (Lindback in Nashville and Bishop in Ottawa), but neither have sustained that success when handed the starting job to this point.
Prospects: Drouin is a near lock to make the roster on a line with both Stamkos and St. Louis. His offensive production will be welcome on a team that has plenty, but wanting to be more than just a two man team. Mark Barberio could join the team midway through the season, and like last year's revelation Radko Gudas, he could provide a capable body, only this time, as a puck mover. Brett Connolly is technically not a rookie, as he played the bulk of the 2011-12 season in the NHL, but time in the AHL last year helped him out and he should be ready to contribute in the NHL this season.
Prediction: 6th in the Atlantic Division
The Lightning have the offense to win a Stanley Cup, but the defense is needing serious improvements. Having either Bishop or Lindback seize the starting job in goal would go a long way in that regard, but until then, the Lightning will have to rely on Stamkos, St. Louis, and possibly Drouin to carry the team.
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