Question #3: Victor Hedman walked away with the Norris Trophy last season while Andrei Vasilevskiy was a Vezina Trophy finalist. Which Lightning players do you think will get nominated for and/or win hardware next season?
RGW: Expect Hedman to be nominated for, if not win, the Norris Trophy again this season. The main improvement in Hedman’s game over the course of his career is the development of his innate ability to know when to utilize his offensive abilities to join the rush and when to stay at home. Vasilevskiy is young and the guy known as Big Cat is still finding his claws. He will only improve over time, and if things go according to script, will contend for the Vezina again.
I also think Kucherov and Point could both be candidates for the Hart. Though Kucherov was slightly more dynamic offensively, it’s arguable nobody was more valuable to their team last year than Point, who contributed a great deal offensively and was solid on the power play. Speaking of Kucherov, goalies simply have no answer. Sometimes the sneaky winger doesn’t even have to shoot the puck to score. Just ask Braden Holtby. He will be a top-flight scorer and Rocket Richard candidate again this season.
TG: Kucherov joins Hedman and Vasilevskiy at the NHL Awards this upcoming season. Kucherov will walk away with either the Hart or the Art Ross.
BR: I think Hedman will get nominated for the Norris again, but I think voters will end up favoring someone else. Nobody has won consecutive Norris Trophies since Nicklas Lidstrom did it from 2006-08. Not only do I think Vasilevskiy receives another Vezina nomination, but I think he walks away with the trophy this time around. While I don’t think Nikita Kucherov wins the Hart, I predict that he ends Connor McDavid’s reign over the Art Ross Trophy with another 100-point season.
JW: The Lighting could be in the running for multiple awards by the end of next season. The most likely Bolts player to walk away with an award is probably Vasilevskiy. Being a finalist for the Vezina in his first full year as a starting goalie in the NHL is a major accomplishment. Going into this season, he looks primed to be an elite goaltender for the Lightning for many years to come. Kucherov should be in the running for the Art Ross and Ted Lindsay awards, while Hedman might be a finalist for the Norris again.
Question #4: With Ryan Callahan expected to be out until November and Chris Kunitz now in Chicago, which up-and-comers at forward do you think could end up making the opening night roster?
RGW: I would expect youngsters Mathieu Joseph and Adam Erne to step in and fill opening night roster spots. Erne played in 23 games with the Lightning last season, and while he only posted 4 points, he displayed the ability to make plays and use his size in the offensive zone. He is also a prime replacement candidate for the likes of a Kunitz or Callahan-type player because he can bring some grit to the table as well. Expect this to be the year Erne cements a full-time spot in the Bolts’ lineup. Mathieu Joseph is a Tyler Johnson-type forward: small but skilled, with an aptitude to make big plays offensively. Don’t be surprised to see Joseph, Syracuse’s leading scorer, wearing a Tampa Bay uniform on opening night this season.
TG: Joseph could be a guy and Taylor Raddysh is another prospect who could slot in. Don’t forget about Erne, who was injured towards the end of the season.
BR: While I like what Erne brings to the table, he’s got to stay healthy. He appeared like he belonged in the lineup permanently before he got injured and missed the entire postseason. This could be his last chance to stick with the Lightning. I like what Joseph brings to the table in terms of offensive skill and production. He had a really good year with Syracuse last year and has always been solid during the Lightning’s summer development camps. I could see him making the opening night roster, and due to the forward depth on this team, he’s not going to be asked to be a key cog right away.
JW: The three prospects to keep an eye on are Mitchell Stephens, Alexander Volkov, and Joseph. All three of these prospects have played at least one full season in the AHL and should be next to receive a call-up to the NHL. Stephens and Joseph could be especially useful for their two-way ability.
