Question #7: What is the biggest thing this team needs to improve on in 2018-19?
RGW: I have a feeling this section may become redundant but I have to go with the penalty kill, which struggled mightily last season. The Bolts’ PK finished better than only three others in the NHL in 2017-18, surrendering a whopping 64 goals and ringing in at only 76% when down a man. The team has made an effort to correct the issue, as they let go of associate coaches Rick Bowness and Brad Lauer. Bowness was the man who oversaw the Bolts’ penalty kill, which looked timid and reluctant to put pressure on the puck. Stay tuned as the Lightning try to sort out this mess of a unit and watch for the team to put more pressure on the puck carrier when down a man next season.
TG: Keeping Vasilevskiy fresh. Towards the end of the season, he mentioned being tired and fatigued.
BR: The penalty killing unit will be brought up, and it’s an area this team must improve upon. They were terrible while shorthanded in the regular season, and they weren’t a whole lot better in the playoffs. However, this team also needs to find a way to cut down on the high-danger scoring chances allowed at 5-on-5. There were numerous occasions when Vasilevskiy bailed them out time and time again. I still believe the Lightning’s defensive play over the final month-and-a-half cost Vasilevskiy the Vezina Trophy. While great goaltending is crucial, you still have to give him some help. Cutting down on the number of quality scoring chances allowed is a good start.
JW: Penalty kill, next question. In all seriousness, the Lightning’s PK was atrocious. They ranked 28th in the league and even a slight improvement would greatly improve the Bolts’ chance of winning it all.
Question #8: The Atlantic Division is very top-heavy, with the Lightning, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs considered the class of that group. Which team has a better chance of dethroning the Bolts as division champions?
RGW: Nobody atop the Atlantic had a stronger offseason than the Toronto Maple Leafs. Though the team lost Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk, and Leo Komarov, none of these players were a part of the Leafs’ long-term plans. John Tavares happens to be a part of those plans, and signing him to a seven-year deal is monstrous for Toronto. His signing offers them unheard of depth at the center position, allowing former 30-goal man Nazem Kadri, to become their third line center. This is simply a mismatch every time that line hits the ice.
Not to mention, the top two lines boast the likes of Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Patrick Marleau. The only issue with the Maple Leafs is they made no effort this summer to address their sketchy-at-best defensive corps. However, if this ragtag group of scrappy young souls can even do an adequate job in front of Frederik Andersen, the Leafs should be okay. Even if they can’t, bet on the Leafs to score enough goals to outdo the Boston Bruins as the Bolts’ toughest Atlantic competition.
TG: The Atlantic Division is the Lightning’s to lose, and I believe that with most of the roster returning, they’ll finish as division champions again. But if there’s one team that I think can take the top spot away from the Bolts, it’s Boston. While Toronto had a great offseason, they’re still suspect on the blue line, whereas Boston is more balanced at both ends of the ice.
BR: Although the top three teams in the Atlantic shouldn’t change, the biggest threat to the Lightning for division supremacy is Toronto. Without the addition of Tavares, the Maple Leafs were still trending upward. With him, they are even more dangerous despite the fact their blue line is still a question mark. This is also the last year Toronto will have Matthews and Marner on their entry-level deals before they inevitably sign monster extensions next summer.
While the Bruins retain a talented veteran core, the playoffs exposed their lack of depth beyond their tremendous top line. While they should still be a contender, their offseason was rather quiet, although having Tuukka Rask in the crease will always keep you in contention. Despite that, I picture the division coming down to the wire between the Bolts and Leafs.
JW: I’ll go with the Maple leafs here. The Lightning took care of the Bruins in the playoffs and Boston’s offseason has been quiet. Meanwhile the Maple Leafs were already solid contenders and then added Tavares, giving them an elite one-two combo of Tavares and Matthews. The Maple Leafs look poised to be a true contender for the Atlantic Division crown.
Question #9: If the Lightning don’t win the Cup this season, what changes do you think will occur next summer?
RGW: This is a group that is absolutely capable of winning a Stanley Cup. We’ve seen roster adjustments over the years designed to improve the team. There is yearly buzz, and a sense of optimism around this team heading into this season. However, fans continue to head home disappointed. Despite few blockbuster moves over the years, they still firmly believe in its roster in spite of the playoff shortcomings. What’s to come if the team doesn’t finish the deal this season? Maybe it’s time to assess other areas. Rick Bowness and Brad Lauer were both let go following the end of 2017-18. The roster looks solid.
Is this Jon Cooper’s last audition for the Lightning? As much as I am a total supporter of Cooper, at a certain point, change is inevitable and necessary. Firing a coach is often a statement, similar to pulling a goalie. This is a team that could very well win with anyone behind the bench. Cooper has had his shot, but has no championship to show amidst a successful tenure.
The Lightning occasionally have poor performances that could be blamed on coaching, such as coming out flat and being forced to come from behind, with their most recent Game 7 defeat serving as an example. Their penalty kill often seems like it lacks energy. These signs can be indicators, and if they don’t win the Cup this season, is it possible that Cooper’s departure could be the solution even if he’s not the main problem?
TG: If Cooper takes the Lightning to the Eastern Conference Final and they come up short again, then a head coaching change is a possibility.
BR: Whenever the Lightning have gone through a rough patch in recent years, I’ve defended Cooper against the angry Twitter mob. But if the Bolts come up short of the Stanley Cup again with this roster, then a change behind the bench could be a strong possibility. As for the roster, Dan Girardi and Braydon Coburn probably won’t be back due to being UFA’s next summer. Do not be surprised if the Lightning buy out the final year of Callahan’s deal after this season. Those moves would clear out the cap space to not only sign Point and Yanni Gourde to an extension, but make a run at Karlsson if he becomes a UFA. In addition, we could see new faces on the blue line in 2019-20, such as Cal Foote, Dominik Masin, and Erik Cernak.
JW: With the group of players Tampa Bay has, it’s hard to imagine a major roster change. Yzerman would have to pull of some serious cap maneuvering to make any big splashes in free agency. Even with Cooper;s stellar record, he might be the casualty of another season without a Stanley Cup. It’s hard to say if Yzerman would make this change, but it is a possibility.
