2024-25
Record: 47-27-8, 2nd in Atlantic Division
Playoffs: Lost in Eastern Conference First Round
Key Losses
Nick Prebix (D – Signed with NAS), Luke Glendening (F – UFA), and Cam Atkinson (F – UFA)
Key Additions
Pontus Holmberg (F – Signed via FA), Jakob Pelletier (F – Signed via FA), and Boris Katchouk (F – Signed via FA)
2025-26 Preview
Contending with Florida
For the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Panthers have risen past them having won the Stanley Cup these past two years. Part of that is the Panthers core, but when you look at the Lightning, they are starting to age with their core, especially on defense. Both Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh are 34 and 36 respectively, and while they are still playing solid hockey for the Lightning, they need some more youth to step up and develop. Erik Cernak is still a solid presence on the blue line, but allowing Nick Prebix to walk in free agency was a curious decision. The Lightning will hope that J.J. Moser and Emil Lilleberg will provide a steady presence on the blue line.
On offense, the Lightning are in pretty good shape still with their top six, but the bottom six could use some work. However, with the Lightning right at the cap, they don’t have a lot of wiggle room to work with.
Maintaining Consistency
For the Lightning, the Atlantic Division is a weak division dominated currently by the Panthers. When you look at the Atlantic as it stands now, you’ll most likely see the Panthers and Toronto making the playoffs with the third spot being a fight between the Lightning, Ottawa, Detroit, and Buffalo. While Buffalo and Detroit are still struggling to make the playoffs, Ottawa can threaten the Lightning for third in the Atlantic.
With the Senators looking to return to the playoffs, and with Detroit and Buffalo looking to finally return to the playoffs, the Lightning will need a strong start and maintain a positive consistency throughout the season. Could I see the Lightning in the playoffs? Yes, but they are going to have a long fight in front of them in the Atlantic Division.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Jake Guentzel — Brayden Point — Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel — Anthony Cirelli — Gage Goncalves
Conor Geekie — Nick Paul — Oliver Bjorkstrand
Pontus Holmberg — Yanni Gourde — Mitchell Chaffee
Defense
Victor Hedman — J.J. Moser
Ryan McDonagh — Erik Cernak
Emil Lilleberg — Darren Raddysh
Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Jonas Johansson
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