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Predictions
EAST
1. WAS
2. BOS
3. PHI
4. PIT
5. CAR
6. MTL
7. NJD
8. TBL
9. TOR
10. BUF
11. NYR
12. FLA
13. ATL
14. OTT
15. NYI
WEST
1. CHI
2. VAN
3. ANA
4. DET
5. SJS
6. CGY
7. CBJ
8. LAK
9. MNW
10. STL
11. DAL
12. EDM
13. NSH
14. PHX
15. COL
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EASTERN CONFERENCE
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24-40-18
66 PTS
Playoff Result: N/A
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TOP SCORER: Martin St. Louis, 80
TOP GOAL SCORER: M. St. Louis, 30
TOP ASSISTS: M. St. Louis, 50
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PP RANK: 19
PK RANK: 26
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Ceiling: $56.8M
Lightning: $52.9M
Floor: $40.8M
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OPEN 1/2
WAY
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Mike Smith. Recovering from
post-concussion syndrome, must prove that he’s the number one guy as
Antero Niittymaki presses.
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Vincent Lecavalier
Became captain and age 19 and led
Lightning to a Stanley Cup in 2004. Prolific scorer has won the
Rocket Richard (2007) and King Clancy award and continues to put up
big numbers. He’ll wear the Lightning jersey until he retires after
signing an 11-year contract extension in 2008. |
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8. Tampa Bay Lightning
Oren Koules and Len Barrie’s ownership power
struggle continues (the league is looking to broker a deal to give the club
to Koules). They made major changes last off-season and finished
next-to-last in the NHL. This season, the club brought in some more big
names this season and the team deserves credit for being aggressive in
trying to reclaim its lofty, Cup-worthy past.
With a horrific 08-09 offense that finished 25th in
the league, and a defense that finished 27th, the Lightning have nowhere to
go but up. What’s on the club’s side is that elusive,
oft-spoken-of-but-rarely-achieved quality, identity. Martin St. Louis and
Vincent Lecavalier still define the club’s image.
Alex Tanguay signed a one year, $2.5M contract with
the club on September 1. He’ll serve as an upgrade from Vinny Prospal, who
departed for Manhattan. Tanguay suffered a shoulder injury which limited him
to 50 games last season, but his scoring was solid when in the lineup: 16
goals, 41 points. Tanguay turns 30 in November.
Ryan Malone (26 goals) and sophomore Steve Stamkos
(23 goals and 181 shots) give the Lightning two solid lines. Malone reacted
well to his big-money 2008 deal, while Stamkos gained poise as his rookie
season wore on.
For depth, the ‘Bolts shifted a few seats to help
engender some offense on its third and fourth lines. Martins Karsums came
over from the Bruins in the Mark Recchi deal (along with defenseman Matt
Lashoff). Evgeny Artyukhin was dealt to Anaheim for promising utility man
Drew Miller, who saw time on all four lines for the Ducks.
33-year-old Mattias Ohlund will serve as a mentor to
fellow countryman Victor Hedman, who won’t turn 19 until December, but will
be given every opportunity to start the season with the big club after being
drafted second overall last June. David Hale arrives from Phoenix, and the
club signed 29-year-old Matt Walker, who played 65 games for the Blackhawks
in 08-09. Lukas Krajicek and Paul Ranger return.
Kurtis Foster continues to recover from his horrific
leg fracture, seeking to jump-start his career after leaving the Wild.
In his sixth NHL season, Antero Niittymaki will back
up Smith, which shores up the goaltending situation enough to make the
Lightning a legitimate playoff threat.
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