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| 2007-08 Team Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning:
After Tampa Bay failed to get past the first round of the playoffs in two straight seasons since the lockout, this looms as a pivotal season for the Lightning as we know them. With new ownership, including former Columbus GM (and sometimes coach) Doug MacLean, there might be more money in GM Jay Feaster's budget, but there are also significant expectations. OFFENSE So, you have two players who topped the 100-point mark: Lecavalier, who led the league with 52 goals, and St. Louis. That's good. Then, you have a drop-off of more than 30 points to Richards, who will be making $7.8 million in 2007-08. That's not so good. In all, the big four collected 140 of the Lightning's 253 goals, almost 60 percent of the team's totals. No one else on the roster had more than 15 goals, which means (A) as the big guns go, so go the Lightning; and (B) the Lightning need to do something about evening out their attack. By the end of the playoffs, the four stars seemed to run out of gas against the Devils in their six-game opening-series loss. To that end, Feaster re-signed Gratton to anchor the third line and chip in some power-play time. Veteran Jan Hlavac also will be expected to give offensive depth to the lineup and likely will start on the team's second line with Richards. Feaster also brought in former Penguin Michel Ouellet, who had 19 goals last season, 11 on the power play. The thinking is Ouellet, who once played with Richards in junior, will help jump-start Richards, who had to readjust to new linemates last season. Center Ryan Craig will be expected to build on his 14-goal campaign. DEFENSE The Lightning have slowly revamped their defense, adding size and toughness. Although they'll miss Cory Sarich, now in Calgary, they likely will have only one defender, Boyle, under 6 feet. One thing is certain -- the team has to improve on its 24th overall defense if it hopes to qualify for the postseason for a fifth straight season. Paul Ranger is the next generation of defensive star for the Bolts and will have to take a step forward. Shane O'Brien played in 80 games last season as a rookie and will see his ice time jump from the 14:58 he averaged a year ago. Lukowich, who won a Cup with the Bolts in 2004, knows what to expect from Tortorella et al and will help smooth out the maturing process of players like O'Brien and Doug Janik. |
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