Three Tampa Bay Lightning Prospective Questions for 2024–2025
The Tampa Bay Lightning have had one of their busiest and most noteworthy offseasons in recent memory. The organization elected to let go of veteran captain Steven Stamkos and gifted two-way defenseman Mikhail Sergachev in order to bring in Ryan McDonaugh in a trade with the Nashville Predators and Jake Guentzel via free agency. Matt Dumba and Anthony Duclair are also gone, as are Tanner Jeannot, Tyler Motte, Calvin de Haan, and rentals. Zemgus Girgensons, Jesse Ylonen, and Cam Atkinson have all joined the team concurrently.
The Lightning believed that these actions were necessary to make the club more difficult to play against in 5-on-5 scenarios, despite the fact that they may not have been well-liked by the fan base. They ranked 25th in the NHL in terms of scoring differential per 60 minutes in 5-on-5 play. They were defeated 190-172, which is not what you would anticipate from a squad that is supposed to be able to go far in the playoffs.
Three significant questions surround the Lightning going into 2024–25 as they get ready for the new season.
Is There a Trustworthy Backup Plan in Place for Lightning?
Andrei Vasilevskiy had, without a doubt, his poorest statistical season to date in the previous campaign.