Here’s the hockey viking’s Tampa Bay Lightning, including a recap of last season, an outlook/summary for this season, player additions/subtractions, a roster chart, a depth chart/offensive and defensive line chart, and season predictions.
Recap: 2024-25 season
The Lightning entered 2024-25 riding a strong organizational run: perennial playoff contention under head coach Jon Cooper and general manager Julien BriseBois. That said, they faced some structural issues that bubbled to the surface.
Regular season
- Tampa Bay posted a 47-27-8 record, finishing with 102 points and second in the Atlantic Division.
- Offensively the club was elite: they were first in the league in goals for (292) and were among the best at 5-on-5 and on the power play.
- Defensively, however, some cracks appeared. The team allowed 216 goals (4th of 32) yet underlying metrics hinted at vulnerabilities: they ranked among the worst of the playoff teams in goals-against per game (3.26) and 5-on-5 goals against (190) in the previous season.
- Road performance was shaky (18-19-4 away) compared to the dominant home record (29-8-4).
Playoffs
- The Lightning clinched their eighth straight playoff berth.
- In the first round, they were eliminated 4-1 by their in-state rival Florida Panthers. Their playoff exit was once again early — a trend entering its third straight season.
- During the exit interviews, BriseBois and Cooper commented that while the core remains intact, the team needs to find incremental upgrades to break past the postseason hurdle.
Summary
In short: the Lightning remain one of the better teams in the NHL. They still score at will, have experience, and a strong foundational core. But the deficiencies — particularly in depth (bottom-six forwards), defense at 5-on-5, and consistency away from home — are clear and need addressing if they’re to reclaim elite status and advance further in the playoffs.
Offseason outlook: What changed and what needs to change
Heading into the 2025 campaign, Tampa Bay hasn’t undergone a dramatic overhaul. Instead, the approach is one of fine-tuning.
Additions & subtractions
- Key additions:
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- Pontus Holmberg — signed two years, added forward depth, bottom-six role.
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- Jakob Pelletier — three-year contract, two-way to start, competes for roster spot.
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- Boris Katchouk — one-year two-way, depth forward.
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- Yanni Gourde — secured via extension (six-year, ~$14 million) to stay in the system.
- Departures / changed roles:
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- Some veteran forwards and depth pieces depart; certain defensive/trade discussions (for example, moves to shore up blue-line) have been flagged.
- Strategic commentary:
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- The Hockey Writers note that the Lightning didn’t go after a marquee UFA; the philosophy was “we already have a contending roster, just fill the holes.”
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- The “offseason checklist” commentary emphasises the need for blueliner depth and veteran insurance for injuries.
What needs to happen
- Bottom-six forward play: The Lightning still search for reliable tertiary scoring and penalty kill improvement at the lower end of the forward lines.
- Defensive consistency: Even with strong goaltending, their 5-on-5 defense allowed too much. They might need to add another puck-mover or stay-at-home defenseman to complement the top four.
- Road and “big game” consistency: The dominance at home must translate more often into the opposition’s building and high-leverage playoff moments.
- Staying healthy: The core players are still mid-to-late 20s/early 30s; depth will matter as wear and tear builds.
Outlook summary
Given the mix of elite upside and marginal weaknesses, the Lightning enter 2025 as very much in the contention tier. They might not be the “most improved” team in the league, but their baseline is high. With modest upgrades and continued maturation, they should be expected to challenge — the key question is: will this be the year they clear the first-round hump and make a deeper run?
Projected 2025 roster chart
Here’s a high-level roster for 2025 with key players (skaters and goaltenders). Note: exact roster will shift with injuries, trades, and AHL call-ups.
LW/1st line Brandon Hagel
C / 1st line Brayden Point – the dynamic center with finishing ability and speed.
RW / 1st line Nikita Kucherov – elite offensive engine, key PP threat.
LW / 2nd line Jake Guentzel – recent acquisition, high finish-rate winger
C/2nd line Anthony Cirelli
LW/2nd line Oliver Bjorkstrand
RW/2nd line Cam Atkinson
LW/3rd line Conor Sheary
C/3rd line Nicholas Paul
RW/3rd line Michael Eyssimont
LW/4th line Zemgus Girgenson
C/4th line Yanni Gourde
RW/4th line Mitchell Chaffer
Mixed forwards: depth veteran and younger players (Holmberg, Pelletier, Katchouk)
Top pairing D Victor Hedman – captain and anchor of the defense corps. D JJ Moser
2nd pairing D Ryan McDonagh, a puck-mover and stay-at-home combo D Erik Cernak
3rd pairing D Emil Lilleberg D Darren Raddysh
Starting G Andrei Vasilevskiy – perennial Vezina contender and backbone in net.
Backup G Jonas Johansson – extended in the offseason.
Depth chart & line projections
Here’s a more structured look at lines and pairings (subject to change). These projections assume health and no major mid-season trades.
Offensive lines
- Line 1: Hagel (LW) – Point (C) – Kucherov (RW)
High end offensive horsepower.
- Line 2: Guentzel (LW)-Cirelli (C) -Atkinson (RW)
- Line 3: Bjorkstrand (LW) Paul (C) Eyssimont (RW)– designed for secondary scoring and transition play
- Line 4: Girgensons (LW)-Gourde (C)– Holmberg (RW) checking/PK-unit center
Defensive pairings
- Pair 1: Hedman – Moser
- Pair 2: McDonagh – Cernak
- Pair 3: Lilleberg – Raddysh
Goaltending
- Starting: Vasilevskiy – expected to carry the bulk of workload
- Backup: Johansson – reliably capable, takes occasional starts or relief appearances
Special teams focus
- Power Play: With Kucherov, Point, Guentzel, and high IQ forwards, expect elite PP conversion.
- Penalty Kill: Needs marginal improvement; the depth forwards and bottom pairing D will play a key role.
- 5-on-5 play: The challenge will be how the Lightning manage to sustain dominance away from home and against top competition.
2025 season prediction
Regular season
I expect the Lightning to once again finish among the top-3 of the Atlantic Division. Given their returning core and modest upgrades, a point total in the 100-110 range is realistic. Let’s predict 105 points, good for 2nd or even 1st in the division.
Playoff outlook
This is where the real test lies. If the Lightning can address their 5-on-5 defensive weaknesses and maintain health, I expect them to advance past the first round — likely to the second or even conference final. If things go less smoothly (injuries, regression from key players, or insufficient depth impact) then another first-round exit is possible. It feels like Tampa Bay will need to prove they can beat Florida or even Carolina if they want to get to the finals.
Key variables
- Health of core: Hedman, Point, Kucherov, Vasilevskiy must all stay relatively healthy.
- Depth impact: The bottom six forwards and third pairing D must elevate their game, especially in tight playoff series.
- Goaltending consistency: Vasilevskiy must be elite again; any drop-off could magnify defensive flaws.
- Matchups and resilience: The ability to win on the road and in elimination games will determine whether they become a Cup contender or “good but not great”.
Players To Watch
When it comes to the Tampa Bay Lightning, they have a plethora of talented and experienced players all over the roster. Expect key figures like Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman to continue leading the charge. These guys have consistently delivered epic performances on the ice, which makes them a significant asset for the team’s success.
New faces, like recent draft picks and acquisitions, including the likes of Yanni Gourde and Jake Guentzel, could also shake things up in an exciting way. Imagine fast-paced, high-energy games with new players eager to prove their worth. It’s this mix of experience and youth that often becomes the recipe for a standout season.
Each player’s past achievements and current form will play a massive role. This team has playmakers such as Braydon Point that can create problems for opponents. This roster is loaded, even if getting older. If Kucherov can maintain his scoring streak and Hedman keeps the blue line solid, the Lightning could be formidable opponents.
Strategic Plays: Tactical Approach for a Winning Season
For the Tampa Bay Lightning, having the right strategy is just as vital as the skill on the ice. The 2025 season is all about refining play styles and leveraging the depth and versatility of the roster. Expect to see a blend of aggressive offense combined with a solid defensive core to keep opponents on their toes.
Coaching staff play a huge role here. Their experience and insight into the team’s strengths and weaknesses can shape how each game is approached. It’s crucial to have a game plan that maximizes the effectiveness of key players while providing room for adaptability during high-pressure moments.
Anticipate adaptive play styles that aim to tackle both the offensive pushes of other teams and shore up defenses. This means perfecting a balanced game, capable of quick transitions that surprise opponents and seize scoring opportunities. Adaptability and swift tactical shifts will be the name of the game in ensuring Tampa Bay stays on top of their competition.
Predicting the Lightning’s performance involves understanding potential hurdles. Injuries, unexpected trades, or even intense competition from rival teams can test the team’s resilience. Overcoming such challenges will require a collective effort, ensuring each player is ready to step up when needed.
For the Lightning to hit their long-term targets, staying consistent with their performance is key. Building on each victory and learning from losses will help solidify their path to success. As they work towards glory this season, setting sights on future objectives ensures they remain contenders in the seasons to come, creating an enduring legacy.
Final thoughts
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a solid chance to make a memorable run. With their dynamic team lineup and strategic plays in place, their eyes are set on a deep playoff run. It’s all about piecing the puzzle together, leveraging strengths, and learning from any early setbacks.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a bit of a transitional but still high-performing phase. The core is proven, experienced, and very dangerous offensively. What they need is marginal gains — better depth, improved 5-on-5 defense, road consistency, and perhaps a next-level acquisition to vault them from elite to “championship-caliber” in the playoff context.
For fans, the 2025 season should be one of optimism. Rather than rebuilding, this is a “reload and refine” year: if everything clicks, the Lightning could be right back in the thick of the Stanley Cup conversation. If some of the recurring issues persist, they may find themselves again as one of the better teams who fall just short.
Be sure to check out the hockey viking’s season outlook for the rest of the NHL