At this time last season, the talk throughout the hockey world was whether pending unrestricted free agent Steven Stamkos would sign an extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning or test the market and sign elsewhere.
The process lasted through the season and into the playoffs, and only two days before the official start of free agency, on July 1, did the Lightning captain finally agree to an eight-year deal worth $8.5 million annually. The 26-year-old forward could have earned more on the open market, but he wanted to stay and help the Lightning finally win a Stanley Cup under his watch.
Not much has changed for Tampa Bay entering this season -- and that's a good thing for the Lightning, who finished second in the division last season with 97 points. Probably the only question this season is the future status of goaltender Ben Bishop, who has one year remaining on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Best new faces
After the saga that played out last season, let's consider Jonathan Drouin a new face for the franchise. The 21-year-old forward, a former first-round pick (third overall) in the 2013 draft, suffered through some bad decisions and growing pains the past two years. Early last season, he asked for a trade, but Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman never relented and instead sent Drouin to the AHL.
After a tumultuous start in the minors, he finally cleaned up his act and was summoned back to Tampa at the end of the regular season. During the playoffs, Drouin was outstanding. He registered five goals and nine assists for 14 points in 17 games as the Lightning reached the Eastern Conference finals. Despite a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, it was a promising end to what seemed like a bad relationship that could be headed for a divorce. Drouin enters this season with more responsibility and should produce.
Biggest unknowns
Everything is pretty much status quo for the Lightning. There aren't any surprises entering the season. The only matter on the docket is whether Bishop remains beyond this season. Yzerman inked backup goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, 22, to a three-year contract extension worth $3.5 million per season last July.
After Bishop, 30, suffered a leg injury during the Eastern Conference finals, Vasilevskiy proved he could handle the challenge and played well for the Lightning. Depending how the goaltending duties are divided this season, it's possible Bishop could be moved at the trade deadline. Yzerman and coach Jon Cooper realize, however, that to win the Stanley Cup, a team needs to rely on two quality goaltenders. It would take a massive trade offer to convince Yzerman to move Bishop at the deadline.
Sure things
Now that there's no contract pressure on Stamkos, who's healthy after dealing with a blood clot near his collarbone last March that forced him to miss every playoff game with the exception of Game 7 of the conference finals, he should be ready to have a productive season. He had 36 goals and 28 assists for 64 points in 77 games during the regular season and proved during the World Cup of Hockey that he's healthy after helping Team Canada to a championship.
Defenseman Victor Hedman, 25, was a Norris Trophy candidate last season, and had the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in either of the past two postseasons, Hedman would have been considered for the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP. Along with defensive partner Anton Stralman, Hedman should have another strong season. Both played for Team Sweden during the World Cup of Hockey.
If Cooper decides to keep The Triplets line of Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat together again, expect plenty of offensive punch from that threesome.
Prediction
After losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Cup finals two seasons ago, and then missing out on a return trip to the finals by losing to the Penguins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last spring, the Lightning are poised for another championship run. This could be the season for Tampa. First in the Atlantic.