TAMPA, Fla. — One day after announcing Victor Hedman as the 11th captain in Tampa Bay Lightning history, the Bolts began training camp at the TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.
With Steven Stamkos and Mikhail Sergachev gone, the team loses more members from their Stanley Cup winning teams, though Ryan McDonagh has returned to help the squad get back to its defensive ways.
"In the end, we don't need to score more goals. We need to keep goals out of our net," head coach Jon Cooper said.
Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois told the media he does not expect Mikey Eyssimont to participate in training camp this year. The hope is he will return to the team in mid-October. Also, there is uncertainty whether or not Luke Glendening will be ready to go by the season-opener on Oct. 11.
Whether offensively or defensively, the Bolts might not have one similar line from the 2023-24 season carry over into the new year.
Even when it comes to the power play, the team will have to tinker without Stamkos.
"Ultimately, special teams become a big part of training camp," Cooper said.
With Stamkos leaving, fans in the Tampa Bay area probably have not discussed the addition of Jake Guentzel enough.
The former Penguins Stanley Cup winner is entering his ninth season in the league with 227 career goals. He also has 67 playoff points in 69 games. Tampa Bay struggled mightily last season during five-on-five play. Guentzel thrives during even-strength opportunities and should create one of the best lines in hockey alongside Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will play their first preseason game Sept. 24 against Carolina inside AMALIE Arena.
