Speculation: 2024-2025 General Lightning Discussion II: "Atlanticly" challenged

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I get that with his toolset that's where he should be, but we haven't seen him play an NHL game yet. I'm not saying we shouldn't give him a chance, but I wouldn't want to go into the playoffs with him playing a major role when he's just being introduced to the league. I'm just saying that I hope we address our depth scoring/2rw at the deadline instead of just hoping that a 20 year old can fill those really big holes.

Next season with a full pre-season/training, absolutely give him a chance in the top 6/9.
Ideally, he would get some games in before the playoffs start, but yes, I would still rather add an NHl proven 2RW and/or middle 6 F (depending on whether the plan is to keep Paul on the 2nd line or not) than roll the dice on Howard all playoffs. Cooper has pretty much never done that anyway, so I'm sure it won't be the case this year either. I hope for one of 5 or 6 players added at 2RW at/near the tdl, then one additional add to play with Paul and Geekke on line 3 (or two here if Paul is now 2RW.for the rest of the year). Howard I'm guessing gets a cup of coffee and may get some looks between the 2nd and 3rd line, but is likely only used more in the playoffs if he has really taken off or meshed well with a specific line combo.
 
I get that with his toolset that's where he should be, but we haven't seen him play an NHL game yet. I'm not saying we shouldn't give him a chance, but I wouldn't want to go into the playoffs with him playing a major role when he's just being introduced to the league. I'm just saying that I hope we address our depth scoring/2rw at the deadline instead of just hoping that a 20 year old can fill those really big holes.

Next season with a full pre-season/training, absolutely give him a chance in the top 6/9.
it's a fair concern, but generally speaking players coming out of the NCAA are in a much better position to make an impact in the NHL than ones coming out of juniors who may have been feasting on smaller competition.

i, too, fear that cooper will bury new players and not give them a fair shot, but then again geekie has gotten a much longer rope than most so maybe the old gum chewing son of a bitch is changing.

also, even if howard does go to the third line, it hopefully bumps someone else up, and alternately bumps someone else down into roles more aligned with their, uhhhhh ...talent.
 
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Who goes out when Cernak AND Moser are back? I have my thoughts, but I'd like to hear what the board thinks. And secondly, whoever goes would be part of a package to get a Rakell/Bjornstrand type?
Guessing Crozier is sent down and Perbix is a 7th D, in and out of rotation.
I’d rather see Crozier remain with the club.
 
Guessing Crozier is sent down and Perbix is a 7th D, in and out of rotation.
I’d rather see Crozier remain with the club.
This, then brought up for playoffs.

If we went into postseason with minimal experience Raddysh and Perbix back to back years, I don't see why we'd spend for an LD. Let Lilleberg just ride it out. If anything, Moser could move to the left and we target a RD with term. That would be the move to make if we are looking at the blue line beyond just this year imo.
 
I doubt Lilleberg gets many games off, even when Moser and Cernak return, unless Tampa trades for a LD. I'm guessing it will be
Hedman-Moser
McD-Cernak
Lilleberg-Raddysh
Perbix
The 3rd pairing isn't great regardless of the combo, but I'd rather keep a strong top 4 and address the 3rd pairing with a depth add with one of the names I've seen around-Dumoulin, Forbort, Kesselring etc. I'm guessing Crozier gets sent down, but he should be a full time member of the team soon.
 
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Wish we had literally any left handed D in the AHL so Lilleberg could be yeeted to the sun. We probably have to go for Marcus Pettersson since we can't be playing with such a huge liability in the playoffs. If we even get there.
 
Wish we had literally any left handed D in the AHL so Lilleberg could be yeeted to the sun. We probably have to go for Marcus Pettersson since we can't be playing with such a huge liability in the playoffs. If we even get there.

Hedman and McDonagh will be playing 30 minutes a night, Moser and Cernak will be playing ~25 minutes. It'll be fine.
 
Hedman and McDonagh will be playing 30 minutes a night, Moser and Cernak will be playing ~25 minutes. It'll be fine.
Adding a RHD does give us the option to go Hedman - McDonagh - Moser down the left side, which is similar to what we did in the cup years. Right will be weak, but everyone will have a babysitter.
 
Adding a RHD does give us the option to go Hedman - McDonagh - Moser down the left side, which is similar to what we did in the cup years. Right will be weak, but everyone will have a babysitter.

I'm just concerned we won't have the assets.
 

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