Tampa Bay Lightning: 3 storylines to watch
theScore's NHL editors take a look at three storylines to watch for each NHL team heading into the regular season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning enter the 2014-15 NHL season as a sexy pick to contend for the Eastern Conference crown.
Having parted ways with long-time fixture Martin St. Louis late last season, the club rests firmly in the hands of superstar forward Steven Stamkos, as good a player as any to build around.
He's joined by a plethora of young talent, a few hungry veterans ready to help the Lightning bring the thunder, and potential Norris and Vezina Trophy candidates.
Stamkos' supporting cast
A return to form for Stamkos after a devastating leg injury last season is all but a foregone conclusion. In short, he's about the most offensively talented player in hockey not named Sidney Crosby, and should be in line to challenge for the league lead in goals and points.
What remains to be seen is whether Tampa's talented group of young forwards can help balance out the load, especially in light of St. Louis' departure.
Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson ranked second and fifth in team scoring last season, and both were named as Calder Trophy finalists. Both are expected to have top-six roles this season, and the old sophomore slump from one or both could really put a damper on things.
Rookie forward Jonathan Drouin will undoubtedly make the team once he recovers from a thumb injury suffered in training camp, and should follow Palat and Johnson as a Calder contender. Other 25-and-under forwards like Nikita Kucherov, Richard Panik, and Alex Killorn are also expected to take steps forward in their development, making meaningful contributions in the process.
The presence of veteran forwards Ryan Callahan, Valtteri Filppula, Brian Boyle, and Brenden Morrow should serve as a stabilizing force, and all hands need to be on deck in order to effectively compliment The Stamkos Show.
Victor Hedman, Norris candidate
Speaking of young players, Victor Hedman - drafted second overall in 2009 - made good on his potential by finishing fourth among defensemen in points with 55 in 2013-14, behind only Erik Karlsson, Duncan Keith, and Shea Weber.
The fact he racked up a good chunk of those points without Stamkos in the lineup for much of the season bodes well for future success, as does the fact only 14 of his points came on the power play.
The 23-year-old will have additional help after the acquisitions of possession-friendly defensemen Anton Stralman and Jason Garrison, and the continued emergence of the hard hitting Radko Gudas.
If he remains on his current track, and if the Lightning are able to challenge for the Atlantic Division title, Hedman may find his name at or near the top of the Norris ballot come June.
Can Bishop hold his position?
Ben Bishop set himself apart as an elite-level goalie in his first full season as an NHL starter.
Bishop was 37-14-7 with five shutouts and a .924 save percentage. Bishop ranked fourth in even-strength save percentage (.933) among goaltenders with at least 2,000 minutes of ice time (24 in total), behind only Tuukka Rask, Semyon Varlamov, and Carey Price.
Biship was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy for his efforts.
Bishop's stellar season came to an unfortunate end after an elbow dislocation prior to the postseason. On top of that, he underwent offseason wrist surgery to repair an injury that hindered him from January on.
Whether Bishop can shake off his injuries and maintain a high level of play will be a major factor in whether the Lightning can challenge for the Eastern Conference title.