Tampa Bay Lightning: Scouting the Competition

The Tampa Bay Lightning are about ready to kick off the 2015-16′ NHL season. That generally comes with a bunch of questions and few answers, at least for now.

For the defending Eastern Conference Champions, those questions are few and far between entering training camp. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. One you’ll hear often during the next month leading up to the October 8th regular season opener is how each opponent will match up with the team many consider to be the “beast of the East”.

In this series I’ll be looking at all 30 teams one by one, taking into account their key additions and subtractions. I’ll then analyze how they may matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This week’s opponent: the Arizona Coyotes.

Being a member of the Western Conference, the Tampa Bay Lightning will only face the Coyotes twice during the regular season. It’s highly doubtful that number goes up over the course of the next couple years given the recent struggles, both on and off ice, they’ve seen in the desert. Regardless, they’re a team who shouldn’t be taken lightly.

During the 2015 offseason, the Coyotes stayed busy with the hope they could transform into a playoff contender sooner rather than later.

One player expected to provide a boost offensively should be a familiar face to the Coyotes organization. Antoine Vermette was traded from Arizona to the Chicago Blackhawks on February 28th, 2015 in exchange for Klas Dahlbeck and a 2015 first round draft pick. He then chose to resign with the Yotes once free agency opened.

Vermette experienced numerous ups and downs in his brief time as a member of the Hawks. He tallied three points, all assists, during 19 regular season games. His playoff totals were a bit better, as he produced four goals and seven points in 20 postseason contests to help Chicago capture their third Stanley Cup in six years.

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Another player that should be pretty well known out in the Arizona desert is Zbynek Michalek. Traded to the St. Louis Blues at the 2015 deadline, Michalek struggled to get acclimated, putting up only four points in 15 regular season games. He then went scoreless in the Blues six game first round playoff defeat.

The Coyotes also acquired forwards John Scott (San Jose Sharks) and Brad Richardson (Vancouver Canucks), plus goaltender Anders Lindback (Buffalo Sabres), via free agency. They re-signed forwards Mikkel Boedker and Brandon Gormley to an extension as well, though Gormley was recently traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Stefan Elliott.

Scott brings size and toughness to a Coyotes team that wasn’t known for fighting last season. Richardson, on the other hand, should be a serviceable third line center who’s capable of producing when healthy. He proved that much by tallying 21 points in a little under half (45 games) of the Canucks 2014-15′ regular season.

Losses, none of which can really be considered key, included John Moore and Tye McGinn. Both departed through free agency, with Moore joining the New Jersey Devils and McGinn signing a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Coyotes should have a chance but will likely need contributions from practically everyone. They have plenty of young talent, highlighted by Boedker and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Add the veteran leadership of captain Shane Doan, potential addition of 2015 third overall draft pick Dylan Strome, along with a more stable netminding situation, and the Yotes have an opportunity to develop into a perennial playoff contender a few years down the road.

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With no key departures, it comes down to how quickly the new players and prospects fit into the Coyotes system. If they make smooth transitions I could see this team playing meaningful hockey in March and April. If not, well, there’s always the chance to play the role of spoiler.

Everything being considered, I expect the Coyotes to be tougher than last season but still struggle against the Lightning. Their offense has been upgraded slightly, however defense and goaltending are legitimate question marks.

This season might be another long one for Coyotes fans, all things considered. 0-1-1 is my season series prediction and that’s being kind considering the Lightning’s offensive firepower which extends up and down the lineup.

What do you think? Could the Coyotes be better than expected, potentially making a dent in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s postseason quest? Does the addition of Elliott improve their defense? Is Lindback the right guy to back up Mike Smith? Feel free to sound off in the comment section below.

Next: Could the Lightning Suffer From 'Cup Hangover' Next Season?

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