Bolts by the Bay
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Projecting the forward lines for the 2023-24 Tampa Bay Lightning

By Benjamin Henderson

Apr 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) celebrates with center Steven Stamkos (91), center Brayden Point (21), defenseman Victor Hedman (77) and right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) after he scores a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period of game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) celebrates with center Steven Stamkos (91), center Brayden Point (21), defenseman Victor Hedman (77) and right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) after he scores a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period of game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 14, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Lightning Third Line Projections:

  • Nick Paul
  • Corey Perry
  • Tanner Jeanott

If Ross Colton gets resigns, he probably slots into this line. And honestly, the problem for Colton isn’t whether Tampa can afford him for 2023-24; it is whether Tampa can afford him AND Hagel for 2024-25.

It is with that in mind that Colton might not come back. Corey Perry needs a new contract as well, but it actually makes sense to bring him back, as his numbers this year were better than meets the eye.

Tanner Jeanott also needs a new deal, but given what Tampa gave up to acquire him at the trade deadline, it is also a guarantee they will ink him to a new deal.

And if all three are in Tampa next season, it would make the most sense to pair the group together on the third line. This would give Tampa a bruising third line with Jeanott as the main battering ram and Paul and Perry in clean up.

This could also be a sneaky good scoring line if the cards break right. Paul started out the season hot, scoring 13 goals in Tampa’s first 30 games of the season, and was on pace for a 35-goal season before tailing off the back half of the year.

Jeanott posted 24 goals during his rookie campaign with Nashville.

Even if the goals don’t always find the net, both are solid at drawing penalties. Paul drew 17 penalties, while Jennaott had 24 between Nashville and Tampa.

Perry also had 23 penalties drawn, though a good number of those were matching majors for fighting.

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