Top Five Tampa Bay Lightning Players From the 2022-23 Season
5. Mikhail Sergachev, Defenseman
It was one of the top seasons in the career of Mikhail Sergachev. He played in 79 games this season and was a big time contributor not only on the defensive end of the rink, but also in the offensive zone.
Sergachev was a highly efficient puck-passer in 2022-23. He finished with 54 assists. Thus was by far the largest amount in any season in his now seven-year career. He also tied his largest goal total in his career (10). His goal scoring ability was similar to 2019-20 when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup.
An interesting note to make about Sergachev was that he had the most shots on goal of any season he has had (156). It shows that this season he stepped up with being an extra aggressor on offense. A lot of that had to do with increased time on the Lightning’s top power play unit.
The offensive aggressor mentality as both a puck-sharer and shot-creator was a great thing to see for the Lightning allowing him to make this list.
4. Alex Killorn, Left Wing
Killorn was an efficient point getter for the Bolts in 2022-23. He finished with a career-high 64 points (27 goals and 37 assists). This was coming off a career high the season before with 59 points in 2021-22.
The biggest thing about how Killorn stood out this season was his ability to hone in more on his shot and overall shooting percentage. In the best season of his career for puck accuracy, Killorn shot with a 18.9% shooting percentage.
This may not seem like a huge number, but it was a whole 8% above the league average shooting percentage this season.
The past two seasons, especially this past one, have shown well improved assist numbers for Killorn as well. It seems that as he ages, he seems to get better with sharing the puck with his teammates.
It was an incredibly good offensive season for Killorn this year and it earned him a spot on the list and likely a big contract in free agency.
3. Steven Stamkos, Center
It seems that Stamkos could arguably make this list after every season he has played. This year was no different and what stood out the most was his incredible effort on power play chances.
When it came to points and goals on the power play, Stamkos had 35 and 14 respectively. In fact, 42% of his season points came on power play opportunities. He was second on the team in both of those categories.
The Lightning center also had arguably some of the most, if not the most, active playoff performances on the team. In four out of the six games, he finished with at least a point in each game. The final stat line for the first round series against Toronto read two goals and two assists.
Power play excellence and a productive playoff series late in his Tampa Bay tenure allowed the Bolts’ captain to be placed on this season’s list.
2. Nikita Kucherov, Right Wing
There was very much an argument for 2022-23 being the best season in Nikita Kucherov’s career. The goal numbers (30) were relatively down for his standards. But, his ability to pass the puck around completely shifted who he became as a skater.
With 83 assists, Kucherov showed the NHL that he was an elite passer. In fact, he was only behind Connor McDavid in that category in the entire league, while still having a solid year scoring the puck.
During the playoffs against the Maple Leafs, he had five assist in the six games. His assists were a big part to arguably being Tampa Bay’s biggest contributor.
1. Brayden Point, Center
Like plenty of others on the roster, it seems like Brayden Point ages like fine wine. The agile center finished with the second highest points on the team (95). This placed him among the top 15 point scorers in the National Hockey League.
He also was the team leader in goals for the second time in the past three seasons with 51 in 2022-23. That was also top five in the NHL.
Point put on display why he is one of the best, if not the best, player on this team. His fast-paced offensive game can get him by defenseman at a blistering rate and leads to lots of scoring opportunities. Thus, it makes sense that he was the team leader in game-winning goals (9), shot percentage (21.7%), and also second on the team in attempted shots (240).
The fast-pace and insanely potent puck scoring is still in Point’s arsenal. It was in 2022-23, therefore he is much deserving of being on this list.
Welcome to the 50 goal club, Brayden Point ‼️ pic.twitter.com/3wZWzJwzI6
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 14, 2023
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