Goalies
Starter
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Backup
Jonas Johansson
Wildcard
Hugo Alnefelt
Analysis: There are no questions on who the starter in net will be for the Lightning. But behind Vasilevskiy the signing of Jonas Johansson is one I find a little odd as it deviates from what the team has tended to look for in a backup goalie.
The 27-year-old has 35 career NHL games under him over the past four seasons but has not played more than 15 games in any one season. With the Lightning, Johansson will be asked to play somewhere between 20-25 games.
Regardless of the lack of experience, BriseBois believes he is more than capable of the task at hand.
#Bolts GM Julien BriseBois says Jonas Johansson is still a young goalie who they feel has untapped potential and they're excited to work with him as Vasilevskiy's backup. Said he's played well when given the opportunity at the NHL level.
— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) July 1, 2023
Even if Johansson starts the season as the backup, the ascension of Alnefelt to become Vasy’s backup feels inevitable. Whether or not it happens this season, any stretches of poor form for Johansson could be grounds for calling up Alnefelt and giving him a chance to take on the role.