Three training camp battles to watch with the Tampa Bay Lightning

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Training camp is just around the corner for the Tampa Bay Lightning, with the first preseason game slated to occur on 9/26. Unlike NFL training camps, most of the positions and slots for the Lightning are set in stone, and the storylines are usually not as compelling. But the Lightning will need to clear up four pieces of business before its first official game on October 10.

Tampa Bay Lightning Training Camp Battles: Backup Goalie

Jonas Johansson vs. Hugo Alnefelt

This might not be much of a battle at all, and the decision of who to put in the net when Andrei Vasilevskiy needs a rest might already be decided. But this is also a position that is far from locked down heading into the season. The Tampa Bay Lightning picked up Johansson in the offseason after appearing in three games with Colorado last season. He has appeared in 35 NHL games over four seasons, never appearing in more than 15 in a single season. His career save percentage of .886 and goals against of 3.35 are not confidence-inducing. Alnefelt, meanwhile, split time in Syracuse last season and had a .904 save percentage with a 2.77 goals-against average playing in the AHL. The belief is that Tampa will want Johansson to be the backup while Alnefelt gets more playing time in Syracuse. But Johansson is on a two-way contract and if he becomes such a liability that the Lightning can’t ignore it, don’t be surprised to hear the drum beat for Alnefelt grow.

Dec 13, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Washington Capitals forward Conor Sheary (73) skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Lightning Training Camp Battles: The Sixth Forward

Conor Sheary vs. Nick Paul vs. Tanner Jeannot

The presumed favorite in this group is Conor Sheary, after coming over to Tampa from Washington in the offseason. But ironically, he is the lowest-paid of the three forwards that might be in contention for the top six minutes.

As we highlighted last week when discussing what would make the ideal top line for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sheary has the group’s most proven long-term scoring. Plus, pairing Paul and Jeannot together creates a physical third line that most teams strive for.

But there is also an offensive ceiling to both Paul and Jeannot that Sheary doesn’t have. Jeannot scored 24 goals during his rookie campaign, and Paul had 17 last season despite the massive cool-off during the back half of the campaign.

Sheary’s career high is 23 from the 2016-17 season, but he hasn’t topped 20 goals since.

SYRACUSE, NY – APRIL 21: Alex Barré-Boulet #12 of Syracuse Crunch passes the puck against the Rochester Americans at Upstate Medical University Arena on April 21, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Lightning Training Camp Battles: The Twelfth Forward

Alex Barré-Boulet vs. Mikey Eyssimont vs. Logan Brown vs. Tyler Motte

Three of the above-mentioned four will comprise the bottom six forwards for the Lightning, while one is going to be the odd man out.

Now, whichever man is left out will still be on the roster and will rotate in as the season progresses.

We profiled Motte earlier in the week and would assume he is going to slot in on the fourth line.

Barre-Boulet has seen his time with the big club stop and start on multiple occasions. At one point, he was picked up on waivers by Seattle and played two games with the Kraken before coming back to Tampa. Last year in Syracuse, he had 24 goals and 60 assists.

Eyssimont came over in a trade with San Jose at the deadline. He wound up having two points in the three playoff games he appeared in during the Toronto series.

Brown was picked up in free agency after playing 30 games with St. Louis last season. He has six overall seasons of NHL experience, appearing in 99 games between St. Louis and Ottawa.

Apr 27, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Zach Bogosian (24) skates with the puck behind the net against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Lightning Training Camp Battles: The Blue Line

Zach Bogosian vs. Haydn Fleury vs. Nick Perbix vs. Darren Raddysh

Whether or not you think this grouping is solid enough to hold up isn’t the question. One way or another, a log jam exists heading into training camp along the blue line.

If one assumes that Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev, Erik Cernak, and new free agent signing Calvin de Haan are for sure four of the six members that will make up Tampa’s defensemen, that leaves four candidates for two potential slots.

Perbix appeared in 69 games last season and scored 20 points with a plus/minus of +11. One would assume he has the inside track for one of the slots.

Bogosian was the talk of some trade rumors in the offseason but is still a member of the Lightning.

Fleury appeared in 29 games last season with a plus/minus of -10 and saw action in one of the playoff games against Toronto.

Raddysh was inserted late last season and went on to start in all six playoff games against Toronto.

Next. How will Tyler Motte fit in?. dark

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