Four training camp battles to watch with the Tampa Bay Lightning

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.