Hello Lightning fans and welcome to the third installment of our Bolts’ Lineup Projection series, where we will examine what lies ahead in 2014-15 for each of Tampa’s forward lines and defense pairs. Lines one and two each got their own post, while the bottom six will be combined into one. In each piece, we will analyze potential player combinations as well as projected point totals. Thus far, we have analyzed what could be an extraordinarily dynamic top line and pieced together a familiar group on line two. Today’s feature will take an in-depth look at what Tampa Bay’s bottom-six forward group will look like when opening night rolls around next month. (Photos/Susan Ferlita)
In a change of pace from the way we’ve previously handled this series of columns, we will present the expected line combinations first with an explanation for each offered below.
Third Line: Alex Killorn (15G/26A) – Brian Boyle (5G/11A) – Brett Connolly (13G/21A)
Fourth Line: Brenden Morrow (8G/5A) – Cedric Paquette (10G/12A) – J.T. Brown (5G/18A)
13th Forward: Richard Panik (8G/19A)
The most important question when dissecting Tampa Bay’s bottom-six forwards is that of who will be playing the pivotal (pun fully intended) role of third line center. There are a
number of options from which head coach Jon Cooper will have to pick from. Perhaps the most obvious of which is second-year center Tyler Johnson. The 24-year-old Washington native exploded onto the scene a year ago, finishing his debut campaign with 24 goals and 50 points. However, as we’ve previously indicated here, Johnson could also be given the chance to earn a spot alongside Steven Stamkos as the team’s top-line right winger. If that is the case, first-year Bolt Brian Boyle appears to be the next best fit as Tampa Bay’s third center in the rotation. In five seasons with the Rangers, the Boston College product was well-known for his strength in the faceoff circle and gritty style of play. He also adds a necessary element of toughness and veteran leadership that Tampa Bay lost when Nate Thompson was traded to Anaheim. While he certainly isn’t the fleetest of foot, Boyle’s presence should be considered an upgrade over what Thompson brings to the table.
Skating on Boyle’s left side, we’ve penciled in Alex Killorn, Tampa’s most versatile forward. The former Harvard University product entered the NHL as a center, but has spent the majority of his playing time at left wing. In two seasons with the Bolts, Killorn has proven an ability to be effective in a variety of situations, including both the power-play and penalty-kill. More importantly, Killorn has the capacity to be used on any of the Lightning’s four lines, allowing coach Jon Cooper to deploy him in whatever role is necessary. After agreeing to a new, two-season contract extension this past summer, Killorn will remain a staple of the Lightning bottom-six forward group for years to come.
In perhaps the most compelling position battle of the preseason, there will be a number of potential candidates for the third and final spot on Tampa Bay’s third line. With Ryan Callahan being the only established top-nine right wing on the current roster, the Lightning will need a younger player to emerge at the position. One intriguing choice for that role is 2010 first round draft choice Brett Connolly. After dominating at the AHL level for the past two years running, scoring a combined 52 goals and 68 assists in 131 games, Connolly could be down to his final chance at securing a full-time position within Tampa Bay’s top-nine. In 84 games, spread throughout the past three seasons, the former Prince George Cougar has scored only six goals and registered eleven assists; undoubtedly a disappointing total for a sixth overall draft choice.
Connolly’s primary competition for the right wing spot on the Lightning third line will be 2009 second round selection Richard Panik. After an explosive preseason in which he performed admirably alongside Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat, Panik began the year with a spot on Tampa Bay’s “all-rookie” line. However, when the injury bug hit and Cooper was forced to alter his forward combinations, Panik’s season took a turn for the worse. While Palat and Johnson thrived, Panik struggled when the trio was separated, finishing the year with just three goals in fifty games played. This fall, after another offseason of improvement, Panik has the opportunity to once again secure a spot on the Bolts’ third line.
With the lines we’ve assembled to this point, Tampa Bay would be left with an intriguing group of players to choose from for their fourth and final forward unit. Enigmatic Russian prospect Nikita Kucherov would be an interesting fit on this line, but due to waiver ineligibility, he will likely begin the year with Syracuse of the American Hockey League. At center, we’ve penciled in 2012 fourth round pick Cedric Paquette. After enjoying a 20-goal debut season in Syracuse, Paquette was called upon for emergency playoff duty when injuries took their toll on the Lightning. The 21-year-old prospect performed well in that series against Montreal and looked comfortable in the role of fourth line center. Skating on his left will be veteran winger Brenden Morrow, who should provide toughness and grit mixed with a smidge of offensive production. Morrow certainly isn’t the player he once was, but can still hold value in a hybrid-enforcer type role. Finally, in the last spot on Tampa Bay’s fourth line, we’ve awarded the position to swift-skating American JT Brown. The former Minnesota-Duluth product has great on-ice vision and will provide some offense on occasion while adding speed and skill to the Lightning fourth line.
Next up. Defense pairs and goaltending..
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