Tampa Bay Lightning

A maturing team on the rise is a few top-notch defenders short of being a Cup contender

By Brian Cazeneuve

Team Page | Predicted Finish: 15

Vincent Lecavalier finally has the lean, mean look of a captain. On the first day of training camp the 23-year-old center, whose off-season conditioning habits had been suspect in past summers, whipped a number of teammates in a mandatory three-mile run and sped past several others during a 15-lap, high-speed skate. Lecavalier's new dedication symbolizes the overall maturing of the Lightning, which last season had a franchise-record 93 points and won the first division title and first playoff series in its 11-year history. "He doesn't look like a kid anymore," coach John Tortorella says of Lecavalier, who was the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft and is entering his sixth NHL season.

Vincent Lecavalier Doug Pensinger/Getty Images/NHLI SI RANKING (1 best - 30 worst) OFFENSE 14 DEFENSE 17 GOALTENDING 4 POWER PLAY 8 PENALTY KILLING 18 G.M. AND COACH 17

Lecavalier, who became the youngest captain in NHL history when he wore the C as a 19-year-old, put up career bests in goals (33) and assists (45) in 2002-03, but he wasn't alone in turning the corner. Brad Richards, 23, had 57 assists, giving Tampa Bay the best pair of young centers in the league. Right wing Martin St. Louis, 28, tied Lecavalier for the team lead in goals and is expected to play on Richards's line. Veteran Cory Stillman, who was acquired from the Blues in June, will skate on the left side with Lecavalier and may see time at the point on the power play. The Lightning hopes Stillman, who had 67 points in 2002-03, can make up for the loss of leading scorer Vinny Prospal to free agency.

Nine experienced players man the blue line, although none is All-Star caliber. Rugged Cory Sarich, 25, is a solid stay-at-home defenseman, and slick-passing Dan Boyle, 27, is the group's top points producer (53). The return of Jassen Cullimore, who missed three months last year after undergoing left shoulder surgery, will stabilize the unit.

Nikolai Khabibulin is one of the game's top goaltenders, but Tortorella benched him in the fifth -- and final -- game of last year's second-round playoff series against the Devils in favor of John Grahame. Expect Khabibulin's name to come up in trade talks, especially if Tampa Bay starts slowly. Though the Lightning should win another division title, higher achievements are still a few years off.

Insider

The Lightning was not a fluke last season -- this team is talented, especially up front.... If offensively gifted F Nikita Alexeev, who was sent to the minors, wants to play in the NHL, he'll have to concentrate on his defense.... Rookie F Eero Somervuori will be counted on to help offset the loss of leading scorer Vinny Prospal to free agency.... LW Cory Stillman, who was acquired in June, must produce offensively to keep opponents from keying on Vincent Lecavalier.

Issue date: October 13, 2003