You would think after such a successful season there would be fewer questions entering Thursday's camp. Indulge us. These little dramas will make preseason much more fun.
Will Nikolai Khabibulin regain world-class form?
The goalie's reputation took a hit last season and he has a hungry backup in John Grahame itching for playing time. Those are great motivations. Khabibulin has risen impressively to most challenges. Remember his first game for the Lightning after being acquired from the Coyotes, his performance in the 2002 All-Star Game and in Game 6 of the East quarterfinals? Tampa Bay hopes he will rise again.
Can Cory Stillman replace Vinny Prospal?
Does he have to? The left wings play different styles and have different strengths. The bottom line will be Stillman's production and how he helps the production of his linemates. It is assumed Stillman will start on Vinny Lecavalier's line. The center flourished thanks to Prospal's pinpoint passes. Stillman might have big shoes to fill at that.
How much heat will John Tortorella bring?
If you thought the coach was ornery and demanding last season, you haven't seen anything yet. In a season in which expectations are the highest in franchise history, Tortorella will likely turn up the intensity. There is a fine line between encouragement and browbeating the coach did well not to cross last season. Allies such as associate coach Craig Ramsay and players Tim Taylor and Dave Andreychuk will again act as buffers.
How much does Andreychuk have left at 40?
The question is prompted more by his Sept.29 birthday than concerns about his ability. Andreychuk, in his 22nd season, looks lean and mean after a summer workout program, and he said his enthusiasm is as high as ever. Good news for the still-young Lightning.
Is Dan Boyle a one-hit wonder?
Boyle brought it up unsolicited when he signed his new contract. He was fifth in the league among defensemen with 53 points and tied for second with nine power-play goals. He also was plus-9. In 170 previous games, Boyle had 59 points with five power-play goals and was minus-32. A two-year, $5.05-million deal makes the query even more pertinent.
Will Martin St. Louis and Eric Perrin rekindle their collegiate magic?
Playing on the same line for four years, they became the University of Vermont's top two all-time scorers. Perrin never had a legitimate shot at making an NHL team and played in Finland the past three seasons. The Lightning will give him his chance.
Who will be the fourth-line center?
Rookie Alexander Svitov played there last season, but he struggled and stayed with the Lightning, at least in part because Tampa Bay did not like the coaching situation at AHL Springfield. Svitov has big-time skills, but he is still raw and will get a stiff challenge from Martin Cibak, one of the organization's most defensively responsible players.
Can Janne Laukkanen's left hip take the strain?
If the arthritic joint is sound (and Laukkanen, 33, said it is after arthroscopic surgery), he has the skating ability and skill to man the point on the power play and give the team another puck-carrier to help clear the defensive zone.
Is Eero Somervuori the hotshot he was made out to be?
A similar question follows rookie defenseman Andreas Holmqvist. But Somervuori is more intriguing because he is 24, was signed as part of the attempt to compensate for losing Prospal and last season became a legitimate star in his native Finland. Still, at 5 feet 10, 185 pounds, he is relatively small which makes any transition to the rougher North American game more problematic.
Is this team better than last season?
With basically the same lineup the Lightning will again will be a scrappy, in-your-face bunch. If Khabibulin returns to the form that made him one of the world's best in 2001-02, Tampa Bay will be difficult to beat.
