All-Star Vinny Lecavalier is the only Lightning player to score at least 20 goals four seasons in a row.
35 NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN
PRONOUNCED: hah-bee-BOO-lihn.
AGE: 30.
HT/WT: 6-1, 203.
THE SKINNY: Last season was one of extremes for Khabibulin. He became the team's second two-time All-Star and set the franchise record for victories in a season but was benched for Game 5 of the East semifinals against the Devils. He propelled the Lightning into the playoffs with a brilliant 16-game unbeaten streak but also endured a nine-game winless streak. The five hole seemed to close a little slower than 2001-02 and the glove, at times, seemed a split-second behind. Khabibulin looks terrific after an offseason workout program and there still may be none better side-to-side. And don't discount the motivating effects of wounded pride.
SALARY: $4.5-million.
47 JOHN GRAHAME
AGE: 28.
HT/WT: 6-2, 220.
THE SKINNY: An argument could be made Grahame was the Lightning's MVP. Acquired during Nikolai Khabibulin's nine-game winless streak, Grahame kept the boat afloat by winning four of seven games and tying another. He also stood tall in Game 5 against the Devils with a 46-save effort in a 2-1 triple-overtime loss. A bargain when he was acquired from the Bruins for a fourth-round draft pick in 2004. Grahame is a terrific puck-handler, is at his best when showing an economy of movement and makes his job look easy when he is on.
SALARY: $1-million.
DEFENSE
22 DAN BOYLE
AGE: 27.
HT/WT: 5-11, 190.
THE SKINNY: You could not have predicted Boyle's season with tea leaves, Tarot cards or by reading the lines on the palm of his hand. The player who never had more than eight goals and 18 assists in a season and was a career minus-32, was fifth among defensemen in scoring with 53 points, was tied for third with eight power-play goals and was plus-9. The question is, can he do it again? Boyle has the tools. He is a terrific skater, has a good shot and a knack for reading game flow. His forays into the offensive zone can leave Tampa Bay short at the blue line. But Boyle's defense has improved, and he is a battler.
SALARY: $2.3-million.
5 JASSEN CULLIMORE
AGE: 30.
HT/WT: 6-5, 244.
THE SKINNY: The Lightning's best defenseman saw his status increase last season while sitting out from shoulder surgery. Cullimore has perfected the technique of playing within his game. He is smart on the ice, does not try to overextend and is positionally sound. His defense-first game is solid, and he was a standout during the East quarterfinals against the Capitals. Oh, and he can hit. One unfortunate byproduct of his absence was not hearing the loose glass at the St. Pete Times Forum rattle after a big Cullimore body check.
SALARY: $1.65-million.
13 PAVEL KUBINA
PRONOUNCED: koo-BEE-nuh.
AGE: 26.
HT/WT: 6-4, 230.
THE SKINNY: Kubina came to training camp in terrific shape with bigger arms and shoulders. They should come in handy when clearing the front of the net or throwing what the Lightning hopes will be a few more body checks. Kubina could use a few more goals as well. Though his defense improved steadily (it would be even better if he stopped sprawling to break up rushes) he had a career-low in goals despite a booming slap shot. Kubina earned praise after a superb East quarterfinal series against the Capitals. If he can do that a bit more consistently, he can be a star.
SALARY: $2.5-million.
3 JANNE LAUKKANEN
PRONOUNCED: LOW-kah-nehn.
AGE: 33.
HT/WT: 6-1, 193.
THE SKINNY: If Laukkanen's arthritic left hip can hold up, he might be the Lightning's missing link. Laukkanen can skate and move the puck, which would give Tampa Bay a second rushing defenseman. He can also play point on the power play, something else for which the team has been searching. Laukkanen played well in two regular-season and two playoff games after being acquired in March off waivers from the Rangers. It is the long haul that is the concern.
SALARY: $600,000.
37 BRAD LUKOWICH
PRONOUNCED: loo-KUH-which.
AGE: 27.
HT/WT: 6-1, 200.
THE SKINNY: No Lightning player improved as much last season. After a shaky start in which he struggled to master the defensive system, Lukowich hit his stride. He was physical, he skated and produced more offense than anyone expected with career-highs of 14 assists and 15 points. Lukowich is healed from a broken orbital bone sustained late in the season and a surgery to repair a finger broken in two places during the playoffs. He has shown the same spunk in preseason he showed in the second half of last season.
SALARY: $1.1-million.
44 NOLAN PRATT
AGE: 28.
HT/WT: 6-3, 203.
THE SKINNY: Pratt should be motivated. He took a $225,000 pay cut to re-sign, though performance bonuses could earn him more money than last season's $650,000. Pratt is not flashy and doesn't stray too far from the net. He got into a bad habit last season of backing up way too much, which gave opponents opportunities to make plays. But he can hit and is not afraid to stand up for his teammates. He has proven he can be a regular contributor, though he will be in a fight for playing time.
SALARY: $425,000.
38 DARREN RUMBLE
AGE: 34.
HT/WT: 6-1, 200.
THE SKINNY: This could be one of this season's nicest stories as a player signed almost exclusively for depth made a mark. Rumble played most of last season for AHL Springfield, but in his 19 games for the Lightning proved a solid player. He stayed up with the team during the playoffs, though he saw no action. Rumble, who almost ended up playing in Russia this season, earned praise with consistent and energetic preseason play. A steady performer in a stay-at-home role, Rumble has proved that perserverance pays off.
SALARY: $290,000.
21 CORY SARICH
PRONOUNCED: SAHR-ihch.
AGE: 25.
HT/WT: 6-3, 204.
THE SKINNY: Sarich is getting closer and closer to the stardom predicted for him. He has gotten stronger on defense (he doesn't take himself out of plays nearly as much) and has learned to pick the right spots to throw his devastating body checks. And guess what? Sarich can score. He last season broke a 150-game streak without a goal and had career highs of five goals and 14 points. With a potent slap shot he does not use nearly enough, that should increase.
SALARY: $1.15-million.
FORWARDS
29 DMITRY AFANASENKOV
PRONOUNCED: AH-fahn-ah-sehn-kov.
AGE: 23.
HT/WT: 6-2, 200.
THE SKINNY: Afanasenkov always had superb offensive skills, it was just a matter of time before he brought them to the fore and added a touch of defensive awareness. The rookie wing skates well and keeps superb control of the puck before launching sizzling shots. How he handles the rigors of the NHL will determine playing time, but he has all the tools necessary to be a major contributor.
SALARY: $800,000.
25 DAVE ANDREYCHUK
PRONOUNCED: AN-druh-chuhk.
AGE: 40.
HT/WT: 6-4, 220.
THE SKINNY: Andreychuk enters his 22nd season as the NHL's career leader in power play goals with 260, and his 18 seasons scoring at least 20 goals is behind only Gordie Howe (22) and Ron Francis (20). Andreychuk's 613 goals are second among left wings behind Luc Robitaille's 631, and he is 10th all-time in games played with 1,515. Beyond statistics, Andreychuk's presence in the locker room has been a calming and instructive influence over a still young team. Is it any wonder his locker is between those of Brad Richards and Vinny Lecavalier?
SALARY: $1.55-million.
8 MARTIN CIBAK
PRONOUNCED: SEE-back.
AGE: 23.
HT/WT: 6-1, 195.
THE SKINNY: He is not going to set the score sheets on fire, but Cibak is one of the Lightning's most responsible defensive players. Smart and aware of his role, Cibak also is a much more confident player. He also had something to prove after spending last season in the minors after a 2001-02 season in which he played 26 games for Tampa Bay. Cibak is aware he needs to chip in more offensively, but the team can't do much better for a fourth-line center who won't try to overextend himself.
SALARY: $800,000
7 BEN CLYMER
PRONOUNCED: KLIGH-muhr.
AGE: 25.
HT/WT: 6-1, 198.
THE SKINNY: One of the most versatile Lightning players, Clymer can fill in at right wing on any line and can kill penalties and play on the power play. As a converted defenseman, he also can play the blue line in a pinch. Tampa Bay wants to see a big step up from Clymer. Coach John Tortorella lauds his skills and booming shot but wants him to better read the flow of the play. If he can do that, and boost his goals to about 15, the fiesty Clymer, always one of the team's best-cnditioned players, could be invaluable.
SALARY: $790,000.
11 CHRIS DINGMAN
AGE: 27.
HT/WT: 6-4, 235.
THE SKINNY: Don't let the lack of scoring or low profile fool you. The left wing is one of the Lightning's well-regarded muckers who isn't afraid to get in the corners or in front of the net. He knows how to use his body to shield the puck and is difficult to knock off it once he gets it. And he is not afraid to fight. An argument can be made that Dingman was Tampa Bay's most consistent player in the East semifinals against the Devils. Still, a few more goals wouldn't hurt.
SALARY: $675,000.
17 RUSLAN FEDOTENKO
AGE: 24.
HT/WT: 6-2, 195.
THE SKINNY: After a season in which he bounced from line to line and lost his spot on the penalty kill unit, Fedotenko is ready for a resurgence. The left wing's 19 goals were short of the 20 to 25 expected after he was acquired from the Flyers with the No. 4 pick of the 2002 draft. Assuming he gets a steady line position - and he worked well in preseason with center Brad Richards and right wing Martin St. Louis - Fedotenko might even do better. The defensive awareness that was so touted should also get a boost as he becomes more confident.
SALARY: $950,000.
4 VINNY LECAVALIER
PRONOUNCED: luh-kav-uhl-YAY.
AGE: 23.
HT/WT: 6-4, 207.
THE SKINNY: Is this the year Lecavalier scores 40 goals and gets 90 points? The center is not saying, preferring to keep his personal goals to himself. But there is no doubt Lecavalier took the first real step toward the superstardom predicted of him since he was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1998 draft. Lecavalier, who last season appeared in his first All-Star Game, is in tremendous shape and appears to be carrying himself with more confidence. Last season's 33 goals tied Martin St. Louis for the team lead and his 114 career goals are a team best. He is the only Lightning player to score at least 20 goals in four consecutive seasons. Now if he could only improve his faceoffs.
SALARY: $2.625-million.
33 FREDRIK MODIN
PRONOUNCED: moh-DEEN.
AGE: 29.
HT/WT: 6-4, 220.
THE SKINNY: The good news is that Modin is pain free. After two seasons of constant nagging and more serious injuries, the left wing may be ready to get back to the form of 2000-01, when he scored a career-high 32 goals. The past two seasons he has 31. To his credit, Modin never complained or used the injuries as an excuse, and always kept his intensity on defense. Modin's slap shot moves at more than 100 mph, and coach John Tortorella said Modin must shoot 300 times. That's a tall order for an unselfish player who looks for his teammates first. If he can do it, Modin should put up some big numbers.
SALARY: $1.87-million.
19 BRAD RICHARDS
AGE: 23.
HT/WT: 6-1, 198.
THE SKINNY: Richards had career highs of 57 assists and 74 points. But ask the center about his 17 goals and he says it is "a joke" he did not score at least 20 for the third consecutive season. So Richards went to work over the summer on his conditioning. He began skating earlier than usual and hopes to better keep his weight up through a grueling season. Despite making big strides last season, Richards knows he must improve defensively and on faceoffs. Add those elements to a career in which only two players the past 10 years scored more points than he in their first three seasons, and Richards is a star in the making.
SALARY: $2.4-million.
36 ANDRE ROY
AGE: 28.
HT/WT: 6-3, 221.
THE SKINNY: Roy must concentrate on distinguishing between good and bad penalties. Bashing an opponent's face who has attacked one of Tampa Bay's stars is good. Slamming his stick against the glass of the penalty box and getting a 10-minute misconduct after taking an after-whistle minor penalty is bad. If Roy keeps his emotions under control, he can be a very effective player as an enforcer who can take a regular shift and score an occasional goal. Last season's 10 goals were a career high. The good-natured wing believes can increase that to 15.
SALARY: $825,000.
26 MARTIN ST. LOUIS
PRONOUNCED: saint loo-EE
AGE: 28.
HT/WT: 5-9, 185.
THE SKINNY: Is there any wonder why the right wing has turned into a fan favorite? He tied Vinny Lecavalier for the team lead with a career-high 33 goals, scored the biggest goal in Lightning history to give it a triple-overtime series clinching victory over the Capitals, and he is just so much darn fun to watch. St. Louis' skating and stick-handling ability are powerful weapons, and he takes no guff when challenged. The first-time All-Star must pick up where he left off. He played all 82 games last season, so there is no reason to think he will not.
SALARY: $1.5-million.
61 CORY STILLMAN
AGE: 29.
HT/WT: 6-0, 197.
THE SKINNY: Fair or not, Stillman will be compared with Vinny Prospal, last season's best passer who was lost to unrestricted free agency. That is, until Stillman creates a persona of his own. He has a great chance to do that playing beside center Vinny Lecavalier. And don't sell short what Stillman brings on his own. The left wing has scored at least 20 goals in five of his past six seasons and has great awareness of game flow and where his teammates are on the ice. With that kind of savvy and Lecavalier's dynamic ability, Stillman could make Lightning fans forget Prospal, especially if he overcomes an old bugaboo: inconsistency.
SALARY: $2.75-million.
27 TIM TAYLOR
AGE: 34.
HT/WT: 6-1, 190.
THE SKINNY: It is still mind-boggling that Taylor played all 82 games last season after missing much of 2001-02 with a groin injury so severe the blood from the wound blackened the skin of his leg. The effort, Taylor's leadership and his excellence on faceoffs made the center an easy choice by the Tampa Bay chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association as a nominee for the Masterton Award, given for perserverance and dedication to the game.
