A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: Breaking Down and Ranking Atlantic Division Teams

By Ken MacMillan

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber (6), center Phillip Danault (24), and right wing Joel Armia (40) celebrate after a goal at the end of the first period during the Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals NHL hockey game April 4, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber (6), center Phillip Danault (24), and right wing Joel Armia (40) celebrate after a goal at the end of the first period during the Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals NHL hockey game April 4, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 16: Tampa Bay Lightning (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Lightning

2018-19 record: 62-16-4

Additions:

The Tampa Bay Lightning added some depth pieces in free agency. Their position relative to the salary cap is going to keep them from making any big signings or adding any large salaries via trade. They brought in Luke Schenn, a shutdown hard-nosed right-shot defenseman who can play on the third pair.

They signed Curtis McElhinney in a bit of a surprise move to a two-year deal with a cap hit of $1.3 million. They already had Louis Domingue as their backup and he played well, especially when starter Andrei Vasilevskiy was injured last season. McElhinney has been one of the best backups in the league for the past few seasons and will provide reliable relief for Vasilevskiy next season.

The Lightning also drafted Nolan Foote late in the first round of the NHL Draft, but he is not likely to crack the NHL roster for a couple years.

Departures:

The biggest loss for the Lightning was J.T. Miller who was sent to the Vancouver Canucks for a first round pick, third round pick and Marek Mazanec. Miller is a physical two-way winger who played in every situation for the Lightning and was often on Steven Stamkos wing. He was just a casualty of the salary cap.

They also lost Anton Stralman to cross-state rival Florida Panthers. Stralman had been an excellent shutdown defender for several years but had lost a bit of his effectiveness last season. Still, he played a big role on the team’s blue line and will be missed as he averaged over 20 minutes per game last season.

The Lightning lost a little more depth as well in Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan. A couple of former New York Rangers who aren’t the same players they once were. Callahan was a frequent healthy scratch and Girardi a depth defender who is replaced by Schenn.

Projected Lines:

Palat – Point – Kucherov

Gourde – Stamkos – Johnson

Killorn – Cirelli – Joseph

Martel – Paquette – Erne

Hedman – Cernak

McDonagh – Sergachev

Coburn – Schenn

Vasilevskiy

Overview:

The Lightning won’t win as much as last season because no team in the history of hockey has won more than 62 games. They lost a few pieces in Miller and Stralman but still have Hart Trophy contender Nikita Kucherov, Norris contender Victor Hedman and Vezina contender Andrei Vasilevskiy to build around. They’ll win the division again. It would take a minor miracle for the Habs to be able to finish above the Lightning next season.

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