For the last 21 years (12 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 22^nd annual review will appear here on Dobber Hockey throughout the summer. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey both for the season ahead as well as the foreseeable future. Offensively, will the team perform? Are there plenty of depth options worthy of owning in keeper leagues? What about over the next two or three years? These questions are what I take into consideration when looking at the depth chart and the player potential on that depth chart.

Enjoy!

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Gone – Steven Stamkos, Mikhail Sergachev, Alex Barre-Boulet, Mathew Dumba, Calvin de Haan, Cole Koepke, Tyler Motte, Haydn Fleury, Tanner Jeannot, Anthony Duclair

Incoming – Jake Guentzel, Ryan McDonagh, J.J. Moser, Cameron Atkinson, Conor Geekie, Zemgus Girgensons, Derrick Pouliot

Impact of changes –

The addition of Guentzel was a hot topic across the NHL. He signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with an AAV of $9 million. On the way out, the loss of Stamkos was significant, and trade deadline targets like Duclair and Dumba didn't pan out as hoped, with both players moving on during the offseason. Hard-nosed Jeannot became a cap casualty and was traded to the Kings for a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. There were more departures than additions to the team this offseason.

While the new arrivals may not be as star-studded or flashy, McDonagh’s return to Tampa Bay was significant. His stability and veteran presence on the back end will be a valuable asset. Moser and Geekie were solid young additions to a team all of which helped fill that gap following Sergachev’s departure on draft day. The Philadelphia Flyers bought out the remainder of Atkinson's contract, making him a free agent. At 35 years old, he has been on the decline in recent years, but the Lightning signed him to a one-year deal worth $900,000 hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

Ready for Full Time –

The Lightning's relentless push to stay competitive and chase Stanley Cups year after year has left their prospect cupboard bare. Eventually, Tampa's going to need to take a step back and realize they don't have much to offer in terms of up-and-coming talent. But until that day comes, they're still in the conversation as a Cup contender.

In reality, the Bolts have a handful of decent prospects in an otherwise lackluster talent pool. The blue line is looking especially thin after the cap crunch led to Sergachev's departure. The top prospects ready for NHL time would be recently acquired Geekie, who was brought into the fold as part of the Sergachev trade and Lightning 2022 first round pick Isaac Howard.

Geekie had a solid 2023-2024 season with the Swift Current Broncos recording 23 goals and 27 assists for a total of 50 points, averaging 1.72 points per game. He’ll be in the mix to make the roster out of camp. His size, physicality, and skill could provide a valuable boost to the middle six. He has yet to play any games at the NHL level so the question remains if he can handle the speed just yet. With Tampa Bay's cap situation, he may be called up during the season if any injuries arise whether he or they are ready for it.

Howard is also a player to keep an eye on. He's next in the pecking order when it comes to prospects in line for the NHL. However, just because he's next in line doesn't necessarily mean that he's ready. He had a solid output in his first year in the NCAA, playing for Michigan State University. Over 36 games, he posted 8 goals and 28 assists.

Howard has typically been known as a goal scorer and was likely drafted with that expectation when Tampa selected him in 2022. However, with Michigan State this year, he has shifted more into a playmaker, which may represent a slight evolution in his game. His development is progressing positively as he heads back to the NCAA for some additional reps to further develop in his game. Don't be surprised if he signs a contract after the college season and plays a few games at the end of the season.

Fantasy Outlook – 

Losing Stamkos was a shocker for most. However, if we take a step back and look at this move, the Lightning made a smart play by locking down Guentzel. He's faster, younger and has consistently delivered 40-goal seasons. Sure, it's tough to say goodbye to the face of the franchise, but Guentzel has proven he can thrive alongside elite talent, whether it was in Pittsburgh, Carolina, or now Tampa Bay. With linemates like Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, don't be surprised if he not only hits 40 goals again but even flirts with the 100-point mark if all goes well.

Looking further down the road, Guentzel is nearly five years younger than Stamkos, which extends the Bolts' contending window of top-tier production. Kucherov and Point are still elite fantasy producers, and you should treat them as such. Brandon Hagel’s production may take a hit depending on whether he gets demoted to the second line. He never really had the top power-play spot locked down, and with Guentzel now there, it’s hard to envision Hagel taking the top spot—unless Guentzel shows signs of struggling out of the gate, then maybe John Cooper looks to mix things up. Atkinson will likely play a middle-six role, as he has shown the ability to score in the past, but injuries have hampered his on-ice production, so expectations should be tempered.

On the back end, the trade that sent Sergachev packing is the reality of the cap era. Losing Sergachev is a blow to the blueline. From a fantasy standpoint, neither McDonagh or Moser will have any major relevance. With Sergachev out of the picture, expect Victor Hedman to step back into the spotlight on the back end as a top fantasy producer.

Fantasy Grade – B (last year was an B+)