For the last 22 years (13 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 23rd annual review will appear here on DobberHockey 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.

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Gone – Logan Brown, Isaac Howard, Conor Sheary, Nick Perbix, Matt Tomkins

Incoming – Jakob Pelletier, Pontus Holmberg, Sam O'Reilly, Scott Sabourin

Impact of changes –

Heading into this season, Tampa's approach has not changed much from last year but roster churn is starting to show. Aging stars who can still produce, a few calculated bets, and some prospect reshuffling give the Lightning a slightly different look.

They did not make headline-grabbing moves this offseason, but the roster remains one of the league's most offensively gifted. The additions of Oliver Bjorkstrand at the trade deadline and Jake Guentzel last season added scoring to a group already centered around Kucherov and Point. Guentzel has been a point-per-game machine and adds additional scoring stability to the top line now that he has a year with Tampa under his belt. Bjorkstrand struggled initially after the trade but quickly adjusted and flourished on every line he touched. Tampa does not have a true young core, but a few names are worth watching. Conor Geekie played 52 games last season and will likely get an opportunity to see more ice time this year. He may not stand out offensively at first, but his foundation and play style will make him a coach-friendly option as he develops.

Ready for Full Time

Tampa Bay's relentless chase for Stanley Cups has left their prospect cupboard thin. Eventually, the team will need to acknowledge the lack of emerging talent, but for now, they remain very much in the Cup conversation. The veteran-heavy lineup limits opportunities for newcomers, but a couple of names could carve out NHL minutes if the chance arises. Dylan Duke made a seamless transition from Michigan to the AHL, posting 20 goals and 40 points in 62 games with Syracuse. He also earned a very brief NHL look, playing only two games. He is a gritty player with skill, and high motor which makes him a versatile option and could develop into a sneaky third-line contributor for Tampa this year. Another potential is Jack Finley. He has steadily progressed with Syracuse, posting from 32 points in 52 games in 2023-24 to 28 points in just 40 games last season. Finley pairs his size and strength with a reliable two-way game, showing he can play responsibly while contributing offensively. The chances of seeing him in an NHL lineup will hinge on injuries to Tampa's bottom-six.

Fantasy Outlook

Tampa still remains a fantasy goldmine at the top, but expectations should be tempered across the board. Kucherov is still an elite first-round pick and has not showed signs of slowing down. His even-strength shooting percentage is high, but in his case, that is just baked into the profile, elite player, elite teammates, elite results. Point remains a safe bet for 80+ points if he is healthy and riding shotgun with Kucherov.

Some concern is warranted on ice time and shooting percentage sustainability. Last season, Tampa ranked second in team shooting percentage, with a few players riding unusually high individual numbers. Brandon Hagel, for example, posted nearly 80 even-strength points, set career highs in secondary assists and some how scored zero power play goals. Anthony Cirelli on the other hand is elite defensively, but his offensive consistency remains in question after a strong start that nearly vanished as the season progressed. Both candidates may see some regression. Hagel's massive 90-point season relied heavily on unsustainable even-strength production, while Cirelli's early-season scoring pace did not last. Meanwhile, deeper-league stashes like Goncalves might be worth watching, developed chemistry with Bjorkstrand. In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy is still as dependable as they come. Even if Tampa slips in the standings, you can count on him for starts and wins.

The Lightning's offseason was conservative by design. They did not overextend nor chase desperate moves, instead off-setting the depth losses and trading Isaac Howard for a decent return. The team's top-end talent remains intact, and the core stars are expected to carry the load again. Fantasy-wise, Tampa is still one of the league's most dangerous scoring teams. Exposure to the top line and power play is valuable, but beyond that production is minimal and unlikely.

Overall, the Lightning are still contending, but cracks are showing. No rebuild is coming, and no new gear has been added. Their team fantasy value remains strong, but there is less margin for error, hence a conservative B grade for lack of their offseason moves reflecting that.

Overall Grade: B. Last year B+