Tampa Bay Lightning
Hello, it is time again to look at each NHL team’s prospect situation and assessing each prospect’s projected fantasy value. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the Tampa Bay Lightning. With all due respect to turnover leagues, I will be focusing solely on keeper and dynasty leagues, because prospects have minimal value in re-draft leagues. Most fantasy leagues vary in structure, so for the purpose of this exercise, I will be referring to leagues that include a main roster and a prospect roster, each with their own respective draft. Last week, we got a week of recess.
This week we move up to the 18th-placed Tampa Bay Lightning.
2016-17 Recap
Unfortunately, it was a year of agony for Lightning fans. The rumors abounded as well as injuries, but in the end, Tampa Bay missed the playoffs. They traded Ben Bishop and Jonathan Drouin in hopes of getting some prospect help. There is still work to be done.
The Lightning are hoping for better health this coming season. That 2016-17 season was a lesson for any general manager out there. Just when one thinks they have it figured out, they do not. Please note that Brayden Point has graduated more or less.
Now to present the prospects.
1. Mikhail Sergachev, D
Age: 19 H/W: 6’3″/215 pounds.
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 9 in 2016 by Montreal
2016-17 Team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
50 GP, 10 G, 33 A, 43 Pts, +22, 71 PIM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXGmi667kNk
Sergachev was great to watch for Windsor last season when he was healthy. He is a young defenseman that arguably could have gone top five in 2016. As a result, the Canadiens got their power defender. Sergahev is hard to drive off the puck and has a fluidity to his skating. His physicality gives him the versatility the Lightning could use. Furthermore, the defenseman can play well in all three zones. That is sorely lacking at times in Tampa Bay.
He will play in the NHL. Mikhail sees the ice well and keeps NHL players honest. That is rare to possess. The rover has top pairing potential in the NHL and could be a boost to the Lightning in all phases. Even better is the fact that he can play the penalty kill. Montreal had to trade him for Drouin. Now, we find out if Tampa gambled wisely.
2. Slater Koekkoek, D
Age: 23 H/W: 6’2″/ 200 pounds.
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 10 in 2012 by Tampa Bay
2016-17 Team: Syracuse Crunch (AHL) — played in Tampa for 29 games
48 GP, 2 G, 11 A, 13 Pts, EVEN, 14 PIM.
Koekkoek is a solid player in the AHL. What would happen in Tampa Bay? That is the question. The problem is that it becomes tough to rise up the depth chart from the bottom pairing. Little of Koekkoek’s offensive game stood out much in his 29 games (just four points with Tampa).
The key will be for Koekkoek to play more assertively. His lower body is strong, and so is the upper body. The defenseman excels in Syracuse well enough, but confidence in Tampa was lacking. He was a project all along and will again split time between the two clubs. Koekkoek has a better chance of sticking later in the season. He is that close. Do not expect him to have a big impact fantasy-wise, but he could be a decent player down the road.
3. Brett Howden, C
Age: 19 H/W: 6’3″/ 192 pounds.
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 27 in 2016 by Tampa Bay
2016-17 Team: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
58 GP, 38 G, 43 A, 81 PTS, 73 PIMS, +14
Howden is the prototypical center with much offensive upside. He is developing just fine. However, some wish the AHL was an option for him instead of the WHL. Some Lightning brass believe that Howden is close to NHL ready. The center could crack the Tampa roster next year.
As he continues gaining more experience, the Moose Jaw captain will gain even more confidence and leadership abilities. Howden was a nice late first-round gem that fell into Tampa’s lap. Steve Yzerman has to be given a good amount of credit along with his scouting department.
4. Anthony Cirelli, C
Age: 20 H/W: 6’0″/ 180 pounds.
Drafted: Round 3, Pick 72 in 2015 by Tampa Bay
2016-17 Team: Oshawa/Erie (OHL) — split almost evenly
51 GP, 25 G, 39 A, 64 PTS, 12 PIM, +36
Cirelli has enjoyed a solid progression and the luxury of not being rushed in the Tampa system. The prospect will play in their AHL affiliate (Syracuse) for the 2017-18 season. He is expected to have an impact. That is hard to believe given that he was thought to be further away in his development.
The pivot’s best opportunity is more development over the next couple of seasons. Cirelli must execute at the next level. Again, his season in Oshawa then Erie has to lead to more steps forward. His shot serves him well. The Lightning could have themselves a good player with offensive upside in the future. His development as far as fundamentals will be vital. Working in the corners and open ice decision-making are essential for further improvement.
5. Yanni Gourde, C/LW
Age: 25 H/W: 5’9″/ 172 pounds.
Drafted: Undrafted
2016-17 Team: Syracuse Crunch (AHL) — played 20 games in Tampa
56 GP, 22 G, 26 A, 48 PTS, 54 PIM, +11
Gourde plays the game with a little of everything. This gets the forward into trouble sometimes, but he does more positive than negative. Understand that he has traveled the ECHL and AHL circuits quite a bit. There are some that think he has found his home in the Tampa organization.
The forward is playing the depth role in Tampa but showed something with six goals in 20 games. That is 25 over an 82-game season. It is his energy that has attracted fans and enticed fantasy owners. Can he continue this energy over an entire season? It may take a little time before we know the answer.
Prospect Grade: B-
Tampa’s prospect situation is pretty good, though they lack depth and have a hole in the net. There are first-round prospects that will take time, but potential can be seen. Development is so vital for a team that has back-end weakness. It may take a trade to get that long-term goalie again. Remember that Andrei Vasilevskiy has graduated and is the clear starter.
That does it for this week’s prospect report, but be sure to come back next week when we look at a new weekly column. Since the season has started, it is time to go into something that is more relevant to the now. Stay tuned as some prospect reports may float in from time to time. Thanks again for reading.
| COL | VAN | ARI | NJ | BUF |
| DET | DAL | LAK | FLA | CAR |
| WPG | PHI | TBL | NYI | NSH |
| CGY | TOR | BOS | OTT | SJS |
| STL | NYR | EDM | MTL | ANA |
| MIN | CBJ | CHI | PIT | WSH |
| VGK |
All statistics taken from: