Tampa Bay Lightning: From Pretenders to Contenders

No doubt the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the busiest team in the NHL offseason. Starting with new co-owners, Barry and Coolis, the Tampa Bay organization has transformed its team, representing one of the largest overhaul in NHL history. Along with new coaching and a new general manager, the roster changes have been even greater:

Notable Signings:

F Ryan Malone (7-year, $31.5 million contract)
F Gary Roberts (1-year contract)
F Vaclav Prospal (multi-year contract)
F Radim Vrbata (3 years, $9 million)
F Adam Hall (3-year, $1.8 million)
G Olaf Kolzig (1-year, $1.5 million)
F Ryan Craig (2-years, $1.575 million)
D Janne Niskala (1-year, $600,000)
F Mark Recchi (1-year, $1.25 million)
F Brandon Bochenski (two-year contract)
D Andrew Hutchinson (2-year contract)
F Chris Gratton (1-year contract)

Trades:

Acquired Vaclav Prospal from the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2008 seventh-round pick and a 2009 conditional fourth-round pick
Acquired defenceman Matt Carle, defenceman Ty Wishart, a first round selection in the 2009 entry draft and a fourth round selection in the 2010 entry draft for defencemen Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich from the San Jose Sharks.

The Lightning, have also solidified signing their captain, Lecavalier. However, their signings and moves have not come without some negative remarks from Dan Boyle, who said he was threatened and mistreated before being dealt to San Jose.

Though there have been many changes, and though they seem pretty positive for the team, will the team gel in time for the season? The Lightning, will of course, be the team to watch in the 2008 and 2009 season. Winners of the Stanley Cup 4 years ago, and led by a new coach, Barry Melrose, and the first overall selection, Steve Stamkos, the Lightning look poised to rise to the top once again.

Will the $150 million the owners invested in their players, will the Lightning succeed? Though they may not win, they have a strong chance of finishing top 3 in the East. The Lightning, have turned their organization around, which brings speculation as to why the Toronto Maple Leafs have not done the same.

The Lightning, finishing last, were in the same position as the Leafs, but have clearly done a better job. Well, we'll see.