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Welcome to the September edition of the DobberProspects 32-in-32 Series. This month, we are diving into the depth of each organization, looking at their recent graduates, risers, fallers and top-20 prospects.
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General manager Julien BriseBois has been busy in what has been the most notable offseason the Lightning have had in several years. Tampa has embraced a significant overhaul that has seen several big pieces moved to reload the organization. With a focus on getting younger, Brisebois let long time captain and franchise superstar Steven Stamkos walk in free agency, backfilling his points production by signing Jake Guentzel to a seven year deal in the minutes leading up to unrestricted free agency. While the top-six should perform as strongly as last year, the same can’t be said for the bottom-six, with several notable departures gutting team depth. New top prospect Connor Geekie should help alleviate this soon, but signs point toward the talented prospect beginning his professional career in Syracuse. With the draft assets acquired in several moves this offseason, it is possible BriseBois looks to reinforce his squad with one of the several solid middle-six options that should be available come the deadline. More likely is that the Lightning will use this as a feeling-out year, gauging what they have in their team and system, then addressing needs next offseason.
Opportunistic fantasy GMs should keep an eye on Victor Hedman. He’s not getting any younger and if he should miss any significant time, a very lucrative power play spot will open up for either Janis Moser or Darren Raddysh. It has yet to be decided which of the two will get to play in the second unit so keep an eye on this situation.
Another wildcard will be Andrei Vasilevsky, coming off a career worst season last year. Struggles were expected coming off a back surgery, but the big cat struggled to find his groove. While he may be undervalued, rebounding to his elite form is never guaranteed. If you are looking for a high risk/reward goalie, consider Vasilevsky.
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Graduating players:
Graduating to NHL:
Emil Martinsen Lilleberg -> From AHL to NHL
Darren Raddysh -> From AHL to NHL
Michael Eyssimont -> From AHL to NHL
Graduating from Juniors:
Gabriel Szturc -> From WHL to AHL
Milo Roelens -> From QMJHL to AHL
Dyllan Gill -> From QMJHL to AHL
Roman Schmidt -> From OHL to AHL
Graduating from College/Europe:
Dylan Duke -> From NCAA to AHL
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Risers:
Niko Huuhtanen:
2021s Mr.Irrelevant (a title given to the last pick in the draft) has come a long way since hearing his name called. Huuhtanen was always seen as a boom or bust pick and as the years go on he is getting ever closer to booming. He’s always been a shoot-first player who possessed a heavy shot and plays a hard, physical game. The questions were surrounding how improved his skating and playmaking could become. Entering his second season in Liiga, Huuhtanen was aware of his shortcomings and made significant efforts to improve. His efforts have shown on the ice, doubling his assists while not sacrificing any of his goalscoring prowess. The Lightning liked what they saw and signed him to his entry-level contract. Set to play with the Syracuse Crunch, Huuhtanen will receive ample support and opportunity to keep growing. The only issue is that his skating is still not at a level ready to play in the NHL. If Huuhtanen corrects this, he could become a middle-six power forward who will rack up hits, shots, PIM, and add a good amount of goals and assists.
2021s Mr.Irrelevant (a title given to the last pick in the draft) has come a long way since hearing his name called. Huuhtanen was always seen as a boom or bust pick and as the years go on he is getting ever closer to booming. He’s always been a shoot-first player who possessed a heavy shot and plays a hard, physical game. The questions were surrounding how improved his skating and playmaking could become. Entering his second season in Liiga, Huuhtanen was aware of his shortcomings and made significant efforts to improve. His efforts have shown on the ice, doubling his assists while not sacrificing any of his goalscoring prowess. The Lightning liked what they saw and signed him to his entry-level contract. Set to play with the Syracuse Crunch, Huuhtanen will receive ample support and opportunity to keep growing. The only issue is that his skating is still not at a level ready to play in the NHL. If Huuhtanen corrects this, he could become a middle-six power forward who will rack up hits, shots, PIM, and add a good amount of goals and assists.
Gage Goncalves:
Goncalves signed a one-year extension to keep playing for the Lightning and has every incentive to distinguish himself. He continued to take steps forward in his overall game while shouldering the burden of being by far the best offensive catalyst for Syracuse. Goncalves’s play has put him on the short-list for callup and with his heavy release and bomb of a one-timer, if he gets the call he’ll likely get some power play time which could help boost his production. Keep an eye out for any injuries among Lightning forwards. When someone goes down Goncalves is likely to get the nod.
Goncalves signed a one-year extension to keep playing for the Lightning and has every incentive to distinguish himself. He continued to take steps forward in his overall game while shouldering the burden of being by far the best offensive catalyst for Syracuse. Goncalves’s play has put him on the short-list for callup and with his heavy release and bomb of a one-timer, if he gets the call he’ll likely get some power play time which could help boost his production. Keep an eye out for any injuries among Lightning forwards. When someone goes down Goncalves is likely to get the nod.
Fallers
Hugo Alnefelt:
Last season was going to be an important season for Alnefelt, but he failed to meet expectations. Hoping to build upon a respectable 2022-23 season, instead, we saw a decline in every category. Something has gone wrong for Alnefelt and whatever it is he is hoping a change of scenery to his old Swedish club HV71 can help him get back on track. The Lightning did offer Alnefelt a qualifying deal, so he remains within the organization’s control should he ever make his way back to North America.
Last season was going to be an important season for Alnefelt, but he failed to meet expectations. Hoping to build upon a respectable 2022-23 season, instead, we saw a decline in every category. Something has gone wrong for Alnefelt and whatever it is he is hoping a change of scenery to his old Swedish club HV71 can help him get back on track. The Lightning did offer Alnefelt a qualifying deal, so he remains within the organization’s control should he ever make his way back to North America.
Gabriel Fortier:
There were high hopes for the late second-round pick but as time rolls on it is looking like he’ll never reach the level once expected of him. The Lightning re-singed the undersized wing to a one-year deal and this could be his last year to prove himself to the organization. Fortier just doesn’t seem able to take any meaningful steps forward in his game which could help him crack the NHL roster. He will be an unrestricted free agent next season and at the time of writing, it seems like he is destined to remain in the AHL or Europe.
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There were high hopes for the late second-round pick but as time rolls on it is looking like he’ll never reach the level once expected of him. The Lightning re-singed the undersized wing to a one-year deal and this could be his last year to prove himself to the organization. Fortier just doesn’t seem able to take any meaningful steps forward in his game which could help him crack the NHL roster. He will be an unrestricted free agent next season and at the time of writing, it seems like he is destined to remain in the AHL or Europe.
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Organizational Depth Chart
(Combination of NHL readiness and upside).
|
LW
Isaac Howard
Joe Connor Robert Flinton Noah Steen Gabriel Fortier Klavs Veinbergs Mikhail Shalagin Jaydon Dureau Jack Harvey |
C
Connor Geekie
Dylan Duke Gage Goncalves Kaden Pitre Jack Finley Jayson Shaugabay Gabriel Szturc Milo Roelens Joona Saarelainen Lukas Svejkovsky Ethan Hay Simon Ryfors |
RW
Niko Huuhtanen Ethan Gauthier Maxim Groshev Hagen Burrows Jesse Ylönen Lucas Edmonds Waltteri Merelä Connor Kurth Mitchell Chaffee |
|
LD
Jan Golicic
Daniil Pylenkov Emil Lilleberg Declan Charlile
Alex Gagne |
G
Hugo Alnefelt
Harrison Meneghin |
RD
Dyllan Gill Max Crozier Roman Schmidt Warren Clark |
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Top 20 Fantasy Prospects:
1. Connor Geekie
2. Isaac Howard
3. Niko Huuhtanen
4. Dylan Duke
5. Ethan Gauthier
6. Gage Goncalves
7. Kaden Pitre
8. Maxim Groshev
9. Jack Finley
10. Joe Connor
11. Dylan Gill
12. Jan Golicic
13. Hagen Burrows
14. Robert Flinton
15. Jayson Shaugabay
16. Noah Steen
17. Daniil Pylenkov
18. Max Crozier
19. Hugo Alnefelt
20. Harrison Meneghin
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NOTABLE OFFSEASON EVENTS:
Steven Stamkos and Mikhail Sergachev departed, in their places, Jake Guentzel and J. J. Moser have arrived. Guentzel will play in the top line and be part of the first power play unit.
Tanner Jeannot failed to live up to expectations in Tampa and was dealt to the Kings for draft picks.
Victor Hedman, unsurprisingly, has been named the new captain.
Mikhail Shalagin has mutually terminated his KHL contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk on the 18th of September. It is unknown where he’ll end up at the time of writing.
Michael Eyssimont is injured with a “lower body injury” and might miss games to start the season. Jesse Ylönen is currently filling in his spot at training camp.
Jack Finley is out with a non-disclosed injury until December.
Gabriel Fortier, Daniel Walcott, and Gabriel Dumont all had offseason surgery and are expected out until December.
Maxim Groshev had a great rookie camp and dominated at the Rookie Showcase. It will be worth keeping an eye on him as he plays with the AHL squad. If he continues like he’s played so far he is likely to be given a chance with the Lightning.
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Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @roach_markus