2006 Tampa Bay Lightning Preview

2006 Tampa Bay Lightning Preview from Maddux Sports. With the NHL Hockey Season now is the time to get aquatinted with the 2006 teams and players. Remember if you are NHL hockey betting look no further, as we offer hockey picks and can help you turn a profit betting on the NHL this season.

2006 Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Season Preview

Last season, coach John Tortorella came to the conclusion that a major problem for the defending Stanley Cup champs was goalie John Grahame (57 GP, 29 W, 22 L, 1 OT, 3.06 GAA, .889 SP), who led the team to a first round elimination in last year’s playoffs. Grahame is gone and Marc Denis (49 GP, 21 W, 25 L, 1 OT, 3.25 GAA, .900 SP), former Bluejacket, has been acquired as the solution. But is a new goalie the answer?

The dependable Brad Richards (23 G, 68 A, 91 Pts) and explosive Vincent Lecavalier (35 G, 40 A, 75 Pts) are fine one-two centers. Richards with Rusian Fedotenko (26 G, 15 A, 41 Pts) and Martin St-Louis (31 G, 30 A, 61 Pts) on the wings comprise one of the fastest, best skilled front lines in the game. Winger Vaclav Prospal (25 G, 55 A, 80 Pts) is also a force with which to be reckoned.

The defense had its problems last year, suffering from attrition over the past few seasons. But rookie Paul Ranger (1 G, 17 A, 18 Pts) showed great potential, while Dan Boyle (15 G, 38 A, 53 Pts) broke out and ended up in the top ten of NHL defensemen. Still, this is a squad in need of improvement.

Although some of Denis’ numbers are not as good as Grahame’s, his .900 SP is better than his predecessor’s and that’s when playing on a team a rung or two below Tampa Bay. To be effective, Denis doesn’t have to be spectacular but he must be as reliable as he was with Columbus.

This team has a fine offense, but it needs to play with much more consistency. The power play was 23rd and the penalty kill 20th. In a division with some dynamically developing teams, the competition will be tough for a club with a floundering D. They were and still are in need of more than a new goaltender.

For more information on the 2006 Tampa Bay Hockey Club check out the Lightning team website.