LCS Hockey - Team Reports - Tampa Bay Lightning

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head coach: Jacques Demers

roster: C - John Cullen, Craig Janney, Vincent Lecavalier, Benoit Hogue, Jason Bonsignore, Brian Bradley, Darcy Tucker. RW - Alexander Selivanov, Mikael Renberg, Stephane Richer, Mikael Andersson, Sandy McCarthy, Andrei Nazarov. LW - Paul Ysebaert, Rob Zamuner, Wendel Clark, Vladimir Vujtek, Corey Spring. D - Cory Cross, Karl Dykhuis, Yves Racine, David Wilkie, Michal Sykora, Mike McBain, Jassen Cullimore, Enrico Ciccone, Pavel Kubina. G - Bill Ranford, Daren Puppa.

transactions: Gonesville: Louie DeBrusk (Phoenix), Mark Fitzpatrick (Chicago). Charlie New Guys: Craig Janney, Benoit Hogue, Wendel Clark, Bill Ranford.

1997-98 results:

Record...........17-55-10, 44 PTS, 13th Eastern Conference 
Goals Scored.....151
Goals Against....269
Power Play.......9.3% (26th)
Penalty Killing..82.4% (23rd)

GEE, THAT'S SWELL

* Johnny Cullen, LCS hero and the idol of millions from eight to eighty, has returned!

* Number one draft pick Vincent Lecavalier could make an impact.

* The additions of Craig Janney, Wendel Clark, and Benoit Hogue give the Bolts much improved depth on offense.

* Daren Puppa should be healthy, but even if he isn't, Billy Ranford will be around to do the job.

* Darcy Tucker is cool as hell.

* Toughness won't be a problem with Sandy McCarthy, Enrico Ciccone, and Andrei Nazarov around.

GRIEF

* Defense isn't too great.

* Alexander "Knuckles" Selivanov will be out until November with torn ligaments in his right thumb.

* Still not much talent throughout their lineup.

1998-99 OUTLOOK: Even though he's a stiff, Janney could dramatically improve the Tampa power play while acting as the setup man for Mikael Renberg. The club's goaltending concerns should also be put to rest with a healthy Puppa and Ranford. And don't overlook the emotional lift the team will receive from Cullen's return. But it still won't be enough to make the playoffs.

PREDICTION: Third in Southeastern Division.