by Spector

Comment

Since late-June, they've bolstered their forward depth, adding free agents Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi and Radim Vrbata, brought back former Bolts forward Vaclav Prospal, and selected highly touted prospect Steve Stamkos with the first overall pick in the 2008 entry draft.

Puck-moving defenseman Dan Boyle, who'd re-signed an expensive, multi-year deal only last February, was apparently coerced into waiving his "no-trade" clause to accept a move to the San Jose Sharks, while former Washington Capital Olaf Kolzig was signed as a free agent to share goaltending duties with promising young Mike Smith.

They also have a new head coach, replacing the fiery John Tortorella with former ESPN analyst Barry Melrose, who last coached in the NHL in the early 1990s with Los Angeles.

Most important, they were able to re-sign franchise player Vincent Lecavalier to a long-term contract, ensuring he could finish his career with the Lightning.

While these moves certainly attracted considerable buzz from the Lightning fanbase as well as the league, they're not without potential problems.

This will unquestionably be a team that shouldn't have trouble scoring but could have difficulty keeping the puck out of their own zone and their own net.

Oren Koules, the Lightning's new principal owner, recently expressed confidence in his defense corps, particularly the young blueliners, but it's not an opinion shared by many observers around the league as the lack of experienced defensemen could prove troublesome.

Filip Kuba, a nine-year veteran who would be on a second-line pairing on a deeper defense corps, is their most experienced defenseman. The 6-5, 220-pound Kuba certainly has size and decent all-around skills, but he's not a particularly physical defender and struggled last season when Boyle was sidelined by injury.

Paul Ranger and Matt Carle, who joined the Lightning in the return for Boyle, each have three years of NHL experience. Shane O'Brien has two years, Alexander Picard and Andrew Hutchinson three partial seasons apiece, and Mike Lundin one. Matt Smaby only has 14 NHL games to his name and Janne Niskala has yet to lace 'em up in the NHL.

Ranger and Carle have the most talent and promise, but both have yet to fully reach their potential and will be expected to log big minutes on the Bolts' blueline this coming season.

Lightning management is reportedly still shopping around for a trade for additional defensive depth, possibly by dangling forwards Jussi Jokinen, Michel Ouellet or Jason Ward, but it's believed they're seeking either blueline prospects or draft picks.

The Lightning's new owner may have confidence in his young defense, but it could be expecting too much too soon from those young blueliners to carry the load without the benefit of veteran leadership and experience to help them.

That in turn would put considerable pressure on the goalie tandem of Smith and Kolzig, both of whom are out to prove themselves worthy as top NHL goaltenders this season.

Smith looked very good last season in Dallas as Marty Turco's backup, but after his move to Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, his stats suffered backstopping a Lightning team in free fall.

Kolzig had been the long-time starter for the Capitals but eventually lost the confidence of head coach Bruce Boudreau and his job to Cristobal Huet late last season, leading to his departure from Washington as a free agent.

Smith must prove he didn't benefit from a deeper defensive team in Dallas and is still capable of stepping up as a starting goalie, while the aging Kolzig must show the hockey world he hasn't lost his touch.

One or both will need to elevate their game to cover for the mistakes of the Lightning's young defenders. If Smith and Kolzig struggle it'll not only cost the Bolts on the scoreboard but could also damage the confidence of their defense corps.

Getting the best out of his goalies and young defensemen will be a significant challenge for head coach Melrose, who must prove that he can adapt to the new NHL after being out of the coaching ranks for so long.

The Lightning's new ownership and management have certainly proven their willingness to make take bold steps. It remains to be seen if that boldness will be rewarded.