Tampa Bay is coming into the 2022-23 season off of a disappointing loss of the Stanley Cup as they attempted to solidify a dynasty. Now, the biggest question facing Tampa Bay is how they will respond. Will we see another dominating season and postseason? Or will the Lightning’s hey-day come to an end? 

During the offseason Tampa Bay made some changes with the addition of Phillippe Myers, Grant Mismash, Ian Cole, Haydn Fleury, and Vladislav Nemestnikov. This was coupled with the loss of key players like Ondrej Palat, Ryan McDonagh, and Jan Rutta. Fans will recall Palat’s integral role in the Lightning’s Stanley Cup runs, especially during the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals when he extended their 3-peat cup run to a Game 6 against Colorado Avalanche in the Final. Palat’s skilled goal scoring will certainly be missed this season. 

Tampa Bay suffered a 5-1 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes in their preseason opener this past Tuesday, September 27th.

Will this performance set the tone for their 2022-23 season? Not according to coach Jon Cooper. Cooper gently reminded the media on Tuesday that “it’s only the preseason” and although they were outplayed in that game, “a few guys showed [them] some stuff and that’s always good.”

As Cooper said, it is only the preseason, but it will be interesting to see if Tampa-Bay will have another dominating season and postseason, especially with the many changes they’ve made to the roster.