Progress comes in the development of Nick Perbix and Darren Raddysh, two younger defensemen who can add to the Lightning defense as a whole.
The 2022-23 season wasn’t necessarily the strongest for the Lightning’s defensive core. Overall it was an up and down year for the Bolts both mentally and physically, all of which has been well-documented. As we head into Training Camp, all eyes are on a well-rested Victor Hedman as he leads the defense into a brand new season of Lightning hockey.
With the departure of a few key defensemen over the past couple of years, including Ryan McDonagh and Jan Rutta, the Lightning have been working to capture their identity again on defense.
The only major change we’ll see in the D-core this season will be the addition of Calvin de Haan coming in for Ian Cole. This ultimately gives them an opportunity to find their rhythm early on in the season.
With Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak still leading the way, the Lightning have as strong of a blue-line as they need to be successful throughout the season. After winning two Stanley Cups and making a Stanley Cup Final appearance, the offseason has been welcomed and much needed. Cernak played in just two games in their most recent playoff series against Toronto. He was sidelined for the remainder of the first-round after taking a hard hit to the upper body. His size plays a key role as he uses it to be an aggressive back skater in the defensive zone.
In the past four seasons, Hedman has played over 10 full games more than any other player in the NHL. 8,713 minutes to be exact, according to Stat Muse. Sergachev ranks third with 8,033 minutes.
A sign of progress comes in the development of Nick Perbix and Darren Raddysh, two younger defensemen who can add to the Lightning defense as a whole. We saw a glimpse of it in the playoffs. In his rookie season, Perbix was already a 20 point player despite not being in the NHL to start the season. Raddysh will likely compete with Zach Bogosian for the full-time spot.
The players have made it clear in recent weeks that they’re looking to make another Stanley Cup run. Is it the Lightning revenge tour of 2023-24? To be determined.
For both Perbix and Raddysh, this will be their first time getting a full training camp with the high expectation they will be on the opening night roster against Nashville on October 10th.