If the defense is perfect throughout the playoffs and Vasilevsky stands on his head...maybe. But I'm not buying Cup aspirations with the bottom 6 forward corps. Granted, they'll still be everyone's favorites out of the box given the regular season they had last year and IF they make a UFA splash (like Panarin, etc).

Interesting...

I think the Lightning have a solid bottom 6, many 20 goal per season types.

I also expect growth out of Cirreli, Joseph, Sergachev young guys too.

Like Panarin .. still need a veteran top 9 UFA for Cup playoffs.. and a trade for Risto ..

I'm more and more convinced that we'll see the Hedman - Sergachev combo as our 1st D pairing.
Tampa is on the lookout for a RHD, but Sergachev is ready for a top4 role and has already shown he and Hedman play wonders together. What if the right side Dman we need for the first pairing was already on our team, and is a leftie?

What makes Sergachev unique is that he can play his offside, often preferring to play on the right. He did that in juniors with Windsor, with Coburn in the third pair, and during the recent World Championships for Russia. Sergachev might be better on the right.
https://theathletic.com/1023024/2019/06/13/why-mikhail-sergachev-is-an-x-factor-in-lightnings-offseason/

That a defensive recipe for disaster .. Hedmen takes chances and needs to play with a more defensive guy .. Cernek perfect as his partner and Mc Donough plays with Foote or Risto ..Sergachev is square peg in round hole at Tampa .. trade for Risto

And for the love of God dont quote fake news.. it weakens anything u say

what the **** did i "quote" at any point. "Fake news" coming from the Serge/Risto guy swap is pure comedy too. I dont know why that being rumored Risto is awful and his one redeeming quality is PP which Tampa doesnt remotely need.