"Gonna be damn near unstoppable" "Feels so weird without Stamkos": NHL fans debate over Tampa Bay Lightning's projected lines for 2024-25 season

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost their captain Steven Stamkos in free agency as he signed with the Nashville Predators after not getting an extension. However, the team has found Jake Guentzel as a replacement to fill the void in the top forward lineup.

On Wednesday, NHL on X shared the projected Lightning roster for the 2024-25 season. The projected lineup for the Lightning is:

Forward:

• Jake Guentzel – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
• Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Cam Atkinson
• Conor Sheary – Nicholas Paul – Mitchell Chaffee
• Michael Eyssimont – Luke Glendening – Zemgus Girgensons

Defense:

• Victor Hedman – Darren Raddysh
• J.J. Moser – Erik Cernak
• Ryan McDonagh – Nick Perbix

Goalies:

• Andrei Vasilevskiy
• Jonas Johansson

The Lightning had a 45-29-8 record last season and lost in the Eastern Conference first round.

NHL on X asked fans:

"How far could the @TBLightning go in 2024-25 with this projected lineup?"

The season starts on Oct. 4, and fans are excited about the new Tampa Bay Lightning lineup.

"Guentzel - Point - Kucherov is gonna be damn near unstoppable," one fan commented.

"Need another middle 6 winger either via trade or call-up, and I think this team could be a 95-100 point team with a healthy Vasy and more structured D core," another fan posted.

"They’re not the team they once were but nobody in the league is gonna stop Point, Guentzel, and Kucherov together," a fan opined.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X:

"Wouldn’t be surprised to see another deep run. Nobody matches Tampa’s consistency in the playoffs," a fan said.

"If that’s the top line & it clicks then it will be dangerous. Our other 3 lines will challenge our depth. Gotta stay healthy & see what we can do at the deadline if this is the team JBB is starting," one fan opined.

"That forward depth is looking rough, but they have the high end talent to outscore their problems. Plus that D core will be fine and Vasy will likely bounce back," another fan said.

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Offseason acquisitions have boosted Tampa Bay Lightning's roster

Jake Guentzel signed a seven-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning and will play alongside Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. Last season, Guentzel had 77 points in 67 games for the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ryan McDonagh returns to Tampa Bay after a trade with the Nashville Predators. He will be a key defensive player and leader, having recorded 32 points and 139 blocked shots last season.

J.J. Moser, acquired in a trade with the Utah Hockey Club, signed a two-year contract and will strengthen the Tampa Bay Lightning's defense. He had 26 points last season, which included five goals and 21 assists.

Cam Atkinson signed a one-year deal and could play on the second line. He had 28 points last season. Zemgus Girgensons, joining on a three-year contract, will add physical play and penalty-killing skills to the bottom-six forward role.