While the team has shown they can step up and win without him, they are much better with him in the lineup.
69 | Rick Nash | 437 |
Pavel Bure | 437 | |
71 | Eric Staal | 436 |
72 | Vincent Damphousse | 432 |
73 | Dave Taylor | 431 |
74 | Alex Kovalev | 430 |
75 | Bill Guerin | 429 |
76 | Yvan Cournoyer | 428 |
77 | Brian Propp | 425 |
78 | Steve Shutt | 424 |
79 | Steven Stamkos | 422 |
Owen Nolan | 422 |
None of these records outside of 15/16 playoffs and 19/20 are actually good.
Stamkos has a NMC, he is not going anywhere. He was fine in the regular season this year but his injury problems are always going to leave a dark cloud over his career.What will the Lightning organization do with Stamkos next season?
We just have Boston's number, either the Flyers or the Islanders will be a lot harder. Definitely think we'll need him for the next series to win, scoring depth is going to be key.
He will do wonders for us in the faceoff and power play department should he be able to come back (hopefully). It sucks that we don't even know if he is skating or not but at least he is still in the bubble.We just have Boston's number, either the Flyers or the Islanders will be a lot harder. Definitely think we'll need him for the next series to win, scoring depth is going to be key.
You know, I just can't agree. I mean, I can see the Islanders because of Trotz and because they play a similar game to the Jackets, but regardless, I don't think either of these teams is as good as the Bruins. And I know what you're suggesting - that it's a matchup thing more than a skill thing - but I can't concern myself with that, personally. If we get past the Bruins, I 100% us to beat whoever we face next. This isn't quite 2018 where our ECF was going to either be the Penguins (x2 defending Cup champions) or Capitals (who have had our number for pretty much Ovechkin's entire career). We're better than both of these teams, and I don't even think it's particularly close.
If we win this series and fail to win the next, that's a spectacular failure. From where we stand right now - up 3-1 in this series - there's literally zero excuses to not reach the SCF at this point. Zero.
Should Stamkos remain Captain next season, and will Point and/or Kucherov finally get a letter?