Last year at this time, center was a big question mark for the Bolts. Only two centers, Vincent Lecavalier and Brian Holzinger, had achieved even moderate success at the NHL level. Wayne Primeau, Ryan Johnson and Steve Martins were being counted on to shoulder a good part of the load, but had limited experience. By the 2001 entry draft, only Lecavalier and Holzinger remained in the organization. Nobody knew how much to expect from Brad Richards last year at this time.
How things have changed.
This season, Lecavalier (pending a contract) and Holzinger return from last year’s Tier One group to join 2000-01 rookie-star Brad Richards and a handful of others capable of playing both the pivot and wing.
The organizational depth chart at center can be broken down into four tiers of impact talent:
TIER ONE
Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Brian Holzinger, Vaclav Prospal, Juha Ylonen, Tim Taylor.
Leading the group of middle-men that will occupy the Ice Palace this year is the somewhat enigmatic center Vincent Lecavalier. That is, if and only if he signs his name on a new contract. Until he does, the number one center spot will be occupied by his best friend and the team’s best passer — Brad Richards. Richards can move to either wing if needed, but his game is more fitted for center. Holzinger may enter some games as the #2 center, the #4 center, any wing position, or he could be serving buttered popcorn in the pressbox. This nomad-like positioning is a reflection of both his versatility and inconsistency. Coach John Tortorella was more comfortable with Holzinger at center last season, so expect Holzinger to start there on the fourth line. Holzinger must improve his face-offs if he is to remain at center.
Speaking of face-offs, GM Rick Dudley thinks he’s found an answer to one of the team’s most glaring problem spots last season. An early off-season trade for Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor should solve the Bolts’ late game problems in their own zone. Taylor may only have a few tools left in the old toolbox, but they’re needed for this young club. Face-offs and his presence in the young locker room are needed the most. He’s already been given an “A” for the corner of his sweater.
Dudley dealt for two other centers – Vaclav Prospal from Florida, and Juha Ylonen from Tampa’s latest favorite trading partner, Phoenix. Both are natural centers, although Ylonen is expected to make his contributions on a checking wing. Both have showed good numbers when thrust on scoring lines (Prospal 55 points two years ago, Ylonen led the 2001 World Championships in scoring), but little offense on checking lines. Prospal is ineffective below the second line, as his playmaking and offense-first game serves a secondary purpose. Ylonen’s speed and defensive smarts are an asset to the team and he has proven to be an effective defensive forward on any line if needed.
TIER TWO
Martin Cibak, Thomas Ziegler, Alexander SvitovThe second tier is made up of candidates who may commute back and forth from AHL Springfield to NHL Tampa.
Ziegler had a tiny cup of coffee with the big club last winter, mainly due to his ability to play the defensive side of the game. His upside is that of a 4th line pivot, but is more likely to spend the year contributing in Springfield. He may ultimately end up back in Switzerland in the next few years if his game does not develop as expected. A good checker, Ziegler failed to show a lot of offense after his fine 1999 World Championship showing. He managed only 8 goals in the IHL last year and was silent at the 2000 Championships.
Cibak started the year on fire, but quickly cooled when his teammates began dropping off and dropping out of the organization. He excelled on a line with Dmitry Afanasenkov and Nils Ekman, but when Ekman left for the NHL Cibak’s game took a slight step backwards. A fine playmaker, Cibak will be the first call-up option at center barring any more additions to the organization.
As for Alexander Svitov, the team’s first pick in the 2001 Entry draft could be playing in Tampa, in Russia, in Springfield, or he could be playing soldier in the Russian Army. Where he ends up, nobody knows. Hopefully, he finds his way to Tampa this year, and not in 2003 when his sudden commitment to the military service is complete. He’s placed in this grouping because if the NHL/Lightning win a legal battle to bring him over now, he’ll end up with a Bolt on his jersey one way or another.
TIER THREE
Tier Three is made up of those players who will spend the year in the North American minor leagues below the AHL level, hoping to receive recognition while developing their games.
With the Lightning only assigning ten players to Springfield, there should be a center or two to assign to the ECHL Pensacola Ice Pilots. However, after Jan Sulc was given his walking papers, there are no natural centers under contract to fit in this tier. Thomas Ziegler could find himself in Pensacola if another center is added to Springfield via waivers or Russia (Svitov).
TIER FOUR
Johan Hagglund, Alexander Polushin, Jean-François SoucyTier Four is made up of the Bolts’ junior and European prospects.
After trading up to grab Hagglund in the 2000 draft, the Lightning were pleased to see him have a fine Hull Rookie Tourney last summer. He returned to the prestigious MoDo Hockey program in Sweden, were he competed on the junior level. This season, he will return to Sweden, where it’s been rumored MoDo will loan him to Orebro of the Swedish All-Svenskan League.
Alexander Polushin was a gift in the second round of the 2001 draft, especially after Tampa had him ranked in their top-10. He will be playing in the Russian Super League this season for Dynamo, and will be counted on to be a leader for the Russian junior squads. Dynamo is a favorite in the RSL, and Polushin will be fighting for every bit of ice-time he can get.
Soucy will return to Quebec to develop with the Montreal Rocket. With great size and excellent wheels, Soucy should excel on the Rocket’s big ice surface and wide open QMJHL.
