Next up in the 2023 Fantasy Hockey Breakout Candidates series is the Tampa Bay Lightning. This team has seen some fairly significant changes over the past few seasons. While it has been tough for them to stay under the cap and keep players around, they have established their core and paid them all. While certain players had to leave town, new and younger players have come in to fill those holes, just waiting for their opportunity to break out. Trust me, there is a chance when talking about the Lightning.
While the core has already broken out and established themselves, there are a lot of candidates in between who are looking to also contribute and help this team get back to the Stanley Cup Final for the fourth time in five seasons.
Tampa Bay Lightning Fantasy Hockey Breakouts for 2023-24
Logan Brown
Logan Brown is in a unique situation to shock people this season with the Lightning as he should be given the best chance to succeed he’s had in his career thus far. As a former 11th overall pick, his career hasn’t gone the way most expected just yet. But now that he joins the Lightning after two seasons with the St. Louis Blues playing only 69 games, he’s set for his first full season. 25 is definitely not too old to break out, especially with the talent and scoring ability he’s shown in the American Hockey League over the past number of years.
Brown might start out anywhere from the second to fourth line this season as Tanner Jeannot is no lock for the top six. With Alex Killorn gone, there is an open spot on the wing beside Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel. If Brown can find some time beside them, he’s sure to produce at a higher pace than he has in the NHL yet. Even on the third line, don’t underestimate his potential production. The Lightning have a strong third line who can put up points. He could find himself as a decent streamer option at times this season in the right situation.
Jonas Johansson
Typically backups don’t have a ton of value in fantasy hockey, especially not on teams that have elite starting goaltenders. But as I mentioned fatigue from the Lightning, it would be wise of them to put a little trust into their backup. For the last number of years, they haven’t necessarily been able to do that because the team has rostered veterans at the end of their careers. This time around, Jonas Johansson should serve as the backup and provide some hope.
The Lightning aren’t paying him a lot and there’s not a lot expected of him. But the team is strong and should be able to provide solid play in front of him, helping out his numbers. Last season he played three games for the Colorado Avalanche and despite a very small sample size, recorded a 2.10 goals against average and .932 save percentage. I’m not telling you to draft him in your fantasy hockey league, but I am giving you notice to keep an eye on him. He is set to start the most games in his career and could surprise.
Tanner Jeannot
Most are aware of how much the Lighting paid for Jeannot at last season’s trade deadline. He got off to a very slow start to the season in Nashville and did no better on the Lightning. He only scored one goal and four points in 20 games with the Lightning last season and then was scratched for three playoff games, recording no points.
It was night and day for Jeannot from his rookie season to his second season in the NHL. The Lightning gave him a chance and didn’t waste the assets they used to acquire him by locking him up for two years. While his shooting percentage was very high for his rookie season and his trial run in 2020-21, it was far too low last season. It should at least return to the mean (13.8 career average) and if he sticks in the top-six alongside some talented offensive players, he could return to being a 20-goal scorer without question. With Jeannot, he came into the league very hot. This would be seen as more of a bounce-back than a breakout. But anything higher than 41 points is definitely possible and he would get into breakout territory.
Related: 2023 Fantasy Hockey Breakout Candidates: Detroit Red Wings
The Lightning are an interesting team because all of their core players are must-owns in fantasy hockey. But their supporting cast and depth players will also benefit from playing on a strong team and with strong players. This gives them value in fantasy hockey and worth a look.
Make sure to check out all of the sleepers and breakouts of the 2023 fantasy hockey season!