Change is Inevitable for Tampa Bay This Summer

Decisions, decisions.

For general manager Steve Yzerman and the Tampa Bay Lightning, this summer carries that theme. With no less than 12 expiring contracts set to come off the books, conventional wisdom dictates that this team, which enjoyed so much success in year one under Yzerman and head coach Guy Boucher, could very well look significantly different next season.

That isn?t to say that bringing back a majority of those whose contracts are up is impossible but Yzerman will have to employ a little creative thinking to do so, hope that key free agents aren?t wooed by big-time dollars elsewhere and sell once again what so many bought into this past season ? that the group is more important than the individual. That Tampa Bay?s lengthy playoff run that fell a single win short of the Stanley Cup Final is still so fresh in the minds of all involved will only aid the overall cause.

But with so many variables in play, the most likely outcome remains a lineup for the Bolts in 2011-12 that is pointedly altered, as compared to its immediate predecessor. A little number-crunching almost assures as much, if only in thinking that each new contract affects another.

Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bose/comments/change_is_inevitable_for_tampa_bay_this_summer/

Bruno Gervais Dustin Kohn Andrew McDonald Matt Martin Frans Nielsen Dwayne Roloson