Dyn-o-mite - Washington Capitals, and other hockey teams in the Southeast Division

Hockey Digest, Nov, 2001 by Barry Wilner

Between the pipes: There is much hope in Sunrise with Roberto Luongo in the crease. Considered the best young goalie in North America only two years ago, Luongo was Waded by the Islanders to the Panthers, where he will mature into a star. That is, if he doesn't get worn out from all the rubber flying at him. Luongo had a sterling .920 save percentage, five shutouts, and a 2.50 goals-against last season. Trevor Kidd is a capable and experienced backup.

Behind the bench: Duane Sutter, a Torrey favorite from the Islanders days, returns as coach. "I think he's a really smart coach," Pavel Bure says. "He uses the strong side of each player and he's a great motivator." On this team, you can't get a better endorsement.

Bottom line: The Panthers should get closer to .500 and will have one of the NHL's most exciting lines. The Bure-Kozlov-Bure unit could start for the Russian national team.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning

2000-2001 Record:   W     L     T     OTL    GF     GA     Pts.
                    24    47    6      5     201    280     59

THE LEAGUE'S WORST ROAD TEAM (a pathetic 7-28-3-3), Tampa is too young for its fans to expect big progress this season. But in recent years, the Lightning have found some gold nuggets in Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Pavel Kubina, and Martin St. Louis. They need to keep mining those prospects and remain patient.

This is not the toughest division to move up in, but it takes more lime than Tampa has been ready to give, until recently. "We're a long way from being a perfect team, but a lot closer to being a good team," GM Rick Dudley says.

On the attack: The firepower--such as it is--figures to come from kids Lecavalier, Richards, and Ryan Johnson, and veterans Fredfik Modin and Vaclav Prospal. There is much hope that 6'7", 260-pound winger Kyle Freadrich is ready for regular duty soon.

Lecavalier and Richards are cornerstone players. Dudley recognizes that and, thanks to a slew of draft-day deals, loaded up to find them help. Signing them to long-term deals would mean peace of mind as the Lightning's other kids mature. Bryan Holzinger was resigned to provide veteran savvy.

Under fire: If you've hardly heard of any of Tampa's defenders, that's not unusual. They tend to make highlight reels only when the opposition is scoring a whole lot. Czech native Kubina is the best. Of course, there isn't much else on the blue line, and the Lightning allowed 280 goals, 79 more than they scored.

Between the pipes: Here's where things are immediately promising. Two-time All-Star Nikolai Khabibulin was acquired from Phoenix late last season and, having shaken off the rust, should be a huge improvement in the net. His backup is Kevin Weekes, who can be spectacular but also can be a sieve. "We've been able to ensure that we have goaltending second to none in the National Hockey League," Dudley claims. We'll see.

Behind the bench: Few outside the NHL knew of John Tortorella before he replaced Steve Ludzik as coach last season. He is a good teacher who should be the right choice for such a youthful team.