MAJOR: Lightning Announce Their Starting Goalie
Today the Tampa Bay Lightning finally put all of the speculation to rest about their starting goaltender for 2023-24. The team has announced who their starter will be to begin the year.
Vasilevskiy Injury Creates Uncertainty
When the major back injury to Andrei Vasilevskiy was announced mass panic swept over the NHL and Tampa Bay Lightning fans. The announcement was unexpected and far more severe than fans and media had thought.
I'm told @TBLightning G Vasilevskiy 88 underwent successful back surgery, he's expected to make a complete recovery in 8-10 week timeframe. #HockeyTwitter
With Vasilevskiy on the shelf for 2-3 months the Lightning were suddenly left with a massive hole in their roster.
Fans and media immediately started to look to other teams for potential trade or waiver options. In the meantime, a goalie already on the roster was proving himself to the organization that he deserved the opportunity to start.
Johansson Named Lightning Starting Goalie
Today it was announced that Jonas Johansson is expected to be the starter on opening night for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Once Vasilevskiy went down Johansson seemed to step up his game in the preseason.
Johansson has the most experience of the in-house options for the Lightning with 35 games played. He has struggled with consistency in the NHL but is still just 28 years old. Now Johansson will be handed the keys to the Lightning dynasty that has Stanley Cup expectations every season.
While Johansson has been named the starter it would not be surprising to see the Lightning add a goalie with a bit more experience to compliment Johansson. One thing is certain the Lightning see Johansson as their guy to get them through the storm until Vasilevskiy can return.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 9 | 65 ANSWERS MAJOR: Lightning Announce Their Starting Goalie Will Jonas Johansson keep his starting job until Andrei Vasilevskiy returns? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 53.8 % |
| No | 30 | 46.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
