Tampa Bay Lightning fantasy projections for 2023-24

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff has projections for relevant players on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Players are listed in order of fantasy rank for this season.

Nikita Kucherov, RW

Reason for optimism: Kucherov is coming off his third career 100-point season and ranks second in the NHL in points per game (1.27) since 2015-16 behind Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (1.49). Kucherov was tied for third in the NHL in points (113) last season, ranked second in assists (83) behind McDavid (89) and fourth in power-play points (50).

NHL.com point projection: 117

Andrei Vasilevskiy, G

Reason for optimism: Vasilevskiy ranked sixth in the NHL in wins (34) last season, was tied for fifth in shutouts (four) and has now had at least a .915 save percentage in each of his seven seasons of at least 40 games. Vasilevskiy (back surgery) is expected to be out for 10 weeks but remains a top 15 fantasy goalie option for this season.

NHL.com win projection: 27

Brayden Point, C

Reason for optimism: Point ranked fifth in the NHL in goals (51) and was tied for third in power-play goals (20). Point was second on the Lightning in points (NHL career-high 95) behind his frequent linemate Kucherov and also had his best shots on goal total (235).

NHL.com point projection: 98

Steven Stamkos, C

Reason for optimism: Stamkos was better than a point-per-game player last season (84 in 81 games) and ranks tied for 13th among active NHL players in career points per game (1.05). Stamkos has had eight seasons with more than 30 goals (34 last season) and six seasons with more than 30 power-play points (second on Lightning with 35 last season).

NHL.com point projection: 87

Victor Hedman, D

Reason for optimism: Hedman has one of the highest floors among fantasy defensemen considering he has had eight straight seasons of at least 45 points (49 last season). Hedman leads NHL defensemen in assists (366) and power-play points (193) since 2015-16 and ranks fourth in goals (104) and third in points (470) at the position over that span.

NHL.com point projection: 64

Mikhail Sergachev, D

Reason for optimism: Sergachev cut into Hedman's first power-play minutes last season and had NHL career highs in points (64) and power-play points (27) - outperforming his veteran teammate by 15 points and 13 power-play points. Sergachev, who is 25, is a potential fantasy draft bargain considering he's attainable a few rounds after Hedman, 32.

NHL.com point projection: 62

Other TBL players to consider in fantasy: Brandon Hagel, LW; Anthony Cirelli, C; Nicholas Paul, LW; Conor Sheary, LW; Nick Perbix, D