POST #91 ERA BEGINS FOR BOLTS. Yes, my devoted readers, it's 95 degrees in Tampa and hockey season has commenced. The Lightning begin their first season since the 2008-09 campaign without F Steven Stamkos in a Tampa Bay sweater. After 1082 games and 555 goals along with 582 assists, the future Hall of Famer, who was an integral part of the hoisting of back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, has moved on to Nashville to play for the Predators.

Some fans are lamenting the loss of 34 year old native of Markham in the Canadian province of Ontario and I truly understand their rationale. How does the Lightning replace 1137 regular season points plus 50 goals to go along with 51 assists in 128 playoff games is the question that will start to be be answered when the puck drops for real October 11th against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh.

With all that being said, this is not the first rodeo for the Lightning front office and you have to give the Bolts administration credit for negotiating these scenarios when star players are involved. In the past, Tampa Bay had to see inaugural Lightning Hall of Fame inductees Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis depart after 14 and 13 year careers respectively for the Bolts and, to be perfectly honest, the Blue & Black powers that be made the right choice.

There comes a point where, no matter how much a player may be a fan favorite, that the organization and the player must weigh their options. We all know that Father Time is undefeated but what we don't know is when that comes to fruition because it's different for every players and, in Tampa Bay, we had a really good example of that in Tom Brady leading the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl at an astounding 43 years of age.

It will take at least a full season or two to see if this was the right decision by the Lightning to let their captain move on. It will be determined by what kind of numbers Stamkos can post in Nashville and can Tampa Bay find a player, or maybe two, who will step up and fill that goal scoring void that will exist especially from the left wing on the power play.

So, let's sit back and buckle up for the ride. To say this season will be an interesting campaign would be an understatement and Amped Up Sports will be there to bring you all the action on the ice at Amalie Arena. Book it Dano!