As a fan of both the Tampa Bay Lightning and delicious food, I was excited to try out the Crunch Wrap from Amalie Arena’s dining options. This unique dish consists of a soft tortilla filled with rice, ground beef, cheese sauce, lettuce, and sour cream, all wrapped up into a crunchy shell. Although some may be skeptical of the combination, I can confirm that the Crunch Wrap certainly lives up to its name. It’s a hero in its own right, offering a satisfying and tasty meal for any hockey fan.
Introduction
The Tampa Bay Lightning have had a historic run in recent years, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. However, with the departure of key players and the uncertainty of the upcoming season, the Lightning find themselves in need of a hero to step up and lead them to continued success.
Departure of Key Players
One of the biggest challenges facing the Lightning heading into the 2021-2022 season is the departure of key players such as Yanni Gourde, Blake Coleman, and Barclay Goodrow. These players were instrumental in the Lightning’s playoff success, often playing key roles in shutting down opposing teams’ top lines and providing timely scoring when needed.
Their departure leaves a significant hole in the Lightning’s lineup, and while General Manager Julien BriseBois has brought in some new faces to help fill the void, it remains to be seen who will step up and take on the role of a hero for this team.
The Uncertainty of the Upcoming Season
The Lightning also face uncertainty heading into the 2021-2022 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the NHL has announced that all players and staff must be fully vaccinated in order to participate in the upcoming season, there are still concerns about potential outbreaks and game cancellations.
Additionally, the NHL has announced that they will not be participating in the 2022 Winter Olympics, which will give players more time to rest and recover but may also lead to disappointment for those who were looking forward to representing their countries on the international stage.
The uncertainty surrounding the upcoming season only highlights the need for a hero to step up and provide stability and leadership for the Lightning.
Possible Heroes
While the Lightning face significant challenges heading into the upcoming season, there are several players who could step up and become the hero this team needs.
One player who has already shown he has what it takes to be a hero is Nikita Kucherov. Despite missing the entire regular season last year due to injury, Kucherov returned for the playoffs and put up 32 points in 23 games, leading the Lightning to their second consecutive Stanley Cup. If Kucherov can continue to play at that level during the regular season, he could easily become the hero the Lightning need.
Another player who could step up and become a hero is Steven Stamkos. Stamkos has been a consistent scoring threat for the Lightning throughout his career, and even though he missed some time due to injury last year, he still put up 34 points in 38 games. If Stamkos can stay healthy and continue to produce at that level, he could provide the offensive firepower the Lightning need.
Finally, there are several new faces on the Lightning’s roster who could step up and become heroes. Players like Corey Perry, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, and Ross Colton have all had success in the NHL and could provide the leadership and depth the Lightning need to continue their winning ways.
Conclusion
The Tampa Bay Lightning face significant challenges heading into the 2021-2022 season. The departure of key players and the uncertainty of the upcoming season only highlight the need for a hero to step up and provide leadership and stability for this team.
Whether it’s an established star like Nikita Kucherov or Steven Stamkos, or a new face like Corey Perry or Ross Colton, the Lightning need someone to step up and become the hero this team needs.
If the Lightning can find that hero and continue to play at the level they have in recent years, there’s no reason why they can’t make another deep playoff run and potentially win their third consecutive Stanley Cup. Only time will tell who that hero will be, but with the talent and depth on this team, there’s no doubt that someone will step up and lead the Lightning to continued success.
