The Tampa Bay Lightning only need to look to Eastern Conference rivals Florida, New Jersey and Ottawa for inspiration. These three teams missed out of the playoffs in 2010-2011, only to make the jump into the playoffs this year.
It just takes a few moves to transform a team into a contender. Tampa Bay General Manager Steve Yzerman is not content with just contending next year, but building a franchise that had no previous organizational depth into a perennial Stanley Cup contender.
TampaBayLightning.com counts down the top 10 signs that the Lightning are primed for success in 2012-2013. Follow along as TampaBayLightning.com outlines positive signs from the 2011-12 season that provide good reason for optimism heading into the next season.
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NUMBER 10: World ChampionshipsThe 2012 World Championships tournament runs May 4-20 and provides Bolts with an opportunity to hone their skills during the season hiatus.
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NUMBER 9: 20-Goal ScorersLightning 20-goal scorers, Stamkos (60), Purcell (24), Malone (20), St. Louis (25), and Lecavalier (22) should prime Bolts for successful run next season.
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NUMBER 8: JT BrownSigning of Bolts forward JT Brown serves as a positive indicator of organization's ability to attract young talent.
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NUMBER 7: GARON'S PLAY DOWN THE STRETCHLightning can build off Mathieu Garon’s strong play down the stretch, but still seek improvement in goal.
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NUMBER 6: PLAYMAKING PURCELLThe play of Teddy Purcell, who helped fuel a late playoff push with a team-best 11-game scoring streak, is a reason why the Bolts are optimistic.
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NUMBER 5: NO QUIT IN BOUCHERThe Lightning went 21-13-4 in its final 38 games, and much of that can be attributed to head coach Guy Boucher's relentless style of coaching, which has been adopted by the team.
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NUMBER 4: STAMKOS ROUNDING OUTWhile his remarkable 60-goals stole headlines this season, Stamkos' ability to improve in other aspects of the game shows his development as a two-way player.
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NUMBER 3: ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTHContinuous build of organizational depth signals bright future ahead for Bolts.
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NUMBER 2: YOUNG DEFENSIVE CORERecent trades helped the Lightning's blue line get better while also getting younger.
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NUMBER 1: PROVEN PROSPECTSLightning injuries this past season yielded opportunity for young prospects to prove themselves
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