Remember that dynamic, high-scoring, rising power of a Tampa Bay Lightning team that made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last spring?
They are a mess. An ice-cold mess.
If the play-offs started today, the Lightning would be out of the mix, packing up their skates and going home to shovel snow off their driveways.
Through 40 games, they were 11th in the Eastern Conference, unable to mount anything bigger than a three-game winning streak.
That dangerous, quick-skating team that led the league in goals last season now ranks 23rd, on pace to score 50 fewer times.
Worse, they have not been able to get Steven Stamkos’ signature on a new contract. If they cannot convince him to stay in Tampa, their captain and best man will be a free agent next summer and the subject, no doubt, of one of the most frantic, significant player pursuits in the history of the league.
As a superstar playing in the hockey outback of Florida, the 25-year-old centre may not get the fanfare he deserves.
But considering that Stamkos has been outscored by only one player (a guy you may have heard of, Alex Ovechkin, by 279 to 273) since 2009, rest assured that he will have multiple suitors in a league of ever-diminishing finishers.
Sadly, it may make more sense for the Lightning to admit they cannot ante up the necessary mega-millions to make Stamkos happy, and trade him before the February 29 deadline.
The longer the team wallows below the play-off line, and the closer the deadline looms, the more pressure there will be to trade him for a truckload of young talent and hope for a successful rebuild.
What passes for good news in Tampa these days is Stamkos being vague about something many suspect, that contract negotiations are hopelessly stalled.
“The lines of communication are always open,” Stamkos told the Tampa Bay Times, which is a lot friendlier than what the team heard last week from their once-upon-a-time next big thing, Jonathan Drouin.
Upon being sent down to Syracuse of the American Hockey League, the 20-year-old left wing asked to be traded. Just what the team needed, more off-ice drama.
Drouin was the No 3 overall pick in the 2013 draft. He has been nicked up with minor injuries, and has under-performed when he has played.
He got an honest chance in 2014-15, but scored just four goals and a modest 28 assists in 70 games.
This season, he earned a spot on the top line with Stamkos in training camp, but got hurt again, and scored just two goals in 19 games before the demotion.
Meanwhile, the top two picks of the 2013 draft, Nathan MacKinnon of Colorado and Aleksander Barkov of Florida already are established contributors.
Others drafted behind Drouin, like Seth Jones of Nashville and Max Domi of Arizona, are hugely out-pacing the Lightning prospect, as well.
Management has not reacted to Drouin’s cry-baby act, yet, simply noting, by way of coach Jon Cooper in the Tampa Tribune, that Drouin’s time in Syracuse is “to get Jonathan back on top of his game. We think he can make us a better hockey team.”
Goalie Ben Bishop, at least, is doing his part, putting up career best goals against (2.06 average) and save percentage (92.4) numbers.
But scorers like Tyler Johnson, Ryan Callahan and Ondrej Palat, who had 69 goals among them a year ago, have totalled 11 at the halfway point this season.
As for repeating their Stanley Cup run, it seems doubtful that Lightning will strike twice.
Players of the Week
Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers – Life is good at 36 for the goalie, who gave up only three goals in a 3-0 week and extended his win streak to nine.
Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins – The 28-year-old defenceman had a productive week, with a goal and five assists in three games.
Brayden Schenn, Philadelphia Flyers – The second-line winger notched two goals and four assists in three games.
Teams of the Week
Florida Panthers – The Atlantic Division leaders gave up just four goals in a 4-0 week and stretched their win streak to 11.
Chicago Blackhawks – Outscored their opponents, 9-3, in a 3-0 week and extended their winning streak to five games.
Detroit Red Wings – The Wings started the new year with three victories, all by one goal, all on the road.
Duds of the Week
Buffalo Sabres – The free-falling Sabres gave up nine goals in two losses, and saw their losing streak reach five games.
Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks – The winger from Sweden, with three goals this year, went pointless in three games, extending his drought to 10.
Tukkaa Rask, Boston Bruins – The erratic Finn had a bad week, giving up eight goals on 59 shots while losing to Montreal and Washington.
Games of the Week
Washington Capitals at New York Rangers, tomorrow – The tough-at-home Rangers hope to slow down Metropolitan Division leading Caps.
St Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings, tomorrow – The Kings don’t mind overtime, going 8-2 when tied after regulation.
Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, Thursday – A bit of Original Six nostalgia for two teams that rarely meet anymore.
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