The Tampa Bay Lightning entered the 2006-07 season with high expectations. Led by their four musketeers -- Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis and Dan Boyle -- and with the addition of a new starting goaltender in Marc Denis between the pipes, the Bolts were set to keep Lord Stanley's Cup in the SouthEast Division.

Unfortunately, while Lecavalier and St. Louis tore up the league in the first three months of the season (both recorded 49 points), the Lightning only had an 18-19-2 record to show for it. It wasn't until the start of the New Year that they turned on the heat and pushed their way into the playoffs.

"Our goal at the beginning of the season was to win our division," said Lightning Assistant GM Claude Loiselle. "We came up short at the end. We started out a little slow and during January we turned it on and played really well. We missed our goals, in that sense, and everything (eventually) fell into place. We finished seventh. Had we finished third we would've been in a better situation in the playoffs."

While the season may have ended on a negative note, there were plenty of positives surrounding the Lightning this season.

For instance, Lecavalier, who led the league with 52 goals, claimed his first Maurice "Rocket" Richard Award and put many skeptics' concerns to rest after recording a career-high 108 points this season.

St. Louis, the 2003-04 MVP, returned to form after a questionable 2005-06 campaign and tallied career highs in goals (43), assists (59) and points (102).

"Marty was determined to come into camp a totally different guy," Loiselle said. "He wasn't used to being the overachiever. He's more of an underachieving type of guy. Both guys came into training camp focused and scoring goals, and at the top of their games.

"They scored key goals. When they needed one they bared down and got the job done. That's the type of guys that they are. Two character guys."

With off-season planning well underway for Tampa Bay, many questions have to be answered. Captain Brad Richards' offensive output this past season dropped 21 points from the previous year, goaltending remains an issue and the club's depth raises some eyebrows.

But, first things first.

"Brad came into training camp with a lot of pressure on himself," said Loiselle, referring to the huge five-year, $39 million contract Richards signed last May. "He's such a competitor and such a professional that he'll turn it around. With another year under his belt, coming in (to next season) he's going to be a different player.

"As an individual, I think his game is changing and he's becoming a better overall player."

In goal, Denis lost his starting job to Johan Holmqvist, who finished the season with a 27-15-3 record. Loiselle told TFP the team will give Denis every opportunity to reclaim his position, but he has to prove himself worthy.

"It's difficult to come in to a new environment for a goaltender," Loiselle explained. "You're playing in a different system and it takes time to get acclimated. To say the Denis era is over... there's no way. Marc knows he had a tough year last year and he has to come into camp (in September) and be the best he can be."

Holmqvist, meanwhile, is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and the team has already started negotiations with the Swede, who turns 29 on May 24.

"Whoever gives us the better chance of winning is going to be playing goal," Loiselle said. "We're not going to know that until the end of training camp roles around. We're still in negotiations with Holmqvist, and we really think highly of Karri Ramo, as well."

In addition to Holmqvist, the club is also talking contract with impending UFA Eric Perrin. The Lightning already inked winger Jason Ward to a new two-year, $1.35 million contract last week.

"We're in a process right now of formulating a budget," Loiselle said.

"We signed Jason Ward, who's been a great asset for us; a great acquisition at the (trade) deadline. Right now, we're trying to sign (our) guys."

Yesterday, the Lightning also came to terms with forward Andreas Karlsson on a new one-year, $500,000 contract.

"Andreas Karlsson is a very versatile player that can play center and wing," Loiselle said. "He has the offensive ability to play on our second line and is responsible enough to play on our third and fourth lines. He can kill penalties and play the powerplay. Basically, the type of player you need in a cap world."

GM Jay Feaster, Loiselle and the rest of the Lightning management and scouting staff will begin their organizational meetings closer to the draft. The club recognizes it "has holes to fill" and Loiselle said the team will address those needs when the time comes.

"We need to improve on every level," Loiselle said. "We didn't win the Stanley Cup. Wherever we can find a guy that'll improve our team, we're going to try and grab him."

Oh, and don't expect the team to deal any of its superstars... regardless of what rumors may pop up this summer. Lecavalier, Richards, St. Louis and Boyle aren't going anywhere.

"Do we plan on trading our top four? No, we don't," Loiselle confirmed.

Top 06-07 Performers | Off-Season Needs | Time to step up | Free Agents | Top Prospects

TOP 2000-07 PERFORMERS

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OFF-SEASON NEEDS

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TIME TO STEP UP

	Marc Denis If he's still around come the start of the 2007-08 season, Denis will have no choice but to be on top of his game. The Bolts may trade him this summer, but regardless of where he ends up, he'll need to forget about last season and play like a true No.1 goalkeeper.
	Vaclav Prospal Potting in 55 points isn't entirely a bad thing, but couple that with a minus-24 rating and the fact that he scored 80 points in 2005-06, Prospal's performance this past season can be classified as a disappointment. The Lightning lack overall depth and need Prospal to regain form next year.

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KEY FREE AGENTS

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TOP PROSPECTS