GM: Bryan Camara
Coach: Barry Trotz
Last season: 14th overall. In playoffs, lost to Paris
Ins and Outs
(Season 14 to Season 15)
In: Steven Stamkos (free agent), Maxim Moreau (free agent), Danny Dekeyser (waivers), Patrick Wiercioch (waivers), Haydn Fleury (waivers)
Out: Anthony Mantha (free agent), Sami Vatanen (free agent), Cody Cecil (free agent), Radek Faksa (free agent), Mikhail Pashnin (free agent), Sven Baertschi (free agent),
Potential Lineup
Max Domi/John Tavares/Steven Stamkos
Jonathan Drouin/Mat Barzal/Dmitrij Jaskin
Brock McGinn/Trevor Zegras/Tobias Rieder
Max Jones/Joe Veleno/Emil Bemstrom
Brandon Montour/John Marino
Cam Fowler/Maxim Noreau
Patrick Wiercioch/Danny Dekeyser
Juuse Saros/Jordan Binnington
Three Questions
1. Was that down year a source of concern? When you drop 8 places in the standings, it’s never a great thing. But look closer at Lisbon’s team and you will see why General Manager Bryan Camara’s finger isn’t near the panic button. Why it’s always in one of his nostrils is another question for another time. But Camara has stocked his team with young forwards who are just approaching their prime. They had just one forward over 30 in the lineup last season. Two of those under-30s turned 30 over the off season, but 11 of Lisbon’ has ‘s 12 forwards from last season have PO ratings of 80 or greater. That means they should be better, not worse, this season. Most Portuguese fans are excited to see what kind of player Trevor Zegras will become. Don’t expect him to be the next John Tavares, but in a few seasons, his name will start getting all-star votes. Prospect Logan Cooley is another slick forward the fans have high hopes for, but he will be part of a distant wave heading toward the Portuguese coast.
2. How does the defense look? When the off season began, only Brandon Montour and John Marino were under contract, meaning GM Bryan Camara was shining up his negotiating-with-free agents shoes. There were four holes to fill back there (and one up front) with a little less than $20 million in cap space. He convinced Cam Fowler to return and then added solid Maxim Noreau and vets Danny Dekeyser and Patrick Wiercioch. They’re going to be good on defense this season, don’t you worry, although they might be a little thin in the strength department. Goalies Juuse Saros and Jordan Binnington are solid, reliable guys who were the main reason Lisbon was 7th-best in defense last season. Which goalie gets the most games is anyone’s guess.
3. How did they flop a bit last season? If you look at the team stats and the goalie stats, it’s really a mystery as to why Lisbon placed just 14th overall and 7th in the Southern Conference. They probably should have been closer to their Spanish neighbors in Madrid. The truth is Lisbon had more trouble on home ice than they should have. They were the only playoff team that lost more games (OT games included) than they won on home ice. Why? Maybe the coach needs to do a better job of matching lines with that last change option he has at home. Maybe the fans need to spend more time cheering and less time munching on deep-fried squid and other concessions at the arena. Maybe the players got nervous in front of the home fans. Whatever the reason, if the coach can solve that problem, Lisbon will get a better seed in the playoffs.
Rose’s Focus
“The Portuguese word for thrilled to bits is emocionado em pedacos, and fans of Lisbon H.C. are emocionado em pedacos this season thanks to the fact General Manager Bryan Camara was able to sign free agent Steven Stamkos to a long-term deal to virtually assure he will retire with the franchise he started with. He will once again play alongside John Tavares to continue one of the league’s most legendary tales. Tavares is the EURO’s all-time leading scorer and Stamkos, who once held that title, is third. How happy are the fans? Camara has been showered with gifts since the signing. Thalia Silvina of Pontinha sent Camara her family’s recipe for Francesinha. Longtime fan Cleto Anacleto of Lisbon’s Campo de Ourique district gave him the family dog, which made his 7-year-old daughter cry for hours on end. Mrs. Anacleto asked Camara if they could have the dog back, but Camara said “No deal. I didn’t become what I think is the greatest GM of all-time by turning down good trade offers. Tell your daughter to toughen up.”
