Despite a hectic offseason with plenty of moving parts, the Tampa Bay Lightning have succeeded with a rejuvenated core in the 2024-25 season. Some of the same faces continue to play at an elite level, while others have bounced back to form. There’s also a group of players that have broken out and reached new heights. All in all, the Lightning are pretty much a lock for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but who’s been their most valuable player this season?
This article will break down the Lightning’s most valuable players in 2024-25, and decide which one made the biggest contribution to their success.
Nikita Kucherov
Registering the fifth 100-point season of his career on Tuesday night in a 6-1 onslaught against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nikita Kucherov continues to prove why he’s one of the most impactful offensive players in the NHL. His 31 goals and 101 points in 67 games ranked tied for second in the league with Leon Draisaitl. The 2023-24 Art Ross Trophy winner remains the primary source of Tampa Bay’s offense.
The Lightning have outscored their opponents 68-44 when Kucherov is on the ice this season at five-on-five. Furthermore, he ranks third amongst Lightning skaters in on-ice expected goal share (xGF%) at five-on-five per Natural Stat Trick. However, what’s been most impressive about Kucherov this season is his defensive improvement. He has a positive even-strength defensive win above replacement (WAR) grade per Evolving Hockey for the first time in 2019-20. One may argue that’s due to him spending significantly more time on a line with Anthony Cirelli this season, which explains his improved underlying public metrics.
Kucherov has also found great value in his ability to draw penalties. He’s drawn a team-leading 22 penalties at five-on-five this season. Overall, he is a much more well-rounded player than we’ve seen in the past, all while reaching the 100-point plateau again.
Andrei Vasilevskiy
After returning to the Lightning mid-season following offseason surgery last season, Andrei Vasilevskiy was a shell of his former self. Undoubtedly the worst and most uncharacteristic season of his career, the Bolts needed their backstop to return to peak form for a successful season, and he’s exceeded all expectations. Both his goals-against average (GAA) and save percentage (SV%) rank in the top three in all situations.
Moving to some more advanced metrics, Vasilevskiy ranks eighth in goals saved above expected (GSAx) per Evolving Hockey’s model. The Lightning system has done a nice job limiting high-danger shot attempts he faces, but when they do surrender one, Vasilevskiy is up for the task. Amongst goalies with over 1,000 five-on-five minutes this season, Vasilevskiy ranks first with a .871 high-danger save percentage (HDSV%).
What more could you ask for from your starting goaltender? From an injury-riddled season to a Vezina contender the following season is an incredible success story for Vasilevskiy. He’s completely turned the corner after his sluggish 2023-24 campaign and will look to provide a critical impact in a playoff run for the Lightning this spring.
Brandon Hagel
Following a breakout campaign in 2023-24 with the Lightning, Brandon Hagel topped a career total no one thought he’d replicate again this season. He ranks tied for 11th in NHL scoring with Sidney Crosby (79 points in 71 games) and ahead of superstar wingers like Artemi Panarin and Sam Reinhart. He remains a key contributor at both ends of the ice for the Lightning, matching up against the opponent’s top forward lines and even killing penalties.
His 58.61 expected goals for percentage (xGF%) at five-on-five ranks 15th in the entire NHL this season, while his five-on-five goals rank third. Hagel has been an elite player across all 200 feet of ice for the past two seasons, and he needs more recognition as one of the best wingers in hockey. Hagel doesn’t have a weakness in his game and consistently shows up as one of the Lightning’s top contributors each night.
With Hagel entering his prime and locked in on a steal of a contract, he will ultimately become one of the league’s most valuable players in the years to come. He’s been a vital secondary wave of scoring behind guys like Kucherov and Brayden Point, which gives him an excellent case for the Lightning’s most valuable player this season.
Closing Thoughts: Who’s MVP for Tampa Bay?
The Lightning have had some incredible individual and team accomplishments this season, and everyone has positively impacted the team’s overall success. When deeming the Lightning’s most valuable player, Kucherov isn’t leading the team in points by a large margin like last season. Hagel has a respectable 79 points, roughly 20 behind Kucherov. The Lightning don’t need Kucherov on the ice to account for half their goals like last season.
I believe the better pick is Vasilevskiy, who’s rebounded to form after a rough showing last season. Having the league’s best goaltender in high-danger situations is irreplaceable and much more difficult to find than goal-scoring. No matter what’s been thrown at Vasilevskiy this season, he’s been a brick wall and is prepared to go on a revenge tour with the Bolts in the playoffs.
