Young Lightning Defenseman Is A Candidate For A Breakout Season

   

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg could be a candidate for a breakout season in 2025-26 for several reasons.

Lilleberg to have Player Safety hearing for actions in Lightning game |  NHL.com

The 2024-25 season was Lilleberg's real first season in the NHL, skating in 76 games, scoring a goal and 19 points, while averaging 15:17 of ice time. He played exclusively on the third pairing, skating in 686 minutes with Nick Perbix and 258 minutes with Darren Raddysh, according to MoneyPuck.com.

Although Lilleberg projects to play on the third pairing again, behind fellow left-handed defenseman Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh, there could be opportunities for the 24-year-old to fight for an increased role and more ice time.

Fortunately for the Lightning, Hedman and McDonagh were extremely healthy, participating in 79 and 82 games. They were phenomenal, showing little signs of aging. Because of Hedman and McDonagh's dominance, earning extra ice time at 5-on-5 might be challenging if the pair remains healthy, but he could earn extra time on special teams with Perbix's departure to the Nashville Predators.

Lilleberg plays with a physical edge, and listed at 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, he's more than capable of holding his own in front of Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Tampa Bay net. If Lilleberg can continue to improve on the penalty kill, it could allow Hedman additional time to rest and lower his minutes as the season moves along.

 

With great size and excellent skating, Lilleberg should continue to improve and gain the trust of coach Jon Cooper, positioning himself to build on a stellar season and emerge as a breakout candidate.

Lightning sign veteran Scott Sabourin to one-year, two way contract

On Sunday the Lightning announced forward Scott Sabourin was signed to a one-year, two-way contract.

Sabourin, 32, brought a dependable presence to the San Jose Barracuda lineup last season, skating in 68 games while serving as an alternate captain. The veteran chipped in offensively with 10 goals and 25 points, including three game-winners, while racking up 111 penalty minutes, a testament to his physical style.

Over the course of twelve AHL seasons, Sabourin has played 532 career games with eight different teams, including the San Jose Barracuda, Belleville Senators, Toronto Marlies, Stockton Heat, San Diego Gulls, Iowa Wild, Ontario Reign, and Manchester Monarchs. Known for his physicality and veteran presence, the 6-foot-4 winger has 88 goals and 181 points to go along with a hefty 1,223 penalty minutes.

Sabourin has also played in 47 career NHL games, scoring two goals and six assists for eight points and 58 penalty minutes with the San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.  He appeared in one NHL game with the Sharks last season.

Sabourin made a memorable NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators on October 2, 2019, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring his first career goal on his very first shot on net.

Sabourin originally went undrafted before signing a three-year, entry-level contract by the Los Angeles Kings on October 7, 2013.

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