Yeah, I don't think many are surprised by Tampa. 8-1-1 to finish the season to finish 1 point out of the playoffs. That young surging team didn't lose anyone of consequence in free agency itself.
The oldest players on the roster to end the season, outside of backup goalie Budaj, were 32 year old Coburn and Callahan with Stralman at 31. The only other player over 30, Garrison, was taken by Vegas after they sweetened the deal to get rid of him. Behind those guys, the next oldest players were 27 years old. Literally, with exception of 31 Stalman, the entirety of the core is 27 or younger and entering their prime with most of their best players last season younger (Kucherov, Hedman)
So bringing in vets in the off-season like Kunitz and Girardi made sense, even if they were past their prime. Overall it's hard to argue they didn't improve in free-agency just because no one important was lost.
Trade wise, Drouin for Sergachev was the only one that mattered. It's up for debate long-term, but short term Drouin was a contributing player and Sergachev is 19. So they do take a hit for the time-being in this trade.
But none of that really matters to the most important player they received this year. Stamkos. Last year Tampa had a great start to the season 10-6-1 with Stamkos in the lineup before losing the first overall, former Rocket Richard Trophy and at the time well over a point-per-game Stamkos. Any team that loses a player like that is going to struggle. As long as Vasilevskiy could repeat and prove to be a number 1, I don't think anyone would be surprised to see Tampa at the top of the standings.
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