Who Will Be This Year's Dominic James?

By Michael Wax

Flashback to this time last year. The Lightning had gone through another draft and July 1st free agency, and it seemed like the roster was fairly solidified heading into the 2025-26 season. However, just a few short weeks later, Tampa made an under-the-radar signing that would go on to become one of their most impactful players.

After his senior year with the University of Minnesota Duluth, Dominic James let his NHL rights expire with the Blackhawks before signing with the Lightning that September. While he didn't make the opening-night roster, his play in the rookie showcase and preseason impressed the big club enough to earn him a call-up just five games into the AHL season. By the end of the year, James put up 7 goals and 15 points in 43 games, returning to the lineup for the playoffs after a brutal leg injury and putting up 3 points in 7 games, including the lone goal in Tampa's Game 7 loss.

Who could take that out-of-nowhere role this season for a Lightning team looking for a spark?

Ethan Gauthier

A former 2nd-round pick of the Lightning, Gauthier had a solid, if unspectacular, first season in pro hockey; he was consistently in and out of the lineup with injuries, limiting him to 56 games. Still, Gauthier showed great two-way promise in the AHL, and a good preseason could land him with the Lightning early in the year.

Jack Pridham

The Lightning clearly see something in Jack Pridham, as they traded a 3rd rounder this season for his rights. A linemate this past season with Sam O’Reilly, Pridham had 46 goals and 90 points in a giant year-two leap, winning the Memorial Cup in the process. Pridham will be heading to the defending NCAA champion University of Denver Pioneers, and could be the shot in the arm the Lightning need when his season is over.

Jayson Shaugabay

If we want to go back to the University of Minnesota Duluth pipeline, here's another option. James and Shaugabay played together at UMD, and Shaugabay took a ginormous leap in his second College season, scoring 43 points in 40 games (up from 26 in his rookie season). He'll be heading back up to UMD for his junior year, so an immediate impact seems unlikely, but as a shot in the arm, James might be the perfect candidate after his college season ends. With familiarity with the organization, Someone he already has instant chemistry with, and a team that will be fighting for their playoff lives, this could be the guy that the Lightning could use come March.

J.J. Wiebusch

Let’s jump into the college free agent pool, just like the Lightning did with James last year. Enter J.J. Wiebusch, who has been dominant over two seasons at Penn State University (79 points). Wiebusch transferred to the University of Wisconsin and is set to take on a bigger role this upcoming season. An energy-filled forward, Wiebusch could take the James route of signing, beginning the year in the AHL, and then getting his opportunity early on.

The honest answer is the guy who’s the next breakout star might not be listed. That’s the whole idea behind a “breakout”.

The star players are what draw people into hockey fandom. But what keeps them there are guys like James, someone who, through hard work and dedication, forces teams to make tough decisions and ultimately rewards them with their play. That said, the four players highlighted could be next in showcasing their talents.