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Lightning backup goaltender Jonas Johansson waits in net during training camp Thursday at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.
After a season in which starter Andrei Vasilevskiy said he felt physically worn down, Tampa Bay chooses to go with a younger, cheaper backup.
Through the first four days of training camp, Tampa Bay’s netminder has mostly been absent from the ice.
Both sides want the team’s captain to be a Bolt for life, but there are significant hurdles in the way.
Most of the team’s players have been practicing together for the past month. It was noticeable on the ice Thursday.

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  1. Lightning backup goaltender Jonas Johansson waits in net during training camp Thursday at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.
  2. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stretches while on the ice on the first day of the training camp Thursday at the TGH Ice Plex.
  3. Lightning center Steven Stamkos skates during the first day of training camp Thursday at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.
  4. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper watches his team on the ice during its first practice of training camp Thursday at TGH IcePlex in Brandon. Defenseman Victor Hedman can be seen in the background.
  5. Lightning forward Lucas Edmonds wears a red jersey to signify no contact while on the ice during the first day of the training camp Thursday at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.
  6. Lightning forward Steven Stamkos talks with reporters on media day as Lightning players report for training camp Wednesday at Amalie Arena.
  7. Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy talks with reporters on media day.
  8. Can late-season acquisition Tanner Jeannot potentially fill a top-six forward spot for the Lightning?
  9. Outkast, featuring Andre 300, left, and Big Boi, right, perform at the 2014 Big Guava Music Festival in Tampa. Big Boi will have a free show on Oct. 10 as part of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s pregame party.
  10. Lightning prospect Waltteri Merela, front, participates in the Lightning Development Camp in July at TGH IcePlex in Brandon.
  11. Tyler Motte, left, playing for the New York Rangers, battles then-Lightning center Riley Nash, right, during Game 6 of the 2022 Eastern Conference final at Amalie Arena.
  12. Brandon Hagel and the Lightning's season opener against the Predators Oct. 10 at Amalie Arena will be part of ESPN's opening-night tripleheader. It will be the first of 11 national broadcasts for Tampa Bay this season.
  13. Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh is pictured on the ice during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in March at Amalie Arena.
  14. Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel moves the puck down the ice during a game against the Montreal Canadiens in March at Amalie Arena. He is coming off a career-high 30-goal, 64-point season.
  15. Lightning defenseman prospect Jack Thompson, who participated in last year's preseason rookie camp, will likely headline this year's showcase at Hertz Arena in Estero.
  16. Center Brayden Point (21) and the Lightning will open the 2023-24 regular season Oct. 10 against the Nashville Predators at Amalie Arena.
  17. The pressure's on Tanner Jeannot, who will need to help the Lightning replace Alex Killorn’s offensive output and become more of an enforcer with Pat Maroon gone.
  18. Sorting Tanner Jeannot's contract was the last piece in the Lightning's offseason roster moves during free agency.
  19. Lightning prospect Gage Goncalves works on a drill with player development director JP Cote during last week's development camp at TGH IcePlex in Brandon.
  20. Lightning prospect Jack Thompson participates in development camp at the TGH Ice Plex earlier this month.
  21. In looking at this year’s team, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois wanted to get better defensively while adding speed. He also knew he’d have very little cap space to fill a lot of holes, particularly at forward.
  22. Goaltender Ludvig Perrson (31) protects the crease as Gage Goncalves (93) drives the net while participating in the Lightning's development camp Wednesday at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.
  23. Lightning prospects Ethan Gauthier left, and Isaac Howard, right, participate in the Lightning's development camp Monday at TGH IcePlex in Brandon.
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