As much as I'd love to see SFY sign Suter, I really doubt two things: 1) He'll actually hit UFA and 2) He'd choose Tampa over teams like Detroit, St.Louis, NY Rangers and possible Philadelphia (if Pronger's career is over).
If we're talking about a top 4 defenseman, I think we have to look at names like Niklas Grossman, Brad Stuart (rumoured to want to go back to the west coast), Dennis Wideman, Barret Jackman, Willie Mitchell, Greg Zanon.
To the idea of having Garon and Helenius as our goaltenders for next year, I say hell no. SFY needs to address goaltending this off-season whether that be trading for Schneider, Bernier, Lehner/Bishop or someone else.
I wouldn't mind Jackman either. Wideman would be my first choice too - right after Suter.
I fear that Wideman won't fit into our system, but you can't ignore the offensive production he'd bring to our defence. Zanon should make a rather seamless transition given his game is based around being a defensive defensemen. Jackman would take a little longer to adjust given his aggressive nature but he also plays defence first. Both are great shot blockers too, which is always a bonus in relieving work for our goaltenders. Jackman has the size and toughness that I would covet more between the two of them, but Zanon is smarter defensively and is more of a stabilizing presence (might be what we need if paired with Aulie).
Apparently Grossman's been playing extremely well in Philly, covering for a ton of Carle's mistakes and being solid defensively in general. Philly fans are hoping he stays (based on the small sample they've seen).
I think Grossman is our guy to go after if he hits the market, however I find it more likely that Yzerman signs a project defensman/trades for one. That seems to be his style.
I don't buy Wideman. His price is going to be way too high for his worth, and the Lightning don't really need another D who is often a defensive liability. Given the money, I'd rather stick with MAB to fill that 'role'. He proved early in the season he fit the system well and wasn't even playing badly in his own zone for a change.
I wouldn't mind if they just picked up another solid defensive guy, and gave Hedman free reign to move up into the play, like he had been the last few games he was in the lineup for. It's strange, but I'm starting to think at least one of Lee/Aulie/Commodore might end up being a steal.
They just can't keep up. They bring in used band-aids to try to fix on problem when the plumbers putty starts to fail, they bring in a drain to fix the next problem, cycle continues.
Tic will be good but he needs to go before he really gets lit up due to the shoddy defense. He will be good, but not now or next year, thats for sure. He just needs experience.
Brewer played good last night, although he's completely sucked all year. He's a #3/4 guy on our team. Hedman played like Hedman last night, pre-concussion Hedman, that is.
I'd stray from Commodore and go with Aulie-Lee-Gervais next year. No sense in bringing MAB back next year when Hedman has had a greater effect on the "powerplay" than MAB due to his injuries.
Trade Malone already, he just looks like he is out there for a public skate and a Q&A with his teammates from his glory days in the Olympics, which sorry Ryan, will never happen again. He accelerates once a game, just out of it. Connolly hasnt scored since Nov. but has played better in the last month than everybody outside of the first line.
The way I see it, we have some good bottom six guys, Thompson (when he isnt scoring for the other team), Pyatt, Hall, Shannon (when he wants to be), and Wyman. Its not like you need 10-15 goal guys in the bottom six, those guys are the hustlers, the bust your butt for 5-10 mins a night and kill off that penalty. I wouldnt let any of those guys go. You dont get guys like Pyatt for nothing, which is why they extended his contract a couple months back.
We have 4 guys to fill the top 6. Imo, Lecavalier, Stamkos, MSL, and Purcell are the guys, as just about everybody would agree, but we need a good scoring winger to go with Connolly and Lecavalier.
And then, on top of that!....a true #1 dman, #3/4 dman and a goalie.
Lots of work ahead of the lightning.
Best bet would be to pick your teams for the playoffs, enjoy it, remember the lightning logo from 2010-2011 and erase this season from your memory banks and look forward to the draft because right now, after writing this #1 novel, I can't even look forward to the next game.
Commie isn't the fastest skater, but it's like night and day watching those two together. Hedman's all insecure about the goalie, trying to cover for him, and Commie gives 0 ****s about positions he doesn't play.
That's sort of what bothers me about Hedman-Brewer playing together so much, as they both seem to play off of how confident they are in the goalie, and their insecurity helps infect everybody.
I'm liking Commodore, but for interesting reasons. Before signing with the Wings, the last few years he was playing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in front of Steve Mason. Think about that for a minute.
He's seen unspeakable horrors in goal long before he was traded to Tampa Bay.
As for MAB, he's already signed for next year. He's actually the only defenseman outside of Brewer, Hedman, and Ohlund who has a contract in place for next year.
Last edited by Felonious Python: 03-20-2012 at 09:40 AM.
Commie isn't the fastest skater, but it's like night and day watching those two together. Hedman's all insecure about the goalie, trying to cover for him, and Commie gives 0 ****s about positions he doesn't play.
That's sort of what bothers me about Hedman-Brewer playing together so much, as they both seem to play off of how confident they are in the goalie, and that infects everybody.
I'm liking Commodore, but for interesting reasons. Before signing with the Wings, the last few years he was playing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in front of Steve Mason. Think about that for a minute.
He's seen unspeakable horrors in goal long before he was traded to Tampa Bay.
As for MAB, he's already signed for next year. He's actually the only defenseman outside of Brewer, Hedman, and Ohlund who has a contract in place for next year.
Holy crap! He is signed for next year. I actually had to go look that up, I have some kind of weird mental block that keeps insisting he's gone after this season.
Holy crap! He is signed for next year. I actually had to go look that up, I have some kind of weird mental block that keeps insisting he's gone after this season.
I like that some teams are going to be in cap hell, and we've got MAB, which feels somewhat equitable.
Question: If Caron shouldn't work out...Janus?
Last edited by Felonious Python: 03-20-2012 at 09:53 AM.
I like that some teams are going to be in cap hell, and we've got MAB, which feels somewhat equitable.
Question: If Caron shouldn't work out...Janus?
Lol seriously, or Nagle
I thought MAB was gone after this year, wow, well then I guess he's in the mix then too. I know that Clark has no need to be on this team anymore. He is playing worse than I've ever seen Kubina play while in a TB jersey. He's horrid. I keep giving him more chances but he just flops around and falters every game.
I'd like to see:
x-Hedman
Mikkelson-Brewer
Aulie-Lee-MAB
Mikkelson has been pretty impressive since he's been here. He does falter a bit but his skating and his stick work is pretty damn good. I'd like to see them bring in a number one dman and KEEP the guys we have traded for with the exception of Commodore, who has played pretty good, I just dont think he fits our team and its future.
Garon is a terrific BACKUP, therefore we should go after a true #1 goalie, not another quick fix.
Am I the only one that thinks if we bring in Bernier we missed the better goalie(s)? I just dont see him being better than Tic in a few years, or currently, Schnieder, Enroth, Bobrovsky. I just dont think going after Bernier would be the best thing, it'll be better than what we have had since Khabi but I just have a hunch that he isn't quite ready to take the load of a #1.
(...) Trade Malone already, he just looks like he is out there for a public skate and a Q&A with his teammates from his glory days in the Olympics, which sorry Ryan, will never happen again. (...)
Since his return he has 13 points in his last 16 games. He's been one of our best players over the past few weeks. Also, given how his contract is structured I don't really see us trading him: His cap hit is "big" ($4.5m for 3 more years) but his actual salary is way lower ($3.0m, $2.5m, $2.5m). Since we're most likely not going to spend to the salary cap that's a pretty solid deal for a power forward like him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Felonious Python
Hedman-Commodore is a fascinating pairing.
Commie isn't the fastest skater, but it's like night and day watching those two together. Hedman's all insecure about the goalie, trying to cover for him, and Commie gives 0 ****s about positions he doesn't play.
That's sort of what bothers me about Hedman-Brewer playing together so much, as they both seem to play off of how confident they are in the goalie, and their insecurity helps infect everybody.
I'm liking Commodore, but for interesting reasons. Before signing with the Wings, the last few years he was playing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in front of Steve Mason. Think about that for a minute.
I totally agree with you here. I really like him for the very same reason(s).
Should be an interesting off season. Managment has alot of work to do
but I am confident they are building a winner. After this season how can we possibly have this many injuries next year.
Kudos to the Tampa fans for keeping the building nearly full every night. Even though some of "I used to live there so I wear my (fill in the blank jersey) when they are here" folks help financially too. If we had a winning team tix would be hard to get for sure.
Since his return he has 13 points in his last 16 games. He's been one of our best players over the past few weeks. Also, given how his contract is structured I don't really see us trading him. His cap hit is big ($4.5m for 3 more years) but his actual salary is lower ($3.0m, $2.5m, $2.5m). Since we're most likely not going to spend to the salary cap that's a pretty solid deal for a power forward like him.
I agree, would be stupid to trade him now. He is useful, just wish he could stay healthy.
Offense isn't a problem, goaltending and defense is, we are tenth in the whole league in GF, can we just solve the PP issue we will be totally fine.
We are dead last in GA, think that is a clear indication what is wrong
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Todd Harvey, Adam Oates and Darren Puppa, you are all missed in the game of hockey!
Well I am thinking addressing a goalie is the obvious first thing to do, but a top 6 winger is also a must. We lost a lot of games due to the fact of playing almost with 3 checking lines. Goalie and top 6 are a must.
Malone - Stamkos - Purcell
St. Louis - Lecav - ________
Thompson - Connolly - Hall
Wallace - Pyatt - Wyman
I don't think playing Connolly top 6 is the right move. But if he does get significant better, moving him around shouldn't be a Problem. But the question of who would fit our top 6 forward? Obviously unrealistic hope says Parise but the cost would be too high (amazing thinking of Stam and Parise *wet dreams ensue*). My top 2 choices I was thinking:
1) Jiri Hudler - if we can pry him away from Detroit's Stanley Cup rings filled hands then I would be one happy camper. He could play anywhere on the top 6. He is getting 2.875 million as of this year. Pending UFA who can potentially move up to the 4.5 to 5 million range. Who in my books is well worth it.
2) P.A. Parenteau - Self explanatory really. Him waiting until the end of the season to negotiate a new contract, might be his way to make more money with his final stats. He could easily fit into Tampa's play style. This season's salary 1.25 million. Probably expect 4 million next year. Chances are though he won't leave Long Island.
For defence we do need a 1/2 D playing with Hedman. Clark hopefully is gone (contract done this year), MAB is a gamble. I am not sure how long he will last next year. If he is healthy all year then you need someone to watch his ass on D. Ohlund I am thinking won't be back. We have a lot of depth on D here for the 5/6 with Lee (RFA), Gervais (UFA), Aulie (RFA), Mikkellson (RFA), Commodore (UFA). Gervais sadly even though I don't want to see him go is a odd man out and so is Commodore. I don't like seeing either of them go but it has to be done. So who to sign for the open position for a reasonable price ?
This is the deal with this season. It was a total disappointment, especially after last year, so I only see it up from here, because we will make some serious off season moves.
He's actually the only defenseman outside of Brewer, Hedman, and Ohlund who has a contract in place for next year.
