TBO Forums

Off-Season Makeover?

2008-04-06T12:42:02Z

Line RW C LW

#1 St. Louis Lacavalier Free Agent

#2 Free Agent Stamkos Jokiken

#3 Oulett Halpern Gratton*

#4 Tarnasky McDonald* Darche*

D-Pairings Right side Left Side

#1 Boyle Picard(RFA)*

#2 Ranger Kuba/OBrien

#3 Smaby Lundin/FA

Goalies
M. Smith
K.Ramo

Players with a * next to name are unrestricted FA but Feaster has stated he would like to keep.

This doesn’t look quite so bad if the Bolts can land Stamkos or another Center who is ready to play. Rookies make very little money. All of these players( based on 07-08 salaries except Boyle) would only make up roughly 36 million dollars. That is including Boyle’s salary next yr at 6.6 and keeping Denis contract. That would leave 6 million dollars to spend if the Bolts kept the same salary constraints of 42 million like this season. If you look at the lines I have Only 2 top 6 forwards would be needed. Now more money can be saved and re-disturbed by trading Kuba and/or OBrien(combined make 3.85 million/ Kuba 3 mil himself), but if that were to happen 1 or 2 new defensemen would be needed.(probably needed anyhow) The goalie situation seems good, with 2 guys with equal talent left to battle it out. For people thinking spending even to 42 million won’thappen, yo ucouldn’t be more mis-informed. If the salary cap goes up to the projected 56 million, the Bolts would be required to spend 40 million(which would be the minimum).

Now, in my opinion, a guy like Michael Ryder would be a great fit on the #1 line. Big body who can skate and score over 25 goals. The 2nd and 3rd lines can vary depending on who the Bolts select in the draft. Stamkos is a no-brainer if they get the #1 pick. I like Kyle Beach if they don’t get the #1 pick. He has character issues, but who didn’t at 18. He’s 6’3” and 210+ at 18 years old. He fights, score goals, and is an agitator ala Halpern. If that would be the pick, I would put him on the 2nd line with Halpern and Jokiken and then a FA checker/enforcer(which would be cheaper than a top 6 forward) could be signed for the 3rd line. Another guy I would love for the Bolts to target is Chris Kelly of the Senators. He’s capable of playing LW/C and he can put up 20 goals. He could be a great 2nd line or 3rd line guy. Another guy who goes in the corners and gets the puck.

Just random thoughts from a fan

Tortorella

2008-02-27T17:50:30Z

I see that the Ottawa Senators fired their coach John Paddock this afternoon. There is one big difference between Paddock and Torts. Paddock is a good coach.

Poll: Should Tortorella be Fired after the year is over?

2008-03-07T11:22:25Z

ONLY POINT OF THIS THREAD WAS THE POLL SO PLEASE VOTE!!!

Feaster trade brilliance

2008-02-26T13:17:19Z

Attaboy Fat Feaster. Let’s tally up here. You trade a 29 goal player from the MVP line (Prospal) and get a minor leaguer with NO points this season. You sign 32 year old Dan Boyle to a multi year multi-million dollar contract, which probably could have purchased several other promising defensemen.

You deal your biggest prior mistake in Richards, so we’re rid of the league’s worst +/- record, which is good, but then you stupidly sweeten the pot and trade the Olympic Gold Medal Champion Swedish goalie in Holmqvist, who never REALLY got a chance to prove himself under Tort’s poor coaching behind the leagues’ worst defense. How many goalies are you going to burn out with your poor logic and Tort’s poor system. So we’re left then with a goalie brought up from the minors this year in Ramo and another minor leaguer you’ll get from Dallas. Way to ‘bridge the gap’ you putz. Is it your goal to put together a minor league team or a college hockey level team so that it’ll be on par with the Tortorella’s coaching abilities and your flawed management skills?

The rest of the league must be laughing. All we’ve got at the end of this is a bunch of untested minor leaguers. You’re killing hockey in the Tampa Bay area. I hope someday upper management will deal you two buffoons out so real hockey can come here.

Dan Boyle Must be Traded

2008-02-11T15:27:19Z

Let me start this off by saying I am a Dan Boyle fan. I do understand his value to this team.

But with the rumored 7 million plus he might be asking for, there is no way this franchise can ever succeed with that much money tied up in 3 or 4 players. So let’s say you trade a Marty or Richards to free up the money for Boyle, you would be in the same situation the Bolts are currently in. Unfortunately
with the way the salary cap is there is just no logic spending half of the payroll on 3 or 4 players. With the way offensive defense-man are convented these days Boyle could bring back a few intriguing prospect and a draft pick or two. If the bolts plan on keeping the Big 3 together this is the type of trade that makes the most sense. They get young up and coming players( who haven’t gotten their first real contract) and they help re-stock the farm system at the same time. Then they can use that money that was being spent on Boyle to bring back good role players, such as a Prospal or a Gratton. Or maybe a much needed goalie.

If they stay the course they are on, each and every year the GM will just keep trying to plug cheap talent( see Hvlac, Karesson, Ward, Oullett, Perin), with the same results we are seeing right now. Maybe, just maybe the Gm will find that hidden “gem” that helps the club, but that is a long shot. Now if I thought Dan Boyle was great playing defense, considering the skills he has on offense I would say lock him up. But he has serious short-comings when it comes to his defense. He isn’t physical, he doesn’t clear guys in front of the net, and his best asset on defense is his ability to get the puck out of the zone. (which is a great asset)

Now in my opinion, if they 7+ million dollar contract is going to go to anybody, it should be Vinny4, without question. He is the best player by far on this team and is arguably the best in the NHL as well. His current contract is up after the 08-09 season, meaning he only has one year left in TPA unless the GM gets off his as#. If this guy gets even a sniff of free agency he’s gone. As much as he loves the Bay Area, there would be some team willing to give him the world. If you lock him up now to something like a 8-10 year deal, It gives the Bolts more time to spread that out contract.

If you look up and down the Bolts system, its littered with defense-man. They have depth and talent getting ready to come up. Obviously they may never be as good as Boyle but they do add depth and cheaper contracts. And with the development of a guy like Paul Ranger, the Bolts may not miss Boyle or the 7 million dollar a year he wants.

yet another loss

2008-02-20T23:21:01Z

Buffalo. The Sabres score 3 goals in the 3rd, 2 of which come in the final minutes. You could just feel it coming. Visions of that odd-man rush coming and beating Holmer (who cannot be faulted with the Lightning’s sad, sad defense).

Then overtime and the quick and merciful goring.

When will it become apparent that the system Torts puts together simply does not work in today’s NHL? How long will Lightning fans have to endure having Torts rip apart the MVP line simply to try to cover the mistake of a lack-luster player in Brad Richards? Watch as Torts replaces Holmqvist in the next games to ‘punish’ him for tonight’s debacle, even after a career high 42 saves. It’s not a goalie problem, it’s a coaching problem that allows too much offensive play in the Lightning end of the rink, that allows far too many odd-man rushes to cross the blue line and score against us. It’s painful.

I’ve been a hockey fan since my first game, in the wee-small hours of the early 1960’s in Chicago, so I know from nearly 5 full decades what real hockey is, what real coaching is, and unfortunately what Torts brings isn’t real hockey, and isn’t real coaching. Add to that the Feaster Fiasco’s we’ve seen...and it’s evident that until real changes in the management and coaching of the Lightning are made, and the mistakes traded away, the situation won’t get better. I saw it done several weeks ago against Vancouver, but until the Lightning are allowed to play that way every game, the situation won’t get better.

Matts24..I went back and looked at many of your posts. I’ve got to commend you for having a genuine sense of it all, I can’t disagree with your comments. What you wrote back in Nov 07 is prophetic....it is as true then as it is now. You’re obviously a tuned in fan with some real hockey knowledge. Too bad the general hockey fan-base here in Tampa isn’t on the same level.

The Season is Lost??? Thats New news to me

2008-01-20T23:48:19Z

Richards doesnt need to go anywhere, am i the only one realizing that he is just as valuable as anybody on are team and because… he doesnt put up the spectacualr numbers as Vinny,and Mary granted almsot the whole year that he has been playing on a line with ward or hlavac. If Hlavac could put the puck in the net he could have 20-25 goals already. But getting boyle back will help. as much as i love torts he has to go. His system doesnt work with these players, because we dont have a calber typ goalie of a khabibulin when he was here. Also by the way were only 7 points out with 35 Games left this season is far from lost since were playing in the Southeast Divison.

Time for a Shake Up!

2007-12-19T08:26:37Z

Look, there is one thing that is absolutely clear, this team is going no where if things do not change quickly. The only way to do that is to make some wholesale changes:

1. Fire Feaster and Torts. Let Sullivan finish the year out as head coach and get a new GM.

2. Cut Denis and eat his contract. Bring in an older vetran like Belfour and either cut Holmqvist and bring up Ramo or make Holmqvist the back up.

3. See if either Richards or St. Louis will waive their no trade clause and move one of them.

4. If neither of them will waive their no trade clause then as much as it pains me to say this, trade Vinny. He has no no trade clause and will fetch the most in return.

5. Trade Boyle when healthy and get some defensive help.

I know I will get slammed for even suggesting to tade Vinny, but remember, Gretzky got traded.

The Dolts…

2008-01-03T08:40:07Z

How many teams, no matter what sport, have successful seasons when they have already had 3 losing streaks of 5 games or more. Probably not many. The Dolts are are in the middle of a 5 game losing streak which could very easily recah 8 or 9. So how in the hell does Torts keep his job!!! For everyone out there who says it’s not Torts or Feasters fault your an idioit. It starts at the top and works its way down to the players. If changes are not made soon then that is basically the Lightnings way of telling the fans they do not give a crap.

Torts need to be Fired ASAP

2007-11-25T11:07:19Z

I’m sure I will catch some sh%t about this but I don’t care. Look, this system that Torts likes to run is flawed in so many ways. I requires the goalie to play a perfect game night in and night out. It requires the player to play the puck as opposed to every other team in the NHL which basically preaches playing the body. Anyone who watched the games on TV hears Bobby the Chief talking about this each and every game. Its not just on D either, how about if you are going to play your best players over 20 min a night, why isn’t Vinny leading the team in time on ice? Does Richards give the Bolts a better Chance to score? Is Richards a better defender than Vinny? The answer is very simple, Richards leads the league in ice time so Feaster and Torts can justify the mistake that was paying Richards the highest contract in the NHL. Why a guy who has roughly 15 less points than Vinny would be on the ice more than Vinny is the dumbest thing I see each and every night. Check the paper each morning after the games, its really sad how much Richards plays in comparison to Vinny.

Now lets get to the non-playing of the 4th line. WTF? Why dress that many forwards if the most they might play is 4 min a night. Hey Torts, here’s an idea, maybe if the big 3 didn’t play 24 min a night and the 4th line played 7min a night, the big 3 would be fresher down the stretch. Not only in a game but the overall season as well. Which kinda brings me to the Boyle situation. Fishy, very fishy. Why bring Boyle back early 10 games into the season? I thought they played 82. What exactly was the rush? I understand the Bolts were in a funk, but it was only around the 10th game. And if you were to bring a guy back early, why would you play him 28:35 of his 2nd game back? That is about as piss poor as I’ve ever seen.

The simple fact is, Torts has gotten a free pass b/c of the Stanley Cup, well folks its been 3 years since the Bolts have won. How much longer do we give him? These 5 games win/loss streaks isn’t going to cut it down the stretch. Maybe a new face giving the orders will wake this team up.