A new season

If you watched a Lightning game last season you no doubt were outraged, PO'd, and whatever other emotion you could muster, at some point by something an opponent did to a Tampa Bay player without, it seemed, any retaliation. Against Dallas in the final preseason game, Eric Lindros knocked into Johan Holmqvist, Eric Perrin was cross-checked and ... nothing.

That's why I thought what Torts said in an article the other day on team toughness was so interesting.

"Part of being tough is taking a hit and not retaliating and sitting in the penalty box. I know the fans and media get upset when they think you should retaliate. But some of the mental toughness you have to take in a  team is to take that and maybe take a penalty and score on a power play. Do I want our players to stick up for each other? Absolutely. But there are so many things going on with penalties, you have to be careful. Sometimes being tough is sucking it up and scoring on a power play.''

What do you think of that? Is the Lightning as tough as it needs to be, or would you rather have seen Mitch Fritz take Rob DiMaio's spot and crack a few heads? Give Doug Janik credit. He tried after Guillaume Latendresse cheap-shotted DiMaio, but at 7 feet tall on skates, Fritz might have made people think twice before even trying. It's a tough call, I think for a team trying to remake itself.

By the way, any questions, leave them here. I'll try to answer as many as I can.

   

Comments

[Brian Marton]

What better retaliation is there than a puck in the opposing net? I'd rather see a mix of players who can score on the power play than added "toughness" resulting in offsetting penalties. Isn't it possible that the liberties taken by opposing players last year were motivated by our less-than-potent pp attack?

[keith baxter]

Fritz is obviously a tough bully boy. But all he contributes is 2 or 3 goals and similar assists a season. Lets have a skater and player, rather than a goon. This is 2006 not 1986. Thefans may like it, but its a different game today. Play the game with skill and speed, not fists.

Who are the Lightning going to blame now that Johnny Grahme is gone at the opening home game Denis proved to be no better. Get the defense going coach oh yeah and let Lecavailer, Prospal and Fedetenko stay to-gether Torts

[Bill]

I say bring on Fritz. I'd prefer someone who could contribute more to the offense but teams regularly take liberties with the bolts because they know there isn't anyone they will have to answer to. Look at the line of Richards, St Louis, and Affy. These guys are manhandled all the time and why not? Who is going to make them answer for it? Nobody.

I understand all the "new NHL" crap but intimidation is still a big part of this game. Always will be. As long as other players have no fear of retaliation why stop taking the shots they do? It's the old story, give em an inch......... If you have a 6-8 player out there who will go with anybody, at anytime, they will think twice about pushing Marty and Co. around.

Bring on Fritz and let him drop the mitts a few times. I bet a lot of that crap stops.

[pete]

I really wanted to see Eric Perrin make the team, also Mitch Fritz. It really seem to come down to only one could. I think they need BOTH! Fritz showed his muscule at the preseason opener, took a 5 min ( both sides did) for a fight I really did not know why it happened, but I am sure he did. Shows he is willing to step in. Dingman is gone, so is Andre. New hockey, same game. Vinny 4 is big, but does not hit well, Marty 26 tries, but to small to impact. Who to send down to bring up Fritz is the only question remaining.