HI, Johnny

So, Johnny Grahame makes his first visit to the St. Pete Times Forum since signing with the Hurricanes. Interesting he said he expects the reunion to be "awkward.'' But also that he might have a few things saved up to say to his former teammates depending on how revved up he gets.

I'm sure some of his former teammates would have a few things to say to him as well.

What do you say?

Was Grahame really to blame for the Lightning's mediocre 2005-06? He had problems, yes, but the team had quite a few others, such as it couldn't score consistently. Or was that just the result of players who didn't trust their goalie?

I think Marc Denis and Johan Holmqvist have been superb so far (Holmqvists' burp in Florida notwithstanding). Is goaltending going to be the difference with this year's team?

 

Comments

[Stacey Whitworth]

I think you hit the nail on the head there. I think what happened was when the team needed him most, he didn't deliver...okay...didn't deliver ENOUGH and then they became so tentative that they just could not and WOULD not push forward w/ the fear of leaving him back there! It became a vicious circle and that was last season in a nutshell. I think w/ a little time, this team will feel more and more comfortable w/ Denis and start pushing like they once did. Saturday's game was a perfect example. Those last two goals reminded me an awful lot like the Lightning of previous seasons and I can't WAIT to see more! Just wish Grammer was playing tonight... lol! Go Bolts!

[Bill]

I'm with you 2! Grahame seemed to let in a soft goal, or 2, at the worst times. It became obvious the skaters had lost confidence in him and they were always on their heels. The "team concept" calls for aggressive forecheck and asks defensemen to jump up into the play. That doesn't work with skaters playing tentatively. What is the sign in the locker room? Safe Is Death?

To be fair, there were other issues with last years team but a lot of it could be traced to skaters lack of confidence in their goaltending.

And Stacey..........I wish Grahame was playing tonight too!!