Defense filling out

The Lightning made a nice addition when it got Brad Lukowich for three years at $4.7-million. It also gave GM Jay Feaster and coach John Tortorella a chance to wipe their brows because the blue line all of a sudden seems a lot sturdier. It was getting a bit shaky there what with Cory Sarich off to Calgary and negotiations with Nolan Pratt and Doug Janik seemingly at a standstill.

Now the top five look like this:

Dan Boyle, Paul Ranger (he is a restricted free agent, so figure he will sign at some point rather than hold out), Filip Kuba, Shane O'Brien and Lukowich.

Let's assume for the moment neither Pratt nor Janik return. The competition for the last two spots likely will include Matt Smaby, Jay Leach, Vladmir Maholik and Dave Schneider. GM Jay Feaster, though, says he's not done adding depth.

He doesn't have a lot of room with which to play. The payroll right now stands at $41.535-million. Assuming a self-imposed hard cap of $44-million, that's tight, especially when you factor in Ranger and Ryan Craig, whose combined qualifying offers are $1.039-million.

So, what do you think? Is this a defense with which the Lightning can live?   

Comments

[bolts26]

Hey i have seen Stan Neckar at some Wednesday night hockey games in Brandon, he didn't look too good!

[bolts26]

Hey i have seen Stan Neckar at some Wednesday night hockey games in Brandon, he didn't look too good!

[JB]

Good move with Lukowich. Pratt is a reliable middle-level D-man, very useful. I'd hate to see him go. Janik got hosed in the playoffs, so I have a feeling he might get hosed again.

[Tort's Conscience]

Don't worry, folks. Uncle Feastie has been searching every McDonald's in the area for Stan Neckar. Feastie says he can move the puck, sees the ice well, and has good hockey sense.

[74]

All they need is another veteran D to fill out the fifth or sixth slot! Andy Sutton, Ossi Vaananen, Danny Markov or Vitali Vishnevski. Forget the big name guys they're not worth the money and the Bolts don't have any. Also, be prepared to wait for Smaby, Rogers and Mihalik. They all need time in Norfolk.

[Steve]

Let's be honest, Lukowich was beaten out in the Stanley Cup finals by Nolan Pratt. With all of the free agency money out there, he really didn't get much money, and I'm sure there's a reason why. I think he can be a decent 5th or 6th defenseman, if he's more than that for the Bolts, than good luck to the goalies. I can't really blame Feaster for not throwing a ton of money at Hannan or Preissing as they are not worth anywhere near what they are getting. I guess we'll need to hope that the young defenseman (Smaby, Mihalik, Egener, Rogers) develop into solid NHL defenseman and our goalies stand on their heads.

[Joe]

I was disappointed to see Brad go after the successful campaign in '04. He is a real team guy and a hard worker. He will be valuable as a veteran player with a good attitude, an enormous desire to win, and hockey know-how. This will help in the win column and with the development of the young defensement on board next year. His hiring appears to be a very positive move for the Lightning.

[Mike13]

Come on. There's gotta be a solid d-man still out there for $1-mil. Right?

Then again, in looking at what some of these guys are signing for, I guess not.

I guess our D is bound for suckland again.

[Satch]

Please forget Preissing. He signed 2 days ago with LA.

Carson, why pair left d man with another left d man and right d men with another right d man?

[boltz25]

Sign Preissing!!! Geez, enough with the retreads, although I do think Brad will do a good job. Let Pratt or Janik go, and get Preissing who is a solid player.

[Lightning rod]

Good signing. There is not many good Def free agents out there that the team can afford, with their self imposed cap limit. Sign Pratt and/or Janik, and will maybe have a decent core defense.

[Tony]

If you remember we let Sydor go to Dallas for basically nothing. I like Syd but he is too slow! If we end up keeping Pratt (and I hope we do) he is not the fastest skater either.

Remember the year after the lock out we were very slow on Defense.

Carson - like your pairings and I esp think we need to separate Ranger and Boyle to spread out their passing abilities on 2 pairings. I hope either Smaby or Maholik make it but would rather see Janik in there as well instead of both Smaby and Maholik.

I thought Janik was decent most of the time and did not think he did anything boneheaded that our other D-Men did not also do. There was plenty of that from all in bunches.

[marosh]

tampa needs a top d-man!! We have an average goalie, talented defense and top three scorers thats all.... darryl sydor, preissing were ready for us for really good money, why they didnt sign them??

[Carson]

Brad is a good snag, we need to let our two rookies in now let Maholik and Smaby get some ice time at the pro level.
LINES:
1 Boyle, Maholik
2 Lukowich, O-Brien
3 Kuba, Smaby
4 Ranger, Maholik
or something like that if we don't get another vet D-man

[Another joe]

Great signing and for 3 years. i think Brad is a much better player now then when he left in 2005. I think he will do great teamed up with one of our young guys on the blue line. Go Bolts!!!