Keeping the core

I know we've gone through this before, but just a reminder of what the negotiations between Oren Koules and Palace Sports & Entertainment mean to the Lightning roster. I guess the best way to say it is everything ... and nothing.

General manager Jay Feaster has said one of the reasons Koules wants the Lightning is the core players of Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, Brad Richards and Dan Boyle. If that is the case, and I believe that it is, it would be foolish for the Lightning, no matter how it struggles, to make deals for any of those players while negotiations are ongoing. So view with skepticism anything you read or hear concerning trade rumors about those guys as long as the sides are talking.

Boyle, of course, is a different story because of his injury and because could be an unrestricted free agent, though it would seem he fits into the broader notion of trying to keep the core together.

Oh, and, by the way, the Norfolk Admirals web site and the Lightning's Thursday game notes (and my story today) had Karrie Ramo's last name pronounced RAY-moh. Wrong, the goalie said. It is RAH-moh.

Comments

[Lisa]

I am glad that Koules wants to keep the core together. I think if we get solid goaltending, and get Boyle back healthy, we only need one or two more pieces to significantly improve the team.

This has been a though year. the goaltending has been very inconsistent: Holmer has had some great games, and some completely awful ones as well. You see the players lose it when repeated soft goals are being let in.

The instability with the ownership situation and the threats of trades have made the situation difficult. Hopefully, with the Koules deal looking more hopeful, less talk about trading the core group of players, and Ramo now up and hopefully giving better goaltending than we have had, things can turn around for us.

[Nick]

Ramo was great tonight. It helped that the D played well in front of him, especially on the blue line when Toronto was coming into the zone. The couple of times they were beaten, they got back in a hurry to make a play.

It's only one game, and we can't expect too much from Kari, but as long as he's giving us a chance to win two out of three nights, he's better than the other two.

[ajax]

In the last 52 regular season games Jason Ward has 8 even strength goals.
Brad Richards has 4. Tonight Jason played on Vinny's line and had plenty of scoring chances. Did Brad play? Oh yeah, he never has any help. Merry Xmas to all. Brad Richards leading the league at a minus 17 has 4 even strength goals in his last 52 games. No matter how many times I say it, it is just an unbelievable stat. I guess his intangibles contribute alot.

[Bear]

Ajax it's a mindblowing stat but it just seems to gloss over with people.

They likely figure Ritchie has made 100K a game last two years so he must be worth it.

Thats 5.4 million, so far, for 4 even strength goals (54 games @100K)

1.3 million per even strength goal..he really is the Golden Boy.

[Casper]

Oh good gracious, Ajax, you aren't seriously suggesting we divest ourselves of the Goldenboy and the nearly EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS a year and bring in a blue chip goalie and defenseman? Or two All Star caliber D-men to protect our homegrown netminders? Sell it to the new or old owners and I'm with you all the way.

Nice game tonight, Kid.
But wait til the defense goes back to sleep; no blocked shots, no knocking off the puck, and it won't get too lonely back there with all the odd man rushes you're going to see.
Got to be that way because this 'system' suits Richards to a tee. If he ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

[Patrick]

Richards only has 4 even strength goals in 52 regular season games and is a minus 17 this year? Yet he is almost averaging a point a game this year. Explanation - we have no true 2nd line wingers on this team, thus Richards gets his points on the power play - the only time he is actually playing with offensively skilled players.

[ajax]

Ovechkin for last place Washington has 24 goals, 13 at even strength and is at +5. No one else on his team has more than 7 goals and the second best scorer on the team is at minus 14. He is on a team with no other scorer having more than 7 goals!!! He has a huge bullseye on his back and still scores and his responsible defensively. He is not playing with any better teammates than Brad, yet contributes in every stat possible. Explanation, Richards doesn't make any players around him better. This is the benchmark for great players. Surround him with all*stars and Olympians and he will score alot of power play points. Cut the cheese anyway you like, why isn't he scoring more? Why is he on the ice for so many goals? He makes zero impact as a 5 on 5 player. I hope some GM wants him very badly. Night after night his line is on the ice for goal after goal. The first thing I said to my buddy tonight after the game winning goal was, I don't think Brad Richards could have buried that shot.
If you score 40 points and give up 60 points that usually is not a real positve stat.

[Patrick]

You keep talking about Brad Richards and goal scoring. You compare him to Ovechkin, one of the most talents goal scorers in the league - how long have you been watching Brad Richards? What makes you think his best asset is goal scoring? He's never scored more than 26 goals in a season and usually is in the low twenties, while he usually has 40-50+ assists per season. He is a play maker.

That said, even playmakers need talent around them. You never saw lecavalier skating with eric perrin and jason ward for wingers for any length of time last year did you? Lecavalier always skates with the best wingers on the team. The closest thing to a 20 goal scorer Richards has had for a consistent linemate since the Modin, Richards, St. Louis line was broken up has been Fedotenko.

[goldenbolt]

My My - we do luv Richards. If I consistently put the puck on your stick and you fail too bury it is that my fault? He has points when on the power play because he does put the puck on the stick of someone who can re-direct to the back of the net.... nice concept.
His game has been 20 - 25 goals, 50 - 60 assist a year nothing wrong with that number. Did we over pay? - Yes, I expected more as he reached the best years 27 - 32 but it to date has not happened. There is and has been NO DEFENSE on this team from the pipes to the blue line that makes everyone have huge, highly overated +- numbers. Consider Vinny's 50+ ponts and his plus/ minus is what? Last time I looked +6 or so. Wonderful.
Feds is sitting in NY, Sarich is a 4 million dollar man. Perrin is having about the same year as last.
We are in neutral until the sale is completed let's all hope soon.
It's 5:00am and enough rambling...... Thanks to all for the education of the Golden Boy none of us could see the problem before. Here are some other stats for 7 million dollars babies:
Gomez 28 points, Drury 23 points Richards - 32 points. Hmmm who's doing a bit better? The 4mil dollar man with the Isles - 18 points.
Difference Rangers have Lundqvist we have an open door policy. C ya all.
Oh, by the way nice game by the rook.... maybe the team will play in front of him..... Sat is the next game.

[Nick]

Patrick,
St. Louis skated with Richards almost every shift last night. His total production? 1 shot, 1 assist (when skating with Vinny in the last 40 seconds of the game). Richards' production? 2 shots, -1. Think there might be a reason the team only scored two goals last night? Only took 21 shots? Richards is slumping bad, and he wouldn't have but 15 points total this season if he wasn't quarterbacking the entire 2 minutes of every power play due to Boyle's injury.

If he was a 2 million a year player, no one would be on his case. However, when you're the highest paid player on a team, you're going to be held to a higher standard.

Cigars and cocktails for everyone, we finally got a win! Its good to see the team play for a change and not woo-out. Maybe the new ownership can boost these guys confidence, if we ever get some new ownership.

[Another Joe]

Great start for Ramo. I dont know how he will do in long term but you can see he has more natural talent then any of our goalies!

[Chris]

Did you all notice the teamwork and energy they played with last night in defense of Ramo? It seemed that they elevated their game last night as a team, they seemed to skate harder, get back to defend faster. Maybe the players have been asking for the new kid they sure supported him last night. Not to diminish Ramo's performance. It was great to see. On that note it seemed that Marty and Vinny willed the game winner to ensure their new favorite Swede got his just reward- A WIN!

[jr]

I totally agree with Chris. There definitely was more energy in front of Ramo. You could make a case that it was the best game Bolt blueliners have played all year.

As for Richie, other teams want him. I say make the trade. I'm not comforted by the fact that Koules wants to "keep the core." Besides keeping an underachieving player on the roster, that statement indicates to me an unwillingness to spend much more than present ownership.

[jr]

To my favorite poster Lisa:

Love your optimism but you bring up a lot of ifs. I'm looking at this year as a "transition" one for the Bolts in terms of ownership and personnel. I don't believe anything will be too well defined until after next year's training camp.

Meanwhile they've moved from 14th to 13th but the Isles have 3 games in hand. Loved Ramo's performance but it was a total team effort.

Also, we can complain a lot about the forwards outside of the Big 3 but Ward and Prospal bring it EVERY night. Those two have character.

[Another Joe]

The Bolts arent trading Richards. Hopefully Koules takes over 2 March sometime. If Ramo shows enough the rest of the year here is what id like to see.

1-Resign Boyle but at reasonable amount 4-5 mill per year.

2-Sign Vinny 4 to extension.

3-hopefully Holmer resigns to be a back up. I think he could excel in this role with 20 or so starts per year.

4-Sign one top free agent forward

[Patrick]

I love Richards like I love the other core members of the team. I'm not trying to say he has ever earned the 7+ mil a year contract, but I am trying to keep expectations of him realistic to his actual abilities. Just because he signed a piece of paper doesn't mean he's going to wake tomorrow with a 50 goal scorer's hands. When people start comparing him to Ovechkin, I think that needs to be called out for what it is.

His +/- is terrible - But that will probably will happen when you play the most minutes of a forward in the league and your line doesn't ever score in even strength situations. Your +/- can only go down. Hlavac, his linemate for most of the season, is -16.

I know Richards is overpaid, but his salary is far from being the ONLY issue on this team. St. Louis is actually having a season more similar to Richard's usual output and he skates with Lecavalier every night - no one seems to be takig him to task for his salary.

The fact we have given our core the big contracts to keep them all and are not making full use of the salary cap is a probably too difficult a set of constraints to work under. And maybe we really should have done whatever it took to get Bryzgalov when he was available - a .928 save %? Doesn't that sound sweet?

[wiggy]

Here's the problem Patrick:

As long as there is a SALARY CAP, Richards hurts the team. You can't ignore that "piece of paper" as along as it inhibits the team from signing competent players. He HAS to live up to his contract, otherwise he's a net minus.

[ajax]

My case it that they are constantly calling out other forwards to step up and score, and they miss the most obvious problem. Richards gets 10 minutes a game more than Ward or Hlavac and they score more even strength goals than Brad. When he plays the point on the powerplay for almost the full two minutes every single power play you better get assists. But, the reality is, he is a below average 5 on 5 player. (see plus/minus for this year and Last year, and see 4 even strength goals in his last 52 games.)
7.8 million dollars for a guy who is on pace to score 6 even strength goals and he needs better line mates? That staement is truly whacky, to me. His only offensive move is to hit the blue line, spray the ice and wait for everyone else to pay the price for a goal. I don't understand why he is never responsible for making his line click. The top players in the league produce. The reasons go on and on but the stats don't lie, he does not produce 5 on 5, hasn't for quite a while. I keep hearing the same thing, put all-stars around him and he will produce. So will everyone else. You would think he would take pride in his plus/minus, but everytime I see a team control the puck for a minute straight in our zone you can bet Brad is on the ice. I am truly mystified by so much support for him. Game after game I rarely notice him on the ice. I doubt opposing coaches give one second to stopping Brad Richards in their pregame breakdowns. Richards holding the puck 45ft from the goal is the staple of his offense, and I don't think that puts much fear into our opponnets. He will score more goals by putting his shoulder down and driving to the net. He will score more goals by following his teammates to the net. Do you ever see him draw a penalty? ever? He is unwilling to try to do this and that is a main reason why his line never gets any goals let alone cheap goals. Vinny gets 15 goals a year by willing to pay the price. Richards is not 6'4" but he is unwilling to mix it up. Taking it to the net creates penalties. Taking it to the net creates rebounds, he is unwilling to do this. How can anyone expect his linemates to produce more when he doesn't produce? In fact the stats are clear, these bums actually score more than him. Maybe they should be getting all the time on the PP? It is Xmas and I don't want to upset a sole,(probably a bit late for that) I just have such a hard time buying the poor Brad routine.
When people criticize me for comparing him to Ovechkin, this is my point. Ovechkin is a difference maker on the ice. He commands the opponents full attention everytime he is on the ice. His linemates are poor, and his PP linemates are poor. But he produces. Brad Richards doesn't come close to that statement, yet he is a victim of poor linemates. Go figure.

[leo]

Rebuilding, revamping? What else is on the bench?
Here's the skinny,
Trade Big Contract for Strong Young Goalie and draft picks. 2008 will be a Spectacular draft year with Tavares leading the bunch.
Trade Other Big Contract for Solid Defenseman and draft picks. 2008 WILL BE A STUPENDOUS DRAFT YEAR with Tedenby and Livingston shocking the minor leagues.
Keep your Other desired Big Contract (the only one WITHOUT a no-trade, I know).
Plan?:
A: designing our future
B: we're good in a hurry
C: change of air (which may upset some)
Alternative?: Perdurable Mediocrity
But whatever.
Peace.

[tackleberry]

This season may go down as one of the most "painful" in Lightning history. The number of injuries the Bolts has sustained is amazing. Craig, Taylor, Boyle, McDonald, Obrien, etc..... I agree that we need to keep Vinny (4), St Louis and Boyle.

It would be interesting to see what the management paid Richards to produce. Was it 50, 60, or 70+ points per year? I cant believe that they would pay him all that $ for 30-40 pts per year.

[Alabaster Cat]

At the pinnacle of what promised to be a remarkable career, Chris Gratton, a restricted free agent, accepted a $15 million to join the Philadelphia Flyers and then proceeded to try to demonstrate that it was justifiable: a truly Herculean task. Many think it ruined him because he was trying too darned hard to prove his worth, and it affected his confidence when he failed to do so. Some talk about guilt and embarrassment as also playing a role in problems of this kind. We saw what happened to MSL the first year after he got his big long-term contract. There are other examples of this as well (Yashin of the Islanders and, recently, Gomez of the Rangers come to mind).

This all brings us to Richards. How many times have we heard of him referenced as a future captain of the Lightning? Who has ever heard a whisper of criticism of Richards from the ordinarily hard-to-please Coach Tortorella? Didn't Jay Feaster (supposedly a tough negotiator) fold like a cheap lawn chair when Richards' agent made those ridiculous salary demands?

Notwithstanding his achievements in 2003-04, Brad was oversold. But, that does not mean he is without considerable talent. Because he cannot be moved owing to the cap sensitivity around the NHL and his extraordinarily high pricetag (not to mention his no-trade contract), he will remain a Bolt. Get used to it.

Though it is more than likely that he will never be worth anything near what his salary suggests, if the Lightning is going to get the most possible out of this fellow, it would be wise to have him deal with a talented sports psychologist to assist him in overcoming the unhealthy anxieties that he must be feeling in connection with his current level of performance.

I know that for must people, it is difficult to feel sorry for a guy who is making so much money, but I believe Brad is a very good hockey player and young man of high character who needs some help right now.

[jr]

Sorry Another Joe...I predict Richards will be traded for three reasons:

1) The Bolts believe he is a liability for the dough
2) Other teams want him
3) He'll waive his no trade clause. He's third banana (at best) here and he can go to a perceived contender. He will miss eating at 220 East on Davis Island except when he visits as a member of the opposing team.

Also, AJ, it would be absolutely foolish to re-sign Boyle.

F---the core. It's time to put together pieces and parts and for what those two guys are getting and/or can command, they can be obtained.

Love ajax's analysis. Ovechkin is a true difference maker and not at all overrated as posted by someone earlier. He is one of the top 5 players in the league.

It seems too many posters don't understand that a player who is being paid a hefty salary needs to produce because he is EATING UP THE SALARY CAP. Get it?

[jr]

Cat, he can be moved. Teams want him. The cap increases every year. I'm not going to "get used" to the assumption that he's here to stay. His performance vis a vis his contract his hurting this hockey team.

A trade for Huet and Ryder would be excellent for the Lightning and it's there for the taking.

[bear]

Jr., if that trade actually is on the table: Huet/Ryder for Goldenboy..what the hell is the wait? Can't see the Habs pulling that trigger. We should be so lucky.

Leo, Tavares is 5 days too young for the 08 draft..crazy but they aren't to to exempt him unless I have missed something. Your right though strong deep draft in 08. Wish we had the Gratton picks back.

[Alabaster Cat]

jr:

Sorry to point out some inconsistencies in your reasoning.

Quote from your posting "...A player who is being paid a hefty salary needs to produce because he is EATING UP THE SALARY CAP..."

Please explain why a potential trading partner to the Lightning would NOT be guided by the wisdom of your own statement (above) and choose to part with a decent player or a draft choice for Brad Richards.

Can you see the contradiction? Please explain this.

AND

Which are the teams that want Richards? Are offers on the table? Do you often have dinner with Brad Richards at 220 East on Davis Island? Is that how you learned that he will waive the no-trade clause in his contract? Are you his agent?

[hockey chic]

Wow you guys are all good and make a great deal of great points.

I agree that MSL is constantly being moved to create more offense and I think it is hurting his consistency. I many be wrong and it would not be the first time. Let the lines be Torts it is not helping anything moving these guys around. I agree that Ward and Prospal are bringing it every night and that intensity needs to be spread throughout the locker room.

I am glad the guys are sticking togther and trying to work through it ( the funk) as a team.

I believe it was me that said Ovie was over rated Jr and that was out of mere frustration with the lack of performance of our team.

Do you honestly think I would say no if we got him in any kind of trade.
Ah NO NOT ON YOUR LIFE. He is a great player and I guess I should have said that Ovie and Sid are the only players we in Tampa ever really here about consistently.

While it may be deserved praise, it does get frustrating to listen to all the time. Thats all Jr.

I am not sure what the answer is but it does sound like our little Blog here could supply the man power for the new GM position.

[jr]

No need for the sarcasm.

This is pretty basic. Many teams are under the LEAGUE cap and don't have a SELF-IMPOSED cap as the Lightning unfortunatel.yt do.

You are not looking at this trade from the Montreal standpoint. They have absolutely no need for Huet and Ryder is underachieving this year. It, in truth, would be a great trade for both teams.

Again, no need for your sarcasm.

[Nan]

I think most everyone is in agreement that Ritchie is making too much money for his production level. Did they think that his production level was going to improve since the theoretical best years for a hockey player are from 27-28 to 32-33? Were they rewarding him for the Stanley Cup year? Who knows, but JF blew it! Another Feaster fiasco!

A GM should only be paying money like that for the franchise center. Well folks, I think that is probably Mr. Lecavalier unless they think that he will walk when his contract is up because he might not be able to get the same contract as Ritchie. And why should Vinny settle for less. He is the one producing, he should make the money. And as far as I am concerned, I am willing to fork over the bucks to watch Vinny and Marty play but not for Brad. Sorry, Brad that's the way it is.

Oh yeah, I forgot, Ritchie has those "intangibles". None of us know what they are but he supposedly has them!

[jr]

Oh, the sarcasm statement was not directed at hockey chic. Hope it wasn't misunderstood.

[Fredinator]

Have to agree with the Cat about Richards. He is not performing up to his potential, and although I am one of his biggest fans (not his agent or his boyfriend) I have cringed lately waiting for a stupid pass as he enters the zone. Not sure what is wrong, but a shrink may help. If you haven't noticed his passing abilities then you have not been paying attention. Don't try to blame him for the money he makes or condemn him for being the type of player that he is not. Nobody blames Roy for having hands of stone or Nick Tarnasky for having no shot other than a wraparound (which he no doubt learned from too many shifts with Tim Taylor.) They are what they are and play their roles on this team. Richie is a great passer with a rocket shot from inside the circles.
Check the Stanley Cup video from '04 (you know you have it) and watch where Richie scored from. Try to remember his two shootout goals this year. Why isn't he shooting from there now? Who knows. Maybe it is all part of Tort's system. Maybe it's the same reason that Marty St. Louis is constantly getting stripped of the puck along the boards when he should be out in open ice where he can use his moves and that laser shot of his. Richie and Marty need to get back to what got them here.

By the way, jr, why would we trade an underachieving forward in Richards for another one named Ryder? Both Ryder and Huet are UFA's at the end of the season and combined should end up making more than Richie. Huet may help us make it into the first round of the playoffs, but that's all this team can muster. Goalie is the only position that the organization has any depth at and we will reap those benefits in the future if we are patient. Go Bolts. Pray that Grahame gets the start on Saturday night.

[bear]

No one's trying to hurt Brad's feelings. At 8mill a year Fred, he can have a 24hr shrink.

If he is using up $100K, A GAME, of team Cap resource then he needs to produce consistently at a the higest level. No where to hide.

He shouldnt be afraid to take a hit either, but thats just me.

[jr]

We would get a solid goalie that would give us a real shot at the playoffs this year and if we can't resign him, we have freed up almost $8 million for 08-09. Is that so difficult for people to grasp? There is only upside for the Lightning.

And I'm amused about you saying "if we are patient." Clearly posters on this blog are NOT, especially the ones that purchased season ticket packages.

It's academic anyway if it is indeed true that there will be no deals while the "sale" is pending.

[Alabaster Cat]

jr:

I am one of your fans on this medium, and I apologize if I sounded sarcastic, but you never really did address my question about why Montreal would find Brad Richards interesting enough at his price to make a trade. They overpaid Sergei Samsonov and had to dump him and now they are having their problems with the high price of Ryder's lack of productivity. Again, I ask you why the Canadiens or any other team would shoulder that kind of expense for a "SALARY CAP EATER" (your words, not mine). Just because they might have room under the cap does not mean that they are willing to waste it.

By the way, Samsonov has been a fairly regular healthy scratch in Chicago as Ryder has come to be in Montreal.

Finally, this! I have run into Vinny Lecavalier on several occasions at his favorite breakfast restaurant. I have never invaded his privacy and, out of respect for him, I would not reveal the name of the place here because someone might disturb him.

By referencing Brad Richards' favorite restaurant, you really sound like a guy who is on the inside. Was that your intention? I guess I felt like you had crossed a boundary by seeming to be talking so tall while offering nothing more than conjecture.

But, I'll forgive you, if you'll forgive me!

[Lisa]

I think that Feaster saw that prior to the contract year, Richards had improved each year and he really did bring it the year we won the cup. It was a mistake, but we have to live with it.

As far as Lecavalier, I really believe that as soon as Koules buys the team, he will try to do a long term extension with Vinny, and of course, he will not get less than Richards.

Finally, one thing I think that the players love about Tampa is that they can live a pretty normal lifestyle here, the newspapers don't hound them, especially not about their private lives. I don't think we should put any information that may be known about them in any blogs unless it is something they themselves have provided to the media (like when Vinny did the interview about his vacations with his girlfriend).

Anyway, all the opinions are interesting and it is great to read and see the interest in the team. I have half season tickets, but I am willing to be patient for this year and see what develops next year as long as the key players are not traded to dump salary. (By that, I mean trading Vinnie for "prospects")

Takle care and happy holidays to all.

[Casper]

jr nailed it pointing out the, --not return-- but release-- of the 7.8M noose around our neck/salary cap anchor being the best part of a bye-bye Brad party. We'd be fine with a prospect and a boatload of picks. Picks are valuable you know, if we had a stockpile of 'em (two 4’s or a 2 and a 4) maybe Bryz would be here. A D-stud could be on the way for picks gained from putting Brad's mediocrity in our rear view mirror.
I think more than a few clubs would entertain the notion of Brad joining them. Go back to the scouting reports where: Calgary would love to have somebody feed the puck to Iginla. Edmonton would like anything close to a Richards. Things wouldn't be so lonely for Sundin in Torrana (wink, but don't want to trade with Conference rivals).

[Casper]

Anybody been scanning rosters for a goalie Feaster should jump on?
Nolan Schaefer toils well in Houston waiting for the Minnesota logjam to break with Backstrom/Harding/trade. Beats the heck out of him trotting Mika Noronen out here from the Russian backwater and touting greatly overlooked skills.

[jr]

Now you know why she's my favorite poster. The only one of us that always makes sense.

AC, I have no inside info and did not at all intend to give that impression. He is a regular at 220. The restaurant is blocks from where I live. And I would not at all categorize it as an invasion of privacy (???). Not too exciting, eh?

As for Richie, Casper said what I tried, apparently lamely, to say. I don't understand why some posters don't believe he would be welcomed by several teams. Montreal, for example, is really in the think of the playoff hunt and a guy like Richie could assure them of a first round home ice advantage, IMO. Realize the way the Lightning roster is structured makes it more difficult for us to carry #19 than it would be for other teams.

I'm not pissed. The banter when we differ is enjoyable. The sarcasm was not.

[ajax]

My hat is in the ring. I agree it would help us to trade Brad to Montreal. If none of the guys worked out or resigned than we have 7.8 million to go after free agents that we really like. But do you trust Feaster to make those buying decisions, I don't. Also, would present or future owners spend the 7.8 million or shore up the books for a year? The other side of the coin I am squarely in the, "why would Montreal want Brad side" He would surely have to be a difference maker, and he is not. They would be squarely up to the cap max with no room, proably for three more years. They would be putting Price in a position at age 21? to play 65 games. But it boils down to this. Is Richards woth taking up so much money on the roster? NEVER. I think any Gm would use the same rational thinking that alot of us have. If you are going to free up that space why not sign two 4,000,000 players. All of the guys mentioned in the Montreal trade are UFA's, which means at the end of the year Montreal dumps them and has almost 8 million to spend. They can get much better bang for the buck. I have always maintained he is untradeable because of the money. I hope I am wrong and some GM sticks his neck out and bails this franchise out. Their is a group of us that think his contract is probably one of the worse in NHL history. He is a nice PLayer that got the farm given to him for five years.
I see the plus from our side I don't see it from theirs simply because all of the players mentioned they dump them at the end of the year anyway. Richards still has 15.6 million left to be paid. I hope the other 50% is right on this one. I think it would be one heck of a Xmas present for all of us Bolt fans. Money to rebuild the roster, YES!!

[Hockey Chic]

I agree with you Jr that Lisa is very informed and I like reading what she has to say as well. By the way no need to apologize I figured out who you were directing it to. But I do like the new civility the holidays brings to us all.

I had a conversation this morning in the locker room with a guy that was born and raised in Canada. He brought up the amount of ice time the Big 3 are getting. He is a nurse or doctor not sure which and he works at Moffitt and he said they cannot keep up that level of minutes night after night. Especially with the length of the season and be expected to be productive. I thought it was an interesting observation and one that we have discussed at length and I wanted to share with my fellow bloggers.

Anyone check the stats after the last game and see how substantially the minutes dropped in the last game for the Big 3. As well how many total shifts they had? I am not sure if it was Ajax, JR or Nan that brought it up but I think Torts maybe listening to you guys.

It will be interesting tonite to see how that all pans out. As for as richie we talked about that to and the guy said I think after they gave him all that money he forgot about Hockey. Interesting as well.

Peace to all see you at the game.

Go Bolts.

[Herb]

I totally agree with you Ajax, at $7.8 million per he should make everybody around him better. The money is better spent elsewhere. Brad is a GREAT player but $7.8 million is way overpriced.

[Jonathan]

In regards to a couple posts above mentioning Toronto and possible goalie trades. Tampa Bay was reported by Toronto media to be asking about Andrew Raycroft. While I dont think he is the second coming of Khabibulin, I do see consistency in him and the ability to be a #1. He is only 28, makes $2m this year and $2.2 next year. Scouting report on him says he is positive in the locker room - a HUGE asset for this team. If Toronto would surrender him and Antropov for Richards, Feaster would be in my good graces for some time. Antropov is a top line forward and is also signed thru the end of next season. Also, he is very reminiscent of Artyukhin in size and strength without all the penalties - and did I mention he is on track for 30+ goals this year.
Now, would Toronto really make this trade? You dont know if you dont ask.

[Jonathan]

In regards to a couple posts above mentioning Toronto and possible goalie trades. Tampa Bay was reported by Toronto media to be asking about Andrew Raycroft. While I dont think he is the second coming of Khabibulin, I do see consistency in him and the ability to be a #1. He is only 28, makes $2m this year and $2.2 next year. Scouting report on him says he is positive in the locker room - a HUGE asset for this team. If Toronto would surrender him and Antropov for Richards, Feaster would be in my good graces for some time. Antropov is a top line forward and is also signed thru the end of next season. Also, he is very reminiscent of Artyukhin in size and strength without all the penalties - and did I mention he is on track for 30+ goals this year.
Now, would Toronto really make this trade? You dont know if you dont ask.

John, Raycroft can play. He set the Leaf record for wins in a season last year when the team was crippled with injuries.(Surpassing Cujo, Belfor etc)

Doubt that Leafs would want Richards though @1. 3 million per goal and badly upside down in plus minus.

They might do a deal for St Louis though.

[Jonathan]

You make an interesting point. (Bear?)
I think St Louis at this point is good trade bait. His salary is going down for the next 2 years and it's reasonable to begin with. The problem with that is: what do we do with Richards and his salary? I wouldnt want to lose both of these players without a quality goalie, a proven centre/wing and hopefully a good D-man in return.
I think Richards would do well in a Toronto or Montreal market. He has the talent, but just doesnt have the intensity - I would hope a Paul Maurice or Guy Carbonneau could get that out of him and that's what would make it worthwhile for these teams to pull the trigger. Montreal will be looking to add Ovechkin in the offseason (whether they actually will or not is another story). Richie and Ovie could be interesting if they could foot the bill.

On a side note, from Feaster's standpoint, this roster-freeze for the next few days will allow him to look at Ramo and possibly strengthen our bargaining position if he holds up in these games.

[leo]

Hey Bear, sorry, think you might be right about Tavares. (Thought it was This year, oops)
Hey, oh jeez, forgot, lemme check...
Hey, oh, no name guy,
Hey dude, I guarantee you would QUICKLY change your mind about...ah, I don't wanna talk about Raycroft.
Re: Richards (who, by the way, has been a Presence most of the year)
Huet and Ryder, you know what? I WOULD go for it. Not for the players (whom I don't necessarily WANT, for multiple reasons) but for the unloading of a chain-balling contract, which, we all know, is the PRIMARY reason other GMs won't take our phone calls.
But c'mon, Huet is their num1! I've always said The Kid was gonna be the best in the world, but right now, it's Huet. (Hey, what can I say? Give him time.) I don't see that happening.
On this note, I have a question. Is it at all possible to finagle a way with another team to SEND BRAD THROUGH WAIVERS AND TRADE AT THE SAME TIME? Trade Big?
(team agrees to pay half, us too, and then, you know, "future considerations", something like that?)
Aren't "future considerations" exactly that? Finagling?
Peace.

[bear]

Johnathan St Louis is the one contract Feaster got right.

[Jonathan]

Bear, the contract was no doubt a good one, but it is good in that it is pretty fair market value over the life of the term and makes him trade bait for that same reason.

Leo, i like the idea behind what you are getting at, but ideally, you dont place the player on waivers, you just agree to terms with Team X and pay a certain amount of his salary for maybe the next year or two.
I just read this morning's article on Ryder in the Montreal Gazette. Not a good article for the young man, but shows his lack of trade value right now. Nothing like getting a proven 30-goal scorer when value is low.
Do we have confidence in Jay to make it happen?

[leo]

Watching The Kid as often as I do, I naturally caught of glimpse of Ryder and the only thing I can say is, It's just not going in. This kid works like a horse and it's just not going in.
Last year, Ryder was -27.
So far this year, I think he's at -1.
It's just not going in.
Bad luck?
Lack of confidence?
Hoodoo vuju?
Don't know. But he's got 85 goals in 3 years. MTL definitely wants SOMETHING for him, or else he would be gone already. Guy's a natural scorer; everyone knows this.
Thing is though, à propos Richards. You CAN'T help a team pay for a player. That goes against the new convention. You could in the past, not now. Only way is through waivers.
Of course, the danger is that ANY team could get it on it. The finagling would be more productive with a weak team, right? Me, I'm not exactly sure about that.
So I look at WEAK teams who could easily get first picks off the waiver lot AND who have good young goalie (Cause that's what I want, young, (proven), reliable) and those are: L.A., Nashville. Sure others too, but these 2 would be ideal. Especially L.A.
Jay calls up L.A. GM, yo, if I put Richards on waivers, would you take him? You would? Ok, I'll do it but you have to trade Bernier, Visnofsky (or whoever) and a pick to me for Hlavac (or whoever) right after you pick up Richards.
Something like that?
Peace.