Hockey News: Feaster last among GMs

The Hockey News, in its current issue, ranked the NHL's GMs, and Tampa Bay's Jay Feaster was 30th out of 30, down from sixth last year.

The magazine pointed out the bad goaltending decisions, tying up what it said was too much money in Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards an Marty St. Louis, and poor drafting, which certainly is a valid criticism.

I like the Hockey News. I even contribute as a freelancer. But 30th? Sorry, don't see it.

The best thing about these rankings is they are a great jumping off point for discussions. So here are the circumstances The Hockey News apparently didn't include in its evaluation of Feaster. You tell me why or why not these factors should mitigate some of what went wrong this season. 

The magazine said the rankings were done by primarily analyzing the past year and what happened at the trade deadline. If that is true, the following should have been in the mix:

Ownership's mandate of a $44-million payroll that may or may not have stopped the team from acquiring goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov in a cheap trade.

The team has been sold twice since August and current owner Palace Sports & Entertainment apparently has abdicated some of its ownership responsibility to Hollywood producer Oren Koules, who has provided no indication he is closing the deal.

The loss of Dan Boyle to a freak skate accident.

This year's trade deadline: Feaster should get high marks for getting goalie Mike Smith, defenseman Alex Picard and forwards Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Halpern for Vinny Prospal and Brad Richards

Could Feaster have done some things things differently? Sure and he will tell you so. But if as The Hockey News says, "A GM's career body of work carries significant weight,'' you would think that a Stanley Cup and four straight playoff seasons would count for something. Guess not.

Other stuff from this morning: As expected, Mike Smith gets the call in net. ... With Smith back in the lineup, Marc Denis, who was called up on an emergency basis, had to be returned to AHL Norfolk. ... The Lightning penalty kill is 52 of 58 in its past 15 games. Coach John Tortorella gave credit to associate coach Mike Sullivan for devising a system that more quickly confronts opponents when they try to cross the blue line. Better goaltending helps as well. ... One thing you can say about the Lightning. The players haven't stopped trying, a feather in their caps considering how far out of the playoffs they have been and for how long. Nothing special there,Tortorella said. "You play hard all the way through. That's what we're paid to do. That's what we're supposed to do.'' ... Sullivan, who will be Tortorella's assistant at the world championship and who was head coach of the United State's 2007 world championship team, said people might be surprised at the level of U.S.-born talent in the league, including players such as Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Peter Mueller, Phil Kessel, Zach Parise. Even Paul Stastny, who has dual citizenship with Canada, played last year for the United States. "I don't think there were a lot of people that thought we would have any sort of competitive edge,'' Sullivan said last year, "and I thought our guys played extremely well,'' losing in a quarterfinal shootout. The lack of buzz, Sullivan agreed, was because it was the first year USA Hockey went without mainstays such as Bill Guerin, Mike Modano, Derian Hatcher. He said the lack of name recognition hurt. "I think there's a volume of American-born players across the NHL right now who are having success and making contributions on their respective teams. This is the best league in the world and that is indicative of how far American players have come.'' ... Tortorella, a candidate to coach the United States at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, said Sullivan also should be up for that job and any NHL job that opens up. "That's how much respect I have for him,'' Tortorella said. ... The trade with the Flyers for Alex Picard is looking better and better as time goes by. With Paul Ranger out, Picard might be Tampa Bay's No. 2 defenseman. ... Center Ryan Craig (knee) skated for 45 minutes Monday in sweats. "It's good to know I can still skate,'' he said.

   

   

Comments

[Another Joe]

I agree Feaster should not be 30th. I think this next year will be very important. Getting Smith.Halpern,Picard, and Jokinen was a good start towards next year.

Lets play GM and talk about who we think should go/stay next year beside the obvious who will be staying.

Gone fore sure:
Janik-good guy prob AHL guy
Karlson-hasnt done enough to stay
Denis-back up somewhere but not here

Possibly Gone:
Craig-RFA but hasnt lived up to much
Kuba-if they can trade him do it.
Lukowich-probably past his prime but has two years remaining. Maybe could be that 7th blue liner thats a coach/player.

Hopefully back:
Darche-good depth player has earned a chance.
Picard-back for sure best young blue liner we got.
McDonald-same as Darche but probably only able to bring back 1 of them.
Gratton-no better 3rd or 4th line center out there.

Smith/Ramo battling it out for playing time could be real fun to watch.

What you guys think?

[Voice of the Turtle]

A friend of mine said that if he owned the Lightning, his first act would be to fire the appropriately-named Jay FEASTER and instruct the building security stff to shoot him if he ever again came withing 200 yards of the Forum. Others have discussed tar and feathers a similar context.

Thanks to this great big giant in the hockey world, one has to hold the newspaper upside down when examining the standings if they want to see the Bolts in the lead. It makes no sense to present a laundry list of his blunders. We have all read about them, lived through them, paid for them, and had our hearts broken by them.

Certainly, if there are any measures of failure for a GM in the NHL, this man has stretched them to the limit. That he still holds his position in this organization goes beyond the comprehension of any reasonable person.

Damian Cristodero has earned my respect and admiration, but his shallow defense of Jay Feaster challenges my understanding. I doubt that his words are designed to curry favor with the Lightning organization because I believe him to have more character as a gentleman and more responsibility as a reporter than that; however, his quarrel with the Hockey News' rating is downright wrong-headed and disturbing.

I should prefer to use the mathematical designation "n" to portray Feaster's rating rather than 30th because #30 would suggest that he is just one place behind the GM who finished at #29. No other GM could possibly deserve to be thought of as only one spot ahead of Jay (member in good standing of the clean-your-plate club) because that would be the supreme hockey insult to any NHL team executive.

[David]

The team has been sold twice since August?

Wow, guess my head has been in the sand, I thought it hadn't been sold at all.

[Voice of the Turtle]

Oh...by the way, I wish to nominate Feaster for General Manager of the Clean-Your-Plate-Club.

[Patrick S]

Even if we are to put aside other personnel blunders Feaster has proven himself incapable of judging young talent at the NHL draft. This flaw is absolutely inexcusable as to thrive long term in the salary cap era a team must be able to reload and plug in with cheap talent acquired in June.

[BoltAction]

The truth hurts, yes? Feaster has proved year after year how bad he is. It's pretty telling that even Garth Snow of the Islanders is rated better than Feaster.

I think it should have been more obvious than this. I mean, I knew he was bad *years* ago! He signed Richards, Lecavalier and St. Louis for like $400 BILLION dollars. What's that? There's a salary cap? Uh oh... I hope there are players out there that want to play for free. Yes, Feaster, there are. But they're all fourth-liners. Enjoy.

The sooner we get a new GM, the sooner we can be returned to glory.

BTW, I was doing a search on hockey blogs and I found a funny link about how to enjoy the playoffs as a fan. Not that *we* can... It's about the Canadiens, mostly, but otherwise it's ok:
http://habsbros.blogspot.com/2008/03/tips-for-playoffs.html

[Stacey]

"30th? Sorry, don't see it."

Why? Are you thinking 31st like I am? Oh, right, there isn't 31 teams. Can he still be 31st anyway?

[BoltAction]

BTW, in case anyone was wondering, Burke is #1 in those standings. And despite my knock on the Canadiens, Bob Gainey is #4.

I agree with Burke being #1, although he had a pretty good base to start from.

Gainey #4? Well, if the rankings were done based on last year and trade deadline stuff, well then, he didn't do THAT good did he? But then again, he has a pretty slim pool of "star players" (he doesn't have a Lecavalier) and yet, that team is going to finish no worse than second in the East.

Also, they *DO* talk about why Feaster blows, and really, can you disagree with this:

---
With the demise of the Lightning almost complete, there have been few teams in history that have gone down the sinkhole faster than Tampa Bay. Of course, none of them had to deal with a salary cap, but the Lightning’s mismanagement of the cap has been spectacular. ... Tying so much money up in three players was a death wish, particularly since the Lightning has done such a terrible job of drafting and developing players. The Lightning just finished dead last in THN’s Future Watch rankings of prospects for the third straight year.
---

[Ken]

Anyone that reads The Hockey News knows that they have a bias against the teams in the Southeast. Feaster doesn't deserve all the blame or credit. If they drafted poorly, the scouting staff needs to bear some of the blame. With the high quality defense and goaltender prospects set to make the transition to the NHL, I don't think they drafted badly. Perhaps they needed to use the picks across all areas (D, C, LW, RW, GT) rather than stockpiling D and GT. There's nothing that says those prime prospects can't be traded for quality forward prospects. If every single goaltender that he picks up bombs, someone needs to start evaluating the goaltending coaching. If Jay is guilty of one thing it's being more of a fan than a GM. I truly believe that he learned his lesson and that he needs to add players that weren't necessarily on the Lightning roster from 10/03-6/04. I think that trading Brad Richards was the 1st step towards recovery.

[ajax]

Jay Feaster did just about everything wrong. Here is something not reported, and I have stated this before. It truly shows how many things Jay did totally wrong handling the Richards re-signing. Richards was a RFA not a UFA. If and I mean BIG IF, someone would of offered Richards more at the time, we would of recieved 5 draft choices compensation. A team would of offered 7.8 million and lost 5 years of draft. And Jay stated(look it up) he is confident someone would of made an offer. NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!!! Jay, You had no risk of losing him!!!! He also signed him to 100% of the allowable salary at the time. Everything adds up to one thing, he (and probably TOrts) thought Richards was the best player in hockey. In other words Jay gave a blank check, no bids, no holdout, no negotiating. It wasn't so much a bad decision that has always irked me, it was the fact that he handled it like a two year old. He held all the cards and he signed him without any due diligence what so ever. If you remember it was the first signing in almost the entire league that spring. It should of been the last!!!! I get so worked up!!! I wonder if he paid more for his house and bmw than anyone else in America?? Get my drift on how he slaughtered every business rule ever written?? It was a giant feel good move that almost always comes back to haunt any company. On a side note he gave VL4 7 million without any sort of contract negotiation also. Throw in two trades, Denis and Kuba and you realize not only is the man a very very very very poor businessman he knows nothing about hockey. Dallas trade raises his grade from F to D-. I stated it three weeks ago, no matter how much it costs to buy him out it should be the very first thing the new owners do. 30th is being generous!!!!!

[Mike13]

I must diagree Ken. Several of their writers and the Editor are in love with the Lightning. Proteau can't stand Torts.

Stacey, you took the words out of my mouth!...

"30th? Sorry, don't see it."

Why? Are you thinking 31st like I am?...Can he still be 31st anyway?

Freakin' brilliant! LMAO!!

[Mike13]

You missed a couple more very's there Ajax. I remember that day and the press conference. I was so excited that he re-signed Brad and when I heard the $$$, my stomach sank and my jaw dropped. Brad is one of my favorite players, and there's no way in heck that I would have signed him to that kind of a deal. I seem to recall part of his flawed logic was that he was buying out a few years of free agency with the deal. I guess that worked out.

[Mike13]

I love and hate that game Another Joe. So, I'll play...

Gone fore sure:
Janik-good guy prob AHL guy [agree fully]
Karlson-hasnt done enough to stay [agree fully]
Denis-back up somewhere but not here [probably a good backup in Norfolk]

Possibly Gone:
Craig-RFA but hasnt lived up to much [I think the Bolts deserve some sort of rebate check. Resign him at a discount until he re-proves his worth]
Kuba-if they can trade him do it. [agree mostly]
Lukowich-probably past his prime but has two years remaining. Maybe could be that 7th blue liner thats a coach/player. [agree partly]

Hopefully back:
Darche-good depth player has earned a chance. [agreed]
Picard-back for sure best young blue liner we got. [probably appears so great because he hits, unlike the others. Still he's good enough to probably stay in the top 6]
McDonald-same as Darche but probably only able to bring back 1 of them. [disagree. bring them both back]
Gratton-no better 3rd or 4th line center out there. [disliked the trade that brought him back, but he's pretty good and should be kept]

Smith/Ramo battling it out for playing time could be real fun to watch. [agree fully]

[BoltAction]

I'm interested to hear what leo has to say about this...

[ajax]

I open my copy of the St. Pete Times that morning and saw the headline and have 4ever dubbed it. The day the music died. I knew that single instant that his contract would kill us, I didn't know it would be such a slow painful death. The tentacles from that contract strangled every single move we have made since. Thank-you Jesus for Brett Hull and the Dallas Stars, we can see the light!!!

[Nan]

Above posts are great. Great post Stacey! Hey Ajax, calm down. Go have a beer or something! You do get worked up don't you? I agree that Richards deal was ridiculous. I was glad they resigned him but not at that price.

The GM needs to look at the staffing, both the scouting positions and the goaltending coach. I asked at the beginning of the year, why is Reese still here and I am asking it again! Has the goaltending improved at all? Nope! Let's change the coach at that position and see what happens, it couldn't hurt at this point!

[FullAuto]

BoltAction IS Leo, it shows.
How sick. Avast ye scurvy dog!

[ajax]

Good advice Nan, I will be saluting my favorite team in the whole sports world in less than two hours and paying homage to them with an ice cold Coors lite. Peace to all, except Leo
Go Leafs Go!!!!

[Amy]

I don't know if Feaster deserves to be last... I can think of a few other teams who have been managed worse. Doug Armstrong (Dallas Stars) comes to mind, but he's gone this year.

The stat about the Lightning PK is pretty interesting, especially since the Stars PK was around 86% in February and then 74% in March. Shows how much we miss Jeff Halpern.

I've watched many of the games since the trade deadline, and it is refreshing to see that a lot of this team hasn't stopped playing just because they're not in the playoff race.

And, as a Stars fan (if you didn't guess earlier), I really think you guys got the better part of the deal getting Halpern, Jussi, and Smitty

[Jim-NJ]

Amy- we could've gotten a subscription to Maxim for Richards and made out on that deal! All of the players by themselves are doing better this year for us than Brad's doing over there!

[leo]

Are you playing me, BoltAction? I don't bite THAT easily, do I?
I'll fan the flames of Victory but I won't kick a team when it's down. You said it all. Lot of folks see it that way too. Feaster has done a less than wonderful job and that's it.
But now, with Smith, it's a turning point. Another defenseman or 2, another forward and Erwin's your uncle. You'll be no worse than Philly or Boston and they're in the playoffs.
As for Gainey, he said 5 yrs; this is year 4. Nuff said.
Cool, bro?
BBR

[leo]

Hey, easy!
No, he's not me.
He's playing me so y'all kill me.
This is Leo.
BBR

[ben bolt fan]

Feaster deserves a lot of blame for the talent. But Torts deserves all the blame for the third period problems. The third period is the reson this team is not in the playoffs. Trading Brad, right now, is not a loss at all. Halpern has been huge and Ollet is must love his play. He has scored more goals in less games than he did with "a play maker" #19 ever did. No suprise to me that Brad is minus 2 with his new team. Remember, Turco is in the net.

[leo]

I'm not disagreeing with you Ben Bolt, but if by 3rd period, you mean 3rd period meltdowns, could Fatigue be a factor?
Consider that the season got progressively worse in that aspect. All the good intentions in the world doesn't change the fact that 3 or 4 guys alone are responsible for the offence; that's bound to catch up with them. It's not an excuse, hey, this is the NHL, right? But these guys have Nothing left. There it is.
But if you were given the luxury of dumping one and ONLY ONE, who would it be?
Feaster or the Tortinator?
BBR

Gone fore sure:
Janik-good guy prob AHL guy(I'd rather him than Lundin. Can anybody name a less physical player?)
Karlson-hasnt done enough to stay(definatly agree)
Denis-back up somewhere but not here(disagree, he couldn't play back up for the womens team)

Possibly Gone:
Craig-RFA but hasnt lived up to much(I'd like to give him another chance because he's maybe the only player not affraid to stand infront of the net)
Kuba-if they can trade him do it.(agree)
Lukowich-probably past his prime but has two years remaining. Maybe could be that 7th blue liner thats a coach/player.(disagree, he's not flashy but he gets the job done)

Hopefully back:
Darche-good depth player has earned a chance.(maybe a forth line guy)
Picard-back for sure best young blue liner we got. (agree)
McDonald-same as Darche but probably only able to bring back 1 of them. (agree)
Gratton-no better 3rd or 4th line center out there. (agree)

Smith/Ramo battling it out for playing time could be real fun to watch. (hopfuly!)

[jr]

Unfortunately, the new GM, whoever he may be, probably will be shackled by the self-imposed salary cap. Here's Spector's analysis of Torts calling out management for improvements:

"It will depend on how much the current or incoming ownership are willing to spend on payroll for next season. If it is kept at $44 million as often-rumored, the Bolts won't be able to bid competitively for the top talent and could once again find themselves hunting for bargains, which would fit under the cap but won't improve their roster."

[Eric]

Ken: The Southeast Division deserves to be trashed. They are a joke in the hockey world. The teams have been mismanaged. Yes they have 2 Championships in their division but those days are over.

As for Feaster he has to step up and accept his failures. One major failure he has is keeping Torts. Torts should have lost his job immediately at the beginning of the season. Neither one of these two men are capable of building a strong club.

Scary thing, the new "ownership" group cannot pull it together. Expect to see this deal fall through and team payroll slashed. Do not expect the Lightning to do much next year.

[geo]

Hope he's gone the stanley cup team was built before he got here he likes the french canadians and got rid of most of the europeans bet he would have not taken oveckin. guess kubina was worth it but now give boyle so much. Davidson I though you were a better judge of management bye bye feaster

[geo]

sorry meant to say guess kubina was not worth I believe he is better than boyle better puck handler and his contract would have been less than boyle got

[Nate Dogg]

Leo, you know what's funny?

When they held the Coach's talk not too long ago (with Mike Sullivan), the stats of Vinny, Brad, and St. Louis being among the leaders in terms of ice time in the league crept into the conversation with the fans. I suggested
that maybe more production could've been pumped out from all three if they weren't on the ice. Sullivan STRONGLY disagreed. He said (not verbatim): "I love how all the 'experts' think ice time really dictates a player's efficiency or endurance. Brad played the point on the powerplay, so a lot of his minutes were eaten up there. And look at Boyle, he's a freak of nature. He never tires down..."

My response: "maybe true, but don't you think it'd be a lot easier for all four players to go out HARDER each shift or at least be able to be more productive if there was more depth to take away some of the time from the Big 4? I mean, worse case scenario wouldn't it lead to less third period meltdowns? I mean over a course of 82 games??"

MS: "Suffice to say, depth and better health would help a lot of factors."

...let's just say he didn't disagree with that. But are you kidding me? It's not like its easier to play the point as a defenseman! Unless your possession is flawless, you're gonna have to sprint back and be the puckhandler all the way back up the ice at least TWO times a powerplay. I mean yeah, look at Kovalchuk. Playing the PP quarterback doesn't slow him down for anything.

But otherwise, I do agree...fatigue can make a difference...even if you have a team of 18 players with Danny Boyle's endurance.

[boltflasher]

No, I don't think Feaster should be 30. That should belong to the Atlanta guy whereas that team is awful. That team has never won a playoff game, has no farm system, and no top line centers. ESPN really ripped them a couple of weeks ago. Florida is not much better, so yeah, the SE division is pretty much a joke. At least the Bolts still pack the bldg unlike ATL and FLa...Jim Rutherford in Carolina has done a pretty good job...

[boltflasher]

When did Sully ever play 18 minutes when he was playing? or even the 22 that our top guys play?

[Nate Dogg]

My grade for Feaster before this last year's trade deadline? D- ...Ajax's "Richards" take, Giving up a 1st and 2nd rounder for a potential 2nd/3rd d-man (Shane OB) and a 3rd/4th line center (Gratton), respectively; Not getting anything back for Stillman; The Denis trade...etc, etc...

He did bring in St. Louis and Boyle for nothing if my memory serves me correct, but the Richy contract really killed us. And I will defend his signing of Kuba, as he was supposed to be a cheaper alternative to Kubina that you could train to be physical. It just didn't pan out.

After this trade deadline, C-. The future does look bright with pretty much all of the trades leading to an optimistic summer (when you ignore the ownership crisis).

[Bear]

Feaster worst? D'oh

Damien can't see it?
Dude

[leo]

Well, that Atlanta guy's team just beat Tampa, boltflasher.
Now, I know one game doesn't mean anything but at the same time; we can't deny that Waddell did what he had to do when he had to do it. For good or bad.
Sure they got wiped out last year because they made crazy sell-the-farm moves and they were playoff virgins, but Atlanta HAD to make the playoffs. The whole future of their Concession DEPENDED on it. Yay or nay? Mission accomplished.
Kovalchuk or Hossa? Which would you choose (regardless what Hossa said)? He did what he had to do and PILLAGED Pittsburgh to get it. We offered O'Byrne, Grabovski, Lapierre and a second round pick so heck, I can say for Waddell: Mission accomplished.
His team was skunking at the beginning of the year; he went down behind the bench and, well, stopped skunking as much to the extent that he's still not in the playoffs. Point is, at least he knows hockey SOMEWHAT. You see Feaster steppin' down behind the Bolt bench?
I don't know boltflasher, you might be right. Thing is, ESPN might've said it, but are they singing Tampa's praises, what? Do they put'em at 29, what?
I think both teams are pretty much at the same level, talent-wise, development-wise and future-wise.
With everbody at 100%, I'd take Tampa cuz of the goalie. Same goalie, I'd take Atlanta, cuz of your defense.
Hey, it's just business.
And I'm glad we agree, Nate Dogg.
BBR

[ajax]

Just got home and fitting end to the most miserable of seasons. Was a good loss, as it gives us better future draft.
50 shots on goal and 48 of them with no one in front of the goalie.
Anyone think the 0-10 PPlay would be better with Helpern in front of Marty and Vinny? Everyone but Torts I guess. Must of been sending the millionth message to Vinny and Marty. What a stubborn man.
Important little thing, everyone skated to center ice and waived their sticks etc etc. Anyone else notice the first one off the ice, making a beeline towards the exit. Yes, one Vincent LeCavalier. Somehow, someway I don't think, with my most rosy glasses in hand, that VL4 will sign if Torts is still coach. Might be wrong, could be wrong, but every ounce of me tells me VL4 has had enough of the roller coaster ride.
Finally, Torts gives credit to the better penalty kill to Sullivan for having the players meet the opposition at the blue line earlier. After 70 games, Torts recognizes what the rest of the league has done for 70 years.
AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
wAY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS COACH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Herb]

Like I need the Hockey News to tell me what most have already known for quite some time. I fell like I got punched in the head 50 times after I witnessed the debacle that tonight. What a complete waste of time and gas to see these turds stink up the Forum tonight. That wasn't NHL hockey it was ECHL hockey at best. An AHL team would have whooped the Bolts and Trash easily tonight. I was in awe of the inept play of BOTH teams. Thank God the home season is over.

Do you people realize that 2 of the last 3 champions have come from the Southeast Division. I understand that the bolts are playing like wingnuts, but come on....2 out of 3. I guess that's a fluke.

[Another Joe]

Thanks for the responses to my post.

I went to game tonight im glad the season is finally over.

For those of you out there that want Feaster fired who would you hire? Who is out there?

[bolts26]

WHY DON'T YOU BOLT BASHERS GO TRY AND BE THE GM AND STOP VENTING BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING! SHOW'S WHAT TYPE OF FANS YOU ARE, THE ONE WHO SAYS "SHOOT" WHEN THERE ARE 3 FREAKIN PLAYERS IN FRONT OF OUR GUY. I KNOW WHY, BECAUSE YOU HAVE NEVER STEPPED ON THIS ICE IN YOUR LIFE MOST LIKELY! BTW THE SOUTHEAST HAS THE MOST PLAYERS IN THE TOP TEN, AND 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS WITHIN THE PAST 4 YEARS! SO HOW CAN YOU SAY THE SOUTHEAST IS A JOKE?? NOT TOO LONG AGO MOST OF YOU WERE PRAISING FEASTER WHEN WE WON IT ALL AND NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE 1 YEAR WITHOUT MAKING THE PLAYOFFS YOU WANT TO GO APE S**T ON THE GUY? FROM MY RESEARCH HE WAS RANKED #2 BEST GM OF ALL PRO SPORTS BY FORBES JUST LAST YEAR.

IM SORRY BUT 1 BAD YEAR DOESNT STACK UP TO WHAT JAY AND TORTS DID TO TURN THIS FRANCHISE AROUND, AND ANY LOGICAL HUMAN BEING WOULD KNOW THIS JUST BY EXAMINING THE FACTS!

[GP]

Just got back from the game and kind of feel like I kissed Leo's sister. Almost like I need a shower. Only kidding. What a disappointment. If it turns out to help the draft position than maybe it is worthwhile. Love Tarns trying to swing momentum with the fight but I think it was about 5 to 10 mins too late. The best part of the night was section 106 and Thunderbug singing happy baday to my 3 year old son.

I agrre with the moves that the other bloggers were saying up top. I like Macdonald and Darche and "tweeners" to be either with the Bolts or the first call ups from Norfolk. What I did not agree with is the competition between Ramo and Smith. WHY? If that is the case, than the Bolts missed COMPLETELY on the Richards trade. Ramo needs to start and is better off in Norfolk. Veteran goalies are cheap. If they truly feel Ramo can battle Smith for the top spot for the next 5 years, than the trade is a waste and they should have traded Richards to Columbus for the young forwards.

AS for a GM search ... I have two in mind.

Craig Patrick - He has been out of it for awhile but he was one of the better GM's in the league during the Pens Stanley Cup years. He has drafted well and he would make the Bolts into a "family" setting by keeping former players in the fold.

Ron Hextall - He is the asst GM in LA right now under Dean Lombardi. The key here is he was groomed in philly. I know i know ... Philly sucks blah blah and Clarke is an ahole and so is Holmgren. What you can not argue is the consistency of having a quality product on the ice and having one of the better talent evaluating organizations in the past decade. I say give Hextall his shot. Tampa would love his Fiery attitude.

Ok ... bring on the insults ... lol.

[GP]

Bolt26,

I have to agree with you that the people who yell shoot at the games need to put on skates once in their lives. Very true brother.

One thing you have to look at this year in regards to the Southeast division is the points for each team compared to the other divisions. The points difference is very noticeable considering Carolina has less points than the 8th seed. I think the SOutheast has been the whipping boys of hockey this year. You can't argue the past sucees of the Southeast and the top points guys BUT the team themselves are below par as a whole this year. The good thing is that I really believe the Bolts can turn this around quick and be a playoff team next year.

[Dan]

How about subjecting EVERYONE on the team to contracts with incentives? (I know, union won't allow it). You play a crappy season, your next contract is crappy but with incentives to bring it up to where the individual wants it to be? How 'bout if we throw the GM into the scheme? After all, he makes the final decision in trades, etc. I have grown to detest players receiving huge contracts for long term after one good season, then just ride the ride till it expires. A GM who can't recognize talent (as shown by the standings here and in Norfolk) shouldn't be paid to the level of a GM in (say) Ottawa or Detroit until the level of play is on par with them. And let's not forget..this is a team no one apparently wants to own!!

[Not The Marlboro Man]

I been saying what the hockey news just got around to saying. Feaster sucks...and until he's gone the Lightning will drag the bottom. This guy cant work within perameters and is lazy and scared to make good trades. I was shocked when he did the right thing to get rid of Brad Richards. The next step is to get fired for the Denis, Modin, Bryzgolov, Artyukin Cullimmore, Shane Obrien debacles. Feaster is plain and simply a moron that needs to be in the minor leagues, not the NHL.

[Steve M]

Did someone actually say we have high quality defensive prospects? Would that be the guy we had to convert to forward because he couldn't play defense (Egener), the other top draft pick from several years ago that is injury prone and has played in the ECHL this year (Rogers), or the guy who was thrown out of Michigan for credit card fraud (Quick)? That's right we have do have Mihalik. Maybe we can bring back Mario Laroque too? We are the worst team in the East, we have the worst prospects (per the Hockey News), and the worst GM (also per the Hockey News). Yet with all of these things, Campell says today that Feaster is a top-tier GM in this league. Really?

[BoltAction]

What the hell? I come in to read posts today and there's all this crap about me BEING leo? Are you NUTS?!? Leo is a filthy Habs fan and should be dragged out into the street and shot. The arrogance and stupidity of those fans is disgusting.

But that being said, he's usually right about some things and largely entertaining. So I have to give him that.

Of course, then I read some of his posts today and he's talking about us being dumb as Lightning FANS, well that's not right. I mean, our team blows and we should trade EVERYBODY and fire EVERYBODY else. But as FANS, I think we're the *best*. Especially since we stick by our team even in the worst of times. (Which, by the way, this clearly is.) Can Habs fans say that? Even in the best of times they want to lynch people (e.g. Micheal Ryder?).

[Patty]

Gee, I wonder where Jim Rutherford of the 'Canes is ranked? If I am not mistaken, the year after they won the Stanley Cup, they failed to make the playoffs entirely, and, if the Caps do their job, Carolina may miss the playoffs this year as well...

[Hockey Chic]

Hey Fellow Bloggers Chic here with pom poms and rosie still in hand.

I have to say last nights game had to be a hard to play. I know you guys all think that at any cost our guys should have won and that may be. But those are the games that suck when you are a player.

I also have to say that we as fans appreciated the high five with the sticks at center ice nice gesture on the part of the fellas.

Here hoping that the Habs lose sorry Leo but its the Habs...Here hoping our guys get some much needed R & R and spend much of the off season in the gym making them a much better force to deal with when they come back.

I am not a Feaster or Torts lover but I would not want their jobs either. If Bolts 26 thinks Feaster busted his hump to try to turn around a bad season so be it.

I have to agree as well the people who yell shoot it cannot see what the guys are seeing on the ice. I am ready for some R & R and it is time to work on my hockey game. See you guys in a couple of months.

Go Bolts and heres hoping next season is much longer...

[ajax]

Any organization/company/team is measured by its growth and improvment. That is why so much dissappointment in Jay. We are not Lightning haters, or idiots, or unthankful slobs. The "team" and organization in whole has made a dramatic nosedive in three years. Hard to grasp how one decision maker(Jay) could have done so many things wrong in a row. Love my Bolts, would like to see someone who knows a hockey player when he sees one. Feaster hasn't shown that ability. His inability to hammer out a win/win contract is the worst part of him. He gives way to much money to the stars and then pinches the role players out of town for mere pennies. Last night was depressing gang. The season is over. For me, it is dullsville for 5 months. So yeah, I want to see us improve and feel we have a shot to do some damage. Even before all the injuries I thought we did nothing to improve. So much of that pointed back to a laundry list of mistakes by Jay. Clean house is what I want. I alos want Montreal to get swept with 4 shut-outs so my enabled friend Leo gets some well deserved humble pie. Hopefully we will all get some good headlines about ownership real soon.

[Stacey]

Agree w/ Casper.
Leo- not cool calling Vinny that, not cool at all. I love MY friends more than anything and would you call me the same? Jerk thing to say...

[Tackleberry]

I cant believe that Hockey news did not do this story on "Jabba the Feaster" a few months ago. Over the past couple years, he has been consistantly trading down. Not one descent trade over the past 3 seasons. I give him a D- right now. The ONLY reason he's not getting an F is because of the recent trades. I would love to see Hockey News do an exposee on Jabba Feaster, the lengthy sale, and the Bolts' leadership.

Luckily for the players, there is a relatively loyal fan base here in Tampa (with the exception of Leo). What is the forum averaging, 17,500 per night. If the Habs were in last place in the Conference, what would their attendance be per/night/ on ave?

The players have had a serious uphill battle all season. Pending sale, Jabba the Feaster, low salarie cap, injuries, etc...

Gone fore sure:
Janik-good guy prob AHL guy
Karlson-hasnt done enough to stay
Denis-back up somewhere but not here

Possibly Gone:
Craig-RFA but hasnt lived up to much [work with him, if he doesnt work out -trade or Norfolk]
Kuba-if they can trade him do it. [keep for now, he's shown improvement in March]
Lukowich-probably past his prime but has two years remaining. Maybe could be that 7th blue liner thats a coach/player. [agree]

Hopefully back:
Darche-good depth player has earned a chance. [keep]
Picard-back for sure best young blue liner we got. [definite keeper]
McDonald-same as Darche but probably only able to bring back 1 of them. [keep, depends on salaries paid out]
Gratton-no better 3rd or 4th line center out there. [keep]

Smith/Ramo battling it out for playing time could be real fun to watch. [agree, cant wait to watch these two duel it out].

I will be watching the playoffs and rooting for Minn.

[Tackleberry]

Here is an interesting article from Bleacherreport.com. This is all hypothetical upon the current standings. This draft features one of the most dynamic prospects, since Sidney Crosby, in Steven Stamkos and one of the best defenseman, since Dion Phaneuf, in Drew Doubty.

All teams have different needs going into draft day, it is about time to look into possible draft positions and who is available there.

www.bleacherreport.com/articles/14646-NHL-New_York_Islanders-New_York_Rangers-Boston_Bruins-2008_NHL_Mock_Draft

#1 L.A. Kings: The L.A. Kings are no strangers to the top of the draft board over the last couple of years and are in need of serious goaltending, but having the first overall pick, will take the best available player and look for a good goaltender in the later rounds.
SELECTION: Steven Stamkos--He is a dynamic centreman who would look good in any NHL uniform. He recorded 92 points his rookie year and 105 points this past year playing in sixty-three and sixty-one games respectively. Stamkos is highly touted and is the concensus number one pick in this year's draft.

#2 Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lightning tend to draft swift skating playmakers, with high ceilings. The Lightning need a defender to play in the #3 whole on the blueline and accompany Dan Boyle on the Powerplay.
SELECTION: Alex Pietrangelo--Petro is the best puck-moving defender in this draft, and in the Ontario Hockey League he is a point-per-game guy. His downfall though is his unwillingness to play physically, especially with a 6'3" frame. There is no ceiling that is higher than Pietrangelo in this draft, other than Stamkos.

#3 Atlanta Thrashers: The Thrashers need a centre to replace Hossa with but also want to take the best player available. Lucky for them, they can kill two birds with one stone.
SELECTION: Kyle Beach--is a fantastic centreman who has great visibility and is the best playmaking centre in the Western Hockey League. He uses his size to his advantage and draws many comparisons to Mats Sundin, although, it is far too early to tell if this is what he will develop into.

#4 St. Louis Blues: The Blues have a lot of young and talented players and do not have a glaring need other than team depth. At this position in the draft they will take the best player available and lucky for them a pretty good defenseman should still be available.
SELECTION: Drew Doubty--Doubty, according to some is the best defenseman available in this draft. He has a tonne of maturity for his age and is able to be both an offensive defenseman and a stout defensive defenseman, as seen at the World Junior Hockey Championships where he played for team Canada. What he lacks is an ability to carry the puck up the ice. He does it regulalry, but also turns the puck over on most attempts.

Here's an interesting thought: Do the bolts pick up Stamkos or Pietrangelo, Beach or Doubty (Doughty)? I think they misspelled Doughty's name. Is there a greater need for a forward or a d-man?

[BoltAction]

Hockey Chic: Here, here! Boo Habs! My greatest memory was not winning the Cup (although that was awesome), it was watching our team DEMOLISH the Canadiens in 4 straight games with zero difficulty!

Oh, and Leo, remember who was responsible for that embarrassment? Yeah, it was Vinny.

[Rudy]

Obviously in the Hockey News, working smarter people then in St. Petersburg Times, and most importantly, they not kissing anybody’s …… and calling the event with right names.
You don’t have to be really expert t figure out that this guy is worse in history of NHL, and his protégé torts is in same spot. How you can even mentioned his last trades, and wonder way they did not gave him credit for that? They did!!! That way hi is a last!!!
He probably can get a credit and moved little higher if he fire the coach.

[BoltAction]

Rudy: While I agree that Torts and Feaster are clowns, I can't say they are the worst ever. I mean, they are bad, but probably only second worst.

Mike Milbury takes the cake on that one.

[Rudy]

I suppose they can share that honor.

[leo]

Stacey,
You got me confused with someone else. Never said anything bad about V4. Ever.
Tackleberry,
2 things: Hossa is not a center and I'm very loyal. Just MORE loyal somewhere else; what's the big deal?
BoltAction,
Sure you swept us in 4. You creamed the heck out've us; so what? We never held that against you, you were the better team. That's why to this day, can we talk about a Rivalry? No. We've got Real Rivals, thank you very much, and may I point out to you what I've pointed out to other fiery Tampers who want to sit on Old Memories to justify their less than stellar present: Grow Up.
That was then; this is now. Swept in 4? Maybe.
But do you really think so? There was a total of 12 games played against Philly or Boston, our erstwhile 1st round opponents. 12 games this season. Guess how many the Habs won? That's right; all 12. 12 and 0. Swept in 4?
Haw-haw-haw!
We want 2 rounds this year. Next year is the Cup.
I doubt you'll be dragging THAT out into the street for some time yet to come.
BBR

[BoltAction]

Leo, face it, the Habs are going nowhere. Every time they've made the playoffs in the past however many years, they've got smoked. The "glory days" are gone. It's time to let go.

Our team might suck this year, but I can gaurantee this: we will win the Cup before you do.

Step one is taking Feaster and Torts out of the equation.

[leo]

Lemme tell you sumthin' ActionMan,
Every single year, 15 out've the 16 teams who make the playoffs "get smoked", so don't gimme that.
"Aren't going anywhere"??? You realize I meant the Habs and not the Expos, right? You're standing too close to the tar-pail, mate, gettin ready to feather me.
Unless...you're playin' me.
Who is this guy? Out've the blue-dude, come to poke at Leo with silliness.
"Aren't going anywhere" (snicker-snort)
Try again, ActionMan.
Ajax? Is it you playin' me?
BBR

[BoltAction]

Leo, I'm not trying to "play" you, I'm just stating the facts. Hmm, strange... You don't seem to have a problem telling us how crappy our team is, though. (Not that you're wrong.)

But I've made my prediction. Now we'll see. Come back in a couple weeks when the Habs get blown away by Washington, or whoever they play.

[leo]

Didn't say they were crappy. Never said they were crappy. Said they weren't gonna win the Cup for awhile; doesn't mean you're crappy.
YOU just said they were crappy. A LOT of posters say they are crappy.
I never said they were crappy.
Are they crappy?
Well, they aren't gonna win the Cup for awile...
And if the Washers beat the Panters tonight, your point becomes oh, so moot.
I'll be sure to come back and say that, if you want.
BBR

[BoltAction]

Who the Habs play in the playoffs is meaningless, since they'll lost anyways. So say what you want. Plus, the Canadiens will lose to the Sens tonight too, so I can make sure to remind you of that tomorrow.

And you might be right. The 'Bolts won't win the Cup for a while. Maybe even a LONG while. But it'll still be before the Habs do.

I'm willing to bet that even Toronto will win a cup before the Habs do. Heck, the CUBS might even win a World Series before the Habs hoist the Cup.

[leo]

That's just so sad, I don't have the heart to comment.
It's always been this way; folks jealous of our Glory and prepared to spout anything to somehow put it down.
Long after we will have left this earth, my dear BoltAction, the St-Flanelle will still be furling in the winds of Victory.
But hey, Go Cubs!
...the maple-laffs...haw-haw-haw, bloody precious, that'n.
BBR

[BoltAction]

God, I wish we played the Habs one more time...

[DB]

Is Feaster the worst, no. Is he the best, no. One thing people have to realize is that there are many factors other than Jay Feaster that contributed to the slide of the Bolts. Yes, he is the current GM and much of the blame will fall on him. Unfortunately, the ownership no longer cares and is just waiting to unload the team. The scouting staff has failed miserably. The head coach is abrasive and has, in my opinion made way too many coaching mistakes. There are so many things that go on behind the scenes, that have caused decisions to be made or not be made, that we may never know about.
What if Feaster had the extra cash to get more players? Perhaps he would have made some of those trades or signings we wish he would have. Would the players play better under a different coach with a different style? Would free agents come here to play for him and a team with ownership troubles? Can the fans hang in there if the sale falls through, the team has a fire sale and you look back at this year and say "I wish we won half as many games as we did in 2007-2008!". Or worse yet would we still root for the Hamilton Lightning?(obviously we can't root for the Panthers or the Canadiens, sorry Leo but I thought it was a blog requirement to rag on you.) Draft day will be a big indicator of the future or lack thereof. I keep telling myself it is great to be a perennial contender but it is even sweeter going from worst to first. Al Arbour and Scotty Bowman go to alot of Lightning games. Maybe we can hijack Torts,get them Tortorella masks and sneak them behind the bench. Sorry, it was a painful year and it has caused some strange nightmares or maybe they were dreams!

[BoltAction]

As a 'Bolts fan, I'd be excited (for the first time in a long time) if we got Bowman. That'd finally be a step in the right direction.

Next, the management has to realize that it's time to rebuild. Keeping Vinny and Marty doesn't work. And Marty's NTC shouldn't be a problem since, like Richie, he'd probably be willing to get outta Dodge.

So trade those two great guys (which is sad), but land 4-5 "good" guys for the same price. Now add a coach and a defenseman and presto! Worst to ... well, let's not say first, but at least into the playoffs.

[DB]

Thats it. Let it all out Leo. Tell us how you feel deep inside. You will feel so much better. Seriously, credit to the Habs for coming out of nowhere early on and finishing the job by the end of the season. They still won't win the cup this year but still had a great season.

[ajax]

I am ajax, hear me roar. You can tell my blogs by pithy and ignorance. Always said 3rd grade was the hardest three years of my life. People have a nasty habit of writing a venoumous blog and then signing someone else's name. Why? who knows? It is anonymous and someone still hides behind a fake name. Hard to figure. Leo, you're a lunatic, that is why I like ya, but ya still need some humble pie dude. Me, I just love the hockey talk, hate the personel insults(on bloggers or writers) and really dislike when people confuse loyaltiy and unhappiness with the team. I love Jay, I love Torts, my nose just grew a foot!!! Season over, everyone have a great summer. We need new owners first and then let's worry about Gm, coach, draft and V. see ya.

[DB]

I agree we need new ownership first. But, the draft and some signings will most likely come up before the sale either flies or dies. How they are handled will really impact the team.

[olin]

As alway's AJAX is on track. DB you join his footstep's and are 100% correct as well. Let's not forget the bugger's who are the advisor's to our ill fated GM and give them recognition as well for it is their professional duty with all their golden experiance and knowledge of hockey player base to say who goes where and who we they pick up. Kudo's to Mr.Loiselle and Mr. Barber, and let's not forget the General himself Coach Tort's, whom all contributed to this lousy season we all have witnessed and GM's #30 rating. Bottom line here on the whole ball/hockey game I personally blame Bill Davidson, Tom Wilson and Ron Campbell. How can you expect people to re-up if you are still part of the ownership/management. Maybe if you serve free peanut's at each game next season, eh?

[Lisa]

The fact that Vinny has been playing injured for the second half of the year doesn't appear to matter: I don't think he is boo hooing about losing his friend. Sure, like any human being, I am sure that he is disappointed in what has happened, but at the same time, he stuck through the ugly season when he could have shut things down and taken care of his wrist.

If we trade Vinny and Marty, I can say that I really won't be watching the crap that is on the ice. I moved here in 1994, and have watched the Lightning since then, and have been their fan from day 1. I didn't and don't split my allegiance between the Bolts and Flyers (my childhood team), I have been compltely a Bolt fan. I beleive we need another shut down defenseman, another scoring winger and some role players to fill out the roster. If we trade Vinny and Marty, we have nothing. And it will take years to grow something worthwhile in return.

[olin]

I'd personally like to add that last nite's game was the first time in all my sports career, whether playing or being a fan that I blew off 2 expensive close to the ice seat's or any sporting event for I knew what was too happen. I remember last season's finale, and the many before that when at least one could have a shot at a shirt off the player's back or even a stick. Whatever happened to the fresbie's that were thrown to fan's that were traded in for a bag of bolt gear on the plaza. What did you get this time?....a 0-2 loss and a player's wave of the stick...such gracious "fan appreciation nite's", thank's PSE....what great ownership...no forum buck's..no bobbles...thank's for the sorry hockey season PSE.

[Lisa]

I do think that this whole mess with selling the team will impact the ability to sign free agents: if the deal isn't completely done before July 1st, don't expect to get any good free agent signings this season.

I read interviews with some of the top draft prospects: Stamkos was very politically correct, and when asked if he wanted to play for LA or Tampa, mentioned positives for each team (Tampa was getting to play with Vinny and Marty, LA was getting to play with new, young talent). But Doughty said flat out that he wanted to play for LA, that was his favorite team growing up etc. That is a pretty stupid thing to do, it certainly doesn't endear him to the other 29 teams in the draft, and if LA goes first, I don't expect them to take him. And I hope we don't go that route. Either Filatov or trade down. I don't see anyone else that really excites me in the draft.

[BoltAction]

Lisa, it's great to see a fan whose allegiences run through and through (not like leo). That's why I hate my team so much right now. Because they *could be* and *were* great. What happened? Bad choices, that's what.

Bad contracts, bad scouting, bad coaching and bad trades.

But don't you see? If we traded Vinny and Marty and got 4-5 good players, we could be a team that is competitive. Much as it pains me to say it, look at Montreal. What do they have? Kovalev and Koivu? The two of them together are Vinny's contract. How 'bout Minnesota? They've got one guy... One... Why are they better than we are? Coaching and above-average players.

We have 2 great players and then a steaming pile of crap. If we're ever to enjoy our team again, we need to get rid of them and build up. Getting rid of them makes that process faster. Otherwise, all we get is a Toronto situation. Perpetual crap.

[Leanmean43]

Feaster isn't a bad GM, he brought in key players for the Stanley Cup run in 2004 such as:

Fedotenko (Traded a 2002 1st Rounder)
Stillman (Traded a 2003 2nd Rounder)
Lukowich (Traded a 2002 2nd rounder)
Sydor (Traded Svitov,2004 3rd rounder)

Feaster went all in the Cup year by trading alot of draft picks for the next few years for proven veterans, plus the fact that after they won the cup they had to Draft 30th in 2004, and 2005 due to the lockout. Maybe he sacrificed our future to win the Cup but we might not have the Cup if he didn't do that.

However, Feaster is starting to replenish the roster after the Richards deal, which was a really good deal in acquiring an up and coming goalie and some depth forwards. The Bolts should be able to go deep in the playoffs next year if they add a few top six forwards and a veteran D-man in the offseason.

Bottom line is Feaster went all in during the Stanley Cup year and traded alot of First and Second round picks, and ownership hasn't spent the money for free agents to make up for the lack of picks. Ownership is to blame for this lost season, Davidson is the one who didn't let Feaster Trade for Bryzgalov, or look for a D-man to replace Boyle while he was injured.

[BoltAction]

Leanmean43: that's what I mean. Anybody can go out and buy players at the deadline. It's just a matter of what you give up.

Feaster gave up the future for the sake of the present. He showed no foresight. Our goalie ditched us, our franchise player(s) wanted money, and BOOM. Now we have nothing.

Okay, let's give him the benefit of the doubt and say he's rebuilding and that shakey ownership has kept him from doing so properly. Well, if he hadn't screwed the pooch with some crappy trades, would he be in this position at all?

Now, we could of course argue that we wouldn't have won the Cup without the trades. But we paid the price on that one. And we will for *years*.

Now look at Detroit, Dallas, Ottawa and even (sigh) Montreal. Why aren't they suffering? Haven't they done the same?

[Lisa]

Boltaction: look at Montreal: until this year, they missed the playoffs for the last 2 and were swept by the Lightning the previous season. we shall see if they manage to get anywhere this season.

You need to have someone to build around. Vinny is the man. Marty's contract is actually pretty cheap for what we get from him (and yes, I know the second half of the season sucked for everyone, but I have faith they will be better next season). Trading away Richards was what we needed to do to have the opportunity to improve.

Boyle had bad karma or something crazy this season. I expect things with him to improve and for him to settle down next season. The injuries, deconditioning played a big part in his poor play toward the end of the season. Also, I do think he tried to do too much, probably because of the contract. He will settle in.

I do think we need a different/better defensive coach. OB was better when he first got here because he had proper defensive coaching and preceptors (for want of a better word) to learn from in Anaheim. Here, he has lost what he learned previously.

If the ownership issue is resolved, and if we can get either Stamkos or Filitov in the draft, we just need to get a few more pieces in free agency for a much improved team. The Halpern, Oulette, Darche line has been playing well. I don't see Jokinen as a compliment to Vinny and Marty: we still need to get someone for that line (maybe Filatov?). We need a defensive defenseman. I like Gratton as a 3rd or 4th center, MacDonald is a reasonable 4th line center.

The only way we trade Vinny is if he says he won't re-sign with us. That is just my opinion. But I don't see us getting enough quality players to make it worthwhile unless he will not be staying with the team.

[wiggy]

Lisa for GM!!!

[Lisa]

Thank you, Wiggy, but I don't think the team can afford my services for GM. :)

[leo]

Hey, hold on.
Before I say anything, the last "leo" post wasn't mine. That's not nice, mate. Don't anyone take my name! I post fair and square; YOU post fair and square.
Leo doesn't space his paragraphs and always signs off with,
BBR
Last one wasn't me.

[leo]

Correction, Lisa.
Habs missed the playoffs last year but not the year before. I distinctly remember my Captain having his eye out!
This year, if Habs make the 3rd round, we made it! Aaaall part of the plan. I understand what you're saying: rebuilding, we are in primary phases, absolutely true, that's what makes it so thrilling because we are waaaay ahead of where we ought to be. But, there is ONE factor that has definitely put the monkey in the wrench,
My Boy. The Real Deal. The Future. "And another save on Spezza!!!"
Say, what's the score in Ottawa, BoltAction?
BBR

[leo]

Then pray tell what "BBR" means, imposter. And how did I USE to sign off before?
BBR

[boltflasher]

Looks like Leo is arguing with himself...

[boltflasher]

Lisa, I agree with you Stamkos or Filatov or trade down...

[boltflasher]

Leo, Feaster is a better GM than Waddell...he DID make the right moves during the 3 years he was here prior to the CBA and lockout. However, he is not a great GM as evidenced by his poor handling of the team post lockout. He deserves some credit for the CUP just as he also deserves some credit for the meteorific decline of the team post-Cup. Waddell has done nothing but draft Kovalchuk...and at least get back a couple 3rd liners for Hossa (who's a winger by the way). But comparing Feaster and Waddell is at present, like comparing a pair of my old baggy jeans to one of yours to see which one has the most holes in it.

[Lisa]

Leo, I stand corrected. Montreal did not make the playoffs last year, but did the year before and lost to Carolina.

[ajax]

The GM is the brains of the team. The Gm is in charge of putting the pieces all together. He hires those pieces, he oversees them and they all report directly to him. Payroll/scouts/trades/drafts they all belong under Jay's umbrella.
1. We have VL4, Marty and Boyle left from Cup night. Nothing says more about Feaster than this simple statement. He could write a book, 5 easy steps to dismantle a champion
2. Since VL4 and Brad went 1-2 in 1998 draft none of our top 3 draft picks are even in hockey. 9 years in a row of failure to either draft or develope.
3. The run on 30 yr old European losers. 3 of them gone bust.
4. Signing of many minimum wage players year after year which led to sooooo many new faces year after year
5. Kuba and Denis, pithy is best
6. But nothing ever could compare to the gamble of all time. 21 million tied up with 3 forwards in a 40-43 million dollar salary cap world. Brad's contract will alaways look awful, but in reality it was the three contracts(all blank check, grin eating contracts by the way} that strangled this team.
***everything above falls under the umbrella of GM. Has anyone ever heard of a Lightning scout getting fired? With our track record you think there would of been a complete turn over. The only one you really can blame more would be the owners group. They gave the keys to the company(The company they know nothing, absolutely NOTHING, about) and gave him what equated to a life time contract. They gave Feaster some huge checks though. People blame owners not spending, please be honest. Up until this year they were everything we ever wanted in owners. Little Tampa Bay had 3 of the top ten contracts in hockey. Please don't blame the owners, please. They trusted him with the keys, and they woke up one day to a situation that just couldn't be fixed. That brings us up to date.
What is BBR?

[DB]

Nice to see so many good posts coming out. It took more than one person to put the team where it is. As previously stated there is a whole group of people who ate the puck on this one.
I used to live on Long Island and was an Islander fan. Then I came here and had no hockey to watch. Then Phil Esposito (even if he was a Ranger)and the Lightning appeared, finally a local hockey team to root for again. I had season tickets to the Islanders when they were the joke of the league. I got to see them become the 3 time Stanley Cup Champions. I got to relive the experience when the Lightning went all the way. I hope to see it again here. One thing that stood out was those teams built up through the draft. They added some pieces through trades/signings and had role players who fit just right as well as having career years. It seems like that formula has stood the test of time and the Lightning need to get back to it. You can buy all the best players in the world but you can't be sure they will gel and work together. But draft great players and give them time to develop together and in the same system and see what happens. My hope is to see them build around Vinny and Marty with some solid free agent signings as well as taking advantage of a good draft. Some good or popular players may have to go to get more high picks but they need to start developing players through the draft.

[GP]

The biggest failure during the Feaster GM and Asst GM years is easily the lack of prospects developed by the Lightning. He is COMPLETELY responsible for this and needs to be held accountable. Let's look back at who the Bolts drafted from 2000 and who they could have had.

2000 - N Alexeev
Picked after Alexeev - Marcel Hossa, B Orpik, Alex Frolov, Volchenkov, Boyes, M Samuelsson, Justin Williams, Kronwall

2001 - A Svitov
Picked after Svitov - S Weiss, M Koivu, Komisarek, P Leclaire, T Ruutu, D Hamhuis, A Hemsky, Kobasew, Umberger, 2nd Round - D Roy, M Cammalleri, Pominville, Budaj

2002 - Traded pick (Pitkanen) for Fedetenko
The Flyers later traded Pitkanen for J Lupul and Jason Smith.

2003 - FLA had pick .... huh?
Why would a division rival have your 1st rounder ... dumb dumb dumb.
2nd Rnd - Egener & Smaby
Picked in 2nd round - P Bergeron, D Fritsche, M Carle, S Weber, O'Sullivan, M Lapierre

2004 - A Rodgers
Picked After in 2nd Rd - B Comeau, D Booth, N Grossman, B Dubinsky, A Goligoski, D Kreici

2005 - V Mihalik
Picked after in 2nd Rd - M Vlasic, Pavelec, P Statsny, M Blunden, Latendresse, Mason Raymond

2006 - R Helenius
Picked after - C Giroux, N Foligno, I Vishnevsky, M Lucic
* Draft still needs to be evaluated since it was only two year ago.

2007 - Pick (Gillies) traded for O'Brien
Picked after - Cherepanov, I Cole, A Esposito, D Perron
* Draft still needs to be evaluated since it was only two year ago.

As you can see, we would pretty much take any of these players over what we drafted. The scouting department has failed us and needs a major overhaul. We have 0 .... that is 0 1st round draft picks playing for us since 2000. The salary cap is desgined to control (sort of) spending for newer players like this until they have enough time to obtain UFA. We overpay or even employ other teams castoffs since we do not have players of our own. You can not buy the championship in the NHL. It grows from within. Drafting is not an exact science but you think our blind squirrel (Feaster) would eventually find a nut.

[BoltAction]

Well, looks like I'm eating my words today. I'll admit it. I'm a big enough man. Stupid Habs didn't just beat Ottawa, they SHUT THEM OUT. And now Gainey looks like an even bigger genius thanks to the stellar play of Carey "Girl's Name" Price. And yes, I saw the highlights of that save at the end. Shades of Roy... Great...

Is it too late for us to trade Vinny for Price?

[BoltAction]

Also, what the heck is up with leo? Is there actually an imposter. I suppose it's totally possible with this site... But on the other hand, he CLEARLY is a Habs fan, but has he ever been so blatant about it?

I enjoy arguing with him because he's not an ignorant douche. So if there actually is an imposter, please stop. You're ruining it for everyone.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

If the Lightning get the first pick the no brainer is Stamkos. The next thing they need to address is defense. I don't think rookie defense is an answer when the Lightning have so many rookies now ready and waiting for the call up. Defensemen usually have a 2 to 3 year learning curve then there is no guarantees...look at Shane O'brien. Ranger, Picard, Lundin and Boyle give the Bolts allot of potential, they need a quality veteren to round out their core on the defense, you're not going to get that through the draft without a 2 or 3 year wait for the development....sorry thats just the way it is. The potential for a great trade is there. I would be receptive to trade a number one pick for a rounded out sum of 2 or 3 great veteren players under 30 if Stamkos isn't available to the Bolts. Bolts need veterens with skill, not slugs with potential that the Blotum is famous for aquiring.

[ajax]

I am curious why this "headline" never made it to the St. Petersburg Times? Strange.