The case for Tortorella to stay

Total speculation here but I am just not convinced, as are so many readers, that John Tortorella is finished as the Lightning's coach. In fact, a dispassionate view seems to indicate he and the coaching staff will be back, at least to start next season.

Before everybody gets all nuts, hear me out.

Let's start with the scenario that either Palace Sports & Entertainment or Oren Koules owns the team at the start of next season. If anyone else gets involved, say, if Koules' bid falls through (and we know how tough it must be to get financing in the current worldwide credit crunch), then all bets are off.

So, consider that if budget-challenged Palace Sports still owns the team, there is little incentive for it to pay Tortorella $1.3-million not to coach next season's squad while paying another coach to take his place. Sure there are offsets in Tortorella's contract, meaning if he gets another job, Palace Sports would be on the hook for much less than the $1.3-million. But does the group that claims it has lost about $80-million on its Tampa operation want to take that chance, especially if it is going to do anything to try to improve the team over the summer? I could be wrong, but even though Tortorella and CEO Tom Wilson don't get along, I think not. More likely is that Palace Sports does not extend the contracts of Tortorella or his coaches, all of which have a year left, and let's them twist during the season as lame ducks until they are either forced to extend them or fire them.

General manager Jay Feaster, who has three years left on his contract, by the way, refused in Thursday's story to say anything about contracts except, "Any discussion of extensions or new contracts, until there is resolution of the pending sale, is premature.''

As for Koules, an NHL novice, Tortorella is the winningest U.S.-born coach, with 235 victories, and a Stanley Cup winner who has been with the the team since 2000 and knows it like the back of his hand. And would Koules and his partners (Len Barrie, mostly) have allowed Tortorella to win the fight to sign Dan Boyle if he was not going to be brought back if Koules gained control of the team?

As for Torts quitting? Would you leave $1.3-million in the table? Besides, I'm sure he wants to see Prague (kidding).

So get used to the idea of Tortorella coming back. Things may change, of course. Koules may not get it done. Tortorella might say something even Wilson can't abide. But given the current lay of the land, I'd say bet even money Tortorella and his staff returns to start the 2008-09 season.

[Douglas R. Clifford, Times]

 

Comments

[geo]

BYE BYE FEASTER AND TORTORELLA I HOPE MOST OF ALL FEASTER

[Tackleberry]

Herb,
Were you at the game on Sat? Will that be your last game at the Forum?

Its great to see that we have 2 lines that can score on a regular basis. I am so glad to see the Bolts shut someone out. Seems all the new guys are making a positive impact. I hope they give Picard, Oulette, Halpern, Stewart and Lundin a ton of min for the remainder of the seaon. Do some experimenting with these guys. We really need to give V4, MSL, and Boyle a rest for the remainder. No sense in playing them 25 min for a lost season.
Our big stars are expensive enough, dont break them in this lost season.

In my previous posts concerning V4 being traded for 1st rd draft pick(s), I am against a trade like that. In my opinion, it is too much of a risk. There are a million scenarios on a V4 trade. The only sure thing, would be freeing up some $. The only way V4 will go if he decides that. I think he will want to stay.

[GP]

Leo,

I'd have to say that if the Flyers do not make the playoffs (which I do not think they will), I would have to root for the Penguins. They've always been my second favorite team (Lemieux was my idol) and I worked for them for a few seasons. My loyalties stay within Pennsylvania. Sorry I can't root for the Habs.

[Hockey Chic]

Leo asked who chich would root for if Ms Conduct were playing the Bolts! Now theres a scary thought, but I would say Ms Conduct of course. Had ya there the fellas thought for sure I would say the Bolts!

Leo some of the history of the canadiens did rub off and I loved the begginning of the game were they showed the old players. What I did not like was this big loud mouth guy that say in front of me and told me to shut up and sit down.

Almost got thrown out cause I seriously wanted to kick his &&*%^$$%% if you know what I mean. What a jerk every town has one and that he was it.

I saw the Pronger thing yesterday on Centre Ice during the intermission of the caps game and man I think he may need some serious anger management classes as well. He could have ruined that guys carrier especially the area he stepped on him.

Love me some Pronger but that guy scares me and you all know I am fearless.

Go Bolts...

[ajax]

They won the cup giving up 43 goals in 23 games(32 in 21 games if you take away the two big Philly losses) They have been playing much better lately playing low scoring games. Somehow I think Torts still wants to win 5-3 though. The boy is a tad hard headed. Nothing could be more truer than watching Boyle wobble like a 5 year old at the end of every game. EXHAUSTED. Maybe Torts doesn't have a good few of the bent over stars at the end of the game.

[jr]

At the risk of being called out on a "conversation"....

I think a lot of the problem, ajax, is coaching. I see potential with OB and Darche. Ranger needs some good bench advice, too. Agree with you on Lundin. And you need those 4th line grinders like Mac, Ward and Roy.

Boyle is playing way too many minutes. Check last night's stats. He's useless in the third period. Remember his giveaway that led to a great Ranger scoring chance? I'm not going to denigrate his skills since I believe he would be far more effective playing 22-24 than 30.

Believe Sully for Rammer was a huge net minus but that was Mt. Vesuvius' call.

[ajax]

jr, your wish list is so concise and short and, what , what, oh I was dreaming. The wish list was right on and unforunately, it was right on. Lots of work to be done this summer. We are not as close as some think(pessimistic male). Last year and this year guys like O'Brien, Picard, Jossi etc were barely playing(or in minors) on good clubs and stepped into major minutes here. It is not that these guys are awesome players but that they had no one to beat out here, in bigs or in pipeline. Without free agent spending we will be lucky to eke in the playoffs next year even if everyone is healthy. O'Brien has definitely not fulfilled the promise he showed. Lundin will be a real bell weather. If he makes the team, we as a team moved laterally(down). Karlsson Darche McDonald Roy, all of them guys are 4th line minimum wage guys at best. Halpern looks fantastic but has been a 3rd or at best 2nd line player his whole career. They need to spend the money they saved on Brad. I would hope they would put all their efforts into D. They will never regret it. Speaking of Boyle, wouldn't it be nice to get another 3-3.5 million dollar guy, a stay at home beast so Boyle wouldn't be asked to move the puck and be the first one back at the same time. Boyle has not been himself. It takes time to get it back at this level. He has lost the puck more in 10 games than he use to in a season. I wonder if the wrist is still tight on him and he isn't feeling the puck like before. As much as I love him he has made a slew of mistakes since back. He has taken quite a few hooking penalties that tells me his legs aren't back either. He will rehab the heck out of his wrist this summer and be fine(I hope)
Our keys this summer will be ownership and then Jay/replacement doing a heck of a better job than the last two summers. If they spend money, big big IF, the Richards trade will go down as a big W in the Feaster + column. If they sit on the money we will be in for a long couple of years with no minors to speak of. I know it is in the minority, but after seeing the upside of the Richards trade, I would think a VL4 trade would reopen some closed doors of our loyal bloggers. If we get owners that spend spend spend, trading VL4 is moot. But I doubt it gang. Factor in the almost 4 million they saved on Brad and add the 7 million paid to VL4, 11 million spent the right way(plus more if owners would get somewhere near the cap) would net 4-6 solid NHL players. Stanly will be getting a tan once again!!!!!

[bear]

Tack if I had to pull the trigger on V4, it would be for young coming can't miss, roster players. Not picks. A couple of key young NHLers and maybe a top pick from last year busting it in the AHL.

Feaster just traded his last #1 for Obrien..scouting is not his forte.

Bamboozling fans is.

[Casper]

Hey there Coach Bill. I know less than the next cat, but I'll take a stab at it.
Since Lamoriello bored everyone stiff with the newest version of the trap, every fan is scared to death they will be bored to tears while paying these crazy prices.

Like baseball lowering the mound and winking at muscle dope, spectacular things (prolific home runs) put fannys in seats. The neuvo-NHL fans wants to see the lamp lit and lit often. (In addition to a good pounding at the hands of their Homie. Rudy! Rudy!! Rudy!!! Was among my favorite war cries.)
Tortorella has hung on this long because his version of this game still has the potential to be very explosive and that will drive fans out of their seats and on their feet. (After packing every bench in the barn, they'll come back for more.)

I used to play a wee bit of defense on the lake, (mainly because I couldn't hit a cow in the @$$ with a shovel) and lived for the 'contact high'. I also used to be a catcher in the summer and can aver that nobody cares about "the game within the game" of baseball anymore either. Tempest fugit.

Last April 24th, some dummy (:-x) blogged:
"Also consider having Boyle replace Taylor, not as ‘C’, but as a third line wing. Danny, I’ll spell it out for you since no one else will: A wing that plays like a defenseman is still a forward. A defenseman who plays like a wing is NO defenseman. Get it? We’d prefer not to flinch watching #22 pinch. We’ve had a stay at home Ace all along; can anyone tell me what was so terrible about having Luke Richardson lace ‘em up and do a dozen shifts per night? One Brendan Witt is worth 5% of a goalie’s stats--think about that. Boyle was worth at least 5%--added to Denis’ misery. Knock it off--now."

But someone else rightly pointed out that Boyle does precisely what they want him, and he is coached, to do.

'Puckhog and liability' cover Boyle to a tee. The Panthers hate the success he's enjoyed here, but he flat couldn't hack it in their defensively responsible system. Denis Potvin is most gracious in describing Danny, praising his strengths and conspicuously putting on the brakes when you run out of sweet and smarmy things to say about him.
The more complete style of Jay Bouwmeester suits their system and the chronic lapses made Boyle expendable (LOL, he was replaced nobody's and replaced well.).
Got to hand it to him, lucky as a ***** landing here in Tortorella's "go-go, we'll yell at the goalie later" system. Transition focus is good but without responsible and assertive checking and challenging with the body in our defensive zone, there is no defense at all!!! (Look, no caps!)

There, told you I didn't know much...

And I wholly agree with jr's 8:06 assertion. Well done Sir.

Go Bolts!

[jr]

There's only one way you trade Vinny...if he unequivocally says he will not re-up here. Otherwise you sign him this summer. Actually, the Bolts are not that far away. Four good centermen--VL, Halpern, Craig, Grats. A good first line and a solid second line in place. Needed: 2 wingers and 2 defemsemen. That's immediate help, however. Need to build the pipeline, too.

The problem is willingness to spend. Neither PSE or OK shows a propensity for that. I believe $9 million more needed to get the team to the Conference finals and beyond...and of course a new coach and GM.

[Mahoney]

That's an interesting notion Tack. V4 to LA assures us of #1 & either 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6th picks in the draft this year. Welcome to Tampa Bay, Mr. Stamkos. Since they'll give up this year's #1, they'll stink next year too, so we'll take it as well. Hee Haw. Vinny for Rob Blake, Kopitar and #1's in '08, '09, and a #2 in '09 or '10. I'm ready.

[coach bill]

Would somebody please explain this. I've been around hockey for over 50 yrs. I was a D man at one time. I want to talk about Boyle. I know what he can give us as an offensive D. He doea have great "vision" and is an asset bringing the puck up. BUT isn't he a D? His -16 (and he's only played a short time) is very suspect. We are a very hurting team on D. He is on top of your "praise" list. I must be missing something,but I see him as somewhat of a puckhog and a liability out there. Help me out here Ajax,Casper,Tundo et.al I'll be at the bar behind 201 on the 25th( Panthers game). Ask the hostess for Coach Bill and maybe we can all meet @ 6:30?)

[coach bill]

Would somebody please explain this. I've been around hockey for over 50 yrs. I was a D man at one time. I want to talk about Boyle. I know what he can give us as an offensive D. He doea have great "vision" and is an asset bringing the puck up. BUT isn't he a D? His -16 (and he's only played a short time) is very suspect. We are a very hurting team on D. He is on top of your "praise" list. I must be missing something,but I see him as somewhat of a puckhog and a liability out there. Help me out here Ajax,Casper,Tundo et.al I'll be at the bar behind 201 on the 25th( Panthers game). Ask the hostess for Coach Bill and maybe we can all meet @ 6:30?)

[GP]

I also had a Rangers fan behind me last night. When Marc Staal made a nice play, he yelled ..... "that a boy JORDAN!" Hmmmm .... tells you something about the Rangers fans when one of them doesn't even know what Staal he has on his team. Also, he must have said F^&* 50 times during the game while my 3 year old and 6 month old were with me. You guys talk about Flyers fans having no class .... hmmm. As I learned as a young Flyers fan .... Rangers Suck!

[Tackleberry]

Ah, the V4 debate.

Do the bolts trade him for some young blood for a cheap price OR do they keep the V4 MSL combo going?

That would be a MONUMENTAL gamble by either PSI or Koules. How many 1st rounders have washed out vrs become superstars?

I think that one thing that the GM has learned over the past 3 years is this. Break up a combo is bad for business and bad for wins. IE Lundin/Richards.

PSE has soo much invested in V4. We would lose all those goals/assts AND MSL would also drop in pts. I'm not saying MSL would dry up, but his numbers would be decreased. There is that "chemistry" between them. Hypothetically, who would the bolts trade V4 to? It would have to be a team like LA, Toronto or StL in order to obtain a high draft pick for V4.

With all that V4 is doing in the community, and his age, I think he will stay.

Who will be our #1 pick for the 2008 draft? Stamkos or a d-man? I hear a lot of Stamkos in the posts. Do we need him more than we need a top blue-liner?

[ajax]

Grama use to say it could be worse and after about 17 years on the planet I finally had the courage to say, it could be better!! Haven't been at peace since.

[jr]

The Mars-Venus thing sure shows up on this blog.

Nan, Chic, Lisa---eternal optimists.

the guys--by far predominantly pessimists.

the gals--the new owner needs to communicate with the players.

the guys-- Fire Torts and Feaster...no questions asked.

Ya gotta luv it.

[ajax]

Think 4 Halpern's, 2 mil x 4= 8 mil, or one Brad Richard's 7.8. Now think of adding that scenario plus a couple of high draft picks for Vinny. Upgrade Lundin 1st(maybe even O'Brien, sorry) and then some forwards with size(even if not scorers) and the team takes huge steps forwards. Think Anaheim, Jersey, Detroit and yes Montreal this year, they all have most of their money tied up in D-D-D-D. Any goalie looks good for Detroit, any forwards look good for Anaheim. Montreal flips goalies every week and gets shutouts. That lousy Carey Price is the benefit of some heavy hitters on the blueline(just the facts man) Get some bangers to patrol the D and everything else becomes sooooooooooo much easier. (See previous blog about Pronger.) No cheap goals when Pronger is on the ice!!! What is up with O'Brien? He gets beat wide about 3 times a game lately. Looks like a younger version of an older Sydor(that is not a compliment)

[leo]

Sorry Hockey Chic, can't resist,
If the Bolts played Ms Conduct,
Who would you root for THEN?
A-ha!
BBR

[leo]

Good pick, H.Chic. Can't argue with it but dang, you came to visit my town! You saw a game in the Holy Center! Did none of it rub off on you?! You're a tough customer, lady.
Excellent question, Bear. Who would I take 1st on my team? Right off the bat, I would say Smith. He's big, he's quick, good position, reads the play quite efficiently and reacts smoothly and smartly (is that a word?). But everytime I watch Halak play a game, that disparity narrows. He's 8-0 at the Bell, which is astounding. But 3-6 on the road, which is less than mediocre. What does that mean? I don't know.
Smith is a Star, fershur.
Halak is DEFINITELY a num1. Is he a Star? Good God, after last night (again he thrills!), I think he might be. The games he lost were close affairs except the slugging he received at the hands of the Thrashers last year, got pulled in the game. His only bad show.
I don't know, Bear. Still need to see more from Halak, not as much Smith. How does that sound?
But nay!!! (Cuz I see y'all comin') I DON'T NEED to see more from the Kid. He's a Super-S..ok,ok,ok.
That's neither here or now,
Cuz what Tampa needs now is at least another defenseman. So who's available this summer and what can you pay? Because if it's TOO MUCH (examples come to mind),
You're right back in the hole. But look on the bright side,
You'll probably get EVEN MORE for V4 than you did for Brad! Hee-hee-hee.
(I'm a baaaaad boy.)
BBR

[Hockey Chic]

Leo asked Chic who is your second favorite team. Well Leo love ya to death but it ain't the Canadiens. My second favorite team would be Ms Conduct as that is who I play for.

If you mean NHL I guess it would have to be Anaheim. I know eveyone hates Pronger but dude he brings it and he is from the St. Louis Blues originally.

The Blues would have to be my other favorite but I rarely have time to track them down on Centre Ice. Or Ottawa as I really like the whole city and their team and ours plays really great against each other.

I hate this time of year especially when we are ramping down for the Bolts. Gotts suck right now for them.

Lisa I am with you with regard to the Rangers fans had one the other night for the Islanders game right behind me. She left when we blew their team out of the water.

Lets just hope all this crud works its way out over the off season and we need to do what we can to keep V4. He is top notch anyway you look at it.

Can we fire torts and feaster and use that money to sign him? ha ha Just kidding I know we can't.

Peace to all and Leo sorry I can't root for the canadiens... Love the Bolts all the way in the playoffs or not..

Go Bolts!!

[Casper]

After watching the game in Pennsyltucky (we face those Bad Birds on Thurs) I hope:
1) Our barn never gets a gay sounding goal claxon like the sissy Hammond Organ with PMS that they have in Pittsburgh. Deep bass fog horn is fine. (Or a nasty thunderclap!)
2) Tortorella has got to go. We need a firebrand all right, but not behind the bench. The spark plug should wear the ‘C’ and Coach should calm or rein him in, from lighting up the slackers. We’ve got that part *all* (no caps) wrong!
Lot of people on the home page survey think Vinny can/will do it. I’ll agree to disagree on that one.

Leo, you da Man. Lecavalier to Mtl? Not so fast, I said we should also add a toughie like Halpern, goes by the name of John Madden. Yeah, I’d sooner gut New Jersey of their non-AHL talent. Let them delude themselves of a Parise and V4 duo while we grab the grinding Madden a few choice future picks, and strip away almost all of Brodeur’s help. They may have another Alex Picard at Lowell, never know. I’d of course, rather have the competent coaches; we already have young D-guns, just don’t want them losing focus out there.

A wannabe GM would be scouring the Western Conference early playoff departures for a package of prospective Bolts, if we were to get reckless with V4. Hope not.
Competent coaching and front office are what we need after a committed (not the Baker Act kind, well, wait a sec…) ownership. We’re *s u r e* we can’t pry Schoenfeld from the Rangers?

Yeah, we can disagree but I’ll still cover your back---that’s what we do. (wink, wink) Price looks like the goods. Beware the paper mâché defense! Bon chance with that and to all, after the next CBA fiasco.

Halak or Smith, there's a knee slapper. The window has shut on shopping for a goalie. Now we clean house and align the future behind Big Mike. Love to start having the Habs', Stars' issues of growing goalies and flipping them for guns.

Go Bolts!

[Bear]

Ajax the timing couldnt be any better for trading V$ for 4 or 5 key pieces, (not scrubs Lisa). This team could get better very quickly and in this sorry conference that spells success.

Never forget the side intended consequence of having 10 million a year in cap space for the next 10 years coupled with Brads largesse gone too. We could buy the rest of the parts.

Trading Vinny this summer?Its almost a no brainer I think.

Leo..Halek or Smith?

[Lisa]

I actually think that if Vinny had been able to continue the type of play he was showing earlier in the season, with the additional second line scoring, we would be in the playoffs. So if Vinny actually does have an injured wrist, I really believe that both his wrist injury and Boyle's wrist injury with the lack of secondary scoring the first half of the season made the big difference in the team not making the playoffs.

Hopefully Vinny's wrist is taken care of this off season, the ownership situation is resolved before the draft and we can move on after we sign Vinny to a long term deal that has him retiring with the Lightning.

And if Vinny does have an injured wrist, he should just get the surgery now and have more time to recover. The team isn't making the playoffs this year, but we will need him to be healthy and ready to go for next season.

[leo]

Casper,
Here's what I say about V4: Sign him or WE WILL. Whatever he wants, we'll pay him next year. 124mil for 13 yrs if he wants. So sign him this summer! Or else? Be afraid...
Let us disagree on the goalie issue. Remember that I saw Roy's antics with my own eyes. Heard him often with my own ears say, "Get ONE goal, fellers; and I'll take care of the rest." And then he'd DO IT!
I keep seeing, season after season, Marty Brodeur take an AHL team to the playoffs, year after year, time after time, now, his 7th 40Win season.
Granted, not everybody is Roy or Brodeur, but my point is, these goalies could play with pylons and sprinklers and STILL have a shut-out. I mean, when you think of a rock-solid, first class defensive wall, does NJ automatically spring to mind?
No, we think of SJ or ANA (or dare I say it? nah), who are STILL blessed with good goalies in Nabokov and Giguère (even if the latter is cheating).
If he's good enough or on a hot enough streak, Casper, it's my opinion that a goaler can not only make a difference but SINGLE-HANDEDLY DECIDE the outcome of a game.
So, if Tampa had Brodeur instead of Holmie all year with NO OTHER changes, the Boyle injury, the whole bit.
Would we be 1st in the Conf.? Probably not.
Would we be in the playoffs? DEFINITELY so.
My 2 cents. Which in american money is 2.5 cents, right olin?
BBR

[Lisa]

Sorry, don't agree on trading Vinny. A bunch of scrubs won't bring in the fans. With one more scoring winger and a stay at home defenseman, the team is set to compete next season. Bringing in 5 2nd and 3rd line players won't replace the need for a 1st line player. So instead of having 1st line and 3 4th lines like we had until we got Halpern and oulette started to produce, we will have 2 2nd line and 2 4th lines. I don't see that helping the team. And when attendance drops down to 15,000 (on a good day), you may as well say hello to the Las Vegas Lightning.

[ajax]

Casper/bear and rest. Keep banging the 4 for 1 theory, please. With Vinny we would get draft picks also, I think we could almost get a potential 5 for 1. Do it while he is hot though, max return on investment. Hockey is the ultimate team sport. 20 souls fighting/playing for one goal. I heard they might let the cup stop in Montreal and Toronto this year as it has lost its way after so many years of skipping the big hockey cities. Buying the Lightning would be a risk 99% of the world would be unwilling to take. Same management next year, ouch!!!!

[Casper]

That was a good one Herb.

PD, don't let a you shorts get all bunched, we like Canadians despite their driving habits.

Just don't bring a NeYaawkah with you when y'all come back.

Take 'em out but don't bring 'em and we'll enjoy our frozen pond soccrosse together.

Sit Vince; don't compound any issues, if there are any to be fixed. He's worth a mint with or w/o 100 pts this stinking year. But if we could flip him and get three or four more guys like the ones we got for Brad, then who's the smart wannabe GM?

Brad and V20 knocked down what? About $7.8M + $1.9M, or $9.7M. I make the four new guys collectively getting $5.3M with hefty raises due, so that’s a push. If Lecavalier is worth @ $9M we sure could use 3-4 more for those type frogskins. Just don’t go shopping for defensemen and wingers in Dollar General or Big Lots. Try IKEA [sic].

Hey, I don’t want to start this type of talk. I still want to see LECAVALIER 4 hoisted to the rafters, o u r rafters---screw those Montreal snots! (Sorry Leo, but there are limitations to good sense and good taste. You’re blessed with both and I get the post season hysteria, so you’re forgiven. Speaking of good taste---where’s the Tuna?) But, me being wrong about the painfully obvious limitations of John Tortorella (how many minutes for Boyle last night?) was like a bucket of ice water in the chops; never again.

One more thing for Leo, goal tending is indeed paramount. But try to imagine Smith here without a two-way plugger like Halpern or the polishing before our eyes defensive gem, Picard. Try to imagine Smith here with the anguish of a Brad Richards team. Poor, poor Holmer. Gesticulate and rationalize all you wish, but Ajax and I stand firm on this, Brodeur, Huet, Price-Halak, Nabokov---(no caps..) no freakingbody could stand tall ‘twixt the pipes in the Bay while the defense reeks the way it has since 2005, and until things change defensively around here on more than an interim basis.
Peace Bro, and bon chance to your crew…

Rest up for the Sabres in their idiotic hellhouse.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, all. Get home safe.

Go Bolts!

[olin]

Disagree Poledancer and Leo...every canadian I ever knew down here that snowbird's for the winter- hockey fan or not usually don't spend much and normally goes back north with a few extra buck's more in his pocket than what he come's down with.

[Lisa]

Well, there were some really rude, loud, obnoxious Rangers fans behind me (anyone surprised?) It was great to hear them shut up for a little while after we scored. Of course, then was the whole: "this was the worst game I have ever seen them play, and it's against the worst team in the league" etc. Then came the whole "playoffs" theme to their obnoxiousness. Well, since I had my daughters with me, I stayed quiet, but I will say this now: Rangers swept in the playoffs if they play like that.

I am looking forward to and hoping to win the Stamkos lottery. That would make the season a little easier to accept. If it is true that Vinny has an injured wrist, it explains his play, but then he needs to sit out the rest of the season and get it taken care of now, so he can be ready to go next season. And if it is true, shame on Torts for calling him out when he is playing injured.

[leo]

But who's your 2nd favorite team, Hockey Chic? Who ya gonna root for in the playoffs?
Excellent zinger, poledancer!
Ajax, he wasn't "riding the pine". He graciously "allowed the Habs to show that they had TWO future Vézina winners." Ask yourself this,
Shutout for Halak, yes. But WHO starts the next game? Ah!, see what I mean? "Riding the pine" means you were BENCHED. The Kid wasn't benched; Halak played (and was ovationed; we love him). But a slight difference which I thought should be pointed out. The Priceberg rode the pine behind Huet, but won't ride it for the next 10 yrs.
It's like saying, "Why is Vinny riding the pine?" when you see Roy playing a shift.
It's just a shift! Am I going overboard on this?
Should I even address the NEWSFLASH?
Nah, I'll conclude on another note,
So! Is it safe to say that IF Smith had been here at the beginning of the year, we wouldn't have heard silliness like,
Oh, no goalie in the league can stop all those shots. Or,
Not even Brodeur would have kept his sv% over .890. Or,
Constant pressure forces our goalies to make mistakes???
Humbug! Get a num1 goalie and you'll see the difference with what you had before! Ehhh?!
Now get another real defenseman and you're back on track.
It was the Islies, man; they don't count..
Ottawa is The New Enemy. May we meet them in May.
BBR

[Hockey Chic]

I just got done watching the taped game and wow fellas way to win a game. I thought Mikey had the empty netter and he wanted it for sure.

It figures the night I am playing everyone gets to hear Louie louie in the building. Way to go MSL great goal! I loved the play of all the guys and they really seemed to be clicking.

I love that guy Stewart he is little and he threw a great check. Picard is playing awesome and that save across the net for Mikey was awesome.

I know I am the cheer leader here and we are out of the playoffs so just let me root on my team and say hell yes guys. Keep it coming and lets roll into the summer with some full steam and come back next season ready to take it all.

Go Bolts!!

[bingo]

Good game - Lot's to like in the goalie but it is only a few games, final judgment after 20 games. Picard has been a surprise and Oulette has really shown some grit in the corners recently. Interesting that Halpern did not take too many face offs last night. Must still be hurting from the other night.

Understand this - there will be no sale unless Palace Sports wants to underwrite the loan. There is no money out there for sport loans. Especially to the weakest sport and another in the long list of assest bubbles unwinding. Did anyone ever anticipate that the Red Wings would not sell out the house? It's only a 17k arena? The car industry is gone, homes have dropped in value by 30% and there are still no takers. Why would any bank, broker (Bear Stearns - LOL) back up the truck for this franchise.

We are stuck with Palace Sports 35mil bankroll and an assest worth 150 versus the current asking price of 200.

Just hire SAW man to do the entertainment anything would be better than the "Let's Play Hockey" Spoof....

Bingo

[Poledancer]

Herb the only thing keeping the Tampa economy off life support are those Canadians and their money.

[ajax]

Good one Herb!!!
Homer got pulled after 12 shots tonight
Dallas 2-5 after their superstar addition. I bet a zillion people are wondering about chemistry when you have a guy making 3-4 million more than anyone on the team and is on the 2nd line. The other night he played 18 minutes!!! Anywho, I think Smith has a chance to be decent. Har Har Har. That kid is so much better than Grahame, Denis, and Homer put together. He has some missteps but he does so much positive to help his D out. Those things are never on a stat sheet. I get goosy sp? watching him. I'll take the rare goof for all the awesome plays he helps. If Vinny is hurt and playing shame on them. He probably wants to get 100 pts if possible, but he should be shut down if he is hurt in anyway. End of story.
Montreal got a shutout tonight also, oops Price was riding the pine. News Flash!!! Lightning win their last 10 games and squeak into the playoffs on a tiebreaker, then sweep Montreal, outscoring them 14-2 in four games. Torts is given a 8 year extension and Feaster a life time contract. Brad Richards petitions the NHL to buyout his contract to return to the LIghtning after Dallas is swept in four. Richards states he is off his game as their is no Bern's in Dallas to unwind after the game. Pass the whine!!!

[Herb]

What a great win. The only bad thing was it took the Bolts long enough to score to shut those Rag fans up. They are Buffalo fans in training. After Marty scored, I didn't hear a peep out of any of them until the post game show from Shots where they started "Let's go Rangers" chant. Happiness is 10,000 Canadians headed north, with a New Yorker under each arm.

[Lisa]

I read on another blog that the Rangers announcers said that Vinny would be having wrist surgery in the off season. Apparantly, according to them, he has been getting treatments on his wrist twice a day.

Damien, can you find out if this is true? If true, why is he still playing considering we are out of playoff contention. I would hate for him to hurt his wrist even further since this season is now basically over.

[Casper]

Everything I said after the satisfying win over the Bruins, ditto.

Mike Smith. Jeff Halpern. Alex Picard. Jussi Jokinen. Man, I wish Brad Richards well and want to thank he and Vaclav for the great memories. (Feel bad for Holmer tonight...)

More good memories coming, through this bunch. Know why? We can toss that "core" business right into the slime off Davis Islands that's why. A Corps of Twenty has begun.

Big Mike gets me jumpy with his mobility. Picard made my A list. That block on Jagr...whew!

I'll shut up now and let my face crack open with a smile only a Bolts shutout can provide.

Wonderful effort tonight gang. Hope Lundin is OK, and Halpern isn't feeling ill effects from the back. Take care...

And grand evening to everyone...

Go Bolts!

[olin]

Leo-Ajax....I give you guy's a positive feedback-don't bother me any

[Bear]

Ajax is a town in Ontario.

[Bear]

GP great minds think alike..fools seldom differ.

[bear]

Pronger seems to get a slap on the wrist every time..Simon burns.

Me thinks the league defers a bit to Burkie.

"Consideration", eh?
We certainly fail to understand the concept as the child sees it".

We have a winner

[GP]

Leo,

I my last post I was not calling you a b***ch. I was referring to the movei Happy Gilmore.

Pronger suspension is way too short. It shows the pull Brian Burke has in the NHl office to have his star def. back for the playoffs. At least should have been 15 games. We've seen what a skate blade can do to someone with the latest Zednik incident.

[C]

Also gritting my teefus (because I'm sure Halpern will be playing) and holding my breath that Halpern's back doesn't escalate into serious spasms and a blown disc while trying to hold up an end nobody else on the club will.

[Casper]

Simon must be upside down about his 30 game vacation for the same thing.

I smell a Tie Domi sucker punch (night, night Ulfie) in Pongo's future.

No wait, what am I saying----this is Bettman's NHL; anybody touches a star, drives a truck for a year. Unless of course, that star has a Bolt on his sweater....

Which brings us to a very long week indeed.
WE WANT ROY! WE WANT ROY!! WE WANT ROY!!!

Let's Go Lightning, don't let the puking Rangers mail in these two points...take 'em!

Go Bolts!

[ajax]

With his history it should of been more. A lesser player with about 5 incidents on his resume surely would of got more. I saw the replay, gotta keep your cool. With the dainty slap, I figure he must be from Ontario.

[leo]

8 game suspension for Pronger.
Whatch'all think'o'that?
BBR

[leo]

Ajax, I...I...I don't got the words, mate. I gotta lean back from the keyboard so that my tears of pride in you don't screw up the electronics. Brilliant post.
So I will ask you to forgive my plagiarizing when I say,
"You da man, ajax! Go Maple Laffs!"
Here's a thought mates,
Consider that despite "the 5 or so guys" who do indeed occupy this blog alot and who have also been known to be excessively passionate or repetitive, STILL SEE THEIR POSTS LIVE ON.
While the child's are all erased.
"Consideration", eh?
We certainly fail to understand the concept as the child sees it.
You've of course all heard me use the adjective "incendiary" when referring to my own remarks, as well as my favorite sparring expression, "Bring it on."
I mean...MUST we all agree? Can you imagine reading a blog as follows,
-That's what I think.
-Me too.
-So do I.
-Sounds great to me.
-Totally agree.
-Me too.
-So do I.
-Not me.
-What??!!
-Oh sorry, thought we were talkin' about somethin else. Yeah, I agree with that.
-That's right.
-You bet.
-Yes, sir.
-I agree too!
-Yeah, we know. We all agree. Boy, oh boy, what a great discussion.
I think not. If you agree, fine. Say it or don't. But if you DISAGREE, you MUST say so.
Or go back to Russia. Or China. Or North Korea. They like that kinda stuff over there.
But I'm here to talk hockey, and by golly, THAT'S what I'm gonna do. And if that means I say incendiary stuff that fascists disagree with? Well..., CATCH me if you can, suckas. Catch me in a MISTAKE, if you CAN. Mwah-ha-ha!
Bring it on.
And just to show you that I mean what I say and that I'll do what I claim,
Malkin, the Hart.
Leclaire (even though it'll be Brodeur again), the Vézina.
Carbo, the J.Adams
BBR

[ajax]

Apologies to all, never want to offend, but know I can't please all either, mucho sorry!! To be lumped in with Leo, makes me look long and hard at the failure of my life(Just kidding Leo, I love ya, hang in there!!!! Go Leafs!!) For me I just enjoy the whole thing. Do I agree with everyone? Heck no, that is probably the most fun. Take Richards, some people loved him to death, defended him til the end. I knew they were all INSANE but hey, I am "100% SURE" they felt the same way about me. Different views are the spice of life, but how could I ever be offended by it? Hockey Chic and her Rosies allowed me to get thru this year!!! This is fun, watching our D is what is painful. Get Price down here to be our goalie and after a full season, he will offer to buy his own contract out. Get me some blue liners!!! I look for a great game tonight and a chance to help the ailing economy by purchasing numerous $9.00 beers. As John and Yoko once said, Give Peace A Chance!!

[poledancer]

Heh Mr 6:16, talk about no self awareness.
Look in the mirror and quit projecting.

What a coward

I happen to enjoy Ajax and Leo and about 5 others here.They actually know what they are talking about.

Speak for your sad self.//

Then learn about the scroll tab concept.