After busy day, owner predicts division title

The Lightning had a busy day Monday. According to owner Len Barrie, it agreed to terms with veteran forward Mark Recchi (one year, $1.25-million with incentives that could bump it up to $1.5-million) and defenseman Andrew Hutchinson (a two-year, one-way deal that indicates he will be a top-seven player). The team also heard that big Russian Evgeny Artyukhin signed a two-year, $1.9-million deal and has sent it to the Lightning to be finalized.

But most fun, I think, anyway, was Barrie, taking a moment to admire new ownership's handiwork in remaking the franchise.

"I'll predict right now, Tampa Bay will win the division," he said of the Southeast. "That's how much we like our team."

The team took another dramatic step Monday, especially with Recchi and Hutchinson. Not to discount Artyukhin, obviously, but we've known he is coming for a while. Recchi, 40, a 19-year veteran with 522 goals appears headed for the third line with center Jeff Halpern and left wing Gary Roberts, but as Barrie said, he can jump up and be a top-six player if needed. Recchi had 14 goals last season split between the Penguins and Thrashers.

Hutchinson, 28, won a Stanley Cup in 2005-06 with the Hurricanes. Last season the 6-foot-2, 206-pounder had 18 goals, 64 points and 66 penalty minutes in 67 games for AHL Hartford. Considering the contract, it appears Tampa Bay is confident he will fill out the blue line that right now appears to also include Matt Carle, Filip Kuba, Mike Lundin, Paul Ranger, Shane O'Brien and Alex Picard, with Janne Niskala hanging around.

Consider this, though. One of the perks of finishing last is you get first crack at players put on waivers (or more likely recall waivers). And there is plenty of scuttlebutt the Lightning is going to be scouring the waiver wire as defensemen become roster casualties. Two names being whispered: Darryl Sydor and Bryan McCabe. Not that it will happen, and Sydor would be more likely than McCabe because of his contract. But it's something to think about, and as we have seen with this new ownership group, anything can happen.

"Every player I've talked to can't wait for training camp to get started," Barrie said.

One other note: long-time head scout Jake Goertzen said he was fired Monday after 17 years with the team. An original member of the organization (he began scouting in 1991, a year before the team played its first game), Goertzen said it will take a couple of days to sink in.

"I'll take a couple of days to reflect a little bit," he said. "I haven't spoken to anybody. I'd like to keep working, for sure."

Goertzen was up front that the team has not drafted well since it picked Vinny Lecavalier and Brad Richards in 1998, and didn't back away from blame the past several years in several stories in the Times.

Comments

[léo]

Ok.
Calm down. Find your zen. Leo is here to give you the staight dope on the Caps vs Bolts and Caps with or without Theo,
Last year, the second half of the season, not only were the Caps better than you, they were better than EVERYBODY. They were better that Us, better than the Pens, better than the Wings. (Check it out!)
First half of the season, they sucked. They sucked lemons. They were terrible.
"Playing over their heads", Don?
Ok. Playing over your head when it REALLY counts is JUST AS VALID as those who play great all the time. It yields the same results. I mentioned something of the sort when talking about goalies. Let's say Denis leaves My farm and goes back to y'all and he's in the lineup. The hockey gods say to you, "He will have an average of .968 during the course of 6 weeks. You may CHOOSE those 6 weeks." There's the Cup. A goalie who's red-hot is just as formidable as Brodeur. Problem is when they crash.
Same goes for the Cappers. They didn't choke. They finished their run. Huet will always be Huet, godblessim. (look at the Winner, same as in Mtl, he's Magic and he's a REAL Mensch...but not a Winner, don't tell us; We'll tell you)
Many a different factors and variables come into play INCLUDING talent. Some interlock with each other and become magical; some grate upon each other and STILL become magical. This is why I mentioned earlier (half in jest, mind you) that MAYBE the D you have now WILL be magical. I don't think so, but maybe; who really knows the future?
But we know the past. And We certainly know the past on Theo. So we can talk about THAT.
But do the Cappers have a BETTER top2 lines, or a BETTER team? Again, with the variables, anything can happen, but what will, conceivably, be the overall effect that one team can have upon the standings over an 82game season? (or is it 84?)
I KNOW Theo crumbles. I KNOW he folds and I KNOW he disappears. He disappears forever. So what if he plays great during a stretch?!! For example: when he had a 0-40 record; We're LAST in the league; ZERO pressure now, We're finished! Oh, but THEN he goes 40-0 and gets the Vézina. I was friggin' livid! Screaming and swearing that My goalie had NO business gettin' that trophy. He's a CHOKER; there, I said it; I know it's mean but I said it anyway. He PROMPTLY choked in the playoffs. We were leading 2-0 in games and 3-0 in the 3rd period of game3. 3rd period! We get a penalty. FIRST sign of life from Caners...? We lose the game and the rest of the series STRAIGHT. Straight. Theo's knees SHAKING the whole time. Pfff...pansie.
And, of course, THIS year, he played better than mediocre. Oh Bravo! Say, why is that? Oh, you're UFA? Ohhhh...
So what happens to the Cappers then? Imagine your net is empty but you gotta teamful of Gretzkys. You gonna win?
No, you ain't.
Like I said, Cappers might give ya some problem but Theo ain't.
On the other side, Y'ALL got no D! Unless they get COHESIVE and FORMIDABLE in a hurry, which I can't see happenin' for a bit.
But maybe y'all can.
South-East should an action-packed, red-light flashin', horn soundin', fan screamin' extravaganza, far as I'm concerned.
While that might be great for me, it sure as heck ain't great for you.
Yo.

[Mike13]

For those who want to return the trolling favor on the Caps board...

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/

[PD]

Pushing me out Don? Maybe you can also offer up another Mea Culpa for your uninformed blathering about Theodore..you know back up and all.

[another caps troll]

obama,

the existence of people like makes me lose hope in the human race. yet at the same time, that post is probably the funniest/most incoherent thing I have ever read on the internet, so thank you!

just... wow.

[Stacey]

Well, I have to agree that was pretty stupid but I don't think it deserves all this. Barrie said it, not the fans! Jeeze!

[Don in St. Pete]

Pd, Sorry for calling you a traitor, but if you must trash the bolts, maybe you could do it on the Caps blog? The statement that they are way better than us just doesn't make sense. We are still a work in progress no doubt but cut us bolt fans a little slack. Thanks for the great post Stacey.

[PD]

Stacey mostly they came because of GM Barrie's well publicized statement that the Bolts now will win the SE.

Washington took that personally.

Idiotic on his part but I guess sports monopoly is fun.

[Stacey]

What the hell is going on here? Why are Caps fans coming here, because we have Kolzig now? Do you miss him or something? All judgment aside until puck drops. Everything else is B.S. Caps were flailing for years until recently so please don't come in here on top of your high horse. This is ridiculous. Do you want BOLTS fans to say "oh, you're so right. We're horrible. Can we root for your team instead?" Unbelievable...

Wow! I think All 4 Bols fans are on this blog!

[Obama bin Hussein de Barrack]

Go Bolts, Screw the Caps.

They are all going to get cancer living in that cesspool they're in, so who cares about them? It sucks to be them and a Caps fan, so keep on coming here to leech a life off of us.

Service industry for the greatest collection of crooks in an entire Nation of thieves, Go Washington, go right off the deep end into the polluted Drink.

Ovechkin and anybody else would jolt and bolt that rectum for more pleasant climes and fans---if the money is right.

Caps fans suck! But keep coming back, blowhards. We enjoy the laugh at something more pitiful than the '07-'08 Lightning. You, and your life. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

[rockthered]

Can't we all just get along?......Go Bolts Go Caps!

Olie Hi Light film!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnhbzqd7v3Y

[tundo]

Not a smart thing to come out and say in public, but I do have to agree with him...

[Boltflasher]

To Caps guys: You beat Carolina by 2 pts with a goalie you know longer have that stood on his head for 13 games with 1.63 GAA and .936 save percentage. Don't be so sure that you'll even finish ahead of Carolina...

[Tom M]

So Len Barrie wants to follow in the footsteps of braggadocio, Art Williams, who heralded V4 as the second coming of Michael Jordan.

"We're going to win the division this year" is something you could have expected from Dumber of the "Dumb and Dumber" duo who seem to enjoy their new game of "Hockey Monopoly" in which they buy as many players as they can and then wonder where they're going to put them --- a real stellar franchise game plan to be sure.

Paying big bucks for big names that don't produce is rather Rangeresque, don't you think?

Does anyone know when tickets for the first round of the playoffs will be available at the box office?

[Steve R]

I like beans...

Truth be told, the Bolts have upgraded their offense. But... What I remember from the end of last year is Smith looking behind himself time and again at the puck in the net. Deer in headlights.

What has your team done to improve the D? Nada. The Bolts will be battling for third in the the SE, the Canes will be fighting for the 8th playoff spot and the Caps will be hanging another banner.

[The Flying Dutchman]

Folks, just don't answer/enable the myopic, feckless, and impotent interlopers and their nay-sayer cousins. **** 'em and feed 'em beans!

Fire Don II

[Ted]

Fire Don

[PD]

Just in case you don't get it Don , a guy that starts 51 games is not the backup.

You owe yet another apology. That would be two in a day.

Theodore was the Colorado glue last year, big edge to Caps he's a career 909 Save percentage in NHL. See that here since Habby? Caps are easily the better team , still time though to trade Vinny.

Pointing that out and other sad truths makes me a traitor? Missed that part..you name calling again Don?

[PD]

Problem is Twiner is it a troll or a shill?

Some of us who have been here a couple of years are saying the same thing.

Don tell me how Theodore a career .909 NHL goalie did last year with the Avalance who made the playoffs despite horrific injuries to Sakik, Smythe Paul Stasny etc.?>

Sad

[Razman]

People is Don from Tampa real?

[Twinebulge]

Remember when going to a message board of another club and cutting down the team and its fans used to be defined as "trolling"? (Another red flag - using the word 'ning). Seen it time and again - once a board or blog becomes infected with trolls it's the beginning of the end -

And the people talking about the team and defense "as it is now" behave as if they believe this is the team that's taking the ice, that all these forwards will be in a Lightning sweater. They're not stockpiling for future acquisitions on defense; no no, they're going into next season with double the usual number of forwards.

Repeat after me ::Carlos Mencia voice:: D-d-d!

[RocktheRed]

@DoninSt.Pete

You could only hope to have a owner like ours! Define Significant upgrades?
By being the worst last year, you get the #1....thats o.k.
Malone= overrated/overpaid
Recci,Roberts,Kolzig= looking for retirement homes in Tampa
Say no more!

[Don in St. Pete]

Must be too many losers on their local blogs so the Caps fans have decided to congregate here. Or maybe their fans are peeved at ownership sitting on their hands while the Lightning have made significant upgrades. The Caps will be closer to the #30 table than the lightning, thats all I have to say.

[Bolflasher]

Actually I think Olie's the backup now Capfan...

[RocktheRed]

@DoninSt.Pete
Keep looking over your shoulder, and get a glimps at your next draft pick next year.There is no looking back when you so far in front!
LETS GO CAPS
Olie will be the only one looking back every nite.

[GO CAPS]

"They feel they have to pump up their own spirits to cure their insecurity."

Actually, thats the definition of what it means to be associated with the 'ning ever since the draft, starting with that mockery of an ownership group, and passed down to the fans.

[Don in St. Pete]

These Caps fans are annoying. They feel they have to pump up their own spirits to cure their insecurity. PD, not only are you a traitor, but your intelligence is in serious question after the preceding statements. Theodore was the backup in Colorado for a reason. How often do you see the Habs give up on someone that's a sure thing? My prediction is we'll be looking over our shoulder at the Caps by the break, while we're just starting to pick up a head of steam. Mark my words PD, you're going to be eating crow before the season is over.

[Boltflasher]

Sorry, forgot to check the remember me slot...again!@$#%

I'd say Bolts are 15 to 20 pts better than last year (only 7 to 10 wins), and Theodore is NO Huet and so about 10 points or more worse as a result...that puts them close to even...

Theodore has been up and down...He's a ????? If he plays lights out, yes, Wash wins easy, if not then, Bolts have a shot...winning the SE is not saying a whole lot, its pretty weak...

[razman]

Uh Boltflasher, Theodore carried the Avalanche last year through tons of injuries. Much better than Bolts.

[Wake up]

@Chris
Chris Chris Chris....I applaud your loyality to the bolts.All of Malone's goals were with another team last season, and Stamkos is a rookie who has yet to put the first puck in the twine. The third line is pretty much a joke, and we have not even talked about goal tending and the D. Keep the faith alive, its all you got at this point in time!

[Boltflasher]

I think the Bolts are significantly improved to the point that they will battle for the division top spot, still too many questions to outright say they will win it...may take awhile for all these guys to gel and then it may be too late...alot depends on how well Theodore will do, he's a HUGE question for Caps and has had only marginal success as #1 Goalie...

[PD]

THx GCaps..it feels like swimming upstream here. Must be the heat.

[GO CAPS]

youre makin a lot of sense, PD, a lot of sense.

[PD]

Chris exuberance is great but Backstrom at this point is a better player than Marty and Nylander much better than any rookie center.
AO heads above them all.

The Caps put it on afterburners in the 2nd half.

and again, with the Bolts D as currently constructed, you needn't worry about it.

[GO CAPS]

How dare you say Ovechkin is only 5 times the player Prospal is.

[GO CAPS]

Chris

youre living in a dream world

[Steve R]

Your owner is predicting winning the SE...? Trying to overcome either your complete lack of D, or Olie's gaping 5 hole is hard enough. Overcoming both...?

Did I mention trying to overcome your new coach as well?

Best of luck to you in next years lottery.

Go Caps!

[Chris]

PD, how can you honestly say that the Caps have a better first two lines. Last year our top line had 98 goals. Theirs had 95 of which 65 where Ovechkins'. Ovechkin is obviously 5 times the player Prospal is, but V4 and MSL are both head and shoulders better than Kozlov and Backstrom. As for the second line for the Caps they scored 42 goals last year. Malone and Vrbata alone scored 52, without Stamkos. As for depth, I think it is evident that the Bolts are one of the deepest teams in the league at forward. But my main beef with you is saying that the Caps two lines are better than the Bolts. I personally think that you would have have a hard time selling me that they are equal. I personally think the Bolts have one of the top two lines in the entire league.

[Wake up]

Wow........wake the new owner up he is living in a dream world.
ROCK the RED !

[Cap Fan 1]

don, back to the pack? you realize the only reason we didnt totally blow away the division was because we spent the first third of the season under a doofus coach. we went on a 100+ point pace after that. the only significant player we lost is huet but replaced him with theodore who should be just as good (and could be great, or he could suck..). compared to your goalies, he's jacque plante. best of luck to you. love your cheerleaders..

[Fashi13]

Caps fan here, and while I think you guys will be better, if you roll that slow-assed 3rd line against us, you're gonna be real sorry. Good luck, depending on injuries you could take the division, just don't count on Olie.

[PD]

Frank I see your Caps taking the SE division handily.
Morrison a great shut down D, (Bolts don't have one), Green one of best young D in game. Better top two lines, better depth , better goaltending and way better coach.

Did I mention AO?

BTW I thought I heard Morrison accepted arbitration.

[Don in St. Pete]

Frank, I see you guys coming back to the pack as well as us improving. I'll worry more about our D on opening day.

[Zombie Kid]

I like turtles.

[FrankM73]

Just a thought but have you seen the Caps lineup? Objectively-speaking, I'm not quite sure how Tampa is going to improve 30+ points to catch the Caps... much less catch Carolina...

In this NHL you need a solid Defense, and TB doesn't (so far) and that's a huge minus... ask us Caps fans from 3 or 4 years ago when Kwiatowski, Doig, Heward, and Muir constituted 4 of our top 7 Defensmen... it was very painful to watch... and don't forget the injuries to D... which can kill a team's season...

I wish you guys all the luck...

O:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Kozlov
Semin-Nylander-Clark*
Laich*-Fedorov*-Steckel
Brashear-Gordon*-Fehr*

Bradley (scratch)
Flash (scratch)

D:
Green
Morrisonn*
Poti
Jurcina
Schultz
Lepisto
Alzner
Erskine

Pothier (LTIR)

G:
Theodore
Johnson

* denotes contract status still TBD

[JB]

A division title, predicted by the same people who predicted Boyle finishing out his career in Tampa. Not that reassuring.

[Slapshot]

Sydor too? Is there any truth to the rumor the Lightning are trying to add Bob Johnson as a special advisor and have enquired about the rights to center Michele Briere?