Barrie: Vrbata is done

Lightning owner Len Barrie said the team agreed with left wing Radim Vrbata on a three-year, $9-million contract, and agent Rich Evans said all that was left in the process is getting the paper work finalized.

"We had a list of teams that we feel would be a good fit for Radim, and Tampa was on top of that list," Evans said. "We're pleased that everything worked out. Radim is very excited about coming to Tampa and playing on a team that looks pretty darn good right now. Len Barrie and his staff has put together a formidable group of top six forwards of which Radim is one, and looking forward to playing with such great players."

"It's great," Barrie said, "and we're not done yet."

Comments

[puckhead]

You know, I have not heard ONE word about the FACT that PS&E had the big-time clamps on Feaster's budget. I'll bet you he's excited at FINALLY being able to be part of making things happen. I think he's really gotten a bum rap around here.

[Sim]

Personal attacks against Feaster after all he did for hockey in Tampa?? Stay classy Tampa.

[brendan]

good moves, brendan

[WIZ]

Vrbata didn't last in Carolina, Chicago or Phoenix.
Adam Hall who is more of role player with less skill will do more for the team because he will do what it takes to win.....

[WIZ]

yeah I drive my RV from ST. PETE were I live near the skway bridge in pink streets to Tampa...and elsewhere.
Leaving next Wednesday for 6 weeks in everyhwere form poconos, finger lakes Chicago, Seattle Vancouver and cruise to Alaska

[Chris]

For those of you who were concerned with the fact that Phoenix did not resign Vrbata, I have to have faith that the Bolts had a pretty good idea of what kind of player he is considering that both Tocchet and Malone's father came from Phoenix. They probably know his game inside and out and they recommended the signing. Go Bolts

[Jim-NJ]

to me, it's not getting all these deals done that impresses me the most, it's the fact that we're not over-paying either! How, in today's world, is this happening? Is OK holding a gun to everyone's head or is he promising some banging Hollywood parties? Whatever it is, glad he's on our team!

[jason]

mmmmm Jonestown koolaid.....so sweeeet

So do you ever drive that beast of an RV down to Tampa? I sure hope the gas prices don't make you miss games!

I see what you are saying and I agree with ya but these new owners seem to really be stepping up and making some big waves. Part of me says they should be applauded not lauded for their actions, but another part of me agrees with ya in that their choices may not be golden.

Maybe the Mullet can get Vrbata to turn a new page and commit 100% when he's on the ice. Fingers crossed that he does the same as he did in Phoenix last year.
GP G A
76 27 29

[WIZ]

Nothing wrong with drinking your team's Kool aid as long as you
don't drink too much,
or,
it is tainted like in Jonestown,
and you drink it anyway....

[WIZ]

The league cautions new ownership to take things slow, trust the management team in place, because the results of rookie ownership can be disastrous down the road. Beside losing that pick for Rolston, so far they have been able to restock the forward position and give a facelift to the team,
That is very impressive, but with I am just calling it like it is, expensive lesson outside the team concept of play.
I just want you to think about why he is been with two teams in two years and the last one refused to re-sign him?
That never happens in his true price range unless there is a player with a tool box that isn't using them.

[jason]

Lightning koolaid? If excitement makes me a KAG, well KAG I am. :)

[Nate Dogg]

I was stunned, too, Jason when I saw that signing. WAYYY TOO MUCH for Salvi. Hopefully that doesn't step up the asking price for such other 5th defensemen as Smith or Commodore...

[WIZ]

I spent six years doing a column for HockeysFuture.
I am a retired H.S. mathematics teacher who watches lost of games via Canadian Sat.
This is all I do now. I grew up seven city blocks from the Chicago stadium and had season tickets fro when I was 12.
I have a roadtrek van-sized motorhome and see lost of games all over the continent, like Quebec major Lewiston vs. Charlottetown, or Kitchener vs. Sudbury,besides USHL, and of course the real deal, NHL.
I saw every game Vrbata played two years ago and maybe 30 + he played in Phoenix.
He is not Rolston, and he a guy who is ok offensively, but just doesn't care to give when not attacking. Rolston plays three zones Stevie Stamkos plays 3 zones, Malone plays three zones, Roberts plays three zones but will never be a big scorer. I am not trying to pooh-pooh your lightning koolaid, just know he is suspect for that 3 mil. I just like when everyone knows true evaluations. I saw how the board went bonkers at the signing of the big Russian and figure reality checks were in order. We cool?

[Rafters]

Last year was a breakout year for Vrbata. Hope it wasn't a fluke. Watched him when he was with Chicago and he showed flashes. Not a lot of scoring but a lot of assists. He wouldn't shoot the puck. Hopefully he's found the scoring niche although he did peter out in the second half.

[jason]

Solid pickup! Man this team is gonna be fun to watch!

3 mil a year is a good deal considering NJD just payed 3 mil for Bryce Salvador (a slow stay at home dman). I know its forward vs dman but NJ just got screwed on that, while the Bolts were smarter.

Should be a good 2nd line
Vrbata, Stamkos, Malone - fast, talented, tough

[jim]

Feaster to put together the team that won that cup thingy. Now, he was a tool for the Davidson group and they capped the amount he could spend so that is why you saw the "quality" of guys brought in toward the end. We were not spending the entire available amount of cap.

[Tallahassee Mike]

I'm going to disagree with Wiz also; everything I've heard about this guy says he's a FANTASTIC two way player.

[Goalman]

Hey Wiz,
Is that your name or what you do? Vrbata is a terrific pickup. Go for Ollie the Goalie. We're smoking hot.

[ajax]

New Lightning owners announce free beer for every goal. What else have these guys left to prove?? Everyone should have the biggest grin in the world. It is down right hard to stop smiling everytime I open the old website. Fricking unbelieveable two weeks!!! Please do not spend even one penny on Kolzig. These new guys might have some questions for some of you?? Karlsson, Darche, Ward ,Macdonald etc.. none of these Feaster Warriors will find a new home in the NHL. If they do it will be a 4th line minimum wage player at 8 minutes a game. No matter how you cut it, we have upgraded our team by leaps and bounds. I have been looking at various potential "rosters" by bloggers and press, and admit I do wish they would have at least thrown some of their monopoly money to a proven Dman with some size size size. Except for Melrose, my report card is covered with some huge red "A's" for these guys, with a little note from Ajax. Mucho apologies for ever doubting that they wanted to win. Mucho. Somewhere on this planet, John Tortorella is not enjoying his summer.

[Bryan]

Malone-Stamkos-Vrbata on the second line, I like it.

[bob]

Wiz,
i can tell your hockey knowledge is pretty limited

[Don in St. Pete]

I saw and heard Vrbata played excellent D, was a +6 on a poor team, can play on the PK and PP. Lets tweak the D and Goaltending and we may be in business. Vrbata also has great speed which will be a valuable asset on a line with Stamkos. you can't coach speed out of people, it's a valuable weapon.

[Al]

Im glad Feaster isn't in the same room!!!

[Mike13]

I think pretty lowly of Feaster too, but can you guys lay off the fat references?

[Mike13]

Vrbata is good, though (as I said before) I'm not sold on him being the right solution. Oh well, it's better than signing some of the goofballs like Feaster did during the past 2 years.

Let's see some D and a vet G and I'll be ecstatic!

[Jeff]

I like this better than getting Rolston, he is 8 years younger and just entering the prime of his career. Great job OK

[Bobby]

I wish the season started tomorrow. Can't wait to see how all of these new guys mesh together.

[Tackleberry]

Koules may have sent Feaster to search for every all-you-can-eat restaurant in the Tampa area. I hear Feaster's office got a delivery of several XXXL sweat pants.

[WIZ]

One zone, baby.
ONE ZONE player.
THREE million for a guy who slumped the last part of last year and cannot contribute unless he is guaranteed a spot on one of the scoring lines, and the other two guys will do all the work defensively.

[Emaad]

Wow!! Now I know how rangers fans feel. These owners have swept me off my feet for sure. Unreal!!

[jhkyref]

So far,so good, now get a good veteran backup goalie.

[Geografer]

No Feaster is there - someone has to dial the phone for them!

[Stacey]

Oh nice, OK! They're not done yet. They're not DONE yet! AHAHAHA! I love them like family now...

[Blindside Czech]

Feaster's out of getting doughnuts. For himself.

[Al]

Im glad Feaster isn't in the same room!!!

[Jim]

These guys aren't afriad to make quick moves. They were fully prepared for any situation and are acting quickly.
Anyone else feel like Feaster isn't even in the same room as these guys are in right now?

[Don in St. Pete]

Thanks DC! Len and OK, keep up the good work!