If mid-summer power rankings matter, Lightning a playoff team

Here's something to chew on with Saturday morning breakfast. Apparently the Lightning's off-season activity has impressed the national media - for now.

Comments

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, After absorbing Boyle the Snarks are over the cap and desperate to unload some space. You could probably get Marleau for a prospect and a bag of pucks. If you wait until training camp starts, then the bag of pucks and a mid round draft pick might suffice.

[léo]

You tell me Steve, who?
"Gaping void"?
You mean the one that finished with most goals in the league?
Then yep. We'll stand pat.
Think Marleau is plan B, according to Our grape-vine. Don't know what'll be offered for him.
We'll see.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

What a shame. Our blog has been overun by fans from the CrAPS, sHABS, FLYgirls and LEAFies. Next thing you know the Carolina Candy Canes and Florida Pansies will be coming here to blog. A goalie alone cannot hold up a team on the slippery slope to mediocrity.

[Pd]

Good catch on the Sundin article L.
Not to gloat, but I wrote that all here last week. Mats retires, (doubtful) or plays another year with the buds.

Never give the guy the menu in a Chinese restaurant or you will starve waiting for it back.

I distinctly remember saying that the Leafs would likely miss the playoffs but would be no where near being a Tavares contender because of Toskala.
I was widely dissed of course but Ka ching

So then why not haveMats back? He's a class act and funny things happen in sports. They could grab an 8th spot.

Next year Burke and a big play for Nash.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, I thought Thornton might get your goat. He'd be right at home up there amongst the other chokers though ( just pulling your chain ). Meanwhile we have a few guys over here that HAVE won a cup before.....

[Steve R]

leo,

Let me try again. Backing out the players who are unrealistic (Malkin, Sid, V4 etc), who would be on the short list to trade for & what assets would you give up? You have to give up talent to get talent.

Or, do you stand pat with that gaping void at #1 center?

[léo]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/17372-Campbells-Cuts-Sundin-likely-to-choose-Leafs-but-should-they-accept.html

Here we go.
P.

[léo]

You see? Further proof I don't what the heck I'm talkin' about. What do I know about the West?
But by omitting him, I KNEW someone would mention Thornton.
Thornton? Oooooooh, We KNOW Thornton, Don. We know him VERY well. Never.
Joe Thornton is the José Théodore of forwards. A Hart, a Ross, sure he can do it. Never a Conn Smythe. How many TIMES must we witness this to accept it?
Trade Plecky for ya, Joe, staight-up. No more. Nothing else.
No?
Then stay in SJ, choker.
As for Mats in NYR...He'll take 3mil to be in a Country Club? Wow, gotta LOVE the Country Club.
Rangers have NO chance. With Mats, they MIGHT make the playoffs. Their O is decimated. Their Spark-plug is in Colorado. Their 1st D-line, though making 12mil combined, is SUSPECT.
However, their goaltending is SUBLIME...except in Hockey City. Hee-hee.
If this is what Mats wants, so be it. Should he go there, Our team is still better than theirs. Who cares who says different?
Odds? Odds obviously don't ignore "political" favors or brown-nosin' in their rankings. Odds don't KNOW. Odds don't FEEL. All the rest of us do, cuz our eyes are still wide open.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, Zetterberg and Iginla are wingers. You'd say no to Joe Thornton? I wonder if the reason the bookies are putting the Rangers ahead of the sHABS is because Sundin is actually going to NY? Pure speculation, two whole months and a few days before the season. Lot's of things can and will change before then.

[léo]

Who would be first on Our wish list in a package-trade for a 1st line power-center?
Vinny! Who else? Hello? What do you think I'm doing here, Steve? We've wanted Vinny forever, no point denying it.
But he ain't ever comin' to Hockey City.
2, Malkin. 3, Crosby. 4, Iginla. 5, Zetterberg(is he center?). 6, Marleau.
Do you think We could get ANY of those guys? Cuz those are the only centers I can think of right now that I would prefer over Sundin. In fact, scratch Marleau; I'd take Mats before him.
PD,
Nope. It's worse than you think. Plecky stays, Koivu drops.
Like I said, for the VERY reason that you bring up "balance", Mats will play with Tanguay and Guillaume. So as not to affect the "balance".
Now, you CAN'T break up Plecky, the Artiste and K the Elder. And right now? THEY are more offence-producing than Koivu, Higgy and K the Younger.
Not only that, We WANT Koivu and Higgy on a 3rd line. It would be the most formidable 3rd line in the NHL! Higgy'll do as he's told; no matter what, his future is secured.
Koivu? Listen. At the end of last year, when We missed the playoffs, Koivu mentioned that he wasn't as thrilled anymore to play for a constantly rebuilding team and that after 13 yrs, he wanted to win. When the media brought this up to Bob, you remember what he said? You floridians know about this?
"Saku Koivu is a champion. He behaves like a champion. And one day, he will win a championship." Bob LOVES Saku.
Well, Saku's winning now. He's gonna pout? He's gonna be selfish? NOW?
He'll play on the 3rd.
IF, of course.
IF.
P.

[PD]

I agree with the smart money Twiner, exhuberent fandom aside.

No D whatsover and two back up goalies in Tampa will do that to you.

Wash was one of the best teams in the league after Christmas. We just are not in their class yet but heh the Bolt's shiny foreheads are working on it I'm sure

[Twinebulge]

PD I'd agree with those who feel we're already at the top of the SE without Phaneuf and Jovo, as if OK were trying to get them. Being at the top of the Southleast is like being at the head of the class for the educable mentally retarded (or developmentally disabled or whatever the PC term du jour is): well done, good start, but you've still a long way to go

[Pd]

Twiner Vegas is open 24 hours a day and will happily match wits with any bettor. Those odds change daily in response to player movement and injuries.

They provide a real snapshot of where a team is at any given time.
If Bolts land Phaneuf and Jovanoski, I dare say we climb to the top of the SE.

Good list of power centers Don but where's Sid?

If Sundin does go to les Habs I think it will effect their balence in a few ways that they haven't considered. First off, Plecanic who is a rising star, all of the sudden drops to 3rd line minutes.

One vastly unde rated center is Michael Nylander.

[Steve R]

Don,

That kid Anze is going to be a good one. He just needs to pull an "Escape from New York (LA)".

Tough list for the Habs. For the most part the guys are either getting long in the tooth or are locked into deals that might make it tough to make a move on them. Plus the Sedin's are a package deal.

Agree on Nicky B. Kid has talent, but he's not in the power type mold.

[Twinebulge]

"...Seasoned hockey fans will likely refrain from making any predictions at this time, and one should take not those made by others very seriously." And then, predictably, come a hundred predictions. ;^)

The next time the oddsmakers in Las Vegas (that hockey hotbed) (well, it is pretty hot) get even close to being right about season standings 10 months out will be the first. Those odds are best viewed as opportunities for suckers and their money to find separate homes.

Here's the deal with making predictions: If you make some and you're wrong, you're seen as unreliable at best, an idiot at worst. If you're right and trumpet the fact, you're seen as the "told-you-so" guy, the self-centered jerk nobody likes. If you're right and remain quiet about it, nobody (NO ONE) going back to July and seeing that you called it right; so you're cool but nobody will notice

Therefore, giving predictions can only result in being unnoticed, disliked or unreliable.

Now carry on with the predictions >:^D

[Don in St. Pete]

Steve, The sHABS are targeting Sundin, because he's a free agent and it wouldn't effect the balance of the club to sign him. They like they're balance, which would be thrown off by trading some of the pieces. Besides, how many true #1 power centers are there? I'll bet it's 20 or less. There's 30 teams so a #1 power center is a hot commodity, just like a #1 goalie. I like your kid Backstrom down there, but I wouldn't yet call him a power center. Jst for the heck of it, let's make a list of who could actually be considered a #1 power center.

Sundin
Lecavalier
Getzlaf
Brind-Amour
Sakic *
Forsberg
Modano
Datsyuk *
Horcoff
Arnott
Gomez *
Spezza
Carter
Malkin
Thornton
Sedin

The players with an asterisk after their name don't really fit the mold of a power center, but their strength, speed, creativity allow them to compete in such a capacity. Several up and coming young players like Toews, Kopitar and Backstrom, could also be consider potential #1 power centers.

[Steve R]

ntmm,

If you call the Caps defense crap, what does that make yours? Only 3.5 goals a game averaged? Come on man, don't sell my Russian's short!

leo,

If you guys are looking for a #1 power center, any power center, why not package up some players/prospects and trade for one? Who would be #1 on your wish list (considering cap restraints)?

Don,

Saw the Habs play on words, good stuff. Not sure how leo felt about them. October can't get here soon enough.

[léo]

Brind'Amour???
How was Mars, Marlo? You got pictures?
Didn't the guy retire a year ago? Were they so terrible this year that I didn't notice him play?
Liked your standings though. 2 things: Switch Washy for Bruinies. Then switch Ottawa for YOU. You're a heck of an optimist, Marlo. Get some D, then we can talk.
And obviously, you need a S-Easterner in the 3rd spot. Caners.
Ajax,
Like Grand Moff Tarkin said, "I grow tired of repeating myself so it will be for the last time." :
We don't NEED a leader.
We don't NEED a captain.
We NEED a 1st line power-center.
That's it. Call him Mats, Vinny or Ichabod Crane, doesn't matter. THAT'S what we need.
You're RIGHT, ok? He's old, talentless, gutless, a loser, pile it on if you want, I've said worse myself.
But what OTHER 1st line power-centers should We go for then, Ajax??? Who? Tell Us!
PLEASE tell Us.
We have a leader. We have a captain. All We want is the titanium bumper!
I LAUGH when I hear folks say, "Oh, but how is Saku gonna feel if he's not the captain?" What??!!
Saku is the captain. Mats is gonna take his hole and do as he's bloody well told. This is a NON-ISSUE.
Leader? We DUMPED Souray and Rivet (Saku's best friends!) BECAUSE they were cramping the Artiste's mojo. They were cramping his Kwan savoir-faire. HE is the leader now. Mats will NOT take over the room with charisma after what Kovy did this year. It's all kids in Mtl now, you know that. Who do you think these NEW kids hold in awe? Who do you think they follow?
Mats is there to be 1st line power-center. Nothing else.
Jeez...
Disagree with it, ok, but you're playing a comparing game that does NOT apply to Us right now.
Kinda like Steve bashing his 15yr, services rendered goalie all the time. Watch out for his glove. Watch out, he's slow. Watch out in the shoot-outs...and you guys are like, "So what? He's num2." The description of the player, though maybe accurate, is NOT being viewed under the same light as those who are picking him up.
Or those who MIGHT pick someone else up.
Oh, and don't tell Team Sweden that Mats can't step to the plate. Consider that THEY don't call ANY of their championships, a "miracle".
Ouch, a little jab at the end, there.
You yanks gonna take that?
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

I finally remembered where I had seen the ad about the Bolts summer bash. It was on the Sun Sports/FSN website. Here is the link, it looks like it may be August 27th, not Jult 27th as I had originally reported.

http://www.sunsportstv.com/schedule_sunsports_lightning.jsp

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Its all just fun and games don't take anything I say too serious. Besides its just sports...its not like its Brain Surgery or something. And yes I'll be following the standings all season long. If the Cappers even go to the Finals and win it it still means that I won't dis-like them any less.
Now for the way I'm picking the finishers in the East.

1. Montreal -- good balance decent goal-tending have allot to prove.

2. Flyers -- good rebuilding job better chemistry on the way....Marty Biron looked exceptional in the play-offs

3. Penguins -- need a more stifling defense.

4. New York Rangers -- good balance but could use better defense.

5. New Jersey -- Always in the hunt.

6. Tampa Bay -- Finds their chemistry after playing .500 until the All star game. Melrose may or may not be the coach still by then.

7. Carolina -- good coaching and a healthy Brind' amour.

8. Boston -- not much improvement especially at Goalie.

9. Washington.....crap goal tending and defense kills them despite averaging 3.5 goals a game. Ovechkin gets another 50....big deal!

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, Some good points there. Both are good players but like comparing apples and oranges as they play different positions with different roles. The +/- from last year was a bit of an abberation as after the trading deadline they had thrown in the towel for the most part. As a note V4 went -19 after prospal was traded, I'm sure the effect on Marty was similar. Steve R., just feeding the flames a bit.....it will be heated on the ice and on the blogs, Surprised you didn't pick up on the sHABS as in sHabby or sHabbies. I'll have to think one up for the rest of the SE division at least.

[PD]

Marty is a little pip squeek with a big heart but his best years are behind him.
Sundin took Sweden to the World Championship last time out.
Sundin was +17 last year, lil Marty -23. Thats a 40 goal difference.
Sundin is a horse at 235 lbs, he can't be pushed aside physically, Marty is what 150? Come on.
Mats is like Vinny the straw that stirs the drink.
I could get 50 points playing all year with Vinny.

[Pd]

Ajax glad to respond when I get a sec however Marty is the guy that taps in Vinny's leftovers.. Mats is a center and never had the privilege nor a winger of any note.
Not many would agree with you.

[Steve R]

Don,

The "CrAPS", eh? Down right brilliant. Never heard that one before, very clever. You ever consider doing stand up?

leo,

You enjoy playing the role of rabble rouser?

[ajax]

Something was skipped over in the last 10 blogs or so. A comment about the Savior, Mats Sundin and how much better he is than the low life Marty St. Louis. Sundin is hands down better than Marty St. Louis? He can lead a team to a championship and Marty couldn't. when, 10 years ago? where, in Sweden elite league?
In the last 4 years Marty has made every Canadian international team assembled. Here are some other eye opening stats for the past 4 years.
Marty has 137 goals Sundin 121
Marty assists 203 Sundin 186
Marty points 340 Sundin 307
Marty rings 1 Sundin never
Marty MVP's 1 Sundin 0
Marty St. Louis is such an awesome all around hockey player. I guarentee Mats Sundin was never out their for crappy Toronto killing penalties every other shift the past two years.
Last 4 years:
Marty SH goals 18 Sundin 5
Oh and an eye popper
PPlay points last 4 years
Marty 109 Sundin 134
Meaning Sundin had a total of 173 even strength points in 4 years, 43 per year. Yeah what an awesome 7 million he would be.
Marty 231 even strength points, 58 per year.
PD, is Mats your second cousin or something? I am sooooo glad we don't have 7 million to waste on 38 year old Mats Sundin. PPLLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSSSSE,
The year we won the cup Marty had 24 points, second highest. Sundin did have one year where he scored 16 playoff points. Yeah, Marty sure can't lead.
Oh yeah one minor stat for the player who is the missing piece to the puzzle and everyone in Canada knows he can lead a team to the Stanley Cup. Toronto has missed the playoffs 4 years in a row with this game changing "Captain". You have got to be kidding me.

[olin storahund]

......LOL,LOL...all Sommmer Silly Talk

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, We have you twice in dec, once in jan and once in mar. I already have the dates circled on my calendar. We got eyes in the back of our heads down here so we'll see you coming. We're not worried about anyone, but we're ready to knock a bunch of clubs down a notch or two. Nice interview with Mark Recchi on the Bolts website btw.

[PD]

Leo,they were quite a different team after Toskala took charge.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16366
At your leisure
They sure aren't sliding back
I'm a realist and see some value here with a lot of solid experienced kids.
Bets are off if no #13

[léo]

Well, Don,
When the fighting DOES start?
We're gonna Crush you. How's that?
Don't tell me you're worried about Us, mate.
Don't question the Artiste; observe his rebirth instead.
He said it himself: He had an epiphany. He went back home and STUDIED the tapes of his younger days and he noticed the fury and the passion on them which had been diluted over the years. He reinvested himself with them and came back hungry, especially after his agent said, "Alex, you're not 19 anymore."
The Artiste said, "Yeah? Watch."
Don't worry about Us, Don.
Just watch your backs.
At school, at a pic-nic, doing your laundry...
Just watch your backs.
Cuz We're comin' to get ya.
Mwa-ha!
Ok, I'm off.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

The sHABS may be the ones looking up if Kovolev and the many others who had career years can't duplicate their perfomance of last season. We'll be looking the CrAPS in the eye or looking down, IMO. Training camp hasn't even started yet, there's plenty of time before the fighting starts.

[léo]

Ah! And I see Steve finally got around to reading Marlboro's first post.
Hee-hee-hee.
Dem's fightin' woids.
Hey, Marlo,
Will it be "bitter for you while you look up at (the Cappers) in the standings all season long."?
You gonna take that, Marlo?
P.

[léo]

You mean like last year?
When they had FULL personnel?
P.

[PD]

Heh Leo you're being jilted yet again.
Really who wants to play in Montreal?? and to offer Mats 500G's more to uproot is the insult.

He sure isn't going there.

If its the money it's Vancouver obviously..20 mill for 14 months work while living in Gods country.

It's not the money..his only decision is to play or not to play. If he plays it's the Leafs.

You sure dont really know your hockey if you you think that the Leafs would be in the Tavares hunt. Toskala alone negates that.

Leafs have more than enough pieces to play a solid Wilson team style and grab a 7th or 8th spot with Sundin.

[Steve R]

nnmm,

You hate the Caps? Good. That'll make it all the more bitter for you while you look up at us in the standings all season long.

Caps fans don't hate anybody in the SE, there are no rivalries. Pens and Philly...? Yup, we hate them. Bolts? Nope.

I'll try to avoid using big words for you, don't want to hurt your brain or cause an inferiority complex when you have to ask someone the meaning.

[léo]

Agree with tha both of yehs, PD and Don.
Which is why, despite my arguing the pros of his Joining, I've never claimed that he WILL Join. Never said, "Oh, We're gettin'im; mark my words." No room for delusion in the quest for Victory.
I think, in a perfect world, Sundin would want to win in Toranna. It's his Country Club.
Here's the straight dope, with an attachment called: Do you remember?
1) Sundin REFUSES to move Feb 28th. The leafs are going NOWHERE, a BLIND man sees that. He is UFA at the end of the season; he can RETURN! Legally AND morally. He is offered the opportunity to Win, while HELPING the team he "loves". He says no. Is it really "love"? Or is he Afraid to Win and Work to Win and Suffer to Win, having never COME CLOSE to attaining Stanley's Glory?
2) Fletcher calls up Sundin and his agent and says that We've offered a little sumpin' for Exclusivity. Sundin/His agent tell Fletcher to hold on. THEY CALL THE RANGERS. Do you remember?
They ask the Rangers if THEY wanna dance INSTEAD. Rangers offer 3 mil. They hang up. And listen politely to Bob, without committing.
What does that say? A preference of organization? Or Country Club?
Is Mats Country Club?
Is his whole life so ensconced in Toranna that he is prepared to RETIRE as a loser, while The Prize is verily within his grasp (had it been Det, SJ or Dal also, whatever, just sayin')?
Thing is though,
If he wants to play. Cuz if he WANTS to play, then it gets interesting.
Cuz he AIN'T going to Toranna. Gentlemen, please. Water under the bridge. I'm not saying I would be SHOCKED if he went back, I'm saying they CAN'T take him back.
Water under the bridge.
The fact that people, the fans, the leaf-lovers, the analysts, the critics and the know-it-alls brought up the fact that Mats was being Supremely egostical by not helping the team in a trade, REALLY pissed Mats off. He was not, and IS not, amused by that at all. HE feels that Toranna has made him "look bad", has made him to be the bad guy.
They probably did, intentionally or not. Why? Cuz they wanted max value on a TRADE for him! It is the REASON Fletcher was hired!
Point is, that's the Mats angle. The guy can read between the lines. Water under the bridge now.
Toranna's angle is far simpler: Tavares.
If they DO reunite, I am instantly reminded of what Firelord said to Spider-Man, "You are an even greater fool than I could have possibly imagined."
So if Sundin WANTS to play and likes the Country Club, few options remain. If he wants the Couver dough, well...if you love money like that, you don't take 2 months off thinking about if you still like it or not. You either do or you don't. If he wants Glory...
I don't know. Guy loves Toranna, ok. But he's gonna RETIRE if he still wants to play but can't play there? That makes no sense to me. I don't know.
It's impossible to get a dang read on this guy!
Unlike Favre, who started runnin' his yap in the SAME SITUATION, the Swede is wise enough to keep his shut.
Who's the Man? Sundin or Favre?
We'll see.
P.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Xenophobia! Paranoia! It's a free country here pal...this isn't Russia. Seems to me that someone can't take a little 1st amendment without lashing back using big stupid words to impress. If you can't take the criticism and rowsing without getting your panties in a wad then don't blog with Bolt fans...my oppinion doesn't change just because you say so. Good job though, I'm starting to dis-like the Cap fans as well! Leo is right...my arguments aren't based on logic when it comes to Caps...its based on passion for my team...I HAte the Caps...!

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, Good point about the Sundin situation, I see it the same as you. He's won a gold medal with the Swedes against the best the world had to offer. I feel it's the Leafs or retire.
Malone, Vrbata and Stamkos will easily make up for the points that Boyle and Richards would have provided and will offer more help defensively.

[Pd]

Ajax, second to Sundin, its probably moot.
I doubt he plays anywhere but TO. He doesnt need the $$.
He's a very loyal guy or he would have accepted a trade to the Wings at the deadline and would be wearing his ring now.

I see the same pattern in his decision making process that he went through last year when the Leafs asked him to waive the no trade. Thought about forever, then passed.

[PD]

Sundin vs Marty Ajax?
Straight up player for player there is no comparison because Sundins the much better player at both ends of the ice.

His points per game are in the Vinny category with much better +/-

Marty isn't going to take anybody to a cup, Sundin would make Montreal the easts favorite.

Sundin is a UFA he gets to call his price. Marty sold out $$ for the long term contract. That's the only reason he is so cheap.

On the Richards Boyle trade, tell me again where their 150 points come from?

[Steve R]

Boltflasher,

You just took all of the fun out of the debate. Having watched Olie just plain suck day in and day out, I'd have to question the collective wisdom of everyone picking him over Theo though. If it comes to shootouts, watch Olie look over his shoulder at the puck in the goal because of back hands high glove side.

leo,

Good point, your Russians and my Russians have a good time b.s.ing during warm ups. We can debate mental toughness endlessly, can't be proved one way or the other until the puck gets dropped, eh?

[léo]

Silver spoon? I'm a Montreal Canadien, sir. The greatest team in hockey et la meilleure équipe au monde. Sir. Soooo....silver spoon?
Yeah. Sorry.
Now back to hockey,
I am not disagreeing with you at all, Ajax. I'm sorry if my post wasn't clear on that. I may not have expressed myself properly. I'll try again,
I have a choice between 2 packages for my hockey club. 1)Sundin 2)St-Louis, Boyle
I take package 2. Of course. Of course!
But Ajax...We don't need a whole CAR to last Us a few years, We just need a titanium front bumper which might, and probably will, fall off in a year, tops. And the price is 7mil. Not 6, not 8, not 10. It's 7mil. That is what We decided it's worth and that's what We'll pay. And if We can't get the bumper? Car'll run just fine anyway.
I agree with the comparisons you bring up talent/value wise, Ajax, but We are only interested in ONE particular talent.
Would We be happy to get St-Louis and Boyle? Would We? Why? Where do We put'em? Who gets tossed aside to make way and why should they be tossed aside? The guys on Our team who play in St-Louis' and Boyle's positions are doing exceptionally well.
So what would their "value" be to Our team?
Not as much as Sundin's.
For Us? Sundin has TONS more value than package 2.
Even though you are absolutely correct, Ajax, do you see Our point of view?
St-Louis, Boyle, yes, better deal, good, great, but for Us? Now? Sundin.
7mil shows We're serious. It's a 500k raise from what he was making last year, c'mon. And it's 1.5mil more than any other player on Our team is making. It PROVES to everybody WHY We're offering it to him. He is "a missing piece".
St-Louis and Boyle are not.
Hope I explained myself properly this time.
P.

[ajax]

If you have the cash to blow. If you are only playing for this year.
If there is no other way to spend 7-10 million.
If you need a car and you only have one car on one lot to choose from, I guess you pay the going price for that car.
Anyway you want to slice it, r u suggesting that the only piece to the puzzle Montreal needs is Sundin (blood test, urine analysis needed)
You can use any argument you want but to have St. Louis and a top 30 dman versus Sundin. PPPPPPLLLLLEEEEAAASSSSSSSSEEEEEEEE
only 27 Dmen in the entire league make 4 million. So if Sundin gets 8 million you could have a top 10 scorer and a top 30 Dmen or 38 years old Mats Sundin. I am glad you aren't our GM Mr. Leo.
Have you ever heard of the old Dallas system of taking the best "athlete" player? It worked for 20 years or so.
Anywho, only my "strong" opinion on this one, it won't hurt my feelings to know you are wrong (chuckle chuckle)
I am going to sum up how I interpret some of these comments. If you have the money to blow it doesn't matter if you use it wisely?? Leo, are you one of those rich foreign kids with the silver spoon trailing out of their designer jeans???

[léo]

I gotta learn to be concise like Flasher.
Well said.
That's what I'm talkin' about, Steve. The all or nuthin scenario. When numbers don't mean doodly.
Ollie over Theo.
P.

[Boltflasher]

For 1-game all or nothing title...who would you want in goal, Theo or Ollie?...I think the majority opinion would be Ollie...for that reason, I think he will make a capable backup for the occasional start (but his salary is alot for a backup but not as high as Khabibulin's salary as a backup) but if as a starter, we'll have to see...

[léo]

Ok, Ajax.
Now who do you put 1st line center? St-Louis or Sundin? We don't NEED St-Louis as much as We need Sundin. Neither do We need 3 of them for a "bargain-value" over a sure-fire Stanley Cup. We're not payin' for Sundin, Ajax, as much as We're payin' for the Prize.
If all We needed was a winger, and St-Louis was the only one available? Guess what? 7mil. If it's "the missing piece", you pay it.
We're talkin' Stanley Cup here, Ajax, not the rebuliding phase of an expansion team.
Steve,
No, no. My reasoning over Theo vs Ollie, choking-wise, not Marlboro's euro-bashing, team trashing.
Of course, I don't suscribe to the Russian angle, We got more than YOU! Had huge debates last year with Bear on that very subject.
I never said any of that (my team is euro, ferpetessakes), as I've NEVER qualified Ollie a Winner, neither.
He's just got more "mental toughness" than Theo....who has none.
That's what I said.
As for Marlboro, Steve, oof,
You gonna take that?
P.

[Elio]

Lightning 3rd jersey to be dark blue with the word BOLTS diagonally down front of jersey.

[Elio]

Third jersey to be dark blue the word BOLTS diagonally down front of jersey.

[ajax]

Had to chirp in. We traded two huge contracts and two very good players and in return we got a boat load in my humble opinion. Feaster never grasped that, way to busy with the feel good headlines of "superstaridis" We need bodies as in plural and we've got them. Hoping for some (at least 1 body and defense) but I get this sinking feeling that they are standing pat. I never liked Richards, I loved Boyle, but I always thought the same about their contracts: the money could of been way better spent, and thank goodness someone finally came to their senses and pulled the trigger. Emotional tears everywhere but we wake up with depth (that was a word we couldn't even spell the last two years) Hockey is by the far the number one sport that needs a full roster, we wake up today closer to that goal then we have been in a long long time.
Marty 4/5 million is one of the best values in the entire NHL. Have to throw this out there, Marty at 9 million the next two years or Sundin at 14-20 million next two years. I really really really really can't believe that is even an argument let alone a discussion. If Sundin gets 16 million that means you could have Marty plus a 3.5 mil per year Dman, or Sundin. I will give it a shot and try to spell it. NO BRAINER. V-A-L-U-E, I always prefer businessmen running my favorite team versus cheerleaders, unless of course that cheerleader is Cuban or Steinbrenner, which Hollywood ain't.

[Don in St. Pete]

DS, I have personally mentioned being stronger on the forward lines as a distinct advantage over last years teams on at least a dozen occasions. Also of note is that having more offensively talented forwards is a benefit to your defense because they know instinctively how to find open ice for a breakout pass or when to double back to help the D when they're under pressure. Team speed will also be better overall which helps on both offense and defense.

[DS]

One of the most frustrating things that I have heard all summer is that the Lightning’s defense has not improved. Either, I'm completely losing my mind or the national media is ignorant to the intricacies of hockey. I believe forwards also play defense, and subsequently our acquisitions over the off-season have greatly improved our forward’s defensive accountability. No one has even mentioned this! I understand we can only speculate the system that Melrose will install, but I tend to think we will be much more accountable with the amount of veterans that have been brought in. I can’t wait until the season gets underway. I implore everyone to take note of this, and observe the dramatic difference in play compared to the past few years.