Kolzig deal moving forward

All indications are that Kolzig will be signed today, and that would wrap up a stunning day for the Lightning, although now there are rumors of another potential signing that would involve a lower-level player, though details are sketchy.

Comments

[bolt fan]

im glad we got kolzig hopefully he teahes smith and ramo a few things

[Don in St. Pete]

Boyle was a minus -29 in 37 games. But he does have great value especailly to a team that is already secure defesively. In the same breath the Cnadiens won many Cups without the benefit of a puck moving defenseman. While the market for defensesman has gone totally insane, the Lightning having a number of top prospect's sit in the drivers seat as several teams have enourmous cap space and huge holes to fill.

[Coach Bill]

I agree with you Realist. I've said it many times before. Boyle is great as an "offensive" d-man, but his D is missing alot. Didn't he end up with a high minus ( in his +- ratings? Our wings have to stay back and try to stop odd man rushes while Danny Boy is up ice ( Way up-behind the net-THEIR net). Isn't our biggest problem D ?

[Realist]

Agreed....and how freaking great is it to have owners going nuts making deals that allow us to have arguments like this?? We've come a long way since Kokusai-Green baby!!!

[kg]

thats true. I JUST WANT TO WIN IT ALL. its all good. go bolts.

[Realist]

Tommy...again all great points. System was a huge problem...Torts idea of defense was non-existent...if Melrose truly holds all his guys accountable defensively this will work itself out one way or another!

[Realist]

Actually was not a Hamrlik fan....he has enjoyed longevity but I never though he was that great...but back on point...I'm saying that as an overall (read:not just offensive abilities) defenseman I don't think Boyle is great. He makes far too many mistakes. We can agree to disagree on it. I think he's overrated in this market and you see otherwise...it's all good...at least we're talking hockey in July!!!

[Tommy Toughnuts]

Yeah I hear that Realist. I do, but his value almost certainly is as a hybrid player, especially with Brad gone and a pointman with his ability so rare in this league. 6.5 may be high, but its not 7.8 and he's potentially 100x more valuable than BRich TO THIS ROSTER (I still think of Richie highly). Let's just hope winning and a commitment to D play solves this argument for us.

[kg]

Realist........sydor, good choice. however, if he's 10 times the player of boyle then why is he with a different team every year? are you saying that sydor could move the puck better than boyle? come on now. lets get real:) oh by the way you left out your buddy "roman" on your short list. im sure he was your fav.

[nhlman]

Finally a legitimate goalie, I'm sick of mediocre, or this guys got potential, or he was great at (Insert your city here), ollie's a proven world class goaltender, he may be at the end of his career but I believe he's got at least 2 solid years in him which should give Smitty & Ramo enough time to get their crap together. Now can we just get some solid D, I love all this offense but look at the friggin D Oren!, trade for a solid "D" and this will be the best offseason in bolt's history.

[Realist]

Jason..totally agree...Campbell would be great addition as would Orpik

[karma]

Sydor = slow
which is why he's not here any more...

[jason]

While they got the checkbook out, go get Campbell! I think he's still available.
-j

[Realist]

Tommy....I'll give you all those points and agree with most. I just don't see him as a 6.5 player. He needs to toughen up on the defensive end and be more responsible. Granted he was doing just what Torts wanted him to do...when he was responsible he showed he could be tremendous...he just has to keep that focus and remember that D is his first priority. I just do think that some around here confuse goal scoring for defense...I'd rather him stop pucks than shoot them as a first priority. I think this is the litmus year for him if he's still here.

[Tommy Toughnuts]

And for the record Realist, Boyler hasn't had a compliment worth noting at defense since our cup year when he went +23. Add that to the fact that he has the cobwebs out from injury, no contract dispute and a slower (albeit not much slower) system and I think he's fine.

[Tommy Toughnuts]

Yeah I get the point that hearts seem to be set on that fourth line combo. But my problem is the haunting words that we wont be at the cap. If that's the case (and it will be because remember the words "staggeringly active" came true) heads gotta roll somewhere and i dont see Grats signing all that cheaply for our budget. I have a feeling its bye bye Kuba and bye bye Ouellet or Joker. Unless... god forbid we get rid of Tarnasky for 35 cents haha.

[Realist]

KG...just for kicks...in recent times...Sydor was 10 times the defenseman Boyle was/is...don't confuse scoring for defense....

[Tackleberry]

Besides Tarnasky and O'B, who will drop the gloves? Bring Roy back for one season to prove himself. Offer him about $650-750k. I think he is better than just being an enforcer.

Im with you Geographer, wherever he goes, I wish him the best.

[Tackleberry]

Looking at Kolzig's stats. Nothing spectacular last year. He played in 54 games (Started in 52).
GAA 2.91
Sv%: .892
Won: 25
Lost: 21
Shutout: 1

Mike Smith's Stats (last year):
GAA: 2.46 (Stars), 2.71 (bolts)
Sv%: .906 (Stars), .893 (bolts)
Won: 12 (Stars), 3 (Bolts)
Lost: 9 (Stars), 10 (bolts)

Money better spent building a defense. If defense is not enhanced (significantly), Olaf will be taking a lot of shots from the opponents, thus his stats going down like Smith and his predecessors.

Not sure about this acquisition. I would prefer building Smith and Ramo. I think they are diamonds in the rough. With the Proper tutoring, they can become top goalies.

[Drew]

I agree I don't know if there's room for Gratton. However, when Artyukhin was signed apparently OK told his agent he wanted him to be a part of a 'crash' line with Gratton and Tarnasty, so who knows. There will be battles in training camp, and we will have spare forwards we can get move for experienced D.

[Nate Dogg]

Senor Toughnuts,

I do recall reading from the times that the owners have massive bonners for their fourth line consisting of Tarns, Grats, and Arty.

If that's true, then something's gotta give. Either Jokinen gets traded (which wouldn't make sense since he was a solid part of the Richards' trade), Ouellet gets traded (he would have the most value, but caught fire playing with Halpern and Darche). Trading Craig would be hard because he's injury-prone.

Perhaps the best (and cheapest) route to go would to let Craig man the third line until Halpern gets healthy enough and allow someone young like Jones try to spark up the fourth line. He'd at laest be a cheaper alternative to Gratton, although Gratton can def score way more than Jones.

[Realist]

KG...not saying I'm the guru..but I too have been since Bob Beers and Basil McRae and the list goes on...so I have some experience...lol...now...do you want the name of a better "offensive" defenseman or a "stay at home" defenseman? He's been our best "offensive" one for sure...but as far as pure D...not even close...not as bad as Cory Cross mind you..but he's not solid on D at all. All players have injuries...if you're not well enough to play...don't...can't use injury as excuse.

[Tony]

Good move bringing in Kolzig.Now lets get an Orpik or Jason Smith in here and I think i'd call it mission completed...

[Geografer]

I'd put Commodore in for Kuba (trade him please!) with Picard and leave the 3rd pair as O'Brien/Lukowich. Lundin needs a least a year in Norfolk and can be the first call up when Luke gets hurt.
I don't think Grats is coming back - I'd like to see him but I don't know that we will see him as a player next year.
Darche, Ramo, Lundin, Smaby, Niskala, Lessard, Jones - Norfolk
Tarnasky - I hope to see on that 4th line.
Ward - is probably trade bait
Arty - ???trade bait??? I don't know what to do with him at this point.
Roy - I am slowly and unhappily coming to grip with the fact we probably won't be seeing him in a Lightning sweater this year - but I will cheer for him wherever he lands.

[kg]

ok Realist. who is your choice if your such a hockey guru? you know i have been watching the bolts since day 1 and i can't think of a better D-MAN that we have had on this team.

[Nate Dogg]

Realist, Boyle is actually good at playing defense. Last year tho...is another story. You could tell he struggled greatly following the guy one on one into our defensive zone.

In fact, if I recall correctly, there was one play towards the end of the year that a forward flat out made him look silly...the forward absolutely left Boyle in the dust, tripping all over himself at the blueline. I can't recall who the opposing forward was.

I'm not sure if the whole missing out on half of the year do to a freak injury had anything to do with it. But trust me, before this last year, I believe Boyle is a sound d-man. Not Scott Stevens-like, mind you, but def not below average when he's on his game.

[Tommy Toughnuts]

Yeah, works for me Nate except for the Gratton signing. I just don't get why we'd do that unless we KNOW Halpern is not returning at any time. It just doesn't add up right now with all the wingers we have, plus the return of Craig. There's gotta be a move involving either Ouellet or Jokinen on the horizon if we do sign Grats.

[Realist]

Awesome Dman??? Are you serious? Do you watch hockey? He's a foward trapped in a D-mans body..he does not play a lick of defense. If Melrose holds him accountable for D he could be good..but his free roaming style allows WAY too many odd man rushes...he needs to become far more responsible in his own zone.

[Nate Dogg]

So far, I see this lineup

Prospal-Lecavalier-St. Louis
Malone-Stamkos-Vrbata
Jokinen-Halpern/Craig/Gratton-Ouellet
Roberts-Craig/Gratton/Jones-Artyukin

Boyle-Ranger
Picard-Kuba
O'Brien-Lukowich/Lundin/Niskala/Commodore/Smith/?

Smith
Kolzig

Spares: Darche, Ramo, Lundin, Smaby, Niskala, Tarnasky, Ward, Lessard, Jones,

sound accurate, folks?

[kg]

trading boyle is not the answer. he will be just fine this year. overpaid? yes but he is an awesome d-man. we just need to focus on the net.

[Nate Dogg]

Jokinen isn't going anywhere. You need a sparkplug for your third line who can net 30-40 points a year. Even Melrose knows that.

Fishbone, it would make my summer if they signed someone like Smith or Commodore to end the day! (preferably MC...he just knows how to win and has plenty of stanley cup experience- Calgary and Carolina. Not to mention he always gets involved with the communities he plays for.)

All in all, A+!!!! Vrbata for $3 mill a year?? That could be a steal! He's got a pretty high ceiling considering who his linemates will be. MUCH better situation than what he had last year in the desert!

And if you can get Ollie for somewhere from 1-1.5 mill (plus maybe incentives), that may also be the steal of free agency! Two truly remarkable moves for the bolts!

I'm almost dizzy from all of this.

[Realist]

Please trade Boyle...overpaid...that money is better spent elsewhere.

[Amanda]

Even if we were going to try to trade Boyle (which I REALLY doubt), he has a no-trade clause that his agent suggests he would not be willing to waive. I'm not worried about Boyler, I see him here for a while.

[Bryan]

lol, Boyle. He can move the puck, thats about it. He's not going anywhere though, nor is St. Louis, look at guys like Ward, Jokinen, etc, gone first.

[Leanmean43]

Is Boyle a goner? All these signing are gonna put us at the cap. All these signings are awesome but We CAN'T TRADE BOYLE OR WE'RE SCREWED!

[Fishbone Creative]

Done for today? Check that. Jon Jordan states that a deal is in the works for a D-man, as well.

"Finally, a d-man is last on the agenda. This is not news if you've been reading my stuff lately. The name may surprise us, but I'll still go with one of Commodore, Orpik, or Jason Smith."