Lightning signs Hall; Barrie says Kolzig "close"

That lower-level player we talked about is forward Adam Hall, formerly of the Penguins, three-years at $600,000 a year.

Owner Len Barrie said Kolzig is "close. ... It will get done."

Comments

[léo]

Pat,
You are TOP-LOADED with offence and have NO defense. Doesn't matter WHO or HOW MANY you got up-front, you got NOBODY in back.
Same team as last year.
My expert canadian analysis.
But maybe I'm mistaken and you WILL win all your games 6-5.
Yo.

[Pat664422]

Leo,

The same team as last year? This is your Canadian expert analysis?

We were a one line team for most of the year. Our second line was Richards, Hlavac and Outlette - the forwards have been completely revamped, we almost have enough for three scoring lines now. And we will have a different starting and backup goalie compared to last year.

Yeah, Defense still needs help and Goaltending is still an unknown... but all of the above has been done on just the first day of free agency. I doubt they are done.

[bingo]

Don, there is a rule for the minors only 4 NHL type players allowed. I don't know the specifics but not all these players would qualify. There may be someone in the room with the exact rule but I know they are limited in who they can move down there. Smaby, Jones are already considered with that group.

Think trade of several to fill in the 'D' we need. Jussi, Oulette O'brien and or Kuba could be the bait. I know they are talking about Smith but I think it might be Ramo on the block. Helinuis(sp) might be the deal in Norfolk this year. Time will tell and I'm sure OK will not let it be easy on the palpitating hearts.....

Bingo

[Don in St. Pete]

I hope that OK isn't counting on Hall and Roberts for a full season. It's been awhile since either has plyed one. The secondary signings now will be critical. We need to lock up Darche and McDonald right away for depth at Norfolk in case of injury, plus we have no top line forwards at Norfolk.

[Boltflasher]

Hall is a much better scorer than Ward, so this means Jason is gone...

[TJ]

Brian Campbell signed with the Blackhawks, according to TSN. 8 yrs, 56.8mil. wow.

[Gary]

A plus for Hall is he did play alot in penalty killing situations last year, which the Lightning could improve upon. He's pretty much a Jason Ward as I see it. I'm puzzled by this signing.

[Dave]

Say good-bye to McDonald, Darche and Craig. We won't miss them. But we need Halpern and Gratton as 3rd and 4th line centers. And Tarnasky really started to play well down the stretch last year. An Arty-Grats-Tarns 4th line would be a force.

The chemistry of this team's core is or was (as the case may be) good. I don't think wholesale change is needed or even wise. So, I worry a little that this new ownership is on the verge of subtraction by addition but they've left the D alone, so far, which is wise.

[jason]

Isn't Theodore the smallest goalie in the league? I'll have to look that one up.

[Kyle]

Yes, they're doing a Capitals of around 10 years ago - sign all ex-Pens. Didn't work for the Caps, but let's hope this time it works.

[Bryan]

Lets leave ethnic slurs and generalizations out of this, if you knew most french canadians you'd find them to be some of the nicest most approachable people on earth. It's one thing to rip on the habs and all but leave that ish out of here.

Theodore in Washington... LOL.

[Blindside Czech]

Hey, Leo, wanna know what's a tasty treat in Florida?

Frog legs.

[Geografer]

Yeah grab Theo for $4.5 million a season I think not. Hopefully for them he plays like he did last season. Hopefully for us he plays like he did the year before!

[jason]

It does seem like they are replacing the entire offence. where do they put the guys they have on contract? is there a list of players that are under-contract somewhere?

[nhlman]

I was wondering who was going to play goal in Washington after Kolzig and Huet left, just found out they got Theodore, I would have liked to grab him.

[Mark]

According to TSN, Kolzig is signed for $1.5 million. Now lets see some trades to revamp the D. Go OK.

[kg]

done deal. 1 yr 1.5 million

[Nhlman]

It's official, yeah!

4:14PM Tampa Bay signs UFA goaltender Olaf Kolzig to a 1 year deal worth $1.5-million (plus bonuses).

[léo]

The "leftovers"???
You mean Sundin, Hossa, Campbell, Rolston and Redden?
Ok.
There's a plan in Kouliwood? Stock up and trade away?
Ok.
Where's the profit? It's costing you more NOW than it would to trade later! Am I mistaken?
Maybe y'all are right: this is a GREAT plan and Leo is jealous cuz we can't land FAs up north, in Pressure City. Maybe so.
But I know the RUDIMENTS of hockey. And the rudiments say,
No D. No Show.
So show me this trade, cuz right now, it's the same sorta team as last year.
But maybe I'm mistaken.
Yo.

[nhlman]

Just read that Chicago just signed Huet, makes me nervous as to whether we will get Kolzig, who's gonna play net in Washington?.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, It's early yet. Not even 4 hours into FA. While we may be fat with torwards, we have some obvious assets that others may be able to use. Plus we have a lot of talented D in the Pipeline. Seeing the way these guys have played so far, I think they've still got some game left. It's only the start of the first period, the game ain't over till the final horn. Rock on OK and Len! GO BOLTS! I am so pleased, as you've all been reading here for weeks, I said, Malone, Vrbata and Kolzig. just waiting on Commodore.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

I tell you where the D is Leo...it arrived when Tortarella left. Everyone knows his scheme sucked and as far as quality defenders this team has the size to compete with any in the league, it just lacks leadership of just one or maybe two veterans. Don't hold your breath waiting for OK to slow down dealing and signing because they are taking a Monopoly approach to grabbing up first and dealing from a position of strength. Something most teams don't have the balls to do. My hats off to the aggressive approach that OK has brought to the mix. Looks like when training camp starts we will have allot to talk about again. Maybe the Habs can have the left-overs once camp is over.

[Bobby]

Leo and everyone else freaking out about the lack of defensive signings... I think it’s pretty obvious that OK has a plan to trade some assets from our growing harem of forwards for cap relief and backend help later. I love the aggressive approach - and the type of players they’re bringing in - sign as many upper echelon targets as you can and then once the dust settles, reassess and go from there. Keep up the awesome job, boys! I still say bring in Rolston, too! Worry about the cap later.

[wahls]

Mike, I'm wondering about the Arty deal as well. I read that the Vinny deal probably won't be announced until a bit later this month, when we is in town doing one of his charity things (also heard rumors that they might give him the 'C' back at the same time).

Oh and until all of this is done, I'm just going to assume all available free agents, er maybe just everyone who can play hockey, to Tampa until otherwise noted.

[Sammy Slapnuts]

Talk about remaking the forward lines!Didn't see this one coming but yes where's the "D" help? Gratton, Roy, Darche and MacDonald goners?

"No D?
No Show.
Sign Malkin if you want.
No D?
No Show.
Yo."

Offseason over?
No
Trades can't be made?
No
Wait until its all said and done before mouthing off?
Yes.

D'OH

[bleau blanche et pink]

What's up Leo? Not much action on the Habs board today?

Oh but Dumpig says it isnt close!

Idiot just berated a guy for getting updates via Toronto radio, completely ignoring the fact that THOSE guys are the ones reporting every single detail, NOT local radio.

Dumbass was asking where Karlsson would go, thinking he's still part of the team.

[Stacey]

They are aware how the game is played, Leo. I'm sure they have some tricks up their sleeves...

[Alex,Tampa]

Hey Hall had 2 goals in the Stanley cup finals. not to bad for a 4th or 3rd line guy. I expect possibly for some of these guys: Craig MacDonald, Jason Ward, Darche, Tarnasky, Jokinien, Roy, and Gratton to be gone.

[léo]

WHERE'S your D?!
Great signings. You've now front-loaded your team. Where's the back-end?
Does management understand that it's not just about putting the puck into the opposing net but to also keep it out of yours?
Is the plan to win every game 6-5 again?
How's that plan been workin' out so far?
This is Mr Berra here,
"It's like déjà vu all over again."
No D?
No Show.
Sign Malkin if you want.
No D?
No Show.
Yo.

[Bobby]

If you guys watched the Pens run in the playoffs this past year you would have to remember Adam Hall creating lots of havoc (maybe not points, per se, but he was a serious pain in the behind) whenever he was on the ice. This signing makes sense when Melrose talks about putting together a roster that other teams don't want to play - the guy brings energy and jam. I like it!

[dave]

This move does not make a lot of sense. Never thought I would say it, but I hope our ownership calms down and stop signing guys. Could guys like Craig, Ouellet, Jussi, Tarnasky get traded for draft picks. Are guys like Gratton and Roy getting fair offers or any offers at all from the new ownership?

Wonder if Malone and Roberts had anything to do with this signing. Maybe they put in good words to the new owners.

[Sami]

Okay we have a lot of forwards signed. It's great.

But what about defence? That's what we lacked on last season.

[Mike13]

DC, what about these deals: Lecavalier, Artukhin, OK owning the club? Are any official?

[Mike13]

Hall is a RW and had decent stats when he played in Nashville (averaged about 15G + 15A). He really hasn't done anything during the last 2 seasons.

I'm really not sure what the heck the point of this signing is...it's not like he's even an enforcer.

I'm baffled. Probably the first really bone-headed move by OK.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

My guess is they decided that Gratton would cost them too nuch to resign for the fourth line so they went out and got this borderline goon...

[David]

This continues and the Lightning will have a roster as big as the Bucs!

[Tommy Toughnuts]

Oooook so expect cleaning house of the lower line personnel and soon. That's the only possible way this makes sense.

[dave]

OK, so we are trying to the the Penguins former team

Malone
Roberts
Hall
Ouellet
Roy (though we had him first)

[KenB]

I still don't see a center for the 3rd or 4th(until Halpern gets back). Roberts,Vbrata,Malone and Hall are all wingers. Might be some trades coming.

[Geografer]

So is this the new 4th line center or is he filling in at 3rd line for Halpern. If so what of Craig???
Do we plan on only playing forwards this year?