The day's final piece will be Kolzig ... unless

The Mats Sundin thing notwithstanding, the Lightning's final move today likely will be signing goaltender Olaf Kolzig. It's not done, but talks apparently are going well.

If it gets done, that ends the debate about Karri Ramo, and perhaps it becomes the most important move the Lightning's new owners will make. Think of Tampa Bay's goaltending the past few seasons. The starter falters and the backup, eventually, falters. Didn't seem to matter who was in what position.

With Kolzig, you not only have perhaps a backup for Mike Smith, you have a competition for the No. 1 job. Don't think that won't make Mike Smith a better player. In that sense, whoever is the backup will be a solid replacement when the No. 1 needs a break or stumbles.

If it gets done, a great move, and the new owners should take a bow.

And don't forget Brian Rolston, unsigned but with Tampa Bay apparently still in the mix. The good part of that for Tampa Bay is the Vrbata signing can make them choosy and careful. The best negotiations come from positions of strength.

Comments

[Geografer]

They can take a bow after they address the D situation - via trade (Kuba) or free agency.

[Bryan]

D isn't as bad as people are saying, they were a bad product of a bad system. BUT... I wouldn't mind them grabbing a vet presence.

[Michelle]

I agree - where is the help for our defense? Yes, we got some great forwards (and I like Ollie), but I was hoping for more defensive help. All the goals in the world won't help if you can't protect your own net.

[Tallahassee Mike]

Wow, at some point isn't there a salery cap? Either way, if they stop here I'm totally happy. Look at our prospective lines:

Marty--Vinny--Prospal
Malone--Stamkos--Vbrata
Oulette--Roberts/Halpern--Darche
Tarnasky--Gratton--Ward

That still leaves Jussi Jokinen and maybe even Arthukin to fit into the puzzle.

Boyle--Ranger
Picard--Niskala
Kuba--Lundin

With O'Brien, Lukowitch and Smaby as backups.

Smith
Kolzig
Ramo

That's a pretty sick team. You have two lines capable of just running up the score, a third line that can check and score, and the fourth line from hell, plus legitamate backups. Defense is still be a little shaky, but then again Mike Sullivan won't be there anymore. I can't help but blame him when I see Kuba and O'Brien both get worse under him last year. New guy should fit in well, plus we get a whole season of Picard. Give Smith and Ramo another year and some guidance and couple that with the fact that the Southeast is probably the weakest division in the league and we have a DEFINITE shot at third place in the east.

I can't wait!

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Rob Blake hasn't signed with anyone...he could be the missing link to the veteran help the team needs on defense. I believe he and Melrose are good friends as well.

Now lets hope that Huet signs with a west coast team and leaves Washington void as a liquor bottle in my cabinet.

[Don in St. Pete]

Welcome to the new Lightning Radim! I hope we get something done with the goaltending. We will have lots of assets to trade for defensive help as there isn't as much out there that will go reasonable and is high quality.

[Stacey]

Oh, our boys are gonna' protect the net alright! Protect or big trouble! ;p I love today!

[Mike13]

Is Sully still a Bolt assistant coach?

Another mid- to high-end Defenseman would be a good thing.

I think these guys built very good depth at Forward, but enough is enough. It's time to focus on vet G and a top 4 D.

[Mike13]

Tallahassee Mike,
Darche, Gratton, & Niskala are not signed to NHL contracts at this point.

[Jim]

I agree on cap. if previous post is true they are nearing 53.3 mil.
they need to trade Kuba (3mil), maybe a handful of pucks and a couple used sticks. If not, maybe Lukowich (1.5 mil).
Does anyone know when they have to be at the cap? Is it at allt iems, or can they go over it and trim saleries by a certain date?

[Al]

Any word on ARTY???

[JoeG]

Gotta agree with Bryan,D's not bad,it was the system.Now that the system is gone(Torts)lets see what they can do.

[Tim]

I think the cap is enforced at the beginning of the season. I seem to remember the Devils being well over last year and Lamorillo pulled a rabbit out of the hat to get below before the start of the season.

[Geografer]

Niskala is not signed but was issued a qualifying offer so unless he chooses arbitration or to honor the contract he signed to play in Russia he is ours.
Gratton is not signed and I am not sure he will be - we may be seeing him an an role ala Andy.
Blake will either sign in LA or retire.

[Tallahassee Mike]

The cap has to be enforced at the start because of two-way contracts. If they don't make the team then you have less of a cap hit.

[Mike13]

Right on TM.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

I heard that Sully is gone to Make way for Rick Toccket. I heard that one of the lines would feature Evgeny Artyukin and Nick Tarnasky as a large physical presence, I would imagine that they are still weighing their options on if they want to sign Gratton or not...it probably weighs on if they sign Rolston, which looks like now that it ain't going to happen. But you have to believe that Roberts will have to play somewhere probably in place of Gratton. Plus he's a pretty physical guy that has been known to sink a puck in the net a time or two. But, I hope they still find room for Gratton on one of the checking lines because he's a great tough guy that can fight and stick up for his team mates. This team is really shaping up nicely on paper.

Don't forget Ryan Craig was extended a qualifying offer. And theres an agreed contract pending for Artyukin

Ward, McDonald, Darche, and Gratton are all in trouble imo

[Gareth]

^ thats me.

Also, Luke and Kuba are also on the hotseat I bet

[Jimmy da Greek]

RE: Kolzig

DON'T DO IT !! GUY IS BAD LUCK !!

[Tommy Toughnuts]

I have to believe that the Roberts signing, combined with the (expected)return of Halpern and Craiger makes a Gratton resigning seem pointless.