Espo says Meszaros will be an elite defenseman

Perhaps not right away, but Lightning founder Phil Esposito had nothing bad to say about Tampa Bay's acquisition of defenseman Andres Meszaros.

"I think this kid has the potential to develop into playing 28, 30 minutes. I think Meszaros has that," Esposito said.

We speak to Esposito again because just several weeks ago he said he believed the Lightning's defense, as it was previously constructed, had the stuff to be okay. He even expressed how much he liked the potential of 23-year-old Alex Picard, who, along with Filip Kuba and a first-round draft picks, was dealt to the Senators Friday night for Meszaros.

Meszaros, of course, signed a six-year, $24-million contract on Saturday.

"The guy blocks shots, which the Lightning, I  don't think I've ever seen guys do that except (Brad) Lukowich, who used to get in the way," Esposito said. "(Meszaros) plays games. He doesn't get hurt very often. I think he's a terrific guy. ... I liked Picard a lot, but to get something you have to give something, and Meszaros is better than Picard, and they're the same age."

Asked about the criticism Meszaros endured in Ottawa last season, not the least of which was he did not display a good two-way game. Esposito laughed.

"He's 22 years old," he said. "You've got to remember that."

You also have to remember some extenuating circumstances, including fellow Senators defenseman Wade Redden having a bad year, meaning more pressure fell to Meszaros to perform. And Ottawa's goaltending was awful last season, and that makes everyone look bad.

Esposito still thinks things could be rough for the Lightning early in the season "because they're not going to be really a team yet, because they've got all these new guys. But, boy oh boy, you watch, as the season goes, the better it's going to get, without a doubt."

Comments

[léo]

The "dream world" scenario was depicted so you would understand my point, Steve. 82 games is 100% game played, bringing the average DIRECTLY over to Ward.
A 70% games-played scenario will ALSO bring the collective avg of BOTH goalies towards Ward.
I'm sure you understand what I'm saying without thinking that I base myself on events in a dream world, right SteveR?
Gosh, I hope so...
P.

[Steve R]

leo,

OK, in a dream world where Ward plays 82 games, you win. Happy?

But how realistic is your position? Not very in my opinion.

[léo]

Ugh.
I GOT it, SteveR.
If Ward has an avg of .920 and whozit has an avg of .880 for a total of .900 vs Theo's .900 and Johnson's .900 for the SAME total of .900 then yes, it is a draw.
But if Ward plays ALL 82 games, then the total ISN'T .900, it's .920.
Have I gotten MY point across?
P.

[Steve R]

Don, thanks for how you phrased that, I was having a he@@ of a time trying to get my point across that it's about the plural keepers, not the singular keeper...

[Kincaid]

Hockey blog Brad
Got anything to offer?

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, I guess you're stumped as you seem to be stuttering. Either that or you have nothing worthwile to say. Go back to the boring sHABs inside/out blog if you have nothing constructive to add.

[léo]

If, if, if, if, if?
Columbus wins the Cup.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, Historically speaking you are right in that the Canes have the more proven starter, hence the get the nod. But in this day and age of Groin strains and opponents being allowed to run the goalie, the record and readiness of your backup goalie becomes more important, even if the best case scenario happens and he's used only minimally. Johnson with the CrAPs is a far better, experienced and proven goaltender than Leighton the backup for the Canes. I believe Leightons career win percentage is around 25% and his save percentage .890. If Ward is inconsistant like last year of gets hurt the Canes are toast whereas you could at least expect the CrAPs to be competetive even with Johnson in net.

[léo]

No, I get it, SteveR.
Based on keepers, Caners ARE ahead of the Cappers.
I see your point in that, the ADDITION of talent might perhaps be equal, but that would be following the 50-50 principle, which isn't the case because Ward, (and hopefully Theo) will play MORE than 50-50 so that the ADDITION of talent now favors the Caners.
As for putting words in your mouth, you're absolutely right, I deviated to a radical comparable to bolster my point and belittle yours. That was wrong and I apologize.
But if everyone WAS playing 50-50? Totally agree with you. Caners and Cappers a draw.
P.

[Brad]

THIS IS A BLOG TO TALK ABOUT THE LIGHTNING AND LIGHTNING ONLY. IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT MONTREAL, GO TO A MONTREAL BOARD BECAUSE NO ONE CARES. LIGHTNING ONLY.

[Steve R]

leo,

Don't try to put words in my mouth there Bubba. Please read what I wrote in the first place. Disagreed with Boltflasher on the ranking of keepers with him having Canes three and Caps 4th, and said I'd call that one a draw (based on keepers, not just starting keepers).

Olie/Johnson.....? Good God NO! Been there, done that, suffered the upset stomach from watching Olie as a starter.

I'd take Marty and whoever, or Luongo and whoever first. Those guys can steal games for you, Ward or Theo or Smith or Olie aren't elite keepers.

[léo]

Much clearer SteveR, thanx.
So you're saying you'd rather have Theo/Johnson is better than Ward/and whozit?
Disagree.
I'll have Ward play 65 games and the deal is sealed.
Would you take Smith/Theo over Brodeur/Raycroft? Or Ollie/Johnson over Luongo/Lalime?
Ward ain't a 50% games-played goalie, so who cares who's behind him?
P.

[Steve R]

leo,

My point is that if you want to compare teams goaltending, you have to look at both tenders. Take Huet, you know he's good for 50ish games, that leaves 30 something for his back up. If he's a .920 save % and his back up is .875, that puts the team average at around .900 for a span of 82 games. Not claiming that Theo = Ward, but that Theo and Johnson are probably a better tandem than they are getting credit for. Is that clearer?

[rbc]

Leo, dan hit it on the head about the players involved along with the terms and the money, which i agree with his assesssment. Only time will tell. Point taken on your end. Have a nice day.

[léo]

A factual depiction of "how he sees it"? Isn't that a contradiction? (kiddin')
He's talkin' about the worth of Mezzy's contract, rbc, not the impact Mezzy will have with the Bolts.
He say "every sign points to him having a long and productive career". That's as far as he goes; that's as "factual" as it gets.
I don't think any posters have mentioned the AMOUNT Mezzy's making.
Have they?
P.

[rbc]

Read dan tolensky's blog at hockeybuzz.com. It is actually a factual depiction of the trade and how he sees it. Enjoy

[léo]

I'd tell you if I was worried about Our shots allowed, SteveR. You should've seen those shots. You wouldn't be worried either.
I don't know who Ward's backup is. Am I missing the point you're making? Comparing Ward to Theo? Theo's backup, what? Sorry, need more data.
And Don,
If Kovy and Marky follow the EXACT same "trend" during this new season as they did the last? I'll be happy.
As fer "shabs" and "craps", ain't disputin' yer hate. Hate is GOOD in hockey. But name-callin'? That's not nice.
I say "Cappers" or "Washers". Caners. Joisy. Bahston or Teddy Bears. Pitt. Couver. leafs. Detroit City or Wingers. Chic-kago. Flamers. Minny. Trashers (they're not trash; THEY trash). Buffaler. Bolters, etc, etc.
See? You distort or alter their name so that's a FORM of mockery, but it's stays nice, so they don't mind.
Leo often gets away with incendiary remarks just by being nice about it and the floridians are cool about it. Why?
Nice!
P.

[Steve R]

Gotcha Boltflasher, can't argue that Ward has had success, but he's not going to start 82 games.

leo, who is Ward's back up this year? Unknown kid with one NHL game under his belt?

[Steve R]

Hey leo, see attached for what nhl.com has to say about the Habs. Amongst interesting points are:

31.6 shots allowed per game, only 4 teams allowed more (Atl, Fla and ?).

Would have been higher if Komo hadn't been 1 and Hamrlik 4 in the league in blocked shots.

What you think, aside from the obvious that Priceberg is the greatest thing since sliced bread and nothing to worry about?

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379943

[Don in St. Pete]

Twiney, That would be Kubina. He was a horse during the cup season. Imagine us winning the cup that year with Boyle as a top 2? Never would have happened. Our d during the cup run was as follows.

Sydor-Kubina
Pratt-Sarich
Lukowich/Cullimore-Boyle

Our d that year was far from dominant, but they were more than adequate. We had much better skaters amongst our 3rd and 4th lines which allowed us to played better defense overall. I see this years team being ina similar mold, with the defense less experienced, but equally talented or more so. Meszaros is equally talented as Kubina was then, though slightly less physical. Ranger is more talented offensively that Sydor,but less physical and experienced. Carle is much more talented than Pratt was but less experienced and physical. O'Brien is more talented offensively than Sarich, but softer in the corners and in front of the net. Lundin is much less physical than Lukowich but way better positionally. Hutchinson is at about the same level Boyle was then with a little less experience. So to those of you constantly deriding our defense, I say we're not that much worse than in 04' and we actually have much quicker stronger skaters on our current d. It's a new game with the obstruction rules and it pays huge dividends to have more team speed.

[Twinebulge]

"The guy blocks shots, which the Lightning, I don't think I've ever seen guys do that except (Brad) Lukowich..."

Yo Phil...remember a guy the hockey world called "The Shot-Blocking Machine" in 2003-04? Hint: He played for the Lightning....was a defenseman....European...wore an "unlucky" number...did the job so consistently and so well that sliding and stacking the leg guards to block a shot was called "doing a ________" [insert player's last name here]? Anything? Same last name as another Czech Dman we just traded, plus a couple more letters?

Just a bit of fun, I realize Phil Esposito has more hockey knowledge in his left pinky than is in the brains of everyone at the St. Pete Times and on this blog combined...it's just that when the term "shot blocking" is mentioned, the first name that pops into mind isn't necessarily "Brad Lukowich"

[McGz]

Leo, you crack me up man. Disguise it in crazy? That's priceless. As much as I'd like to think we will get something done, the new management is not stupid enough to trade an asset like MSL, are they? Jokinen, Ouellet and Ward are not going to be enough to land a quality shut down d-man.

[Don in St. Pete]

Sorry Leo, It's not going to happen my friend. Too much water under the bridge. They are and still remain the sHABs, Washy are the CrAPS, etc, etc... I love the logos on the original 6 sweaters though.....pure tradition and history......most of the new ones don't match up. The Blues, Pens, Flys and Bolts among the best of the rest. Looking at stats on the NHL website last night and I saw Komisarek had 266 hits. WOW! That's about 100 more than any other d-man in the league I've found. I also notice that he, Markov and Kovalev were amongst the highest in giveaways of anyone in the league. You've got to hope they can turn that trend around. I'm hoping we'll be able to take advantage of that though.

[léo]

I only pontificate when my Boys are put on the table, Don. Like when they're called "shabs", for example...
So I must say that it is a privilege and an honor to exchange with you guys, always has been; said that lotsa times before. Y'all know I mean THAT part.
But it is also Our Duty to help those who are weaker than Ourselves, Don.
(Except Toranna and Philly of course.)
How's that?
Now call'em HABS, or Habitants, or Le Canadien, or the CanadienS, or BleuBlancRouge, or Les Glorieux, or La St-Flanelle and you'll positively ADORE me, Don.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, I can actually get to like you once in awhile when your debating about the Bolts and offering ideas, rather than Pontificating about the sHABs. If there were some miraculous way we could clear some cap space, then Schneider would be a decent fit. Even if we could trade Jokinen, Ouellet and Ward for picks, that's only about $3.8 mil and Schneider makes like $5.25 right? Trading Lundin or another defenseman would hurt our depth. I'm not sure what the next course of action is for management, but I know they're working on it. Either way we'll need to offload almost as much salary as we take on, which might be a chore.

[léo]

Even the busted clock is right twice a day, right Mcgz?
Now imagine a spanking-new digital clock with a rippin' liquid crystal display screen that runs on atomic power like Leo.
C'mon Mcgz, I'm always coherent.
I just DISGUISE it in Crazy.
P.

[léo]

That's Pronger.
But forget Pronger; it was just a thought. It would have to be St-Louis and, and as y'all say, that can't happen. It's your team so I say no more. Besides, contract to contract, you'll get a one year benefit and then the loss of St-Louis on your hearts foreverafter.
Cullimore's not bad, I guess, but what? 34? 35? Noone's signed him yet...I don't know.
No point in trading the moon either if you're not going a big ways. Set your objectives. What are they? Lemme guess, making the playoffs, right?
Ok. So get guys to make the playoffs. You won't have to trade the moon for them (I'm talkin' D-men of course).
As for who exactly, I can't really speak for other teams. I say Schneider but maybe Burkie says "To TB? Over my dead body!" I don't know.
I can only speak for my Boys.
Dandenault.
You can have him for a 4th rounder, 5th even.
Guaranteed.
P.

[McGz]

Oh and btw I haven't measured lately.

[McGz]

Leo, I think that was probably your most coherent post I have read the entire summer. I wondered about Schneider a while back. He was good for LA years ago, but I haven't heard much from him lately. Pronger would be real nice, but I don't think we have the assets to get him. It seems that we are destined to stay put with what we have right now. I for one would like a more veteran presence on the blue line. How many puck moving defensemen can you have on one team? We need someone experienced who can stand someone up on the blue line and crush them in the corners. Is that Schneider or Pronger or someone else?

[léo]

Theo can't tie Cam Ward's skates. That is the end-all, be-all; let us never compare such things again.
Chelios has re-signed for a year in Det, Mcgz, but even if he hadn't, are you serious?
The guy is 62 years old, ferpetessakes! And TB AIN'T Detroit, hate to burst your bubble, but c'mon. Let the guy fade away in Det and leave him be.
Cullimore played for you guys, right? (not sure) He's slowed down a wee bit but not as much as Commodore. Yikes. Didjoo see the fiasco THAT was in Ott? Well, apparently, Columbus didn't. The contracts we will now see to reach the cap-FLOOR will become more and more interesting, I reckon.
Think Cullimore would come back? Neither do I.
Leave the Preds alone. They got their OWN worries. Don't go looking for guys in fly-by-night organizations. Go talk to the Ducks who HAVE to unload guys. Whatever guys they unload? They won a Cup 2 years ago...
I know I've said this before so I apologize but...Ducks, ducks, ducks! Listen to Leo and talk to the Ducks.
Eg: If Schneider comes to TB, where is he on your depth chart? Num2, right? Maybe even 1.
Schneider can be had dirt-cheap. Food for thought. (but still, no harm in ASKING about Pronger, is there?)
One more thing,
Mcgz? How far can you pee? I got to 8metres with a 30degree arc. Can you top that?
P.

[Kincaid]

Well good luck with that one. Can't see but a marginal return.

[Don in St. Pete]

Kincaid, There are teams that may be forced to play grinders on their second line, unless they can add some scoring forwards. Check the rosters of the Preds, Nucks and even Panthers. Nashville especially is down 2 top siz forwards with the departure of Radulov to Russia and the injury to Sullivan. Jokinen is much better than he showed in his 20 games with us last year. Ouellet was just hitting his stride after being paired with Halpern. When the only other viable options on the market are Glen Murray and Mark Parrish there will definitely be some interest. In fact a while back they were already talking with Nashville, who are flush with excellent d-men.

[Boltflasher]

My rating for putting Car ahead of Wash in goaltending is that Ward has backstopped his team to the Stanley Cup and has been known to be tough when it counted, something that Theo is yet to prove (not that he won't, but he needs to show he can do it...). It was not based simply on last season's stats. TB goaltending last (at present)because we have no idea what's going to happen and that tandem needs to prove plus be behind a young defense...

[Kincaid]

Don in St Pete are you planning on putting Jokinen and Oulette in some sort of a small and soft package to get a #5?
Who would take those guys, singly or jointly?

[Steve R]

Should be
Theo
28-21-3... Bloody typo

[Steve R]

Marlboro, your ignorance is astounding.

Where did I say that Theo = Ward. Re-read the post, I said goal tending, ie: more than one tender, ie: 82 games worth.

Lets number crunch for last season:
Canes
Ward 37-25-5 .904 2.75
Grahame 5-7-1 .875 3.75
Caps
Theo 28-31-3 .910 2.44
Johnson 7-8-2 .908 2.67

And Johnson didn't have the chance to play when the Caps were at their hottest last year.

Care to try again?

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Cam Ward = Theodore, you got to be kidding me. Theodore can't handle the work load. The only reason he went as far as he did last year in the play-offs with a 3.15 GAA is because Colorado had a great defense. Take awy Colorado's defense and Theodore faces 35 to 40 shots a night like he may with Washington. If he faces that many, he will get lit up. This is good news for the Bolts who will have to play at the other end allot more to keep their lack of experienced d-men from handling the puck too much. Once again the Washington funny fellas come out to Ra Ra their crap!

[Word]

Chelios re upped with Detroit for 1 yr.

[McGz]

Do you guys have jobs or what? It amazes me how often this blog gets off topic and people get into pissing contests. SO anyway say we do have some assets in extra forwards and we can make a deal, who does everyone think is a viable candidate. Most like not a num 1 defenseman but a solid hitting veteran? Isn't Chelios a free agent, or maybe bringing back Cullimore? Who is serviceable on the the Preds or any other team?

[léo]

You da man, Don. What can I say?
And yes, rbc.
Our situation is EXACTLY the same, and we are losers for "waiting" for Mats before We "decide" how to fit him in as COMPLEMENT, not main Man, on Our num1 team in the East. Yes, that's exactly the same, except in everything in which We're worse, right?
Well done, rbc. Happy?
And hey, you got nuthin' to worry about, right? I know YOU would think my Team is a joke. We have two UTTERLY different mentalities, no surprises there; of course it's a joke for you. You confuse criticism with bashing. Which means you can't manage your emotions; it's all good. A free spirit in a free country; I got no problem with that.
So keep on laughin'. Enjoy yourself.
You got nuthin' to worry about.
So what do you want from me, exactly?
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, thanks for always mentioning me in your post's. I disagree with Kincaid that we have nothing worthwile to trade. I'm betting we can get a decent d-man back for Jokinen and Ouellet and I bet we'll see it by weeks end. I'm hoping the Sundin drama is not holding up negotiations.

[Kincaid]

Dude I wouldn't hold your breath on the making of a big move for two reasons. Other than St. L they have no valuable chips and Lawton earlier went on record as saying they would be at least 5 mill under max cap.
Trading Marty is the only way out because what good is yet another 6/7 d man. Maybe they will.

[Steve R]

Gotcha leo.

Something will give with the Tampa log jam at forward soon. I'd be very surprised if training camp gets here and they haven't swung a trade. The question is do they package some talent and make a big move, or pick up another teams #7 d-man?

[rbc]

Losing face are you kidding me? not naming a captain or 18 forwards were losing face????? How about waiting for some player to decide if he even wants to come to your team or retire or sign with somebody else. Its a joke and i would think my team was a joke waiting for 1 player to decide whats he is gonna do and spout my ignorance about another team. Hey leo, i think winning the east and getting stomped in 11 games and remember 7 was against the #8 makes a team a joke a big joke.

[léo]

Sorry, didn't realize it was different posters. Steve R.
Leo often speaks in the 3rd person to give himself a false sense of importance and to put a touch of absurdity to his arrogance.
The result is, though I go over the top on my "authoritive views", you tolerate them because you always have a way to demolish my characterization of them.
Which creates a give'n'take between us that I find quite refreshing.
Same reason Leo never insults or demeans. Leo jabs, maybe throws a little acid sometimes, but will never DEMEAN an organization. Gotta stay in character. Leo is nice. Leo is the "high moral ground". Leo, like his Boys, values honor as equally as he does Victory.
Which kinda ties back to my POINT, that I'm afraid that TB will start to lose face over this 18 forwards/1 defenseman situation.
I said you would lose face if you DIDN'T NAME Smith your num1 BEFORE folks got to wonderin' if it could be Ollie. Yes, I know it's Olie but I call him Ollie!
I said you would lose face if you DIDN'T NAME V4 your captain before folks got to wonderin' WHO ELSE you could name.
You will lose immense face if you haven't fixed this 18 forwards/1 defenseman in 3 weeks.
It's ridiculous. YOUR new management created this situation; it wasn't something they got STUCK with.
It's THEIR soufflé that's flopping, no one else's. And the face will follow.
If you lose by being awful, you will be pittied.
If you lose by making BONEHEAD plays, you will be LAUGHED at.
Nobody laughs at Columbus; what's the point?
Everybody laughs at Toranna and Nyi who traded away their future and gave ludicrous contracts to B-players for a SHOT at mediocrity and who now pay the awful price for their misplaced temerity. Fools. They deserve nothing less.
One situation is worse than the other.
So says Leo.
P.

[Steve R]

"Leo needs nobody to HELP him make his point, thank you very much"

Steve R wonders why leo speaks of leo in the third person?

Steve R also wonders if leo was responding to "Steve" or "Steve R"?

[PD]

Heh Leo good catch on the article.
I wrote the same here two days ago, almost word for word and the blogs resident old lady and his bitchy sidekick took great umbrage.

[léo]

Steve,
I'm not using the hockeynews to support my POINT. MY point has ALWAYS been that you need TWO top2 defenders, nevermind Don with his ONE.
No, I used the hockeynews as an EXAMPLE of the TB Lightning attracting ATTENTION, and not GOOD attention.
Yes or no?
I NEVER say, "Look at these guys who say the same thing I do which means I'M right." Never, Steve. Leo needs nobody to HELP him make his point, thank you very much.
I'm simply pointing out that you will LOSE FACE if this situation is not corrected.
Hockeynews mentions NOTHING about "losing face". It's the creation of the article ITSELF that I use as visual-aid to show that you are now in the process of STARTING to lose face.
Cool?
P.

[Mike13]

That's not fair Leo. Don has said all along that we need a top 2, shut-down type defense man.

There's no sense harping on it. I think everyone on this blog agrees that we need at least 1 high-end d-man to make this team a real challenger. Too bad nobody's willing to give one up.

I guess that was the point I was making with bringing up Pratt and Zhitnik. There are no top 2 D out there for the taking, and nobody's going to just say, "here you go - take Niedermeyer. We don't want him anymore".

To receive, you must give. So which high-end forward do we give up?

Vinny - heck no.
Marty - are you crazy?
Steve(n) - what you talking 'bout Willis?

[rbc]

2 weeks thank god, the season will start and we will get a chance to observe our new team. I think we are gonna be happy with the effort put out on the ice, it will take time for the team to gel, but give them a chance. All is mute until then because the habs are already the champs in leo's eyes and the puck has not even been dropped (good luck with mats still waiting). Pd, when we are around dec. we will know if were screwed or management made the right moves and the future will be bright in boltland. Either way i am happy with our ownership and their effort.