Barrie preaches patience

Granted he said this before the Lightning blew a three-goal lead in Saturday night's 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes. But owner Len Barrie said he is not panicking and neither should fans.

"I would say be patient," he said. "We've got a good hockey team. There's nothing won in September. The only thing won in October is baseball, so that's what I'll say. we really believe in our group. We believe in our guys."

I'll have more of Barrie's comments in Sunday's paper, but just as a primer, he said the extenuating circumstance this season are valid: the 13 new players trying to find chemistry, the hectic and shortened training camp, the coaches also trying to find a comfort zone with each other and Vinny Lecavalier continuing to try and round into shape after April shoulder surgery.

Actually, Lecavalier's one-timer goal on Saturday speaks volumes about how far his shoulder has come.

Anyway, Barrie said he is not going to judge the team until the end of November.

"You have to remember, we were in 30th place, so we've made a lot of changes we really believe in, so we're going to be patient with them," he said. "There's no panic here, for sure. ... I said to (hockey ops chief) Brian Lawton, 'If this team isn't a good hockey team, then we should do something else.' I really believe it's a good hockey team."

Comments

[Casper]

Good posts, right on point.

NTMM gets the cheroot for bringing up Pat Burns' name earliest into the season---would've been me, darn!

Perhaps our usual November swoon has arrived a titch early this year? Hope we're not ready for golf by March... (Prospal looks ready NOW!)

It's early gang, we'll be fine. Malik might help, might not. Always remember him for that sick shoot out goal...

The Islanders? Come on! I smell a shut out....for us, wise guys...LOL. Okay, maybe they'll get three. Can we go out and get four?

Go Bolts!

[Boltflasher]

Ale guzzler, were you given an evaluation 3 days into your current job?

[ale guzzler]

Observations:
Koules: Give up the Torts comments. Like him or not he has a cup and your team has not won a game. Until you are a winner...Shut your yap.
Opening night: Normally Forum staff wear Tuxes but now they wear jeans and a sport coat. Thats classy. This isnt California, Producer boy. Is Art Williams in the house?
Defense: New owners same story.
Malik Trade: He will help with the transition game. We had Boyle for that but those dopes traded him.

This ownership group is a joke. They did not upgrade any positions. They let people go and have replaced them with comparable talent. I am such a dope for renewing my tickets.

[Dave]

I also was upset when I heard melrose was coming. Yes the Band aid approach to the defense. No thought was given to the D. What coach would not FIRST address the defnese. also relying on an 18 year old, the kid needs time. No coach would of picked Virbata, but he's from the western conf.thats a melrose pic fer sure.the best thing they did was keep gratton&halpern, the goalies have been great.Malone( like Quellet) is okay but he was in PITTsburg where there was coaching and teamwork... What were they thinking.

[Tackleberry]

Interesting game the first 25-30 min. Carolina seemed to have a tougher time getting into the zone. May have been due to several penalties called against them. After that, it was ALL Carolia. MSL and V4 palyed 23 and 21 min, respectively. If V4 had a 2 min minor taken away, he would have been at 23 min.

I saw V4 in the 3d with 10 min remaining and he was spent. Stamkos had 6 min on ice???? What gives??? Arty had a blazing 9:41 of ice time? I thought he was moving the puck descently.

With all the above said, why is V4/MSL line being burned out. This looks soo much like last years game plan. What is Melrose's game plan for TIGHT 3d periods? Is is to play your #1 line for most of the 3d?

My other question is this: Are MSL and V4 our best Penalty Killers in the 2d half of the game?

Cant wait for Ranger to get OK'd, and to get Malik. The bolts will be taking their lumps for a couple months.
Go Bolts, and go Rays!!

[Woodsy]

Got turnovers?

[Woodsy]

Seen Stamkos? Where?...In Tampa?

[olin]

...I have to make comment about poster who said loudest part of game was Ray's replay's...I agree with, except for my new seat location 4 rows off the ice with new neighbor's, had me stuffing peanut into my ear's...Seem's female long time season ticket person sitting behind me and in my ear all first 2 period has loudest non stop mouth-(loudest mouth in forum,never stopping to rest), get's my vote. I could absolutly not take it any longer, without saying anything her except long stare as I left headed for premium services to ask for comparable seat change location for remaing ticket package...my first time experiance like this in 10 seasons of lightning hockey...I had enjoyable 3rd period driving back home to SRQ(with major head ache)listening to fall apart 3rd period breakdown and another loss... my good swedish nature just could not listen any longer. Go bolt's- go big mouth bass. I could not figure what she was cheer about?????

[Steve R]

Another Joe,

Olie taught Smith the breaking the stick over the net thing.

[bingo]

The biggest ???? for me. The bolts had 5 penalties called in the last 6 minutes of the 3rd. On the last call with about 45 seconds to go they were all out of juice. Don't you think a smart coach would call time out ..... Say something like OK - it's another bleeping penalty. We are still up 3 zip...... just play smart take a breath and get us to the break up 3 zip.
No he sends out the same guys who've been on the ice for the last 4 mintues killing penalties. That to me was the BIG mistake of the night.

Bingo

[Brittany]

Stamkos cannot be sent to play in the AHL. He would have to go back to his Junior team in Sarnia. Age limit for NA players is 20 to play in the AHL. If Barry won't give him the ice time, they need to send him back to Sarnia, but playing there isn't going to help him anymore. They just need to give him the ice time now. Game 2 in Prague wasn't too bad, I think he got close to 15 minutes there. I know he doesn't play on PK, and we seemed to either be on PK or PP all night, but there is no reason he shouldn't be on the power play. That is the thing I just don't understand.

[Erin]

barrie definatly needs work managing the ice times care doesnt need to play 29:00 or so that definatly could of been the reason he tried that play stuffing it inbetween two defenders to push the puck up and never made it back in time..and yes malone with 17pim doesnt help at all.. and stamkos who? or as the cheif calls him peter.

[mike p]

If we all hope enough, Ranger will be back soon so a guy like Carle will NOT be on the ice for 30 min. I've mentioned this before but if you are not going to play Stamkos, put him in the AHL!! Let the kid develop there. It completely astounds me that a guy like Hall can be played for double the time Stamkos is out there. If you're not going to play the kid, you are only hurting his development by keeping him up. We have enough centers this year, and from the looks of things so far, we're not a cup contending team, so keep Stamkos in the minors for a year to give him a tonne of ice time and bring him up next year when we get out act together.

[Mike S.]

Maybe nothing is won in October, but it might be a little easier getting to the playoffs (not to mention out of last place) with a few wins here and there before November rolls around. Only the third game, but given how badly the D works together the O will need to score a half dozen goals just to give the goalies a slim chance to keep it close. I used to love this team even before the Cup, but now... I don't know, just doesn't feel the same.

[Another Joe]

I thought it was great when Smith broke his stick over the net. One thing this team has been lacking the last few years is emotion and people that really care about winning the 3rd game of the year.

Smitty you da man!

[Brittany]

My observations from the game:
-I think Vinny proved that his shoulder won't be causing him much problem this season. Also good to see that 'C' back on his jersey.
-Arty is a beast. So glad we got him back.
-Seen Stamkos? Because I sure haven't. Get the kid on the ice. No reason he shouldn't be on the PP, for all I care you can throw him on the PK. Just get him on the ice. Everyone cheered every time he was even close to the puck, we just want to see him play. He has done nothing in these first 3 games to warrant such little ice time.
-Malone needs to wake up and stop with the lazy penalties. 17 PIM in 3 games is way too many.
-Krajieck looked good for having just arrived before the game.
-Carle looked good through the first half of the game. I think the problem we are seeing with him is that 30+ minutes is just too many for him to handle. Hopefully once Ranger gets back this will help.
-Smitty played wonderfully. Watching him break his stick after Carolina's 3rd goal just shows how much he wants to win. I think our goal tending problem may finally be solved.
-Pretty impressed with the turnout considering there was also the Rays game. Too bad they couldn't have moved the hockey game up so everyone could watch both.

Thoughts:
I think the problems we are seeing has to do with 12 guys who have never played together trying to figure out what the heck is going on. Before we start ripping on the defense and Carle, lets count how many of our d were on this team last year or heck, even played with anyone else on the team last year. That would be 1 (Ludin). Until these guys can get into a groove and learn where everyone is going to be, you are going to see some sloppy play and some passes that make you crazy. They are young and you can tell they get a bit flustered but as time goes on they will become more confident. I think once they start to get settled and mesh with everyone, they will be just fine. Give them time before you completely give up. Goodness, it has been all of 3 games.

[Erin]

obrien is the worst..example intentionally directing his stick to deflect a shot which scored on holmqvuist last season in overtime loss to buffulo not only that and the other countless times last year the was on the ice when the opposing team scored its game winner, hes the opposite of clutch..he has no physical presence during game play all he ever did was push take penalties after the whistle. The two worst players last season for the bolts were holmer and ob and thank god theyre gone. who cares what krycek will be getting rid of ob will make the team better regardless of whether or not we got anything in return

[ajax]

The comment about "no one wanting the puck" is paramount. D have to skate, they have to hold on to the puck for a split second longer to find someone open, they have to be comfortable making a short 5 ft pass up the middle. This takes confidence and this takes players who want the puck. This is a very very bad habit to correct. Last years team played hot potato in our own end. I would suggest nothing is more important than working hard at getting the D to want the puck. To make plays, or to put your head down and skate 8 extra feet versus just dumping to center ice. Watch how this plays out, if it doesn't improve, nothing will improve.

the two loudest parts of the game were when they showed rays replays. the defence was absolutely horrrrrrendoes. especially kragicek. good thing we traded obrien who has tons of potential for that trash

[karma]

My observations from the game:
That Longoria can really hit the ball!
Lightning season tix for sale...

[Kincaid]

Marlboro.. on how this team needs to be intimidating
Carle and Krapachuk Mesaros ect going to hit you with their purses?

Barrie spent the cap money like a drunk fool.

On a positive note , never thought I would say this:
Hats off to the Philly fans last night greeting Sara
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/11/192018/03/127/607040

[keith]

Carle turned the puck over way to many times, but he shouldn't be singled out for accountability. Melrose shuffles the most succesful line in team history, three guys that intuit each others moves, and puts a cement footed slug who is supposed to dig in the corners to get pucks to Vinny and Marty. Vinny and Marty played a two man line last night.
Third period meltdown. Lack of fitness?
I dont think so. Lack of discipline and concentration. Giving up penalties at critical times in games is just lack of intensity and coaching.
Nathan, be careful what you wish for....this team as it is, will be at 0 and 6 before you know it. You cant count on Smitty and Kolzig to stop 40 shots a night every night. A well worn NHLer TV quote is " the goalie gave us a chance to win".... not if the D is so ineffective and disorderly, and the offense only plays for 1 1/2 periods.
Really wanting to keep the faith! For the first 20 minutes last night I thought the team had arrived, but then I woke up.Seems you can always count on the boys to disappoint

[Don in St. Pete]

I saw a lot of good things from the Bolts tonight ( along with the bad ). The defense was much better tonight than in the first 2 games, they just couldn't close the deal. We have 5 forwards playing D, MSL, Grats, Hall, Recchi ( who tired in the 3rd )and Prospal. R2KN was trying, but was sloppy in our end with the puck. The penalties killed us and by the 3rd period, many of the forwards who played a lot of PK had no legs left, especially Jokinen, MSL and Recchi. I hope Ranger will be back Thursday, his return would certainly cause a more equal distribution of minutes on the back line. Mez and Carle were overworked and it showed in the 3rd period. Lundin played well until the end of the 2nd period when he failed to challenge the shot by Pitkanen that was then deflected in by brind-amour. If they don't score there, I think it's a different outcome. Krajicek was good and has great speed, and far superior positioning than OB. R2KN needs to be on the ice a lot more, as does Stamkos. Vrbata had 3 shorthanded goals for Phoenix last year but I've yet to see him take a shift on the PK. I think Melrose did a great job during the 1st 2 periods, but mismanaged the pk in giving certain guys to much time. He had no answer for the Canes surge in the 3rd.

[Nathan]

jlo- so you're gonna blame Carle for one goal, even though there's practically 20 other players to blame for the other three goals that Carolina scored to tie it up? The Lightning were somewhat safe with a
3-0 lead, but then they blew the lead by giving up some weak goals, none of which Carle was on the ice for. In fact, it was the Meszaros and Lundin who were on the ice for the first 3 Carolina goals. Also, that holding penalty on Carle was a complete joke. He touched the guy for a second, hardly a penalty. Carle also leads the team in +/-, with a +2 rating, and he leads the team in blocked shots, with 7. And to address the penalties, Carle is hardly at fault. Malone has 17 penalty minutes, a -2 rating, and no points. Carle has 4, not even close to the amount Malone has gotten.

[Nan]

This is a young new team that lacks discipline. If they can get rid of a lot of those stupid penalites that they took then we would be looking at wins right now instead of losses. Not only are the guys getting tired killing penalites but Stamkos as a result is only getting 6 - 7 minutes of ice time. A scorer like that sitting on the bench most of the game. What a waste of talent!

[Hockey1stLove]

Carle played great for the first 35-40 mins - then ?? and -Verbta??? What? Where? Was he even there, I saw him out on the ice, just didn't see anything from him...But Hey something good happened, R-2 stayed out of the penalty box (of course he wasn't on the ice much) and Melrose - When do other teams start becoming scared to come to Tampa? What are you saving Koci for?

jlo read below

Tampa Bay coach Barry Melrose didn't place blame on Carle for how things transpired, particularly on the game-winner.

"Matt was trying to make a play, he was trying to do something," Melrose said. "For most of the third period, nobody wanted the puck, at least he was trying to do something, so there's a lot more blame to throw around than just on Matty Carle."

[Jeff Odell]

Nathan - what impressed you about Carle- his two penalties or the turnover that set up Carolina's winning goal in overtime?

[Nathan]

Wow, I think everyone is making this way too big of a deal. While I also am not happy that the Bolts are 0-3, I think it's way too early to be making predictions. There's 79 games left! The team hasn't played well, I'll admit that, but we have to give these guys a chance. Everyone's still trying to figure each other out and find a little chemistry. If the Lightning get up to an 0-6, 0-7 record, then I'd be worrying.

On a side note, I really like what I've seen from Matt Carle and Evgeny Artyukhin.

[Another Joe]

I think its time for the owners to fade into the background and let Lawton and everyone else start working on gettin better.

The third period was pathetic. I think the team has potential but its not there yet. I'll still be there.

Go bolts!

[Donnelly]

My observations from the game:
I really liked the band- nice addition
Good crowd for a home opener on the same night as the Rays - Sox game 2 and Gators - Lsu game, especially for a team that finished dead last
Smith made some great saves last night and looked very solid around a very shaky rest of the team
I thought Melrose was supposed to bring some grit, punch and toughness to this team. The goal when Smitty broke his stick saw Lightning players standing around while Carolina controlled the puck - for a while behind the net - without being touched. Let's hit someone. (Artyukin, Lecavalier, and Prospoal had some decent checks, though Artyukin missed more than he hit)
The refs called everything- even some penalties that didn't seem to be penalties
Carle and Vrabata had very rough nights
Melrose should take the blame for this loss- first if you're going to give guys time to build chemistry they need to play together- leave the lines alone, second poor line management left a sorry group of guys on the ice for the final :30 of regulation (the ones who brought on the boo birds for not getting a shot off until there were seconds left and the only shot they took was a bad angle shot directly at a defender) and to finish OT
I figure these guys need 2 months to really get going, but it's going to be a long two months if they continue to force Smith and Kolzig to make 40 saves a night and can't come up with a win when they're up 3-0 half way through the game.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Good point about the 40+ shots. Rooky-ish worthless defensive posturing is the trend set early on this team. With the lack of talent that this team seems to have at defense, its all too apparent that Melrosie doesn't have a clue how to win at this level any longer. You can't tell me that you are going to take the youngest defense in the league and play a pinching offensive cheat-style all the way into the offensive zone then try to run back on your heels after every turn-over. This is exactly what John Tortarella failed misrabaly at and I for one am tired of seeing it with this team. How many of these stupid coaches are in the NHL any way? When I heard Melsore was coming to Tampa I cringed, now I'm ready to puke once I saw this defense play the way they did. There is still time to bring in Pat Burns!!! 5 good lines won't do you any good at all if you don't have at least 2 good pairings of defenders that can hit. I haven't seen a good hit worth mentioning yet! Games are won at the blue line and neutral zone. When the other team is affraid to enter your end they belong to you. This team has to develop an intimidation factor. Right now the only ones they are scaring are their own golies.

[Patrick]

Len Barrie is a hockey player, not exactly an "owner" or executive. So maybe he should shut up....or go buy the Florida Panthers

[Woodsy]

No matter what changes are made, you won't win hockey games when you give up 40+ shots per game. It's not going to happen that way.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Not a bad team, but haven't seen any change in play since last season's debacle. The style of defense is still crappy and half the offense skates around looking for someone else to make a play...Radim Vrabata is absolutely lost out there. I attribute all of this to Coach Melsores lackadaisical attitude towards his team. He obviously does not have this team ready to play. Losing in the last 20 seconds of overtime is a symptom of no hustle and no experience in big situations. Melsore should take responsibility for these losses and should figure out this team before the season gets out of hand. Melsore has to recognize that he needs consistent play out of his #1 and #2 lines before he tries to establish 4 lines with mix and match talent. Shuffling the top two lines did nothing to establish solidarity among his players. Melsore looks as if he was completely new to the game tonight, in fact he looked to calm and down right lost. His team took 6 straight penalties in the second and third period which turned a 3-o lead into a 3-3 tie and then ultimately a 4-3 loss. This team is lacking discipline and lacking leadership from the bench. Thankfully this is only the third game of the season. This team still has time to figure things out before they go into the full time stink-up-the-ice-mode.

[JB]

Excuses, excuses. Liars shouldn't preach.

[Thunderbug2]

Wow. The "Boos" were as loud and pronounced as I have ever heard. The last PP of the 3rd was horrible. God Help The Bolts!!!

On a positive note, the guys that do the national anthem are absolutely fabulous. I wish TBL would settle on a consistent person(s) for this role. There is no 'tradition' in this Arena -- unless you count Thunderbug thwarting whoever is winning the intermission constest a tradition.

Go Bolts!!!