Lightning trades for D after audition

The Lightning on Wednesday acquired the rights to defenseman Michal Sersen, who is in his third season for HC Slovan of the Slovakia elite league and on Tuesday played against Tampa Bay.

"He's a player our scouts have liked and we looked forward to seeing," said hockey ops chief, Brian Lawton, who gave up a 2009 fifth-round pick. "I thought he played very well. We need defensemen in our organization, so we're going to talk to him to see if there's any sincere interest in coming to North America."

Sersen, 22, and at 6-1, 200 pounds, had a goal and an assist and was minus-1 in his first nine games this season for HC Slovan. He had 10 goals, 23 points in his previous two seasons. In 2005-06, his last of three seasons in the QMJHL, the 2004 fifth-round draft pick of the Penguins, had 22 goals, 79 points in 63 games for Quebec.

Comments

[Boltflasher]

Cujo last night...12 shots, 6 goals....

[léo]

In that case, Brave No-name, you must be new here. And throwing out "you do the same thing!" is hardly an argument, especially if it's untrue.
To those who ACTUALLY know me,
Something funny! James Myrtle. Don't know'im. To be taken with a grain of salt. Just his opinion. As valid as any one of ours.
So don't qustion his "hockey knowledge", Don! ...that's not nice...
But here are his East standings! A link off the Gazette, quoted by one of Our sports journalists.
http://mirtle.blogspot.com/
Calls himself a sports journalist too.
Funny!
P.

Le Quebicker: "I know you can spew. Anyone can. Yet those who are confident in their logic seldom do."

Which explains the huge observable volume of your daily spewage.
Q.E.D.

[léo]

And suddenly,
What better than shock therapy to put everything into perspective?
Well said, sir.
P.

[shock therapy]

No matter what the "D" looks like - a bad day at the SPTF is better than a good day at work!

[ajax]

What would I do without the daily dose of 98 bloggers against 2. I beg everyone everywhere, stop the attacks on poor Leo and PD. They have had it rough being Canadians. Can you imagine Brazil not winning the World Cup for eons?? God is Great, Life is Good, Goodnight to all(even the boys!!)

[léo]

My life is to make people who state nothing categorically look ridiculous, Bryan.
"We got Sersen for depth."
Ok. How?
Explain that to me, Bryan. Where you gonna play'im? 6th D? He'll get eaten alive.
For a trade? For who? Crosby?
Explain it to me. How is Sersen a "depth" pickup?
If you say the word "minors", you will get schooled, Bryan. So don't say that word.
Let's see what you got. I know you can spew. Anyone can.
Yet those who are confident in their logic seldom do.
P.

[mike p]

Yea, center is his natural position, but he hasn't played it for the leafs and it doesn't look like he's playing it as of so far. That's what I'm saying. dude, I'm from toronto watching him not play center, I think I know. That decision is really up to ron wilson and REGARDLESS of whether or not antropov plays center, I've been watching him for YEARS and he has never impressed, ever. Don't believe what you read, sure he put up good numbers the last couple seasons but that was being centered by mats. He is a second line player at best and the leafs are still weak up the middle should he play there.

[PD]

Yo Mike P check the chart yourself

Nik Antropov, C
Antropov managed to stay healthy and finished second among Leafs in goals and points for a career year. Should Mats Sundin does not return for another season, the Leafs will need even more from the center
http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/teams/page/TOR

[Bryan]

Leo,Leo,Leo,get a life will you.Leave us alone.

I heard Antropof will make a good centre now that Sundin is gone.

[léo]

That's not fait, Ajax. I never said I was sure of anything. I'm just sayin'... What do YOU say? If you're happy, fine.
Bryan,
Depth? Oooohhh, THAT'S what that is? I see. Hey, maybe you can trade him and Lundin for Crosby, since you've got so much depth.
Depth. I shoulda picked up on that. Sorry.
I'll get help. I hope to become as perfectly analytical as you.
P.

[mike p]

i've seen halpern play for tampa, and i've seen TONNES of steen, stajan, and grabovski. They are WEAK. trust me, no leafs fan is happy with a weekling like steen as the 2nd line centre unless they're out of their mind.

[mike p]

PD, LISTEN...ANTROPOV IS NOT PLAYING CENTRE. I have seen the leafs preseason games and he has not played centre. Stop just looking at stats and really look into things before you make comments like that. The leafs ARE in need of a centre.

[PD]

Mike, Halpern doesnt unseat any of the kids at center. They are icing a young team

[PD]

Antropov can play center and is now that Sundin is gone.

[PD]

Whoops didn't know Prospal was 33 so thats out but Jussi might be a nice fit for both teams.

[mike p]

antropov is not centre and the leafs are not happy with centre PD. i'm from toronto, i get WAYYYY more leafs feedback.

[PD]

Google him Coliacovo.

I think the Leafs are happy going with Antropov, Gravbowski, Steen and Stajan at Center.

Need help on the wing..maybe Prospal?

[mike p]

Halpern for Colliaccovo. Leafs need tougher centres (i.e. the current first line centre is grabovski or steen) and the lightning need better defense in any form. Your thoughts?

[mike p]

no name poster, it says on wikipedia that Heward was on a trial contract with the lightning but got cut and sent to Norfolk. I don't really know when any of this happened either, but I don't think it's a big deal.

[Cookie]

Damian, what gives? Are the Bolts to become the Angelina Jolie of hockey? We visit a country and adopt someone. Hopefully he is not being considered as our D cure all!

I'm not sure if I completely missed something but on the Lightning's roster on there website it lists Jaime Heward?

http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=TeamPlayers&type=roster

Who is this and when did this happen?

[PD]

I hear you Don but thats what p'd me off about spending it all up front too.

That simply won't cut it. The speed in the league is really picking up and D men are gold.

Here is a guy the Bolts should make a play for Carlo Colliaccovo of the Leafs. He is healthy for once and a legitimate top 4 guy that still projects as a top 2. He is physical and can play the PP. He's certainly equal to Mezsaros on upside and comes at 1.8 this year and next.

Leafs have 10 NHL Dmen , they can move two to the Marlies and send Schenn back to junior and not lose anybody but the way Schenn is playing , Wilson just might keep him up.

No idea though what the Leafs would want back..

[Don in St. pete]

PD, No offense taken, it's been a long, hard day in the office here. I am irritated, especially when I watch Amdrew Hutchinson and Matt Carle on our second d pairing, as they are getting destroyed by guys who are AHL level players. As a true Bolts fan I have to believe that management will not allow us to go more than the first couple of games in europe with these 2 guys playing.

[PD]

Thank you stevr, it indeed was a pun.
A good one that I couldn't resist..poor Don had to catch it.

[PD]

Well if you can back it up its not braggin, as you say facts are indeed facts, north, south east or west.

You make a very good point about that 2010 Olympics in Canada team Ajax.

All the Canadians would die to get on that roster and anyone who thinks they have a spot locked up-they don't.

Winning Gold in Vancouver would equal a cup win anywhere.

[Steve R]

PD,

Was that an intentional pun? While I admit to being easily amused, the Orr under a rock did made me chuckle.

[Ajax]

PD and Leo. Twin Brudders from different mudders. Huey and Dewey. Curly and Moe. Abbott and Costello. I mean, a pair that thru history, surely will be remembered. And I say this with all sincerity. Kudos to the boys. They (our critics) do keep things lively. They need to go to the Hockey Chic school of fine(r) breeding. Faux amis in our midst.
Anywho, was reading ESPN hockey and they had predictions for 2010 World Cup Rosters. Vinny was the number 3 forward on the list of 13. Boyle was mentioned but was on the bubble so to speak. Richards and St. Louis were named as players who need to make a case for themselves. 13 forwards and Brad doesn't make the list. I WILL NEVER WATCH ESPN AGAIN. EVER.
PS. The thing about you two, are how darn sure you guys are that your opinion(I know I know "da facts") are 110% dead on, and the rest of us southerners just need a bit more edyouakation. Mama says, just cause you say it with conviction don't mean its true. LOL. What I mean is Lots of Love. Cyber help??
But man do I love those twins!!! God Bless Canada!!!! Douceur de Vivre!!

[PD]

Come on Donald, just a little humour on a slow day.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, I'll make believe I didn't read that post. This deal is just waht it seems to add depth in the system. A guy that may or may not develop, A 5th round pick is not much of a gamble. No help for this year or next for sure.

[coach bill]

Bloggers- There is a happy hour being planned on Oct.25th. We will meet at SHOTS ( on the patio) from 6-7:30 and then go into the game (San Jose). What a great chance to meet all your blogger friends with funny names. Let me know if you're coming so I can give John ( Mgr) a head count. He'll reserve a section for us. Hockey Chic, Don in St. Pete, Bingo, Tackleberry. and my grandson and I are already in. Open to all bloggers. Leo- wish you could be here from Shab Town.

[Bryan]

Get help Leo.

Its a depth trade. First we get laughed at cause we have no prospects and no prospect depth.

I don't remember them saying "finally, our defensive worries are silenced". You people overreact a bit too much at times.

[Pd]

Leo, Don's the best scout in hockey.
He finds an Orr under every rock.

[McGz]

I looked this guy up on hockeyfutures. 5.5D rating which means he's unlikely to reach his ultimate potential of a #7 dman. 4th rd pick in 04. Big mobile defenseman who put up some points at rimouski. Also played with crosby in juniors. Injury prone and needs to learn how to play defense? Oh yeah he's almost 23. Not a good depth trade IMO. I'm getting disappointed with these lackluster moves so far.

[mike p]

no leo, i don't think this is tampa's answer for the defense...i mean, i certainly hope it's not! this is just a depth move for the future i guess, this guy won't be playing this season (or if so, we have a problem). tbay still needs to make a trade for another dman but whether it comes now or at the trade deadline, is up to Lawton and other GMs in the league.

[léo]

"I thought he played very well."
Hmm. What did OTHERS think? Why didn't the Pens keep him? Why didn't another team show interest? Why is he in Slovakia?
Does this sound like everything's taken care of now?
Is this it? This is your D?
Oh, you definitely gittin' yore butts kicked, then. Cuz...
Ouch.
And no, I'm not being "negative". If I was a Bolter, I'd say "Dang! This is it?! Oh, we definitely gittin' our butts kicked, then."
If that peeves you off that I say that and you're all upset cuz I don't know nuthin' about hockey and you wanna take it out on me cuz I should keep my yap shut if I don't have nuthin' nice to say about the Bolters, meaning I should stay on my own blog with the other deluded frogs who don't realize that because they've sucked for the last 15yrs means they suck now due to the fact that they also don't know nuthin' about hockey, I have only one response:
That's cool.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

I'm hoping it's a depth move. It might indicate they want to trade a couple of d, to bring a top notch guy back.

[McGz]

I wonder how many more of greg malones draft picks we can get from the penguins? This is the defensive help we're getting? How about getting rid of Hutchinson and bring up smaby for some experience?