O'Brien to be traded? What about Berard?

It is an interesting question given the hair-trigger benching. One game? Seems sudden, doesn't it? Perhaps coach Barry Melrose saw O'Brien play so badly he believed he had to sit him. On the other hand, he also went out of his way to defend him, saying he was taking too much heat from the media (see previous post). Seems a bit of a mixed message, which begs the question, Is O'Brien on the bench so he doesn't get hurt before a trade?

It is no secret the Lightning wants to upgrade its blue line. It recently inquired about Mathieu Schneider. Tampa Bay also wants to save some salary and O'Brien has a $950,000 cap hit. There also is evidence the Lightning is at least peripherally interested in Bryan Berard, who recently was cut by the Flyers but has the offensive instincts Tamp Bay covets.

Berard's agent Tom Laidlaw only would say his client would try to work within any team's salary structure.

With the Lightning coming back to North America after Sunday's game, it will be interesting to see if anything happens.

Comments

[Herb]

One game DC?????? I seem to remember Torts benching him as well. OB is a compete WASTE!!!!! I long for the day when OB is a memory....and a bad memory at that.

[Patricia]

I myself, will not be all chocked up if he gets traded. I have never been a fan of O'Brien. I dont think he is a good player and he is dangerous. They need to do something because4 I feel like I am watching last years team. CAn we have anymore penalties??? There are getting there butts kicked by the Rangers. Believe it or not, the goalie is the only one not making this completely embarassing for Tampa!

[Brian B.]

I think Herb is a bit diluted in his assessment of this situation. O'Brien isn't terrible, he just needs a bit of work. I don't see him traded just yet.

[Patrick]

This club would be STUPID to trade away OB. He is exactly the kind of grit our D-core lacks, and by having him in the lineup, he helps make up for it. And if we lose another heart and soul guy like OB, watch for this team to be even worse than this club was last season, cuz right now, this Lightning team is HORRIBLE.

Someone is killing this team, cuz before the season started, all we heard was that this club would be big, tough and rough. And at this point, we are neither. We are SOFT -- and we can't afford to lose any of the grit that we actually do have.

The last player we need is Berard

GO Rays

[Patrick]

OB isn't playing right now, and are we playing any better?

2-1, and the Rags' Colton Orr looks better than any of our forwards.

[Herb]

Brian, all it takes is to watch him play and anyone could see that he is utterly worthless.

[Patrick]

I would love to hear anyone's argument for why you might feel OB is worthless.

[Don in St. Pete]

I thought we played well in the second half of the second period. Of course by then our sloppy play in our own end had lead to 2 goals. R2KN is flying. They need to find a way to get him more ice time.

[keith]

Outplayed, outcoached, out hustled, outclassed, outshot, out of the play offs like this. With the exception of Kolzig this is as bad as it can get. Looks like a practise game for the Rangers. 34-9. 9 freakin shots!! D looks like a bunch of kids on the pond. Where's the nastiness Mulletrose promised? Where's the toughness? Bunch of cream puffs getting exactly what they deserve.....a butt whippin'.
....and still one more period to go LOL!

[keith]

It would be a mistake to trade OB at this point. Why make him the scapegoat for a swiss cheese D.?

[Drew]

"There also is evidence the Lightning is at least peripherally interested in Bryan Berard"

I think the choice to write "peripherally interested" is in poor taste regarding Berard, given his medical history.

[Patrick]

Perfectly said, Keith.

Melrose can't be relying heavily on young players, and our D, right now, shows that.

Bring up Zenon. Trade Jussi.

[Sean]

And what exactly is Zenon Konopka gonna do? Get 15 minutes in fighting majors every night?

The Tampa fanbase has to have the highest percentage of chicken littles in the NHL.

NOT EVEN 2 games into the season and the freakin sky is falling. Get a grip.

Only 7 guys played on this team the previous year during game one. 2 of them (Jokinen and Smith) were only there half the season.

With that many new faces, a new system, coaches, etc, they're not gonna do it over night. Add in all the extra travel, and that the Lightning are already playing meaningful games when most other teams are still playing pre season games, it's gonna be bad.

This trip was the worst thing that could happen for a team like TB. Once they get back home, start getting regular practice time, and on a NORMAL NHL schedule, they'll pick it up.

If they don't THEN you worry.

Bring up Konopka and trade Jokinen. What a joke.

[PD]

Well Don, nuff said about the pre Sundin Rangers.

Uh about the Bolts D and those what, 85? shots

We never had the puck

[Patrick]

Konopka will bring life to the Bolts, just like Arty does. Jokinin, with the exception of when the games goes to the shootout, is useless and brings pretty much nothing to a game in terms of a contribution. He is a figure skater and looks lost out there. This is why he is constantly talked about in regards to being traded.

The Bolts need energy, passion and grit. Konopka brings all of that and more. And we wouldn't have Malone dropping the gloves and keeping himself off the ice for 5 minutes....for NOTHING (as he can't fight).

[keith]

And the Rangers didnt have any new guys skating? Thats what pre season is for.
They all have been lacing up their skates since before they could walk.
For what these guys are paid....that was a pitiful two nights work with the exception of Kolzig and Smitty.
No grit. Little heart. I would rather watch kids or minor leaguers than top players who dont give it all.
That being said there are another 80 games to go.....cant wait! Go Bolts.

[Hockey Chic]

I just do not think trading OB is the answer. Why the hell would we blame all our woes on him.

If Ranger were in there you guys would be saying the same thing. Our d is going to have its owes but that was not the complete problem.

How many freakin shots on goal did our offense generate versus the NYR. Exactly, so you cannot pin todays game and lack of results on the d. There were a lot of break downs. Our guys looked tired of playing the NHL pr game. They just looked tired....

Lets get back home rest up and garner some more playing time together. I know 4 pts is a lot but lets let them work towards those points. Ice time is just that ice time and the team can build on this.

Go Bolts....

[kincaid]

well chic you are ever the optomist.

Why the hell should they be tired? The Rangers sure weren't.

[shock therapy]

Amen Hockey Chic - lets get the guys home and start fresh! We did NHL PR thing, now its time to play. Oh am I so glad I didnt pay to go on this trip.

As bad as the D might be playing, I am still glad to not see Kuba out there!

[Don in St. Pete]

Well, we played a much better 3rd period at least. Meszaros has got to shoot the puck. Several times on the PP he had a clear shot and tried to pass into traffic instead. Nice to see Stamkos get a little more ice time. I don't think R2KN played at all in the 3rd period. Not sure what the thinking was there. They have 5 days to get it right before the Canes game.

Kuba already has two points not counting today..I'll take it.

[Benson]

Crickets here and nothing else.

Tbay fans go into a hole when they lose and start a parade when they win.
Doesn't bode well for the gate this year.

[Another Joe]

OB Didnt pull his weight all last year either. How long do the bolts give him???

I like OB but he just isnt getting it done.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Let's look at the bright side, goaltending kept us in both games. Until recently, snow was more likely in Tampa vs. goaltending keeping us in games. While we still have a ways to go, it does seem like at this early stage we've got a foundation. There is a lot of talent on this team, we have to be patient, but I'm still encouraged this team will be much better than last year and at least challenge for a top 8 position in the East.

[Goalman]

I said it before and I still think it. Dan Boyle made our offense go. He was a defensive asset because he could get the puck out of our zone. I miss him. That being said,we need to find another D man. Berard has never been tha same since his injury. It would be a mistake to bring him on the team. We have a problem. Why else would we get Jamie Heward?Jokinen might be expendable as well as throwing in Ryan Craig in order to get a legitimate D man.
I'm not worried about our offense. We have the horses. The chemistry has to grow.BUT we need to get the puck to them.Oh yeah, by the way,It's not time to panic. We still have 79 games till the playoffs. Be smart and deal form strength

[Nan]

Okay, you all did better than I did. I couldn't watch after the massacre in the 2nd period! Ouch! This group needs to do something. The defense with or without OB has problems! The offense is not much better!
Hope it goes better for the Rays and the Bucs today or this could be a long day!
I do have some patience however. New young team, new coaches and new owners. It SHOULD take some time to get everyone on the same page. It would be a stroke of either genius or luck if the team wins these early games. One win out of two games would have been nice but not to be!
Hope the guys have a safe journey home. It will be nice to see them at home for a change and not on TV!

[keith]

Benson what you may not realize is some of us have been through the early years with this team. We almost got used to losing.....but then Torts came along. Just dont like to see the boys lose playing poorly underachieving. Dont expect a rah rah after two games like that......but we will be back in full voice for the next game, and the next, win or lose. Finished 30th last year and still SPTF(almost) full most nights.Think you may be talking about that other Tampa team at Raymond James, or maybe the fairweather Rays fans!

...still, home or away to CZ,PR/travel,new team,owner's,player's..is 4 point's down after 2 games. We should have split these games and made adjustment after first one. Hopefully thing's will get better. Defense is not so good and need to get better somehow or will be long hockey season in HumidityBay. Go Bolt's....

[ajax]

Just me, but the transition game is always started by the D. Either winning the puck behind the net, a quick pass or simply moving forward at all times. Not much of that, still, for this version of da Bolts. Mezzy and Carle playing about 55 minutes the first two games says it all, doesn't it. Team speed is paramount and especially on D we don't have it. The Versus guys were babbling over themselves saying Tampa has no answer for the speed of NYR. The big line for NYR is Gomez Naslund and Redden playing D with them. Safe to say that lineup will give alot of teams fits. Probably the reason O'Brien got sat. SPeed is his big weakness. But this is a group effort. Two things of note. Heward I believe got 20+ minutes both nights. A guy not even in hockey last year, and he was 3rd in minutes, both nights??. Read between the lines gang. He also was playing the point on our number one PPlay unit. Those are sure ding ding dings that are not good signs.
At this point after two games you have to choose your words carefully. I think what "everyone" feared is reality. The D can't hold their own. I saw Melrose going nuts on the bench and whoa nellie that brought back some memories. But he can scream all he wants, if the players are giving 110% and they just aren't good enough, not much will change. Two games and surely I will be criticized but they need to be looking real hard for D that can play. Not just big. Everyone keeps saying Smaby, IMO but speed is exactly why he is sitting. 5/5 the transition game stinks and it needs tons of help on the back end. Mezzy and Carle probably need a good hot tub. Lundin playing 18+ minutes is always a bad thing for us. So often the D just needs to put their head down and skate the puck to the red line and dump, but they hang around waiting to make a pass. SKate Skate Skate. Sometimes it is just one little thing that can make such a difference. I hate to see Mezzy and Carle playing so much. Push the other 4 to do more(maybe asking to much)
Wanted: magical elixer to rub on Paul Rangers shoulder. He will get 22-25 minutes a night the minute he is healthy and this will be a huge boost.
Vrbata and Malone back to back 14 minute nights. Yikes.

[Sarasota Bill]

Two goals in 2 games merits sitting a defenseman in Mullet's system, I guess.

Hate to say this but this team sucks bigtime. Look how many suckers bought season tickets based on the over-the-hill acquisitions and unproven blueliners.

Wah!!! I want my $$$ back.

[bingo]

The "d" is a "WORK IN PROGRESS" - we've heard that for 3 years and all knew that had not changed. Lundin played ok better than OB and he will be back in the lineup.

The Good from the weekend - Goal Tending !!! I'm still looking for something else hmmm! and coming up empty!

The real disappointment is the system for the forwards. There is no cohesive helping the "D" in the zone. Lot's of the old "Hokey Pokey wave the wand from the players" Thought that was to be gone. No offensive flow thru the neutral zone. Best offence was the ole of the dump in hard to establish a check and or control with dump ins. R2Kn needs more time at least he drives to the net and drew a penalty.

Whatever the scheme on the PP - dump it. It's not working. Maybe Melby can watch the Rangers scheme, he does watch it all, and copy it. Would be nice Eh.

That they lost is a so what. I expect slim pickings for the first 10 - 15 games and hope that we get to 20 games with 20 points. If the goal tending holds up we will improve second half but it sure is looking like a VERY VERY LONG LONG first 20 games.

Bingo

[Don in St. Pete]

It's only the second game for Pete's sake, don't abandon ship or throw the team under the bus. While I agree the exorbitant number of shots and sloppy defensive zone play are a concern, I think the scoring and chemistry issues will work themselves out in short order. The goaltending has been phenomenal and we had 30 hits in the game today. V4 is still not 100% as was obvious, but he should be much better in another 6 days. Ranger will be closer to coming back. The young defensemen are getting a valuable lesson on the level of competition, and will continue to get better. Matt Carle has been better than he showed in the preseason. When we skated like we were capable of in the 3rd peiod tonight we dominated and drew penalties. That trend has to continue each and every shift of each and every game for us to be successful.

[Boltflasher]

Its only game 2 but its already clear, these D guys are being outhustled to the puck (they're too slow) and when they do get to it they are too bad at skating to skate it out and are just trying to flip the puck out, no passing and half of the flip outs are going right to Rangers players...Of the D, only Mezzy looks like a top 4 guy. Of the remainders, only Heward and occasionally Carle, appear to have any idea what they're doing...the rest may need to be in AHL...I'm afraid its up the forwards to pick up their game...

[Boltflasher]

And, again, its still only game 2...don't need to panic yet...goaltending has been great and if it keeps up, Bolts will have a shot to win every game...

[McGz]

well I'm not sure what to say. Bolts were dominated in the shots again and the goaltending is outstanding so far. The defense is a mess! I knew it would be bad but the lack of control in the defensive zone is flat out embarassing. What is heward doing on the pp?

[PD]

Right on Goalman, Boyle made the power play click and was great at making that first quick pass up to the forwards.
When we had good teams, that transition game and team quickness defined us. Gone, gone and Gone.

Richards was the other critical component to the PP.

Our friend Filip Kuba is making Don from St.Pete proud. Don said all last year that Kuba would have a great bounce back year.

Good start, 4 points sat and sun.

But never forget Barrie is a genius and our young anonymous masked men on defence will shine..he sayeth so.

Not to worry , Rangers are a very good club and will be something when they add #13 later. Back to the SE.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, Actually the Rangers are pretty lousy, which is what has me really worried. We had at least 6 breakaways in the 2 games but only 1 goal to show for it. The Rags defense is so slow, the sHABS and CrAPS will be licking their lips watching these highlights. To many guys standing around on our team. They didn't figure out until the last period and a half of the second game that they were wearing skates. I hope it gets better and I think it will but Ranger can't get back soon enough for me, and I'm not sure he'll be enough when he does return. The offense will come around. I hope V4 gets back to 100% soon. Quite the shocker to see Kuba as the Ice Time leader up there in Ottawa. I guess the change of scenery has done him good ( or perhaps being out from under Torts ). Pickard was a minus 2 on saturday, how did he play on sunday?

[ajax]

When we had Richards and Boyle, we also had Homer and Ward and Karlsson and 5 other guys who are no longer in the league cause of salary restraints. Which part of that is so hard to swallow?? and we finished dead : DEAD LAST : last and we would win a 4-3 game in OT if we played awesome and lose the next two games 6-2, then 5-3. The good thing is, that standing pat with the same losing team and high priced star system was a proven loser 3 years in a row. Move forward, we have 80 gmaes left to duplicate the worst record in hockey like last year. THE WORST we can do is tie last years futility. How long can ya beat the same blog night after night. You mean the same 7.8 million Brad Richards that can't crack the top line in Dallas either?? The same highest paid player in the league who has never even played in an NHL all-star game. The same NHL superstar who hammered 20 goals last year?? Yeah him. AHHHHHH!!! Go Bolts!!!
Turn the page!!!!!! Boyle is being missed, Brad who??? 95th in the entire league in goals, 55th in scoring. Sure sounds like a guy I would want to make the highest paid player in the entire league. What value we got out of him for 3 years. Oh he was top 10 in one catagory two years running. He was one of the minus leader.
AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

[PD]

Have a good scream Ajax and enjoy the power play.
This team could have easily kept Boyle Richards and Kuba instead of spending the money stupidy on the wrong guys.

Don, Ott won 3-1 so I'm guessing Picard appointed himself well.

Don Picard got in almost 20 minutes of ice.. plus/minus even.

[ajax]

You can not have a lucid conversation with anyone, unless he is blind and biased, and talk about spending money foolishly and then defending your comments, using Brad Richards.
PD, do you think Brad Richards is a better hockey player than Marty?? That one question kinda throws a monkey wrench into everything you have argued about for 6 straight months. Value/salary/return on investment. If you want to beat the Boyle drum tonight, you might get some backing(even from lowly me). Beat the Richards drum for the next two years and everyone on the blog still thinks your opinion is just a tad off. If you pay for the best you should get the best. Any business, any product, any car, on and on for eternity. He was the highest paid player in hockey. But that money wasn't spent foolishly?? PLEASE PD, for once think of how you spend your money each and every day and what you expect to get for that dime. Your argument just doesn't hold water, so please stop talking about Brad and value, I beg you.
If you go into a toy store and buy the highest priced toy wouldn't you expect it to be the best toy??
If you go int a produce store and their are 7 different apples and you buy the most expensive kind, wouldn't you think it would be the best apple??
How about tires, you buy 4 Michelin's for 800.00 and they ride the same as 300.00 Continentals??
If you went into a Godiva store and bought choclate that ended up being a Hershey bar inside, wouldn't you think you spent your money unwisely??
There in lies the Brad Richards life bio. Sorry folks. The Bolts lost, the Bucs lost, the Rays lost, and I have to get on this blog and read PD saying for the zillionth time. We should of kept Brad. The last straw for this camel!!!!!

[Don in St. Pete]

Ajax, That's kind of an unfair bashing of Richards, although I too have been critical of his contract. Richy ran the PP, not Boyle, that's why we had the 5th place PP last year, not Danny Boyle who missed half the season. That being said Richards contract negated him from having star linemates which he needed to succeed. PD, I saw your payroll thing and it was a joke, not realistic and incorrect. However we are definitely missing Boyle's ability to move the puck. Although he was almost helpless on defense, Boyle could pass or weave his way out of almost any situation, although there were a lot of turnovers and giveaways. Of course every player who touches the puck a lot will have giveaways. Gomez lead the Rags in GA the last 2 games but he was also the best player on the ice. The team will come around, even the defense will eventually get used to the new system and start to excel. Mihalik has been good. At 21 YO the kid is a keeper and will only continue to improve. IMO Heward will end up at Norfolk once Ranger returns, but another move for a defenseman is not out of the question.

[PD]

Ajax you are just a cry baby.

Here is a news flash for you , life's not fair.

Richards got his dough for being one of the brightest young players in the league and winning the Conn Smythe ..you know Best player in the playoffs, as he led Tampa to a cup.

If we didn't pay it, others were lining up. How would that play out at the box office?

Bolts weren't going to sign Marty. In the end he signed a discounted contract in return for long term security. Win win

Go back to your blanky.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

For someone to say that Shane O'Brien is not a liability is like saying Eddie Murphy is not a comedian. Both of the characters just mentioned both have allot in common. Both make audiences laugh with their performances! Some with tears, some with cheers.

For someone to defend Shane O'Brien, they must either love to lose or they don't know hockey talent when they see it. I'll never dispute that Shane O'Brien is a great guy and good team mate and will defend his bubbas to the end. The things is, dropping the gloves and grit is a secondary attribute needed in the NHL behind the primary attribute which is talent. I don't care what anyone says, Shane O'Brien needs to take a trip somewhere far from the St. Pete Times Forum. Trading him I don't think is going to work now...they should have packaged him off with Kuba instead of Picard...if they could have.

Brian Berard would be O.K. to bring in if you were looking for a Power Play guy, but his vision problems have been a concern for a while and the defensive element of his game has been in question.

Every facet of the Bolts game right now kinda sucks...I attribute it to Melsore's greasy mullet flapping on the sidelines or his inability to recognize chemistry or his inability to develop it on this team. The two pluses I do see right now is...the goal tending is playing great and the defense isn't killing them. The forwards all look like they were just picked for a scrimmage and this is the first time they ever saw their team mates. There is absolutely no consistency with the puck and no chemistry on the ice. I felt this would happen with so many forwards and I was right. They need to trim down some more on the amount of forwards they have. Some of the combination of players they have on the ice make no sense at all. What are they playing...like six lines. It seems like they are.

Come on Melsore and get it going...they paid you the big bucks to stop pretending you know something about hockey to coach it. Prove me wrong to think your the wrong man for the job ...hint...its not too late to bring in Pat Burns!

[David]

O'Brien was maybe the Kings best trade ever. He's slow and an undisciplined penalty magnet. That being said, Berard is not the answer.

This Europe business was nonsense, crappy play, crappy picture(at least on my set) and players that looked tired. Early/pre-season games are always painful, but these set a new standard for badness. On both the Rangers and Lightning's part.

[ajax]

PD you talk in such half truths. You always answer the blog by sending the discussion in tangents. Feaster didn't have to match anything. He gave him the biggest contract in hockey. You know nothing about hockey if you think any other GM would have given him 100% of the cap at that time(the "max" PD). At the time we would of got like 5 number one draft choices as compensation. In other words Feaster totally blew it. He didn't even wait to see what the market would bear. He didn't even wait to see what other free agents would get. You know where the proof is PD. For almost 3 years as the salary cap went up over 10 million, little Brad Richards was still the highest paid player in the sport. It took 3 years and some huge free agent signings before a bum named Crosby finally passed Brad 3 years later. Insane argument backed by insane logic. Never pay a player a long term contract because he has a good playoff run. Feaster thought he had the next Gretzky and the Lightning faithful were 4ever dragged to mediocre play because of that one decision. HE got the money, good for him. That doesn't have anything to do with weather it was a good business decision. Your argument is always if someone was willing to pay than he must of been worth it. I wonder if Chicago feels that way about Khabby and his 6.75 mil. Closer to home, ever here a guy named Brian McCabe?? Toronto fans wet their pants to get rid of his 5.75 million dollar cap hit. But he was worth it cause someone gave it to him. Whew sign me up to that thinking coach. There isn't a GM in the world who wasn't laughing his pants off at Vancouver giving Sundin 10 mil, but in your mind, he is worth it because they offered it. Strange thought processes, in my opinion of course. Marty signed a disgruntled contract?? THat is absolutely the first time I have heard that crazy suggestion. Inside scoop of PD again. Same question PD, would you rather have Marty or Brad?? Actually Marty, Mike Smith and Paul Ranger because combined theymake less than Brad. You won't admit it but somehow you have to cut the cheese when you take 2 seconds to see what 7. million spent over 5 seasons could actually get you. And Hollywood spent poorly?? Beloved Jay will never be a GM again after the way he butchered things around here.
Here is another way for you to digest. Since the signing of the new CBA, Only 3 guys have maxed out PD. Crosby, Ovechkin and Richards. Now here is the tough question. Which one of those 3 probably doesn't belong in that group. I know I know. But he got the money so he surely is worth the money. Your thinking is perfectly clear.

[dennis]

Last year, with Gomez and Drury coming to the Rangers expectations were sky high. Things never clicked the way they were supposed to. Now a year later they are wearing a C & A and, after 2 games, look like some of the promise of their coming might come to pass. This year the Lightning changed just about everything that could be changed. This is a totally new organization and team. These guys have hardly skated together, Stamkos is brand new to the NHL, the defense is young, Vinny is coming off surgery, they had to travel to Europe and play a week before everybody else, they've been under the glare of the media and the expectation of instant success. It would have been a more than touch of magic if, under those conditions, any team could play consistently or very well. It would be impressive if they do so within the first month!.... There is more than considerable potential in the forward group, for the first time in three years there may actually be goalies to count on and the d, well, they need to play together for awhile to see. Instant team bashing and hand wringing by Barry or the fans is not going to help matters. They need a chance to focus, practice and play together to tell what is going to work and what needs changing. Most teams haven't played an offical game yet and thses posts sound like doomsday is already upon us. Let's give the guys a little break.

[Carson]

I watched arty get nailed in from of the Ranger net an did nothing. Used to be he would of decked somebody is it possible he is here for scoring an if so why? Jussi is great he was all over the ice yesterday even if people think he should be traded he was very impressive in both games and at camp.
Give it time, hope they make more chemistry in different lines then just the MVP one.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

R2 is "not" one of my favorite choices to play now that Nick Tarnsky was traded. I thought the best chance for R2 to shine would have been on a line that featured tremendous size and grit with R2's speed. IMO, R2 is a European style player that has flashes of NHL quality play. R2 needs to establish his nitch in the NHL or he will get traded or end up waivers. R2 will take allot of abuse but I believe its not because he's a wimp but it is because he has some discipline when he plays. Remember, fighting and instigating can hurt your team more so than helping if the timing is all wrong. With Kerry "The Lightning Hater" Frasier on the ice, R2 did the right thing by not leveling Rosival, or who ever it was that lit him up.
I'm willing to bet you Jussi and Gratton along with a player to be determined is heading for the third line. Probably one of the old guys until one of them gets a boo-boo and can't play any longer.

[PD]

Now with the personal attacks eh Ajax, no nothing about hockey, blah blah blad
you are a sad little man.

[PD]

BTW I would much rather have Brad.
Thats your real problem at some level.
Marty is winding it down

[Bob]

First, I like OB. I think with some better coaching he may get better. If he doesn't, gotta look for better talent.

Second, Granted I only saw Konopka play in the first preseason game. I didn't see anything that made him stand out as a positive impact player. He didn't even fight well.

So far I'm not impressed with the OK's product. At least at this time last year we started off with a lot of hope. We'll see how this turns out after the guys are used to playing with each other.

OB cannot skate backwards for shi#. He gets turned around easier than Obama. And for being physical he's a big bitc#. Is that good enough for the all knowing Patrick?

[Benson]

Agree with Bob

Scratch the surface of all those glitz OK signings and there is precious little there ie:
Recchi
Roberts
Malone
Vrbata
Mesaros

Much more glitz to sell tickets than fire to win.

[Cookie]

FYI David, OB came from the Ducks. Is he the teams only problem, not by a long shot. Too many pieces are out of sync. Right now this team reminds me of the Dream Team in the Olympics years ago. Very good players who could not come together as a team. Goaltenders can not be "hung out to dry" each game. Hopefully, we see some positive turn arounds in the next 10-12 games. If not, it's going to be a long year!

[léo]

Heard about Melrose knocking on his vets. Sayin' the team's problem is they don't compete. That they're too easy to play against.
It's been two games!
"I hope the guys are ashamed of themselves."
Yikes!
In comes the new coach...
Same as the old coach.
What's up with that?
Tell yer mullet to maybe wait a few games to call out yer team.
Timing is everything.
After the first two games? That means he's liable to do it 41 times this year. When he's up to the 30th time, the message he's trying to transmit hidden inside his rant will either not have the same impact or worse, fall on exasperated, deaf ears.
It's been two games, Barry, ferpetessakes; pull yourself together...
What'd you expect? Pumpkin pie?
Baby steps, man!
P.

[Casper]

Only two games in and we are upside down? Nah, c'mon.

Before I forget, Berard is not, repeat NOT what we need around here. The defense is precisely what was advertised, an on-going project. No biggie, I figure we have three little Kubina's to nurture so keep the Maalox handy.

Before we fit the noose around O'Brien can we first analyze who has been the defensive wizard on our coaching staff? That's where the first finger of underachieving should be pointed, but it's early into the new Regime and there's 18 games to go before grabbing the torches and pitchforks.
If that kid doesn't take to the messages on positioning and corner snarling then that's one thing. But I'd like to see this still "raw" talent coached and turned loose on the ice, for a change. (Make him wear ankle weights all the time on off days too, to help with the quicker feetsusses.)

What happened to our high octane offense? How come WE aren't the club firing off 40 to 50 shots on net in each of the first two matches? When things get stale for the Red Wings, they just go bonkers, shooting all the freaking time from anywhere and everywhere. Eventually.....

The Lads have all week to go over film, work it out and be glad Tortorella isn't screaming at them. We'll be fine, but a veteran defenseman was needed and if the Heward move was to generate a laugh, then I'm typing from the floor.

Now that's entertainment!

Every shift. Every game. Win.

Go Bolts!

[rbc]

Baby steps my a##, it was the lack of emotion. He called out the lack of emotion, not the player. I said it b4 its gonna take awhile to get adjusted and i dont care about losing, it was the lack of emotion, no punishing hits. The bolts just got to be more physical.

[léo]

Not implying Melrose was wrong, more like suggesting he "manage" his outbursts with more timely aplomb.
This is the team. To be compared more to the leafs than to the Wings, surely Melrose sees this. Asking them to be something nothing in their history has shown they could be is pushing it.
"More punishing", rbc?
You mean like they were last year?
"More emotion"? Like they showed last year?
To do it this year means SOME of these leopards have to change their spots.
Isn't there a saying about that or something?
P.

[NYsportsaccounting]

To the blogger who felt that Brad Richards contract was a travesty, in fact it was just the opposite.

The commentary makes clear, Richards is generally regarded as a top-calibre player, but people question the wisdom of signing any player for maximum-level money – much less signing three players for close to the individual cap.

That might be fair in the very short term – his 1st two years. But then it swung the other way.

CBA’s built-in escalator clauses took elite-player salaries on a wild ride. Thanks to these long-term deals, the Bolts had insulated themselves against the coming wave of 70s-style inflation.

Consider this:
(millions) NHL Revenue Player Share (%) Player Rev. Team Max. Player Max. Player Min. Entry Max. FA Age
2005-06 2,167 54% 1,170 39.0 7.8 0.450 0.850 31
2006-07 2,325 55% 1,279 42.6 8.5 0.450 0.875 29
2007-08 2,495 56% 1,397 46.6 9.3 0.475 0.875 28
2008-09 2,677 56% 1,499 50.0 10.0 0.475 0.900 27
2009-10 2,872 57% 1,637 54.6 10.9 0.500 0.900 27
2010-11 3,082 57% 1,757 58.6 11.7 0.525 0.925 27

Those numbers were based on the correct NHLPA’s assertion that league revenues would increase annually by 7.3% five years from signing date.

Therefore by the 2010-11 season:
NHL revenue would have incresed increase 42%.

The individual player maximum salary will increase 50% to $11.7 million.

The entry-level player maximum salary will increase 9% to $925,000.

The minimum salary will increase 17%, but remain a modest $525,000.

It’s clear who the winners will be.

Even if Tampa matched an offer sheet, Mr. Richards would have become a free-agent in 2007-08 thanks to declining age-eligibility. By then, the individual maximum projects to be $9.3 million.

That makes Richards a 16%-off discount against his likely re-signing price. Not a bad deal

It gets much better in the later years. By 2010, Richards will cost just 66% of the $11.7 million individual cap –- the equivalent of signing him for $5 million in today’s market. Averaged over the next five years, it works out to paying 20% less than the individual cap.

Feaster clearly believed in the long-term math. And as a GM, he was surely in a position to know which way league revenues were going. If the league’s growing faster than 7% -- and there’s every reason to think it would, (did) –- then the math got even more favourable for the team.

While Feaster may have struggled to fill the rest of his lineup within next year’s budget, that problem also solves itself fairly quickly.

In 2005-06, the Tampa Trinity cost the team about 41% of the salary cap. With Richards’ new contract, the figure rose to 48% next year and be back to 41% by the 2008-09 season.

After than, it just gets silly: in the last two years of the CBA, the Bolts would have used just 37% and 35% of the cap to pay three players who are collectively worth close to 60%.

Not only did they locked-in three proven performers, Tampa has ensured that from 2008-11 they’d have ample resources to sign free agents and make a run at the Cup.

That’s three franchise players for the price of 1 ½, and one helluva bargain no matter how you look at it.

Year Trinity Salary % of Team Cap Richards’ Salary % of Individual Cap
2006-07 $20.3 47.6% $7.8 91.5%
2007-08 $20.3 43.6% $7.8 83.7%
2008-09 $20.3 40.6% $7.8 78.0%
2009-10 $20.3 37.2% $7.8 71.5%
2010-11 $20.3 34.7% $7.8 66.6%

Feaster was clearly right and the accountants at PSE were onside.
Note I do these assessments for a living.

[Steve R]

Olie played a heck of a game, it's a shame he couldn't get the W.

[rbc]

Hopefully, most of those leopards are gone. They played with no emotion is my point and melroses. It will take time to get acclimated for the players with all the changes with a new system and all i want to see is energy. Yes, it was a shame that smith and zilla played that good and got nothing.

[Don in St. Pete]

Ek is reporting the Bolts are interested in Rhett Warrener, but I have a hard time believing he is much better than what we have now. Leo, Melrose had some basis for calling out the lackadaisical effort, as they poured it on in the 3rd period and dominated once they began skating. It's early and we shouldn't be too alarmed at this point. Lots of positives to take out of the weekend with the pile of negatives.

[ajax]

NYsportsacct: Your assessment leaves out the most important fact. We aren't Toronto or Philly or NYR. Your assessment was based on maximum salary cap being spent. That was never ever an option in Tampa. The percentages were still way to high because we were only spending 80-85% of the cap. I have written numerous times that none of this would ever of come into play if they could/would spend the cap, eacha nd every year. Your whole assessment and analysis is based on 100% of the cap. Tampa and that assumption aren't in the same analysis. Redo your numbers at 85% of the cap and your spread sheet looks pretty much the same for every year, follow? And that is reality, not could of would of should of. Follow?? Would the team have been better last year if the owners would of spent 7 million more from day one. OF course. That sentence can be applied to every year since day 1 of the new CBA. You are using percentage of cap, which never applied to Tampa. USe percentage of payroll. (better yet simplify it and use: he was paid more than Marty and Vinny)
You also don't address the same thing I have asked a zillion times of PD. If you make someone the highest paid player in hockey, then the cap goes up 5 mil, and he is still the highest paid player in hockey, the cap goes up another 5 mil, HE IS STILL THE HIGHEST PAID PLAYER IN HOCKEY, somehow shouldn't he be darn near the best player in hockey NYSA?? After Richards signed, so did Chara, Heatley, Thorton and Iginla to name a few superstars. All of them signed for less money than RIchards, all when the cap was higher. Sort of throws a monkey wrench into your explanation. IF Richards was a deal, then you surely have to say those other teams got a much BETTER DEAL. And there is my argument, three years ago, a year ago and today. They simply could of spent their money alot better. IF Tampa spent 18% of their payroll on Richards and Calgary spent 15% of their payroll on Iginla which Gm did a better job. That is what I have been trying to say for 3 years. Could you have spent the 7.8 million dollars better?? I don't think 2% of America would say resign Brad at 7.8 million. Again, a really discussion stopper. Brad's contract is up in two years. Somehow not in my wildest dreams do I think someone will give him 7.8 million. Not one. PD I didn't insult you personally, sorry, I just think you don't know the dynamics of the Richards contract. The max, signing on day one, took any negotiating out of the equation(and the 5 #1 draft choices, IF, someone matched, is a known fact) It was fundamentaly a very poor way to ink a contract. Great headlines but no competitive bids, etc etc were done. Business 101.

[Don in St. Pete]

Ajax et al, The Bolts have acquired Lukas Kraichek and Juraj Simek from the nucks for O'brien and Ouellet.

[PD]

Talk about funny Ajax, the guy nailed it.

In fact as he/she points out That’s three franchise players for the price of 1 ½, and one helluva bargain no matter how you look at it.

In retrospect it was brilliantly handled by Feaster. Bad planning on their part to have all come due at once but handled adroitly.

What is Tampa spending today Ajax, just askin? and the value translates well in a trade as Dallas quickly figured out.

Give it up you are one of those guys who is never wrong and has to have the last word.

I can't be bothered

[Boltflasher]

" Richards is generally regarded as a top-calibre player"...who thinks that now? He had 20 goals last year, 3 more than the great Ouellet who can't even make this year's Bolt team...

[Boltflasher]

Good trade, Krajicek can skate and is fast, exactly what they badly need....

[PD]

Flasher the guy was out all last year with a shoulder injury. He plays both ends but is not a physical player at all. Can help a bit on the PP. Borderline 4/5 guy

The other two are a wash.

More wishin and hopin, guess we'll see.

We keep getting softer

[shock therapy]

OK - OB is gone, now who are we going to bash next? Starting to wonder why I got season tickets because besides the team name and a few marquee players I do not recognize a sole out there. I sure hope they build some chemistry and make this entertaining sooner versus later. Speaking of versus, maybe I should have save dmy season ticket money and bought a big screen tv and watch games on versus.....never mind, bad idea - I'll take the chief any day over those guys!

There is good news folks - nearly every team that comes in to town will now have an ex-lightning player for us to watch!

[Boltflasher]

Yep, lost some toughness in OB, but he's a project...good be a good tough Dman one day. Krajicek brings some quickness that was obviously missing over the weekend...

[Boltflasher]

It would be nice if I could type...change that to "could be a good tough Dman one day"...

[matthew]

Richards was a great player but lacked the mentality of getting mad and standing up for teamates kinda of a pan** if you ask me! Oh yes by the way won the Lady Byng trophey thats the winner of the player who best demonstrates sportsmanship!

[matthew]

Wow never thought I would agree with Ajax but that statistic about richards making the same as Crosby and Ovechkin is scary if true! If so all the feaster fans have no room to talk about new ownership given feasters track record. Never really realized how bad he was till now! Horrible hope he never becomes a GM ever again. Just starting to think it was only him, not torterella or Davidson! Just a step below Toranto's and New York Islander's GM!

[Don in St. Pete]

Even in the new NHL, with the much higher cap, Richy probably only gets $5mil from anyone else, give or take a couple thou. I love brad and his unique talents helped us to a Stanley Cup, but there is no way on earth a guy who has a career high of 25 goals makes $7.8 mil per. Of course Tort's had a man crush on both Boyle and Richy, they could do no wrong in his slanted eyes. PD, I'd bet you anything the Stars don't even make Richy an offer when his contract expires. In Ottawa once Montreal and Boston start victimizing Kuba abd Picard, it won't be long before Picard is sent to Binghampton and Kuba dropped to the 3rd pairing, mark my words.

[PD]

Markin them Don..hell I'll even update them for you.

[matthew]

dont worry don picard is already a minus 2 dont worry kuba will be there soon enough!