This is going to be a good hockey team

I know, they're 0-2-3. They matched the 1998-99 team as the only Tampa Bay squad to start a season winless in five games, and the team lost a franchise-record third straight overtime game. It has just eight goals. But I really believe this is going to be a good hockey team.

I'm not saying it will make the playoffs or anything beyond what we can evaluate right now. And I know I'm going to hear about this on this post and at the end of the season if things don't work out, but this team is so much better than it was even three games ago, the difference is notable. Paul Ranger has single-handedly settled the defense; I'm not saying it's great but it is a huge improvement. The goaltending is solid. All the team needs right now are goals, and it is not possible the top two lines will continue to be as lame as they've been so far.

I know, Marty St. Louis has just five shots, Ryan Malone eight. Radim Vrbata already is scratched.

Now, think about this. It's five games into an early season that really is Tampa Bay's training camp. I am discounting the trip to Europe. It was great for bonding but lousy for building the on-ice product. Too much travel, sloppy, though enteraining, games against non-NHL oponents. Don't bring up the Rangers, a different situation with a generally stable core of players.

Hey, I could be so wrong it's laughable. It's happened before. But the Lightning buzzed through one of the best defensive teams in the league, and if not for Eric Belanger covering up two open nets, Tampa Bay wins.

Geez, they had 30 hits (Steven Stamkos even got two), 59 total shots, including blocks and misses.

The key might be the mind-set of the players. If they get discouraged at the early lack of results, that's trouble. But there was enoughy chatter in the locker room after Saturday night's loss that it shows the players had some perspective. I don't think it was false bravado either.

I'm sure they are disappointed they have to wait three days to face the Thrashers. What this group needs now is games.

Comments

[Bryan]

If you ask me to choose between Carle and Boyle with everything included (I.E. salary), i'm alright with Carle. Sure, he looks a bit shaky right now but he'll be just fine, he just needs a bit of time like the rest.

[Casper]

Wayne was indeed great, but I always get into a pssing contest for my preference of Gordie Howe. Lead the League in scoring AND penalty minutes, and I want to skate like that guy.

[The 0.1%]

6. What Wayne Gretzky achieved is off the charts in magnitude of difficulty and will forever be unparalleled in the world of sports, of which boxing is a dubious member at best. As a bonus he can still put together an intelligible sentence, since his sport does not have "causing brain damage" as its stated purpose and scoring standard.

[Boltflasher]

Congrats to Rays!!! Awesome Game 7!

[ajax]

Slow night on the blog so I thought I would go over my top 10 undisputable sports facts. Things that 99.9% of us agree on. IMO.
10. Michael Jordon greatest BBall player.
9. Gretzky greatest hockey player.
8. Bobby Hull greatest left wing
7. Bobby Orr greatest Dman (Mezzy a close 2nd)
6. Ali, greatest sports figure of all time.
5. Brodeur/Dryden I and Ia greatest goalies of all time. Don't say Roy, I could of won the cup in Colorado with the 8 all-stars he had in front of him.
4. Jimmy Brown greatest football player of all time (although I did see Gale Sayers in person and WOW)
3. Most Rabid/Knowledgable Hockey fans, I and Ia Calgary/Edmonton
2. Snobiest/Self-absorbed hockey fans, coin-toss Toronto or Montreal.
and number 1, drum roll please.
1. Title town USA, Tampa/St. Pete Florida. Super Bowl Champ Bucs, Stanley Cup Champs da Bolts, and soon to be World Series Champs, da Rays.
Not to mention our nearby cousins NCAA champs Florida Gators!!!
If you want to sip find coffee and freeze your butts off, live in Canada, if you want winning sports franchises, pack up the truck and move south to
TITLETOWN USA, Tampa, Florida
USA USA USA.

[deanhall]

I agree. The European cruise was tough on a team just getting acquainted. They'll be much better after the first quarter of the season. However, I still struggle to understand how the Matt Karl is even a decent replacement for Dan Boyle, at least for the next 2-3 years. Vrbata is living up to his press clippings for be erratic at best. However, you can't remake a team without any mistakes.

[Dan]

I agree the D was solid last night. Good hitting. Good menacing of the opposition. Offense appears to be tentative right now, looking to pass for the "perfect shot". Nobody getting in the face of the goalie. It's early, but every point you give away comes back to haunt you at the end.