Feel free to exhale: Hutchinson clears waivers

D Andrew Hutchinson cleared recall waivers from Norfolk and is on the roster. He had to clear them because of the amount of his NHL salary.

The Lightning also recalled Matt Smaby yesterday with D Lukas Krajicek (knee) and Marek Malik (lower body) nursing injuries.

Comments

[leo]

Oh, I saw it SteveR.
You tell me: Was Theo brilliant or were we absolutely, positively, reekingly wretched?
Do I need to actually say anything? You saw the game. It wasn't Theo. Though yes, he did make some fine saves.
I...ub...bub...ub...I got nothin', Steve.
Except this,
We're one point ahead of where we were last season.
Peace Out

[mike p]

PD, nowhere in my future plans did I specify who the management was or that I even liked them. Nor did I talk about any supposed financial woes of the lightning so the branding of Koulaider seems uncalled for. To support the lightning makes u a Koolaider? Gee, sorry, maybe I shouldn't be a fan. I'm pretty sure I posted an article about how the possible buyback of the lightning and impending financial doom of the owners was a myth, I think Eklund wrote a whole article on it. The bottom line is, yea, I'm not thrilled with many of the decisions made by management or with Brian Lawton. The fans wanted a change after we placed last and you CANNOT deny we got a change. Whether it was for the better or worse, we will see. I was MERELY picking out some bright-spots of things I think will be positives on the future Tampa Bay or Hamilton (since u seem so adamant that the team is done in Tampa, PD) Lightning.

[McGz]

It really does get old reading all the negativity on the blog. Yes they're in 29th place. But they are one win from 23rd or so and will climb the standings with a little run. I always knew this would be a transition year so I'm not all bent out of shape right now.

PD try coming up with some original material. Really? A fan poll. Completely useless. Moving or contracting the team? Come on you don't really believe that do you? There are more than a handful of teams that are in worse financial shape. PSE taking back the team? Highly unlikely although possible since they allegedly hold the note.

I admit there is some dead weight on the team that needs to be let go. But a high draft pick will be good for this team. The owners have at least a three year business plan with contingencies. Give them a chance.

[Boltflasher]

Hey, Don is StPete, where are ya? Come on back! The water's fine.....

[Badbud]

Grossing $56.3M almost pays off V4's contract!

You are aware,that Koules don't get all that money, Right, Huge overhead making movies.

Will not be shocked to see PS&E In charge again,Don't forget they still hold the title to this team..

[Herb]

This team won't cut it this year, so let's hope for a good high pick in the draft and go from there. The Pens are where they are now by finishing last or next to last and getting some real good high draft picks. I hope that if they don't make the playoffs,(in which I highly doubt they will), I hope they are 29th or 30th to get another real good player. Finishing just out of the playoff hunt won't help this team at all.

[Thunderbug]

I think everyone wants to see this team 'click' and show what happens when they are playing together with 90+% effort. We've seen it a few times this year, but not consistently. The talent is there individually, but not collectively.

OK has to be working on Saw VI by now to make sure this Team stays in Tampa. Grossing $56.3M almost pays off V4's contract!

Go Bolts!

[PD]

Mike P, really what planet are you on?

In a gate driven league, with owners that have spent money they don't have, horribly and extravagantly, I find it unbelievable that anyone tries to project this team a year down the road.

The Koules/Barrie cons have completely blown it and if they draw more more than an average of 12000 after x mas I will be astounded.

That bankrupts them and Palace then moves them BTW or they get contracted. 10 other teams are in the same boat including all but Washington in the SE.

Yeah, yeah koolaiders ..spare me and get real.

Shooting the messenger is getting a little tired.

[Badbud]

Hey Joe We are not talking about TOMORROW,,,,Just TODAY and TODAY they are 29th,Spin it all you want to and it still comes up 29th.

Take your Bolt Google's off and FYI the Future is not that Frigging bright .

[mike p]

Allow me to offer a glimmer of hope and optimism in a time of things that look dreary. Not for this season, but for the future. So, we knew the defense was going to be young and not that great this year, and that is obvious from the lack of flow and transition in our game this year. However, as they get older, they will get better. Stamkos has been a bit of a bust, yes, but he is 18 and FEW players are NHL-ready at 18, so really he can only improve. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the "Michael Jordan of hockey" had 28 points in his first year and was -19. The other thing to be positive about with Stamkos is he seems to have a passion for the game that I have rarely seen out of V4 and I believe one day he will take the reigns of the C on this team. Another thing to note, the Penguins spent 3 seasons in virtually the NHL standings basement before seeing any kind of success. They built through the draft and that is what Tbay must do. The downside is that we have an unfortunate draft history, but hopefully that will change. My opinion: spend the year retooling and getting guys with more grit and more passion for the game. Then draft Hedman. Dump some of the deadweight we have through UFA in the summer and pick up a decent UFA defenseman and next season will look a whole look different than this one.

[Joe]

hmmm badbud just so you know since im sure the only thing you look at is how you can dog the lightning let me let you in on a little secret. if you look at the standings there are actually 9 teams 10 total if you include the lightning that are 1 point from being tied with eachother for second to last place so if everyone looses and the lightning win tonight then O MY GOD they just leep frogged all those teams and go from eww to hmm improvement so shut up badbud with trying to take any excuse you can to make them seem bad and smile life is good :)

[Badbud]

29th in NHL,Last in East,Last in Southeast.

Just how well has he played,just how well has he lead them,only 1 point out of LAST PLACE,,,,,,,,,Still.

Stop making excuses for them.

[Joe]

hey PD do us all a favor and please dont put links up that are just pointless. Malone has shown alot of leadership and intensity. they didnt even talk about recchi and how well he has played. and thats just are team what about kuba and picard

[PD]

Bad bud they totally blew it or Len Barrie the pretend manager blew it when they spent the money on garbage free agents. I was continuously harpooned for saying that.

Check out the Hockey Buzz Rating for off season aquisitions.

Boyle 98 % only Hossa better.
All the Bolts rated F
Malone the worst

Says it all and not from me
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Jesse-Connolly/The-Votes-Have-Been-Tallied-Final-Fan-Grades-For-Offseason-08/116/18092

[Badbud]

29th in NHL,Last in East,Last in Southeast.

Seen 1st round Pick yet??? Do they lose 50+

They are so much worse than I thought they would be,I dont buy this "they look so Good,they are playing so hard". They are 6-9-7 with 19 points.

You can try to spin it, all you want,It is what it is. Woulda's,Coulda's,Shoulda's, dont win games

[Badbud]

Hold your breath with the Lightning,you'll be a long time blue.

When does rhe talk of "tanking the games start" are my pesonal favorite,"TheCoach has lost the room"

Seen The next #1 pick?????

[Boltflasher]

Back to the Bolts...and this topic...

Yeah, I was holding my breath on this one....

[Steve R]

We just need to get healthy and figure out how to win on the road. Next two home games for us are Fla and Isles, should be w's if the Caps play their normal game.

[PD]

Pretty amzing home record. Its turned into a solid franchise.

[Steve R]

But they do have a couple of games in hand I think. Season is young.

[Steve R]

oh yea, Clark out too.

[PD]

Looks like you passed the shabs in the standings too.
crickets from Montreal

[Steve R]

PD, just got back from the game. Much fun was had. Though I haven't figured out if Theo was that good tonight or were the Habs that bad. Caps were missing the following regulars tonight:
Green
Poti
Schultz
Erskine
Semin
Fedorov

Our AHL team was well represented.

Leo, your thoughts?

[PD]

Well said Herb and Vinny is not remotely a leader he's a spoiled floater.

[PD]

Heh StevR you out there?
Theo shuts out/up the Habs..

[Herb]

Anyone who has a job that pays them well, should give at a 110%, every night. Last year towards the end of the season, Vinny4 was quoted as saying that "it's hard to get up for a game" was a notice to me that he IS NOT A LEADER!! I don't get paid a quarter of what most of these guys get for playing a game, but I am ready to work every day. I just wish for a week that these spoiled brats had to cut it in the real world. It might change their minds on giving their all during the season.

[PD]

Begs the question Nan, why a Pro should have to work at giving their all.

[Nan]

Okay, you got me on that one Thunderbug, Vinny was scoreless. Agree with you on the playing intensity. What is it with this team? How come they can't play an intense 60 minutes? I remain optimistic that they will continue to improve and continue to work towards giving their all every night.

[PD]

Herb I think you win the pool going away.

[Thunderbug]

Yes he had a point, not a goal. scoreless, not pointless. I like the overall physical presence they are starting to bring to the ice. They should be embarassed enough to start bringing 60 minutes of game each night. They played well for about 45 minutes tonight and led 2-1... then, they gave their sticks and jerseys to the Lightning Girls.

[Nan]

Hey Thunderbug, I believe that Vinny had an assist today, he was not scoreless. I would agree that he could show some more leadership and also contribute some more points per game, that is why they are paying him a lot. He is not quite earning his keep just yet but like I said I think he is improving.

[Herb]

My prediction of the bolts winning only 21 games this season, seems to be right on track.

[Thunderbug]

Na, i've noticed that he hasn't played with the passion of many other players on the team -- e.g. Marty, V20, Arty, Malone, etc. He is the captain... a scoring leader, and he appears to be just barely skating. He was -4 against the NJD and again scoreless tonight against the Wild. With 20 almost 20 ATOI, he needs to step it up -- shoot more, attack the net, be more physical. Stamkos shows more physicality for crying out loud! I don't want V4 fighting, but come on -- show some leadership. At 6-9-7 lets have someone earn some ice time and rest his $85M shoulder a few games.

[Nan]

Thunderbug, Vinny is on a scoring streak if you hadn't noticed. He has picked up a least one point in the last 6 games. Why in the world would you sit out your top scorer? And I thought he had played better than in previous games. He seems to be getting better each game. He does have a bum shoulder and wasn't 100% coming in this season and probably still isn't.

[Thunderbug]

Time for Lecavalier to sit a game or two. He's not playing with passion.

[Joe]

The Bolts played well except for the first 7 minutes of the 3rd period. On the 3rd Wild goal how does the Wild player just skate in and all our guys are falling down!!!

Very fustrating. I thought Stamkos and Vinny4 played pretty well today.

O well on the Colorado.

[Badbud]

He was a -3 in 13:48 TOI Did nothing else,,,Yeah real happy he cleared waivers.

[mike p]

Feel free to exhale? We WANT to keep Hutchinson? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought he was a dud. An AHL star with no NHL potential who we signed to a two year deal.

[McGz]

That's funny. How about Ward?