Is Gary Roberts ready to retire?

The trade deadline is past, and with GM Bria Lawton's intention to, as he said Wednesday, "get younger," it seems as if Gary Roberts' career might have come to an end. No official word from anyone, but it makes sense that the 42-year-old, 21-year veteran might take this opportunity to retire.

The left wing, a perhaps future Hall of Famer, has said this was going to be his last season, anyway. He even put on a pretty good show on the ice while being showcased as Wednesday's trade deadline approached. But he was not at Thursday's practice at the Ice Sports Forum and his locker no longer had a name plate.

The Lightning declined to say anything about Roberts, and his agent, Rick Curran, was cryptic.

"I'm not quite sure what's going to happen," Curran said. "No decisions have been finalized. He's still a member of the team."

Roberts, who broke in with the Flames in 1986 and won the 1989 Cup with Calgary, has four goals and seven points in 30 games this season (he missed 33 with an elbow injury), and has 438 goals and 909 points in his career.

Comments

[Coach Bill]

TWG- See you at the HUT? Call me as I'll be on the road after I finish here.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Last I checked, the cup was awarded to the TBL the same way it was every year prior, and every year since, no more no less. Too bad for Calgary (and the rest of Canada in 2004). Having said that, look out for Calgary this year. If Kippersoff gets hot, they could win it. Playoff hockey will be a lot of fun to watch this year. The west I think has the edge, but the Devils have a healthy Brodeur. See you all tonight, let's play spoilers againt the canes.........TWG

[Boltflasher]

These same people moaning over him being cut groaned when the Bolts signed him...

[Boltflasher]

THIS organization gave up on him? they gave him a million bucks instead of letting him retire...what about 29 other organizations that did not want him at all?

[2WayCenter]

Pleeeeez - enough with the Gary Roberts eulogies. They did him a huge favor by giving him a chance that no one would. Then they tried to to work a deal but nobody was interested. Rather than saying thanks for the opportunity he said "I did not get a phone call". Seems like piling on to me. Mistake OK made was giving him the contract in the first place.

[spoon]

Roberts was one of my all-time favorite players and it was good to see him in a bolts uniform this year. He brought a lot to this team even with injuries and limited playing time. It is disheartening to say the least to see his career end this way. He is the ultimate heart and soul player and never gives up. It was clear that the organization/ownership clearly gave up on him in this instance which shows no respect, no heart, no soul.

[PD]

It will be a war out there Steve-O, should be fun to watch, great physical hockey.

The east continues to morph Boston's fading, Wash and Montreal Fading, Philly going nowhere fast.

I think the Devils are looking the class.

[Steve-O]

Agreed PD. The two additions make Calgary look very tough moving forward. They are likely to go very deep in the playoffs. The West is just loaded!

[PD]

Spilled milk Indeed Steve-O.

Calgary will get another shot, in about two months..they are looking pretty solid after adding Jokinen and Leopold with Kipper in net.

Habby was fantastic Flash. So was Torts.

[MK]

To PD,
i think i hate pierre mcguire more then i hate the lightning ownership. he is a MONSTER douche.

[Boltflasher]

The Calgary call?...get over it already...any 7 games series is gonna have the "if a..., could a..., would a...". Why not talk about the great Khabi save also? geez....

[Steve-O]

I get it. The only thing Canadians think Florida is good for is vacationing. The idea that their game is being played here, and that we had the audacity to win Lord Stanley's Cup is pure sacrilege. Take two advil drink a six pack of Molson and have a nice day. It happened. Names are on the cup forever. The rest is just spilled milk!

All fans of the losing team decry the one call, or the officials that cost us the championship. Life goes on. Hopefully Calgary will get another shot.

[PD]

The jury's gonna be out on that one a lonnnng time Steve-0.(forever in Calgary)

That's why I really laugh to hear the tearful calls about subsequent goals when they don't all go Tamp's way.

[Steve-O]

Can't even give Tampa full credit for winning their cup (half cup). Does your Momma like you? I can't imagine anyone else does.

[PD]

37 years had nothing to do with Burke koolaide gullube.

[PD]

Seen em win 4 Randy
Saw the half cup in Tampa too

[Steve-O]

37 years to try and equal the Leafs recent performance. You are like Robin Williams, crack me up. Negatively charged Ion.

[Randy C]

PD

Were you alive the last time they won a cup?

[PD]

Burke hasnt been here 4 months.
When was Chicago's last cup?
Leafs have 12 of them and Tampa will never see another.

[Steve-O]

42 years!!! That's a long time to be saying maybe next year. :-)

[PD]

Gee Leanmean they are what 4 or 5 games out of a playoff spot playing kids and and no goalie.
Won 8 of last 10

Future looks pretty good actually.

[PD]

Agreed Geographer, they could have had the base decency to respect his career and ask him if he would accept recallable waivers in order to possibly go to a contender.
That would have been his last chance as a player to do so.

They screwed him.

For Gary Roberts its not about a pay check.

McGuire hit it out of the park.

[Leanmean43]

PD,
Why are you on this blog, you clearly aren't a fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning. You say Tampa is so far from being competitive, but what about the Leafs? The Leafs are so far from being a good team it isn't even funny! They have two decent defensemen, no goalie, and maybe 2 good forwards. The Leafs are at least 5 years away from even making the playoffs. Brian Burke is not the answer either, he didn't even build the Anaheim Ducks, Bryan Murray did. All Burke did was get the Ducks in cap hell. Toronto has a hockey team? Last I heard they left with the parade in 1967.

[Steve-O]

Geo I stand corrected on the cost of acquisition from waivers. Point is though, nobody wanted to claim him. Salary was too big. They should have told him about the whole waiver deal though, I agree.

[Geografer]

Steve-O it wasn't at half the cost it was at the full cost. The team only gets the half-price deal if he is claimed on re-entry waivers (which there are not any more this year). If he is claimed on the way down the claiming team assumes the full cost on the remainder of the contract. Fact is if that is what they were really trying to do they should have waived him earlier and then recalled him so someone would only be responsible for 1/2 his remaining contract. They didn't. Of course if they did they probably wouldn't have told him that either.

PD - and I could not have agreed with Pierre McGuire more!

[Steve-O]

PD you really think the Lightning will leave Tampa??? Wow. I wasn't sure I believed it the first 3,000 times you posted it. I guess now I have to believe you since that's your story and you're sticking to it. We got it, you think the Bolts are leaving. What else have you got? Weekend plans? Fishing trip, Honey do list?

[PD]

Pierre McGuire certainly ripped them a new one MK on TSN.

Unfathomably stupid ownership.

[Steve-O]

MK. In regards to Roberts, they tried to help him finish his career with a playoff run. They looked to deal him but no one wanted the salary. Next they put him on waivers so that a playoff team could pick up his experience at half of the cost while we continue to pay the other half. No one wanted to add him to their line up.

There are plenty of things to complain about the way OK has done things. Roberts ain't one of them.

[PD]

Actually TWG I said that next season will be the last in Tampa. It had nothing to do with Tampas draft.

Bolts are years from being competitive with that Defence, a suspect goalie and a broke owner.

[Geografer]

Well the crap continues to flow. Lawton was on NHL Radio earlier this AM saying how Gary Roberts needed a couple of days to decide. Meantime Roberts goes to TSN and tells them he is retiring - go figure Lawton has no clue what is going on (or is lying take whichever option you prefer)!
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=270018&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl

Best of luck Robs - so sorry you got treated the way you did. Look forward to your HOF induction.

[MK]

i can't wait until don cherry rips this organization a new a hole on coach's corner on saturday.

[MK]

Slapshot,

I highly doubt Roberts asked for top dollar. He knows he's older and has had some injuries. I think this was another example of the organization throwing a lot of money at every free agent. What's he going to do turn down an extra million dollars? This organization is completely effing classless. He's a potential future hall of famer who is completely loved everywhere he goes (Calgary, Toronto, Pittsburgh). Lawton and the owners should feel absolutely disgraceful doing this to him. Recchi was practically wetting himself with excitement to get out of there and Roberts is probably happy too. If they don't watch out the next one's out the door are Vinny, Marty, Smitty, and Stamkos. Trust.

[Boltflasher]

Won't make it tonight, but definetely tomorrow!!

[2WayCenter]

Gotcha...

Recci played well in Boston last night. Got moved to the first line.

Do you know if we will see any of the prospects skate tonight?

[Tampa Wine Guy]

The statement, "Next year is likely the last." PD is concluding we won't be in the draft because the TBL will be moved. My take, Next year will be the last" with reference to the lottery is because the team will be much improved, and in Tampa. Like I say, his conclusion is correct, he simply as the incorrect premise........TWG

[2WayCenter]

TWG - which conclusion are you referring to?

Bruins vs TB attendance at forum 18K plus.

Bruins vs PHO in Boston 16K plus.

I don't get it. Where is the plane crash? Sure 08/09 fell through but the boys are not moving to Winnipeg, next year anyway. Bettman likes coming to Florida too much.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

PD, your conclusion is correct, but not because of your reasoning............TWG

[PD]

Slapper indeed Airplane Crash, but having, I'm smarter than everybody, Len Barrie as the pilot should be factored into the crash scene.

As for the lottery next handful of years, maybe?/ but not in Tampa.
Next year is likely the last.

[Slapshot]

Roberts and his agent wanted top bucks otherwise Pittsburgh would not have traded him last summer. If his ego would have allowed he could have stayed in the Igloo for about $500,000. As it is a sterling career is going to end quietly when he could have still been playing for a playoff team that appreciated what he brought to the table off the ice as much as on.

As for the rest of the team, its like an airplane crash. No one thing brought it down but a hundred little things all stacked together did. The handling of the Roberts situation, the handling of the Kolzig situation and the despiration Recchi felt it wanting out are all symptoms of a larger problem that is going to be around here for a long time and might make it possible to be in line for a lottery pick for the next handful of years.

This team hasn't hit bottom yet, but its on the way.

[Marv]

Good luck Gary, it embarrassing anyone is treated so poorly. Thanks for your contributions and helping Stamer get his feet under him. The very best to you and your family.
It seems from current management, this is what we have come to expect. How can we not expect it when Brian Lawton states: "With Gary it's about treating him with respect" and then do what they did? No one even has a phone in the organization? Strictly, low class.
Really feel sorry for the players and fans. Even though the team always had their problems, what has happened is criminal! Go ahead and trade V4! Then #26. The only thing that will then draw a crowd will be your crummy movies.... if you lower the admission to 50 cents!

[Marv]

Good luck Gary, it embarrassing anyone is treated so poorly. Thanks for your contributions and helping Stamer get his feet under him. The very best to you and your family.
It seems from current management, this is what we have come to expect. How can we not expect it when Brian Lawton states: "With Gary it's about treating him with respect" and then do what they did? No one even has a phone in the organization? Strictly, low class.
Really feel sorry for the players and fans. Even though the team always had their problems, what has happened is criminal! Go ahead and trade V4! Then #26. The only thing that will then draw a crowd will be your crummy movies.... if you lower the admission to 50 cents!

[HockeyBay.com]

Good Luck Gary, Thx for the 5-6 games... Heres an Idea, Why not go to Sweden like Detroit does and get young talented Players? What a concept...

[hyjyljyj]

good eye, TW guy

[McGz]

Agree TWG.

Roberts should have retired last year and I thought when he was signed, the contract he got was atrocious--and ended up being the reason he wasn't claimed. While I don't agree he should of found out from his brother he was waived, you can't completely blame Lightning mgmt for not trading him. No team wanted that contract on their books for the remainder of the season. Thats his agent's fault as much as the Lightning. And apparently he wasn't even worth a seventh rd pick.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Too bad, I had figured when Roberts didn't move he'd at least finish the season.

BTW, for all you naysayers, has anyone stopped to think what the Sens, Pens, Rangers, and Lightning all have in common? 1. mid-season coaching change, 2. will likely miss playoffs 3. Have star players, 4. Decimated by injuries, 5. Opened the year in Europe, 6. Had NO training camp to speak of.

Anyone think this NHL Europe crap didn't hurt the TBL as well as three other teams?

I think a lot of our problems trace back to the beginning of the year and the lack of a training camp. It cost three other teams as well, and may cost all four playoff births this year.
Based on this, I am encourged and convinced this will be a better team next year, and will be in the stands (or at least my season tickets will be used) for every game.

Bill, Ajax, talkie, etc, I don't expect to be there tonight, short an employee and have to work. I will be there for sure on Saturday night...................TWG

[PD]

Add Roberts to the list of high end NHLPA members spreading the word on the slimer Ok boys.

[Coach Bill]

Flasher and Ajax- Ditto for Sat night. I think Marky Mark will be in town and be looking for us at the wall and maybe at the Hut before gametime. See ya Sat.
Still looking for a video of Downie's slash. Anybody know any links?

[Boltflasher]

Same here ajax, possibly Fri...definitely Sat...

[Boltflasher]

Yes, the Bolts should be blamed for giving Roberts a final tour that not one other team was willing to do...

[ajax]

BFlasher, stop being a puppet for Lawson....har har...I might be there Friday night...for sure Saturday night.....Ajax Koolaid (aka dePoopet)