Matt Walker: No guts, no glory

I can't say anything about Matt Walker that isn't better illustrated by this video clip. Copy the address into your address bar.

http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip185200#clip185200

Comments

[Boltflasher]

Weekes is an adequate backup but can't fill in as #1 which is why Clemmensen did that when Brodeur was out...

[safa]

Is there a chance to bring Kevin Weekes back in Tampa ? I think that as Brodeur`s backup was Kevin impressive.

[Don in St. Pete]

Casper, I think Schaefer was non-tendered so is a free agent. I think the Bolts are looking for someone with some NHL experience, for obvious reasons. I like Lundin and Bochenski for Josh Harding, we don't lose any money off the cap but can offer them a couple of Minnesota boys. Olin, it seems nobody has offered on Samuelson yet so I'm still holding out hope, though we may have to get our forward upgrade via trade.

[olin]

....yes we have improved the D, still need a backup in goal, but let's not forget, all 29 other team's are attempting to do the same thing, except maybe the craps, who I believe did pick up mike knuble???(could be wrong) but they stood pat,happy with what they have, However, it won't pan out until the puck drop's and each team can see how it play's out, each trying to improve, win the game, to the ultimate goal. Same in every sport, shuffle the roster's, become better on paper, but in all it's just one game at a time, and hope all goes well. Sell the ticket's, bring in the fan's, we got a good team now, so let's play it out. Same thing year after year. It's how the puck flip-flop's around, how the games are called by the zebra's, and the effort's of the guy's who make or break the team. How many times have we all seen it year after year. It's a way of life, let the season begin again... Just wish the economy was better at least for me, my work and us all so we could go full time to be entertained by OUR team....Go Bolt's

[Casper]

Okay, the Wild nabbed Havlat. Wouldn’t Prospal go nicely with him? We could dump some $$$ wasted on inconsistency, grab Nolan Schaefer (talk Josh Harding and settle for the rights to Schaefer as though we are taking a flogging) and a pick. Then go out and get Jason Williams. That’s two guys for less than Vaclav’s $3.5M.

Momentarily forget power play and just think locker room: who would you prefer, V20 or Willie?

Time was, the hottest AHL goalies were Karri Ramo and Schaefer. This morning Ramo must be kicking himself and we have a shot at a guy who could do no worse than Marc Denis (for a fraction of the $$$) or a light could go on under his mask and he could be our version of Tim Thomas.

Right, I shouldn’t put so much Irish whiskey in my coffee.

Go Bolts!

[Puck68]

This is gonna cost me... here's how: Was a season ticketholder in Sec 128 for years, till the company bought into XO/AFS club. Gave those up last season (it's the economy, stupid!), but still went to 20-plus games. Was waiting to see if last year's pre-season fiasco would be repeated. The recent OK-Barrie show made it seem likely. But here's Lawton making nothing but rational, good moves. Vinny stays. Ohlund and Walker to stabilize the D. I predict we're gonna will the div... yeah, you're right. I'll just calm down, applaud excellent management decisions and provide positive reinforcement in the form of ordering my season tickets now.

[Casper]

BTW, scream and howl if you want to, but Luke Richardson and Daryl Sydor made Marc Denis the 3 million dollar man deluding Feaster’s vision. He might not fare so *horsebleep* here now, with some semblance of shot blocking big bod’s in our zone.

Plus, no one flinched or held their nose on the shootouts.
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BWWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

I can’t keep it up….Marc Denis? Snicker, snort.

We never do seem to tie it all together at the same time do we? One Championship for West Central Florida and it’s back to Insaneville.

Integrity changes all that. Personal and professional integrity. Pick your hero; I conducted my younger self as though Vince Lombardi were watching.

Go Bolts!

[Don in St. Pete]

Casper, Good point about the D Coach and I hope they wrap that up soon. It would be nice to have one on board before the prospects camp. One item of concern to me, if all the RFA defensemen are signed is that whoever doesn't make the squad out of training camp may have to pass through waivers to be sent to Norfolk. Can anyone clarify that rule? If that's the case then maybe we see the odd men out dealt for a backup goaltender or a top 6 forward.

[Casper]

I hear ya and agree to a point. Fleury and Lehtonen and Leclaire were all supposed to be “the next Roy”. Without a staunch defense they are the Marc Denis we all know and loathe.

I wish our third choice of the day were a buck and a half for Emminger, not Cry-if-I-have-to-check.

Don’t screw this up and deal away Matt Smaby!

I think Karri Ramo should have waited another two weeks before deciding he’d be better off in the Kontinental. Poor decisions like that make it easier for me to say sayonara.

We may not be able to use Denis Potvin for defcoach. He’d be a bit too ruffy-tuffy for this crewe. But a defense coach we still desperately need. Ohlund isn’t going to come in and transform us into a club that reverses our 210/279 GF/GA.

Who dat coach?

Go Bolts!

[RICK L]

Casper,from what i know ma fleury is a great goalie ........big time players make big time plays at big time moments! i'm willing to see halpern this year,i think....he had 10 goals in 19 games b4 the serious knee injury,last year a wash and lets see what happens,too bad clemmenson slipped thru the cracks or whatever would have liked to see him push smitty for the #1 job and the NHL is no different than any other sport.."HOW DO YOU GET BETTER"? players play with players who are better than them and even at this level players still grow up and are much better players at 27,28 than they were 5 years ago ! I'M KINDA EXCITED !

[Thunderbug]

Great Tampa Bay Lightning Management decisions? Check out what Pierre MacGuire said... http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip185200#clip189303

[RICK L]

I attempted earlier, to post my thoughts and think maybe tb.com maybe snuffed it because i used the the letter "A" and a double dollar sign but here it goes.......back when hockey was hockey,the opposing teams forwards didn"t" pitch a tent" in front of your net or else they were on their butts.........I REALLY LIKE THE SIGNINGS ! man i can't wait for the season to begin,a b/u goalie a top 6 forward and lets ride..LOL

[Don in St. Pete]

You'd think Jason Williams would be too expensive. but none of the decond tier UFA were signed, unless they casn fight.

[Casper]

I think goonery is passé but we need an enforcer.

Consider a trade package of some dead weight needing a fresh start---Craig, Artyukhin, Pettinger, or even Vrbata---with one of our recent goalie draftees to acquire from St. Louis, Cam Janssen and Manny Legace. Janssen is one tough SOB that always sticks up for his guys and Manny would be, well, Manny.

Defense was certainly on my mind and I give The Cowpokes their due, today was a bonanza (sorry). But before we swing our attention to goal tending, I am mindful we still lack a defense coach. After the hiring of a crackerjack coach for this revamped blue line we won’t need a $5+ million guy in net. Want proof? Is Marc-Andre Fleury all that?

After or during the goalie search I hope we get another character guy for the third line in the flavor of Jason Williams. He would sort of make Halpern and his knees expendable. Also works cheaper than V20 and can QB the PP.

Good work thus far; lots more to do.

Go Bolts!

[Don in St. Pete]

I'm hoping they chase Samuelson.

[hockeystop]

Walker and Ohlund look good. Who do you think they'll get to fill in top 6 forward hole?

[HockeyBay.com]

Here's a nice closeup still of the 'Twisted Finger' http://twitpic.com/8zb67

[Herb]

Thanks DC.... That is a guy who I admire. Great clip!

[Don in St. Pete]

No guts, no glory. If you remember in 04' Stillman missed half of the playoff games and Luckowich never played in the finals but was replaced by Cullimore who was coming off early season knee surgery. When the going gets tough the tough get going! Thats the kind of guy I want as my partner back there.

[olin]

...continue watching this clip and you can see our ex GM Uncle Jay, discussing today's signing's with Darren Pang and Pierre McGuire....?????(whats he doing there)?

[TJ]

Oh man, that just looked painful. Guess you can say he's a hockey player... ouch. Looks like a good guy to have in our locker room this coming season.