Mattias Ohlund: "My best years are ahead of me"

Here is some of Mattias Ohlund's conference call with reporters:

Opening statement: I think it’s a great opportunity for me. I was ecstatic when they called and I felt from the beginning this is the place I wanted to be. It felt right and felt like something I wanted to be part of. Having said that I’m also grateful for the 11 years I played with Vancouver. It’s a great place to play. It’s a great organization. I made a lot of friends there, friends for life. But having said that I felt it was time for me to move on and I’m excited about the future.

On mentoring draft choice Victor Hedman: I’m real excited about joining him. I never met victor to be honest but I heard so many good things about him. I was sitting tonight with Daniel and Henrik Sedin and they’re from the same hometown and know him quite well. They had nothing but good things to say about him as a person and a hockey player.

On Hedman’s reputation in Sweden: Victor has a great reputation. He’s from the same town as a lot of NHL hockey players. The Sedins (Daniel and Henrik) and Markus Naslund are three of them. I spoke to the three of them about him and hear only good things about him. I’ve barely seen him play. I saw the world junior championships a few games they played and noticed he was an extremely skilled player. I heard only good things about him as a person and I’m looking forward spending the next few years with him.

On creating a relationship with Hedman: You make a phone call. I’m sure I’m going to be calling him and talking to him the next few days after things settle down. You share your experiences you had when you were younger. I made mistakes when I was young and hopefully I learned from them and I can prevent him from making th same ones. It’s a tough league to play in he’s got a lot to learn. I’m excited to be a small part of getting him started here.

Advice he would give Hedman: First of all realize how lucky we all are to be in this league. It’s a great league to be part of. Come in with a smile on his face regardless of whether he had a tough day the night before. You got to realize your extremely lucky to be part of this league.

Is he a good fit for Tampa?: Tampa has a very talented hockey team. They have a talented group of guys. I do think I can help out with a lot of experience and be a big part of helping their D corps. I feel like I have my best years ahead of me and I’m extremely excited about my next little while here.

Is there a mental adjustment going to a bad team?: This team won a Stanley Cup not too far away and they have some guys who were part of that team. Last year they didn’t have a great year. Obviously, I’d like to be part of turning things around here, and I do feel like I bring a lot to the hockey club. But in fairness, we only played them once last year and I haven’t seen them play over the years tons. I do feel like I can be part of hopefully bringing this team on the right track again.

When did he realize he needed to leave the Canucks?: I felt maybe last year that, in this business when you have a year left or just over a year left, you realize you might be heading in this direction to unrestricted free agency and we had some discussions but in all honesty I never really felt a big interest from their side. I might be wrong. I think it was mutual. I felt I needed a change. I had a great 11 years I have no hard feelings. But I just felt I needed a change. I’m not sure exactly when that happened but it was a while back.

It’s going to be a big change but I’m excited about it. I’m curious how it’s going to be. I haven’t spent a lot of time down there and I know it’s going to be different. Positive thoughts and I’m looking forward to it.

What will he miss about Vancouver?: It’s a fantastic place to live. We raised two wonderful kids in Vancouver and they have a lot of friends and we have a lot of friends we met through our kids’ schools and stuff, and we’re going to miss that. But that’s part of life. Just because you move to a different city, you won’t keep your friends. I met a lot of people in Vancouver I know I’m going to be in contact with the rest of our lives.

How did GM Brian Lawton sell you on Tampa?: Brian spoke about there team and the city of Tampa and it’s a very talented hockey club, and I do feel like I can bring a lot to this hockey team with my experience. I’m 32 years old I feel like I have my best years ahead of me and to be able to help Victor Hedman out is an important part of my job. So there’s a lot of stuff I’m excited about.

Is Tampa Bay's ownership situation troublesome?:: No, I spoke to Brian and I felt like this was a good situation for me. I felt this was the team that wanted me and wanted me to be a big part of the organization and that’s all I needed to hear.

I do feel like I have my best years ahead of me and I’m going to push to get better and better every year. If I can help some young guys out with my experience, that’s great.

Comments

[McGz]

Awesome signing Ohlund. I had a gut feeling he would relish the mentor role with Hedman and immediately steps into a number 1 role on this defense. I'm getting excited about next year already!

[Don in St. Pete]

Boltflasher, Excellent points and in the cap world there are possibilities nobody would have dreamed of in 04'. It seems that Sykora and Kotalik are the best scorers left on the market and to a lesser extent Jason Williams and Mikael Samuelsson. Perhaps Lawton can work a deal with San Jose for Ryan Clowe. There's still some decnt backup goalies available and Tellqvist stands out though Danis would be okay and not break the bank. There are still some energy guys left like Hinote and Pyatt, who may be gotten cheap but we made need to make a few trades first.

[Boltflasher]

Upgrading the 3rd and 4th lines may be a work in progress over the next several months and on into the season. A lot depends on how much in shape some of these guys are, are Halpern and Craig really over their knee injuries, can Ashton really show he was the draft sleeper, can Arty finally become a consistent player, how much will a good D help all the lines...many questions...and I'm anxious to get it all started...

[Don in St. Pete]

Coach Bill, Konopka was the Captain down at Norfolk and he's likely to be a career minor leaguer. Lawton has said he wants to upgrade the 3rd and 4th lines but that will be difficult unless he can do it via trade. A backup goaltender and a top six forward should remain the priorities in my mind.

[gus georgiou]

I wish Lawton would make an offer to Josh Harding for our back-up!! I've heard a lot of good things on him and he is only 25 years old for someone who might have to play for Smith.

[gus georgiou]

Brian, just sign a nice backup goalie and one top six forward for either one of the top two lines either thru trade or free agency and I'll be ecstatic with what this team has done to get ready for next season. Please don't let Smaby go elsewhere and juggle your other D-men here or in Norfolk and I think you have a very nice competitive team barring injuries!! If V4, Ranger and Mezzaros can come back close to what they used to play like, this team is ready for a enjoyable season. The unknown factor to me is what will Tocchet (sp) be like as the new coach with him putting in his system and having a full training camp under his belt??

[Don in St. Pete]

Konopka's cap hip wouldn't be counted if he were sent down to Norfolk, in fact I don't think he would have to pass through waivers either. However the Bolts would still be paying his salary and if you remeber the actual salary was more of an issue to management than the cap hit.

[TJ]

2 more free agent signings, according to Darren Dreger (TSN)...Recchi resigns with Boston, 1yr, 1mil. Antropov to Atlanta, 4yr/just over 16mil.

[TJ]

Konopka is on a 1 way contract this coming year. So he gets NHL money even if he's in the minors. My question is does he still count against the cap even in Norfolk, or do his numbers come off the books like Vrbata when he plays overseas?

[Steve-O]

Spooky, in your previous post you suggested 1 more defender in the three range plus Chellios as a mentor. Didn't we get Ohlund to mentor Hedman or was Lawton misquoted?

Maybe two forwards? And also the backup goalie we need.

So you would like to see 5 new defensemen to include Hedman, Ohlund, Walker already here, then perhaps Seidenberg, Boucher, or Scuderi and Chellios. Add 2 more forwards and the goaltender and you have an interest in 8 new players. Did we learn nothing of chemistry last year or a lack thereof? Nevermind the fact that there is no money for the additional changes you wish for. We have already improved this team substantially and yes you tweek at the deadline. If you really think we are going from last in the Conference to challenging Washington for the division then I have to ask... Are you really Len Barrie? That is exactly what he said last summer and we see where that ended. Rome was not built in a day. The fans will come back with a respectable product on the ice and perhaps next summer we can improve some more. You have to walk before you can run.

Finally no one is suggesting Hedman will be thrown to the wolves as a top line guy. Most of us have suggested here that he will likely play on a third line. Ohlund was brought in to tutor him a fact he discusses in his interview yesterday. If Chellios would like to coach then perhaps he can interview. Everything I have read suggests he wants to play, and not seventh man minutes like last year. We now have a glut at defender to wit someone will have to be traded, perhaps for a goalie and others will be sent down or scratched. You can't fix it all at once my friend, any homeowner will tell you that. Especially in this economy. No hate intended, just trying to be happy with the improvements while being realistic about moving forward.

[Don in St. Pete]

Spooky, You make good points there but like it or not, money is an issue. As it stands right now, I figure we are about $3mil under the salary cap, but we can make some space by finding a home for Vrbata, sending Konopka back to Norfolk and possibly Lashoff as well. A few players will likely get traded for picks or prospects, perhaps Craig, Bochenski and Lundin. All of those moves would take about $6.5mil of cap space off the books.

[Spooky]

Steve-o:

I don't appreciate your patronizing tone, but will take no offense.

No, I am not exactly happy. Not yet. My biggest concern is my biggest hope as well. That's Victor Hedeman. Yeah, he's great, and will learn a lot with Ohlund. Still, is he ready to be a top two defenceman in the league? I am thinking not yet. He needs time to mature. He may be able to jump right in and run hard, then again, look at what happened to Hamrlik. He only blossomed away from the pressure of being a number one man, and away from the Bolts. I don't want that to happen to Hedeman. Meszaros is maybe a three, Ranger is MAYBE a four. Krichek is, in my opinion, a healthy scratch. Walker is a 4-5 man... This leaves question marks in the 2 slot, and middle pairing if Hedeman plays like an 18-year-old rookie. Remember, even Stamkos had a few healthy scratch nights to observe and assess.

Cash issues or not, the owners know that the only way to make money is to get a deep playoff run together. I am not proposing offering a washed-up Chris Gratton $2 million to play on the fourth line. I'm saying add a few smart and needed parts, subtract some non-contributors with an exile to Norfolk, and Lightning makes a run against Washington for the division title.

As for waiting until the trade deadline... Three-fourths of the season is played, and with the last two years, the lightning were sellers, not buyers. Trade deadline aquisitions are meant to be fine-tunings, not make-it-or-break-it last gasps. Better to start the season with all the parts needed for a winning team instead of sputtering, fumbling and bumbling through a series of trades when there is nothing to work with and nothing of substance to trade.

Capiche?

As to the goaltender, I think I spoke about that. Nitty is probably the most affordable and effective option on the market.

As for a forward, think of all the french on the ice if it was MSL, Vinny and Tanguay.A top six-forward is a must. Fantasy hockey or not, you want the best player for the role they play. We need more defensively responsible players for our checking line, rather than using the back two lines as units for spare part players. As badly as the defensive pairs were last season, the Bolts would benefit from more quality checking forwards.

[TJ]

And I'm split on where I'd like to see MSL play, as in which line. He had awesome chemistry with Stamkos and Malone after that line was put together, but that unfortunately left V4 out in the cold with V20 and whoever they could come up with on the other wing. As much as I'd like to see the chemistry between the kid and Marty continue to develop, I think Marty needs to be on the line with V4. He just seems to be able to push Vinny to play harder than anyone else on the team. So a reunion of the MVP line would be fine with me. Maybe someone like LaRose or Samuelsson to play with Ryan and the kid for the other line.

[Steve-O]

Spooky we played fantasy league hockey last summer. Are you seriously suggesting that we need to do it again this summer? Have you not been paying attention to the $$$ issues that have circulated? We are not spending to the cap. We have a logjam now on D. We just signed the mentor in Ohlund. Why are you unhappy with what they have already done? We need a back-up goalie and a top 6 winger for V4 or Stammer depending on where MSL plays. If there is anything else that is needed you address it at the trade deadline. Capiche?

[TJ]

Prospal isn't going anywhere. He has a NTC and I've heard--maybe on this forum somewhere? Don't exactly remember-- that although the front office (Lawton/Koules or whoever) had already asked him to waive it but he declined. So unless they come up with some move that Vinny P likes or they buy him out, he's not going to be moved. He'll most likely be on the line with Vinny L. I just hope the team doesn't have to shuffle lines so much as last year and let the lines gel before judging their effectivness.

[Spooky]

I really wanted Conklin, so I could hold up pictures of Conky from Trailer Park Boys. Clemmenson would not have been bad either, or even Anderson.

With what we have to pick from now, I guess Nitty would be my first choice. Fernandez is probably too expensive.

I'd like to see the team pick p one more defenceman, about in the three range and a good transition game. I think Dennis Seidenberg fits that bill pretty well. Phillipe Boucher is not a bad choice, nor is Scuderi, who might be available for a good price- $2 mil, maybe.

I would love to see Chelios grabbed, as I've said before.
He would make a great seventh D-man and player-coach, with a contract on the bench when he hangs up the skates for good. Imagine what the young blue line could learn from an old salt like him.

Forwards:
We need at least one, maybe two. After an off year in Montreal, Alex Tanguay is not a bad choice at all. He would be far more affordable than last year, and I think with better conditioning, would be less likely to be injured. Ales Kotalik would not be bad on the second line.

VRBATA:
He either plays, or gets cut. Trade him for a conditional pick. But absolutely no more malingering!

[Kyle in PH]

I would like to say I'm very satisfied with the signing of Ohlund, Walker, and Krajicek. I think last year proved we needed NHL defensemen, not developing prospects. I think the Lightning will keep 7 D-men around and rotate the bottom trio as a healthy scratch. I hate to say it but the scratch will probably include Hedman, just like Stamkos sat last season.

As far as the power play, the last two years we have used 4 forwards and 1 d, so signing someone specifically for that role isn't necessary. Early in the season the lone D will more than likely be Mez, Ranger, or Ohlund.

[Don in St. Pete]

Lashoff, Lundin and Smaby are all RFA's who recieved qualifying offers. Each of these guys is a significant asset that the Bolts won't want to lose without getting compensation. I think Smaby is a lock to be in the mix for the top 7 spots and as we saw last year, having some depth in the system is important. It might be that Lashoff could be sent to Norfolk without passing through waivers, though I'm sure that's not the case with Smaby and Lundin. I would expect one of our defensemen to be dealt as part of a deal for a backup goaltender and or a top 6 forward. I would expect it to be one of Krajicek, Lashoff or Lundin, though we might be surprised.

[Steve-O]

Is the roster limit 21 or 22. If 21 then Lashoff would seem to be the odd man out. That all depends of course on whether Smaby signs and if Mez and Ranger keep their jobs. A training camp with competition for jobs. Can you imagine?!!

Stop the talk of trading Prospal. We did the wholesale change thing last year. Lets keep some continuity and then tweek at the trade deadline. V4 & V20 have played very well together in the past. If Marty stays on Stammers line then V4 will need another winger. You do not want him to start fresh with two new guys. You smell me?

[TJ]

mjk--the last I heard or saw in print was that he was one of the RFAs to get a qualifying offer. The team now has time to deal with those players since they get the right to match any offer sheet the player signs and they have a bit longer to work out the final contract. I would like to see Lashoff back, even if it's in Norfolk. he played pretty well for the little bit of time he was with the team last year.

[mjk20a]

What's funny about all these posts is, I'm not seeing anything about a Matt Lashoff. I think with the new signings and the guys who are AHL players, but gained valuable experience last year with the Lightning, the overall defensive depth of the club isn't as dire as it seemed at the end of last season. Lashoff was pretty good on the PP as well.

[TJ]

Steve-O--I am well aware of what major surgery does to you mentally. I've had major surgery (knee,not shoulder) and it does tend to make you think a bit more about "is it going to hurt" and not wanting to aggravate the injury again. But I also play competitive sports (softball,not hockey, although I have played that in the past also) and knowing that there is someone behind you that will do the job if you can't, or won't, is apt to make you more likely to be less timid. Only time will tell if both of them have recovered enough to be a factor on the blue line this year. We have to just wait it out and see.

[TJ]

goldenbolt--Clemmensen is off the market. He signed a 2 yr deal with the "other" Florida team yesterday. Biron is still available, but I think a bit out of our price range and he wants to be a #1 goalie, not a backup. Yann Danis is available from the Isles since they signed Roloson, former Lighting goalie Kevin Weekes is still out there, I think as is Manny Legacy and Andrew Raycroft, Antero Niittymaki and Manny Fernandez. Don't know if Lawton is looking at any of these guys or if he's plotting a trade of some sort. We'll just have to wait and see I guess.

[Steve-O]

It does not matter if you have had surgery before. Last year Ranger could cheat to his healthy side. Now he has no healthy side. V4 was timid all year. Major surgery impacts not only the physical but the mental. All I am saying is that only time will tell if they can make it back physically and mentally to earn a spot. No competition for Ranger last year but the cupboard is full this year.

[goldenbolt]

To me the logic here is that kracek(sp) is expendable. I do not understand why they signed him in the first place outside of pimping him to another team as part of a trade.

I too want to be pinched..... we have just stepped into the big leagues with a couple of 'D' men who know the game. It is not the fact that Mezz, Ranger, Smaby (they better keep him), Hedman and any of the others are young and exploitable it is they had no one to show them the HOW TO's. They just picked up two players who can show them how. Barring injuries we are 20 to 25 points better than last year.

Don you and I have been on the same page for a long time. Smaby is a stud in the making and pairing him with Ohlund would be the ticket to stardom. Although speed is important - knowing where to be and when to take the stick versus the body is something that Matias can and will show be example for these young defensive players.

I'd love to have some more 'O' but we need to settle the Goalie situation before anything else and a trade may be the way to the ticket.

I understand scuderi is still in play. along with clemmenson, nitimayki.... time will tell!

go bolts

[Randy C]

Look at all the positive talk on this blog! I know there are a lot of smiles out there about our once depleted D. The competition at camp should be fierce. Mr Smaby better sign soon and expect a start in the AHL if he doesn't bring his game up. Can't believe I said that, but I did! Is it safe to say we may not see the wrap around this year? Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming!

[TJ]

I agree Don. I would like for us to hang on to Wishart for sure (he's the only tangible commodity we have left from the Dan Boyle fiasco) I think he's doing just fine in Norfolk and should be ready to step into the big time in another couple of years. He's only, what, 21 or 22? I'd like to give him some time and see what he develops into. But then again, after all the injuries took out the blue line last season, I'm beginning to think you can't have too many young defensemen at your disposal.

[Don in St. Pete]

With potentially 9 NHL defensemen, plus guys like Wishart, Quick and Mihalik training camp should see some stiff competition for a defensive spot. Likewise, there are likely to be a few openings on the bottom 2 lines that should spur some extra effort from some of the youngsters. Of course it's early yet and a few teams out there are looking to move players we could use to fill holes of their own.

[TJ]

Steve-O--Ranger went through this same thing last year, so I don't think he'll have to worry about being timid, he (unfortunately) knows what to expect. Mez hasn't "been there and done that" yet, but he does have the benefit (?) of having Ranger along for the same kind of surgery on the same day to see how he should be progressing. I think both of them will be fine once they are recovered from the surgery and rehab.

[Steve-O]

I doubt very much that Hedman pairs with Ohlund as 1-2. I think you are more likely to see something like:

Ohlund--Mezaros
Walker--Ranger
Hedman--Smaby
Krajicek--???

This way Hedman gets to watch Ohlund, talk to him on the bench and then go do. Cracking this line-up for others will be tough. That is, providing that Mez and Rang have no lingering effects from surgery and they are not scared or timid.

[Jim - NJ]

Imagine the 7th dman being Murphy for the powerplays.

Before u tell me to shut up, how great would stamkos lecav Marty Murphy ohlund be?

[Jim - NJ]

Imagine the 7th dman being Murphy for the powerplays.

Before u tell me to shut up, how great would stamkos lecav Marty Murphy ohlund be?

[Randy C]

Don,

With help in goal needed, a trade that includes Smaby could happen. Cracking this lineup on D just got very competitive. Our sentimental favorites from last year will solidify a strong D at Norfolk. The forward position is going to have some competition and a few new names likely. Can't wait.

[Patrick]

Don,

From what I saw of Smaby last year, with continued growth I think he could fill the role of a #2 guy if needed. But I think his skating and mobility is just a little lacking to earn the position over a Mez or Ranger. I hope you are right though, because he was the one bright spot back there after eminger got traded.

We've got a lot to be excited about on the blueline this year - seeing how good Hedman is in his first year, seeing the effect of a tough vet like Ohlund on the entire unit, the toughness of Walker, and continued improvement of Smaby. Only worries are how well Mez and Ranger come back - hopefully they improve as well.

[Don in St. Pete]

Steve, to me he made the jump last season when all the other guys were injured. Despite wearing a walking boot for weeks he showed up every night and played against the other teams top line, despite being paired with Krajicek, Malik and Melichar. He had his best success as did the Bolts when he was teamed with Petiot for 11 games.
I have no inside information, in fact what I've heard form Oren Koules is discouraging, but Matt Smaby will be a top 2 somewhere if not here and it seems like a waste to risk letting him go.

[Steve]

Don, couldn't agree more on Ranger. Smaby should be in the top 6, but to say he's going to go from a 5-6 defenseman to a top pairing in one season seems like a reach to me, even on our defense. I'd be really surprised if Ohlund doesn't get paired with Hedman.

[Eric]

I don't know that Hedman will be on the top pair by year's end. He is only 18, and with Ohlund, Ranger, Meszaros, there is no need to force him into that. If he takes it through his play, great, but I don't think anybody should expect that.

Ohlund, Mez, Ranger, Walker. That is probably the top 4 on paper, and I give Lashoff the inside-track at #6 because of his offensive instincts. Smaby is the same player as Walker and the team will need a PP qb.

[Don in St. Pete]

By years end I see our d as follows. Rags, because of injuries has not kept up his development.

Hedman- Smaby
Mezsaros- Ohlund
Ranger- Walker

It may start out entirely different but mark my words this is how it will end up.

[Don in St. Pete]

Anyone who doexn't have Smaby in their top six of Bolt's defemsemen is delusional. In fact, I'll make it quite clear again, that mark my words by thge end of the season Matt will be on the top pairing. Whether it's Ohlund or Hedman with him Smaby will not be denied.

[galloway84]

Great acquisition for the Lightning. That is exactly what the Lightning needed. A defensemen that can play and very hard nose. I like the D line with Ohland,Hedman,Ranger,Meszaros,Krajecek, and Walker. How about one more defender,right winger, and a backup goalie to show Mike Smith around, this is the team on the move. So far, they are taking baby steps along with retooling the farm system. I like Tocchet's approach get in shape or pay the price. Too many injuries last year and bad players. They need Ramsey back to coach defense.

[Boltflasher]

When the Berlin wall gang met with Koules, he said they're goal was to have Ranger/Mezzy as the 3/4. Would imagine that Ohlund/Walker will start out 1/2...

[Michael]

No Joe, it isnt. Meszaros and Ranger will probably be #3 and 4 defensemen. Plus, they are both decent offensively. And for a team that lacks that true offensive defenseman, they need them. Team should be MUCH BETTER now on the blue line :D

[Joe]

These were two good signings by the bolts. The blue line is in much better shape today then it was yesterday. Hedman,Ohlund, and Walker upgrade us right away.

I think its gotta be the end of either Meszaros or Ranger???

[Don in St. Pete]

The Tampa Bay area is a great place for younger guys ( lots of colleges bars and women ) and the married guys, great weather, the beach, fishing, golf and no need to shovel snow. In addition there is no state or provincial income tax. I honestly think Ohlund wanted and needed a change though. I think it will be a challenge he'll respond positively to. I think we have a legit NHL top six now, that can clear the front of the net, win the battles in the corners, get the puck to the forwards quickly and lead the rush if needs be. I'm pumped to say the least. Just don't trade Smaby, whatever you do.

[Patrick]

Hopefully playing down here with our young guys will rejuvenate him a little. Feeling so much better about our blueline already this year. Can't wait to see how the pairings work out. Smaby definitely needs to be in the top 6 though... he progressed too much to go back down.

By the way, what happened to the prediction "no free agents would want to sign here"? Guess that's just another that didn't pan out.

[olin]

...thank's very much(tack se myket), Damian for keeping us Bolt fan's up to date on this rainey first day of free agency.