Tanguay? Sykora? Satan? Lightning said to be "tire-kicking"

Let's start with this: If the Lightning was to sign any of these still free agents (Alex Tanguay, Petr Sykora, Miroslav Satan), it will have to be at a bargain price. The team, with a payroll already pushing towards $50 million and with pieces such as Matt Smaby, Matt Lashoff and Mike Lundin yet to sign, isn't going to dive into any more big contracts. So the team will wait, most likely, and see if the market falls and sees who is available as training camps get closer. Either that, or the team can do a sell job such as the following ...

After a down season, come to us, play with Vinny Lecavalier, score your 30 to 35 goals and parlay that into a big contract in 2010-11. In other words, Tampa Bay will use the player for a year at a discount and then wave goodbye as that player (after a presumed big year playing next to Vinny) commands a contract more than the Lightning can afford.

It is an argument not totally out of line when talking baout the above players, all of whom, in one way or another, had disappointing seasons and have reputations to resurrect.

How serious is the Lightning's interst with these players?

It is no secret that in a perfect world, Lawton wants to add another top-six forward and even a bottom six. In fact, there is some scuttlebutt Lawton took a look at Tom Kostopoulos, a gritty, bottom-six player, before he signed with the Hurricanes. But, first, let's go back to the payroll. It seems the team will try to move at least one defenseman since there is some depth there (whether it's Lukas Krajicek and his $1.5 million salary or one of the youngsters is the question), and perhaps another player to get the payroll down, though it's looking more and more as if Jeff Halpern, despite a $2 million salary, will start the season as the third-line center.

In the meantime, all the agents who represent these players declined to coment. But another, well-aware of all things going on around the league (agents goosip, too) said he would characterize the Lightning's interst in Tanguay, Sykora and Satan as "tire-kicking."

Comments

[Herb]

Vrbata should indeed get another chance. Other than MSL and late season pushes by Malone and Stamkos are the only players that were any good last season.

[Don in St. Pete]

NtMM, I agree, unless you can bring in a younger, more promising player via trade, give the kids a shot. If they can't cut it you can pick up an unsigned player at the end of training camp. Worst case if you can't trade him, you can give Radim Vrbata another shot. He's only 28 and you may have to pay him anyway.....

[Not the Marlboro Man]

It seem to me that there are enough veterans on this team. Too much dead weight creates a problem down the road, not to mention financial problems. There are enough youngsters in this organization to give several of them a chance. I'm tired of seeing someone else's cast aways on the ice. No more Gary Roberts and Doug Weight types let Marty St. Louis, V4 and Mattias Ohland establish themselves as the veteran leaders of this franchise. I trust their decisions and skills just as much as anyone else. The problem here is no one has ever given them the chance to do it alone. Well, crap or get off the pot...so the bottom line is they don't need any more dead weight veterans!

If you can't win with the core of players that you have now, then its not going to work no matter who you add. Basically what you see now is what you get. I like what I see with the youth on this team, especially the defensemen.

[Casper]

Yup Don, got him right here:

http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?4829

Gee, the beer ought to go smoother tonight, knowing we got this guy whilst Denis Potvin and Rick Wilson are still unemployed.

Go Bolts!

[Don in St. Pete]

On capgeek.com, They claim the Bolts have signed Lauri Tuokonen whose rights they recieved in the trade of Hutchinson to the Stars. I believe he was a #1 pick about 5 years back. Funny he doesn't appear on the Bolt roster or their prospects list though.

[Casper]

If/when Vrbata is waived/sent down, wouldn’t we be on the hook for half the nut if he’s claimed off the waiver wire?

I prefer we trade him at a loss, and beef up the transaction with other non-muscle (hint, hint) to give us an aggregate gain in the locker room. Get it?

Credibility really squeaks when we dole out 1M to Marc Denis, 3M to Radim, so on and so forth, against the cap or not. Those are Lightning assets swirling toward the abyss.

Integrity and forthright dealing. There is no substitute from the top on down, and the down guys are always, always looking upward.

Go Bolts!

[Boltflasher]

Sorry, it is 3 mil on Vrbata but not a cap hit as per DC from Vrbata article:

"He won't fit into our plans," Lawton said. "There won't be a roster spot for him. He has the right to come back and if he wants to he can, and he'll end up in Norfolk."

If he does, Vrbata will still be paid $3 million, he just won't count toward Tampa Bay's salary cap number.

[gus georgiou]

As I said previously, lets trade this guy and eat a little of his salary if needed to get the deal done. If he isn't going to be anywhere but Norfolk, then we will still be paying him 3 mil. a year for an AHL player.

I realize that you might get more for him later as the season approaches and teams have players get hurt and are in more need, but it would be nice to get someone ASAP so they can and form some chemistry with whatever line they end up playing on!!

[Don in St. Pete]

hy, You did read that correctly, though I still feel it was a stupid thing for Lawton to say. If you have to pay him the $3mil anyway, why not see if he can help? Especially since for financial reasons they are only going to pay for 20 players at Norfolk. As an organization, I think it makes more sense to have players you are trying to develop in those slots, not an NHL player who could most likely help an NHL team out even if it's not the Bolts. I'm fine with Lawton trading Vrbata if he can, but after his comments he'd be lucky to get a broken goalies stick back for him. There is obviously still a learning curve for Lawton, though he's made great strides from last year. The more often you shoot yourself in the foot, the harder it is to walk.

[hyjyljyj]

Don, IIRC Vrbata's salary is $3M but his cap hit is zero, because he will not be playing here. Lawtongue has stated unequivocally, he has no roster spot and will play in Norfolk if he is not traded.

[Don in St. Pete]

Vrbata's salary and cap hit are both $3mil not 5. While his signing didn't turn out as they'd hoped, there were good reasons to take the chance. In 07-08' he had 27 goals including 3 shorthanded and 5 game winners. I think it might be wise to give him another shot before overpaying another UFA. If it doen't work out you send him to Norfolk.

[Boltflasher]

Rick, Vrbata is not a $5 mil cap hit as long as he is not on the roster (which is not the same as paying his salary)..the comment was simply that for $5 mil cap hit, Tanguay is a bit better than Vrbata....neither are worth it however and my comment was facetious in nature about the whole idea...

[RICK L]

AGREE casper,btw how many times have we traded v20? at least twice lol.

[RICK L]

Boltflasher, i do not agree with a lot of things you say but IMHO getting younger at the GM position translates to nothing on the ice IMO !vrbata i don't believe is a $5 mil cap hit as you seemed to imply yesterday. BTW how many times in the history of sports have you heard player A,B,C,D,E,F,AND GEE WANT THEIR CONTRACT RENEGOTIATED,tanguay should jump off the planet for a 2yr 5mil offer maybe even with a few incentives,lawton should try an renegotiate vrbata? is that possible?i mean were almost done with the fabulous MARC DENIS !

[Casper]

Sykora, huh? Isn't Vrbata a younger version of this softie?
Isn't Prospal an older version?

Lord, how I loved Ol' 33. Can the man still skate after those injuries or was that malingering? Seriously, Mo should have come right back here after the dust settled from that disastrous trade. HE would have made an ideal Bolts Captain, but his time has passed I'm afraid.

Agree Boltflasher, things are a mess in Chi-town. I had more respect for Tallon and Bowman plus, owners are always good for theatrics. Did you see the clip of Scotty gnawing Tallon's ear off? Wonder why?

Fun time in Vegas?

Bo Golts!

[RICK L]

lmao ,nice casper !

[Boltflasher]

I think, maybe, the most absurd statement ever by someone in management of any kind:

"He's 36, Dale's 58. We always want younger people, so what he brings is a system in place to get better. It's nothing that Dale was doing, but also Dale's at the tail end of his business career. I'm at the tail end. I'm 56. I want my son and cousins to do better than I am. I have a son who's 32. I hope they are constantly pushing me."

- Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz discussing the firing of Dale Tallon as GM and the hiring of Stan Bowman to replace him.

[RICK L]

Don, this is getting scary......i'm gonna have to agree oh ah eh ouch, while rarely do i agree with some of the things you say, i will agree modin is an absolute "MULE" in the corners and does't have such a bad shot either !

[Don in St. Pete]

ISee, I'm not sure the Bolts management isn't trying to go younger, if they can. It's no secret that Chicago is over the cap and needs to trade a forward or two and could use some help on defense. Columbus also has a load of forwards but needs a puck moving d. They want experience but if the price is right perhaps Lashoff and a package of other players or pics could bring back Huselius or Filatov. It might even be worth taking a chance on Freddy Modin as he would likely only require a late round pick or perhaps Lashoff straight up. Perhaps Freddy could rekindle the chemistry with Marty one more time. Phoenix is also likely to be looking to shed some salary so perhaps they could make a play for Shane Doan. There are still plenty of possibilities though I agree that Sykora, Satan, Williams and others could still be in the mix. Nashville also needs defensive help though they don't have much to offer in return.

[ISeeCrazyPeople]

FINALLY, someone names Petr Sykora as a candidate!

For those who cite Sykora's playoff season, let's take a step back here. The last two years, the Lightning have finished 30th and 29th respectively. Let's first worry about being in the running for that eighth spot, then we'll see what's what as far as playoff performers go. Baby steps, people, baby steps. Let's not buy tickets for the first week of June just yet.

[RTL]

“In other words, Tampa Bay will use the player for a year at a discount and then wave goodbye as that player (after a presumed big year playing next to Vinny) commands a contract more than the Lightning can afford.”

I agree with this theory on the basis that this is why Lecavalier gets the big bucks. The GM should be able to plug any reasonably talented player and have some success. Granted the players skill set has to jive with Vinnie's, but it's a "cap world" and we just play in it.

[Broi!an]

I want Satan here for the jersey alone.

[Casper]

“In other words, Tampa Bay will use the player for a year at a discount and then wave goodbye as that player (after a presumed big year playing next to Vinny) commands a contract more than the Lightning can afford.”

Brilliant!

Christ on a crutch, you guys are experts at team chemistry and cohesion, what the firetruck do I/we know? Let the kids stagnate for a whole season under the razor sharp tutelage of Rumble/May in Norfolk.

Satan? YGTBSM!!! If Pittsburgh couldn’t stomach the guy, why on earth…?

Tanguay? Remotely, but I’d take any of the five kids I mentioned yesterday over Tanguay and invest the savings in Chinese distribution outfits bringing in more junk to Wal-Marts.

Sykora? Oh yeah, THERE’S a guy you’ll want around if lightning strikes and we nab the eighth spot in the playoffs.

Get a grip, Get Jason Williams, Get Rick Wilson, Get Tuna.

Kicking tires, hmph!