The Lightning Blog

[Bolts_26]

Quote: Originally Posted by rdnk

The lightning need to do a few things to become good, IMO: 1. Stay healthy. 2. Get some better defensemen (Meszaros is good, but the other guys are not gonna cut it a #1 guys. Even big pluggers are fine). This even true moreso because Smith is good, but he's no Lundqvist, and due to the fact that you guys don't backcheck well. 3. Get a new GM. Okay maybe not, but don't do dumb stuff. Many teams have been ruined by dumb moves. They don't need to go out and get every free agent, just 1 or 2 to help. 4. Don't screw up the draft. Obviously, they'll take Hedman if the Islanders don't, because they need him. The thing is, what is Tavares good for on the Lightning? He's gonna want a ton of dough, and you guys already have great centers. And the offer of Tavares for a 1st, Schenn and Kaberle is ridiculous. Tavares is really good, but he's not worth that much... Make a reasonable deal.

Greatly put.

The owners, like me and you said, cant sign so many FA's. Some were good moves like Recchi and Malone, but we did not have to go to the extreme.

Only disagreement is about Smith. Smith is a great goalie, maybe not Lundqvist material, but still great. He sometimes had to stop 40 shots just to give us a 4-2 loss. His style of play is great and exciting to watch, quite like his old mentor, Marty Turco.


Just a funny Smith Video:


But seriously,watch this guy play the puck. He shoots/passes the puck. He creates a lot of rushes and if quite fun to watch.

[rdnk]

I never meant to say that Smith was bad. Him, like Lehtonen and Toskala, get a lot of heat when really it's the defense, turnovers and the lack of backchecking in front of them that create lots of shots and chances for the other team.
He's not going to steal games, but if the team plays well enough he probably won't blow it for them.

[Bolts_26]

Quote: Originally Posted by rdnk

I never meant to say that Smith was bad. Him, like Lehtonen and Toskala, get a lot of heat when really it's the defense, turnovers and the lack of backchecking in front of them that create lots of shots and chances for the other team. He's not going to steal games, but if the team plays well enough he probably won't blow it for them.

He has stole a few games that we did not deserve to win.

I understand that he's not the best, but he is good. I think were on the same page now =]

[mkharsh33]

i like the optimism, but i really believe this is a bad hockey team...they have no depth and i still believe they should consider building this team around stamkos, seeing what kind of offers they could get for both vinny and marty.

if they could turn those two players into 5 or 6 players, realizing you won't get equal one-for-one value, but picking up players with solid potential (and freeing up finances) they should consider it.

i went to a handful of lightning games this year...i can tell you that they are not even close to the caliber of what we're witnessing in these playoffs. any leap from the bottom to the playoffs is a stretch...personally, i don't see it.

[Bolts_26]

Quote: Originally Posted by mkharsh33

i like the optimism, but i really believe this is a bad hockey team...they have no depth and i still believe they should consider building this team around stamkos, seeing what kind of offers they could get for both vinny and marty. if they could turn those two players into 5 or 6 players, realizing you won't get equal one-for-one value, but picking up players with solid potential (and freeing up finances) they should consider it. i went to a handful of lightning games this year...i can tell you that they are not even close to the caliber of what we're witnessing in these playoffs. any leap from the bottom to the playoffs is a stretch...personally, i don't see it.

I agree. i do believe we can make the playoffs but I have little hope for even winning in the 1st round.

I agree that St.louis and Lecavalier should be put up, not necessary traded, but to see what we can get. I would rather have 2 or 3 Solid 30-60 point goal scorers then a superstar. It will add more deapth to the team.

I think only 1 (Vinny or Marty) Should be traded. Tampa wouldnt be the same with both of them gone.

[mkharsh33]

yeah, any thought of trying to market this team without both of them would be tough...but i like what phoenix did in trying to retool their roster with younger players (as an example that the lightning could follow). they'll take some lumps, but i would love to watch a young, hungry team play in tampa as opposed to what this team has looked like for basically the last two years.

[Bolts_26]

Quote: Originally Posted by mkharsh33

yeah, any thought of trying to market this team without both of them would be tough...but i like what phoenix did in trying to retool their roster with younger players (as an example that the lightning could follow). they'll take some lumps, but i would love to watch a young, hungry team play in tampa as opposed to what this team has looked like for basically the last two years.

Yea, Pheniox has a bright future with some players like Muller and Hanzel(sp?).

I think this is a very decisive offseason and we just have to wait and see..

[Bolts_26]

Above, I have made a poll asking you a highly asked question.
Would you trade Lecavalier?

Lecavalier has vowed to the organization that he will work as hard as he can to be in top condition for this coming season, which is good because when Vinny performs well, Tampa usually looks pretty good.

I'm in no way saying I want him gone, nor am I saying that i want him to stay, I have not made up my mind but could you imagine having 2 good forwards who are line 1/2 worthy and a solid D-man? This impact, if well thought out, could possibly change the club around and make us a playoff bound team again.

With Stamkos heating up, and the possible drafting of Victor Hedman, we have a bright future, but the question still remains, should Lecavalier stay?