I just got back in town from a month long business trip, so I apologize for the lack of posts lately. My brother and I will be ramping up the content significantly though as we start to get closer to the NHL season…Now enough of my whining about work.
We put up a post a few weeks ago about some of the things that new GM Steve Yzerman had done at the onset of Free Agency (Meszaros, Kubina, Dan Ellis, Martin St Louis). We were a fan of everyone of those moves. Phase 2 of Free Agency (after week 1 through about this time) is the tougher part for most of the GM’s in the league. You’ve made your big splash move, and now is the time to fill out the roster with the 3rd and 4th line offensive guys as well as the 3rd line Dmen and maybe the 2 way contract players who will see some time for both Norfolk and the big club in 2010/2011.
Let’s take a look at those moves.
Bolts Trade Matt Walker and a 4th Round Pick to Philadelphia Flyers for Simon Gagne
UMMMMMMMMM…Hell yes. The Bolts were in desperate need of a winger to play on the Vincent Lecavalier and Ryan Malone line, and a winger who wasn’t an awful sorry ass bum like Alex Tanguay. They got that and more in Simon Gagne. Other than being a bit injury prone (10 NHL seasons, 664 games played, 15.6 games missed per year) Gagne has been a monster. His lowest goal total of any year in which he played more than 60 games, was 20 goals, and that was in 1999 when he was 19 years old. He had a 47 goal season in 2005 and a 41 goal season in 2006 as well as a 34 goal season in 2008. He only played in 58 games last year for the Flyers but managed to put in 17 goals in that frame. Mr “I never got a real chance in Tampa” Tanguay had 10 goals in 80 games last year, primarily on a line with Vinny 4.
If Gagne can play more than 65 games, I would expect no less than a 75 point 30 goal season from him playing with Vinny and Bugs.
You can also cement in stone that if our top 6 are healthy, we have as good of a top two line top 6 as any team in the league. Yup, any team. All 6 guys could put up 75 points. I know you might not think Steve Downie has that potential, but in his first full year of playing hockey for an NHL team, he had 46 points with 22 goals in 79 games. As he gets more comfortable playing with the best scorer in the league in Steven Stamkos and Martin St Louis, his point production will only go up.
Lightning sign center Marc-Antoine Pouilot
Pouilot has been up and down between the NHL and the AHL over the past 5 seasons, but in his one prolonged stint with the Edmonton Oilers in 2008, he had 20 points and 8 goals in 63 games. Since I like bashing on Alex Tanguay, thats no worse than Tanguays numbers last season. I expect Pouilot will once again have to battle for a roster spot with James Wright and Dana Tyrell, but he has a chance to make the NHL club.
Lightning sign LW Chris Durno to a two way one year contract
Durno is not going to be a points producer for the Bolts if he were to make the club, but he is a big boy who can bang some bodies. He has spent the majority of his career in the AHL and the ECHL but put up career highs last year in points, goals, assists and shots with the Avalanche in 41 games. Durno is another guy who is going to have to battle some of our younger guys like Ashton Carter, Richard Panik and Blair Jones for a roster spot, but he like Pouilot has a chance to make the roster, or at least be one of those aforementioned guys who sees time with both the Norfolk and big club.
Let me explain. My brother was able to get in contact with the Bolts new (possible) starting goalie Dan Ellis. We asked if he would mind answering a few questions for the site. He said said “sure thing”. Not only did he answer our questions, he also said if we needed anything else just to ask him. So I figured I might as well get this out of the way… Hey Dan, do you need anyone to hang out with during intermissions at home games? I’ll be in section 302 if you do. Just let me know. Until then, here is the interview….
(seriously though, do you?)
BBTB: I know in football, players will pay others who have the number that they want, what’s going to happen with you and Mike Lundin?
DE: If Mike wants to change his number I would take the 39, but otherwise I see as he got to it first and I will just choose a new number. I was thinking of either going back to 30 which I have worn since growing up or I would change to 33 a new number to symbolize a fresh start.
BBTB: Smitty always has cool mask designs; any ideas for your first as a Bolt?
DE: I have already begun creating a couple of designs for this season. I work with Dave Gunnersson (Daveart.com) from Sweden and we always look forward to creating amazing and original designs. I usually send Dave a concept and he takes it to the next level!
BBTB: I know you said that you and Montreal were too far apart on numbers for your contract, did any other teams make offers other than the Bolts?
DE: I had a handful of options when free agency began, but Tampa seemed like the best fit overall for my career and for my family. Tampa seems to have all the pieces in place to make a for a great future.
BBTB: Do you think your friendship with Mike Smith will make the competition for starting keeps easier or tougher?
DE: Mike and I have done this before and we always remained close. I have found that our competition has brought the best out of each other and that is good news for our team-to have two goalies playing at their highest level possible.
BBTB: I think that if I saw Chris Neil in real life, I would have a hard time containing my distaste for him. Are you excited about potentially watching Smitty punch Chris Neil in the face again this year?
DE: Smitty is more than capable of handling himself and if it takes place I will definitely have his back.
BBTB: Is there anyone you’ve played against who annoys you to no end?
DE: Not really, overall I just get a little annoyed by the rats in the league that stir the pot and then won’t drop their gloves.
BBTB: Did the fact that Steve Yzerman is one of the most respected players of all time have an impact on your signing in Tampa?
DE: Absolutely. I started following the Tampa organization during their ownership change. And when Mr. Vinnik hired Steve Yzerman I knew that this was a team that was going to make a change in the right direction. Steve has the respect of being a hall of fame level player and with his experiences in The Olympics he has taken that understanding of the game and applied it to management. We saw his results with Team Canada and that is the hope for Tampa.
BBTB: I have a buddy who plays in the MLB. He is consistent in his lack of confidence facing one particular player. Are there any players who instill a level of fear in goaltenders throughout the league?
DE: I think any player that imposes a challenge to you as a goaltender, it is your responsibility to learn their tendencies and reverse the threat. You always need to stay ahead of the curve and get an edge or you will lose ground quickly.
BBTB: Have you had a chance to assess the Lightning roster? If so, do you feel that we have a chance to compete for a top 4 spot in the East in 2010-2011?
DE: The roster will change a number of times throughout the summer. But, I see all the right players in the right places. We have a great d-core and our top 5 forwards can contend with anyone in the league. I don’t know many of the players beyond our top 5, but I am sure they will great too. I can definitely see our team back in the top 4 in the East and I think that is the expectation of the entire group.
BBTB: Why aren’t more hockey players on Twitter?
DE: Some guys are a little more private in their day to day life and others just don’t know or like Twitter. But, I am sure we can convert a few more soon.
BBTB: Now that you’re a Bolt, you have to stop liking the Red Sox. Has this happened yet!!!?
DE: Well our owner in a minority owner of the Sox so to keep him happy I won’t make a full conversion, but I will follow the Rays much more and cheer for them just the same. As long as the Yankees do not win, I will be happy!
Our thanks to Dan for being so cool and doing this interview. You should follow him on twitter @dellis39
You can also follow us on twitter to. @ImtheStaggers and @TheTampaTrio
One of the toughest players to ever put on a sweater died today in Windsor, Ontario. Bob Probert was one of the players that made me truly love hockey as a little kid. I could appreciate its toughness when watching a guy like Probert.
I once saw Enrico Ciccone in a restaurant the day after fighting Probert, and recognized him immediately not because I knew Enrico’s face, but because I saw the highlight on Sportcenter of the fight, and just realized Enrico’s face had to be in bad shape. It was!
There are not enough Youtube videos to do Probert justice, but this top 5 compilation has some real good ones. Enjoy.
In my head, there were a few goals to start this FA period for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
1. Lock up Steven Stamkos to a long term deal
2. Resign Martin St Louis to a 3-4 year deal
3. Move one money contract from the roster, preferably Andrej Meszaros
Stevie Y accomplished both 2 and 3 on the first day of FA. For starters, he locked up Marty to a 4 year 22.5 million dollar deal.
“Today is a great day for the Lightning organization,” Yzerman said. “Marty means so much to this franchise, both on and off the ice. His hard work and dedication are unsurpassed and we are thrilled that he will finish his career here in Tampa Bay.”
“Since coming to Tampa in 2000, the goals for my playing career have evolved,” said St. Louis. “I have now enjoyed many team and personal accolades, the highlight being our 2004 Stanley Cup win…Now the goal is to lead the Lightning back towards the top of the NHL while finishing my career here. My family and I would like to thank Steve and Mr. Vinik for giving us that opportunity. I will not let them or our fans in Tampa Bay down. We’ll do everything we can as a team to achieve at the highest levels again.”
Next, Yzerman moved Meszaros to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2011 2nd round draft pick. He capped off the moving of Meszaros by locking up ex-Lightning Dman Pavel Kubina to a 2 year 7.7 million dollar deal. By moving Meszaros and replacing him with Pavel Kubina he spent just over 100k against the cap. Kubina is a much more physical player who has the ability to play on the power play and be quite effective there. Andrej never really found his role in Tampa and his point production was something that I was always disappointed in as I thought he had the ability to be a 15 goal scorer from the point. Kubina had 38 points (6 goals) compared to Meszaros 17 points (6 goals). Kubina is a much better passer, and came at only a marginal cost. 100k more money, 21 more points and a 2nd round pick is a no brainer in my mind.
Yzerman “traded down financially” again in free agency by letting Antero Nittymaki walk to the San Jose Sharks (he signed for 2 mil a year) and locked up G Dan Ellis for 2 years at 1.5 million a year. They are almost identical players in my mind (top tier backups, middle of the road starting keeps) and saved 500k in the process. Ellis and Niitty had identical .909 save percentages last year while Ellis had a 2.69 GAA compared to Niitty’s 2.87. I personally think Ellis has a bit more upside, even though the two keepers were born literally one day apart, so the age isn’t the determining factor in the upside department. Ellis’ 2007 season at 2.34 GAA and a .924 SV% is excellent, while Niity has never really shown the potential to put up those kind of numbers.
To make improvements in personnel, while saving 400k and netting a 2nd round pick in the process, and locking up one of the teams stalwart players, I’d say Stevie Y had a great first couple days of FA.
When the drafted started to unfold the other night, and the Bolts pick was up, I was sure that we were going to take either Cam Fowler or Brandon Gormley. I was actually leaning towards Gormley myself, and thought he would have been a great pick for our steadily improving blueline.
Steve Yzerman surprised just about everyone (including all the Bolts beat writers) and took winger Brett Connolly. We actually needed a top line young winger more than a Dman, but I just didn’t think the Bolts would take the chance on Connolly with his injury history.
Connolly is only the 2nd 16 year old to post a 30 goal season in the WHL since Patrick Marleau did it in 1996. The kid can play, and has a chance to be on the top line after training camp gets out.
Jeff Marek of the CBC had these tweets on Friday night regarding Connolly…
Connolly + Stamkos on the same team? Yikes.
8:07 PM Jun 25th via web
If healthy Connolly could be the biggest steal of the draft.
8:06 PM Jun 25th via web
Tampa selects Brett Connolly 6th overall. Tampa may have hit it out of the park with this pick.
8:02 PM Jun 25th via web
When someone of Marek’s clout says things like that, you have to be excited as a fan of the Bolts.
From HockeysFuture.com
History
2006-07: Chosen by the Prince George Cougars in the first round (10the overall) of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft.
2007-08: Played in 4 games for the Cougars, picking up no points in thos games.
2008-09: In his WHL rookie season, Connolly scored 30 goals and added 30 assists for 60 points in 65 games for the Cougars. He was named the 2008-09 WHL Rookie of the Year. Scored 3 goals and added 3 assists in 6 games for Team Canada at the Under-18 WJC.
2009-10: Suffered a hip injury at the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament prior to the WHL season which caused him to miss a good portion of the season. Connolly played in 16 games for the Cougars, scoring 10 goals and chipping 9 assists for 19 points. He played in 4 playoff games for the Cougars, picking up 2 assists in those games. he was named to the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game but had to withdraw due to his injury.
A pure offensive talent who can make plays at a high rate of speed. Can score goals as well as set them up. He’ll have to show that he can handle the tougher going in the pro game, but a top=flight talent nonetheless.
Steve Yzerman’s first task as the GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning was to bring in a coach that he felt could guide the team through another rebuilding season, and stick it out for the long haul. Instead of going through the retread stack of NHL coaches which is the norm for most NHL teams, Yzerman went with youth.
He hired Guy Boucher from the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the AHL where in his first season, he won the Memorial Cup. Boucher will become the youngest coach in the NHL at 38 years old.
From someone who has always been frustrated by the NHL’s lack of looking outside the retread ranks of coaches, this is a move that I like. While I don’t know much about Boucher, he seems to come highly regard in the NHL community and will bring a youthful exuberance to the team.
“For me, it really started a couple years ago. I was the manager for Canada at the (2008) World Championships in Halifax and Quebec City. Luc Robitaille from the Los Angeles Kings helped me as part of that management team,” he said. “In our discussions at that time, for whatever reasons, Guy’s name came up and it was a name that stuck with me for a while. We were talking about coaches and philosophies and whatnot, and then I had a chance to meet Guy at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa (in 2009) and he was part of the gold-medal winning team there. So he’s always been on my radar as an up-and-coming person…When given the job in Tampa Bay, obviously my first thought was, ‘Who’s going to coach the team?’ I started to think about particular names, current names, people that are in the NHL at all different levels and Guy was one of the first that came up to me as a young guy to look at outside the NHL and that different group of guys.”
“Obviously, when you talk about systems it’s a number of things that come into play,” said Boucher, already wearing a Lightning pin on his jacket lapel throughout the news conference. “For me, I’m not coaching systems, I’m coaching individuals and managing people and that all comes first on my list before either managing the group or systems. So, if I’ve got 24 players on my team, I need 24 ways to coach — and that’s the way I approach the game…My systems change every year. I adapt myself to the kind of players I have. And so right now, looking at the roster we’ve got, and possibilities and therefore, all summer I’m going to prepare for the type of players we’ve got. When you look at the players we’ve got, we’ve got St. Louis and Lecavalier and Stamkos — they’re offensive players and that certainly goes along with my philosophy of fast-paced hockey, very aggressively offensively and defensively. They’ll fit right in to what I like to do. Like I said, I think it starts with what I’ve got in the room and I adapt to what we’ve got rather than try to get those guys to adapt to me and everything I want to do.”
He sounds intelligent and full of some fresh ideas, and I’m excited for the Lightning and their fans by this hire.
After waffling back and forth on his interest in the Tampa Bay Lightning GM position, it appears as though Steve Yzerman will be named the Tampa Bay Lightnings’ General Manager today at a press conference scheduled for 3pm.
“This did not take us by surprise because for years Stevie has said one day he would like to be a general manager in the NHL,” Red Wings Senior Vice President Jim Devellano told the Detroit News. “It was something he wanted to do, but it had to be the right opportunity for him and his family.
“It was a tough decision for Steve, that’s why it took such a long time,” Devellano said. “It’s not easy leaving Detroit for somebody like Steve. He’s been with us for 27 years. He came as an 18-year-old and just recently celebrated his 45th birthday. So it was not an easy decision for him to make.
“We are all happy for Steve,” Devellano said. “This is something he wanted, a challenge that he desired and worked hard for. At the same time, we are going to miss him. He’s been such a major part of all of our lives, both on the ice and in the front office.”
While Yzerman doesn’t really have experience as a true GM (sans his running of the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team) he has been long thought to be a hot name in the GM ranks of the NHL. I personally am quite excited. It’s hard to find ANYONE with the pedigree of winning and championships that Yzerman has, be it a player, coach or GM. New owner Jeff Vinik swung for the fences in his first big move, and dropped a bomb. The next order of priority for the Bolts will be to find a new coach, and I’m sure Yzerman will begin working on that as early as this evening.
From a fan of a team who longs for a pedigree of winning that you come from Stevie, WELCOME!
AUTHOR: Dustin Staggers | IN: NHL | COMMENTS: 2 Comments
This has nothing to do with the Lightning, but more to do with my insane level of hatred that I have for Sidney Crosby.
While rooting for the Canadiens is normally akin to sticking my head into a pile of dog throw up, I have to say, I was rooting for the Halak’s to beat the Penguins bad, not just last night but all series. Why would I root for the gross Habs (even though by doing so, I was forced to stab myself in the eyes each night with an old fork), because I hate Sidney Crosby that much.
Everything about him I hate. I hate his gay little playoff “beard,” his stupid voice, and even for a guy who is so damned good, I don’t even like watching him play, thats how high my level of disdain runs for Sidney Crosby. I never really liked the guy before the Olympics started, but I’m sure his crushing of my dreams with that OT goal in the gold medal game vs the USA cemented my hatred.
So I must say, tip of the cap to my man Jaroslav Halak (who I’ve always liked…remember I picked the Slovaks to be my Olympic sleeper and it was because of him) for taking out my most hated athlete.
To Sid, thanks for your 3 points and you 0 +/- rating during the Habs/Pens series, it made sure I wouldn’t have to watch you play anymore this season. Grazi!
We put up a post a few weeks ago about some of the things that new GM Steve Yzerman had done at the onset of Free Agency (Meszaros, Kubina, Dan Ellis, Martin St Louis). We were a fan of everyone of those moves. Phase 2 of Free Agency (after week 1 through about this time) is the tougher part for most of the GM’s in the league. You’ve made your big splash move, and now is the time to fill out the roster with the 3rd and 4th line offensive guys as well as the 3rd line Dmen and maybe the 2 way contract players who will see some time for both Norfolk and the big club in 2010/2011.
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