Archive for March, 2009

With the first pick in the draft within the Lightning’s grasp once again, new management decided it was time to shake up a roster that has, well, been shaken up way too much this season. The Lightning were very active at the deadline, making 3 deals to help possible playoff teams.   >>> Lightning Send – D Steve Eminger Panthers Send – D Noah Welsch and a 3rd round pick >>> Lightning Send – D Jamie Heward, D Andy Rogers, G Olaf Kolzig and a 4th round pick Toronto Maple Leafs Send – D Richard Petiot >>> Lightning Send – [...]

There must be something about the Calgary Flames that gets the Bolts all fired up, because that “high octane” offense everyone was talking about  at the beginning of the season showed up tonight in an 8 to 6 win over the Flames. With 32 shots on goal, and 60% powerplay total for the game, the bolts look like a team that are hungry for there spot in the playoffs. They just turned it on about two months too late. With multiple goal games from Vinny Lecavalier, and Marty St. Louis the Bolts end the 7 game losing streak that they [...]

So, it looks like Lightning fans, but more specifically Vinny Lecavalier Fans, can breathe a sigh of relief. GM Brian Lawton recently used these terms in describing the  possibilities of the organization trading its star center, “never.” But “never” doesn’t stand for everyone. The possibility of veteran players getting shipped off to try and build up for next year is a very real option. Vets such as Gary Roberts, who himself mentioned that he wouldn’t mind another shot at the cup with the Flames, or Mark Recchi, who has played more like a young man than a very very very [...]

When the Bolts signed David Koci this offseason, after letting Tampa Bay Legend and former enforcer Andre Roy leave as a FA, I was excited for a new day in Tampa Bay Lightning fisticuff glory.  Koci is known throughout the leauge as a heavywheight enforcer, and at 6’6″ 240 lbs, he is a large human being.   The guy certainly has no issues fighting.  He is constantly yapping at the opponents bangers all game long, and generally tries to pick as many fights as he possibly can.  One minor issue, everytime he fights, he seems to get worked on by [...]

The controversy sorrounding last years number one pick Steven Stamkos has been well documented in the Bay Area.  The disagreement as far as his skills and as far as his readiness to play in the NHL are the main reasons why we fired Barry Melrose 16 games into the season.  The new ownership group and front office felt that with as much marketing money as we have poured into Stamkos, that he needed to see the ice often.  Melrose saw the situation much differently and felt that Stammer wasn’t ready for the Show.   His play at the start of [...]