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.

(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