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Tampa Bay Lightning Blogger •
They might not be using last season’s “staggeringly aggressive” approach to free agency but the Tampa Bay Lightning certainly didn’t waste any time on July 1st in addressing their biggest need. In adding Mattias Ohlund roughly ten minutes into the free agent signing period, they get a legitimate, top-pair veteran defenseman, a leader and, perhaps most importantly of all, a mentor for fellow Swede Victor Hedman. Mission #1 - quickly accomplished.
In addition to the impactful Ohlund signing, the Lightning further solidified their defense corps by adding former Chicago Blackhawks d-man Matt Walker (who you might recall from his crazy finger trick in Chicago’s playoff series against the Calgary Flames last season). Walker adds size and toughness to a Tampa Bay blueline that is suddenly looking noticably deep.
By drafting Hedman and inking Ohlund and Walker to free agent deals, the last five days have seen a clear weakness quickly transformed into a perceived strength for Tampa Bay. With their three latest additions along with Lukas Krajicek, Matt Lashoff, Andrej Meszaros, Paul Ranger, Matt Smaby, the Lightning can go eight-deep on defense with confidence, something they certainly could not say at any time last season. Of course, this opens the door for speculation as to who might no longer fit into the plans for the 2009-10 season from this group and let’s not forget old friend Mike Lundin, jettisoned to the minors last year never to return. Clearly, things are just getting started.
Where to go from here? With the defensive holes seemingly filled, Tampa Bay management can now shift the focus to other need areas, including filling the void left by goalie Karri Ramo’s departure to Russia. I shared word yesterday, received from multiple sources, that a backup for Mike Smith might come via trade rather than free agency. Nashville and Tampa Bay have been linked as potential trade partners many times in the past, including as recently as last weekend’s draft, and there could very well be something to that going on here. Keep an eye on goaltender Dan Ellis, who teamed with Smitty in the Dallas Stars organization earlier in their respective careers, as a possibility.
With added depth on defense, as well as an excess among the lower-level forward ranks, the Bolts now have some meaningful chips with which to barter.
Aside from the need in goal, look for the Lightning to take a look at some of the remaining forwards out there via free agency, including Chad Larose, whose name has been mentioned here often in recent days and from whom his former employer, the Carolina Hurricanes, are apparently moving on after re-signing Erik Cole. Earlier, I’d indicated the need for a top-six winger as well as an upgrade in overall forward depth. Some other names I’d mentioned that are still available include Maxim Afinogenov, Dan Hinote, Tom Kostopolous, Travis Moen and Mikael Samuelsson.
Former Lightning tough guy David Koci moved on yesterday, signing a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche, despite his agent Rich Evans telling me as recently as Monday that his preference was to remain in Tampa. Apparently, the interest was not mutual. A very minor deal, overall, but it makes me wonder if toughness might be addressed before all is said and done as well. The Lightning do not have a bona fide heavyweight currently on the roster and surely they don’t want the likes of Ryan Malone dropping the mitts all that often this upcoming season. I’m not discounting the team toughness element, as the Bolts have their fair share of willing combatants, but there isn’t the presence of anyone who is going to keep the opponent honest simply by being in the lineup and, if you’ve paid attention to transactions in the Eastern Conference of late, it’s clear that the rough-and-tumble aspect of the game is hardly a thing of the past.
Take Philadelphia, for instance, who can now boast a murderer’s row of able pugilists in every weight class and at every position in Arron Asham, Dan Carcillo, Braydon Coburn, Riley Cote, Ray Emery, Scott Hartnell, Ian Laperriere, Darroll Powe, Chris Pronger and team captain Mike Richards. The Broadstreet Bullies are alive and well. Yeesh!
***
If you followed me on Twitter yesterday, you already know where to go for breaking Lightning news and the most current updates on free agency. If you didn’t, make sure you do so today and in the coming days and weeks as things are truly only getting started. Twitter.com/JonJordan
On that note, this Twitter phenomenon has clearly changed the game in terms of breaking stories and ongoing events. Literally, within minutes - and sometimes seconds - of signings and trades becoming official, the public is up-to-speed. (And sometimes, as in the case of ex-Blackhawk and new Minnesota Wild forward Martin Havlat, a little inside drama gets leaked.)
Stay tuned there (and here for the big stuff, naturally) …
JJ
jon.jordan@hockeybuzz.com
JJ on Facebook
JJ on Twitter
In addition to the impactful Ohlund signing, the Lightning further solidified their defense corps by adding former Chicago Blackhawks d-man Matt Walker (who you might recall from his crazy finger trick in Chicago’s playoff series against the Calgary Flames last season). Walker adds size and toughness to a Tampa Bay blueline that is suddenly looking noticably deep.
By drafting Hedman and inking Ohlund and Walker to free agent deals, the last five days have seen a clear weakness quickly transformed into a perceived strength for Tampa Bay. With their three latest additions along with Lukas Krajicek, Matt Lashoff, Andrej Meszaros, Paul Ranger, Matt Smaby, the Lightning can go eight-deep on defense with confidence, something they certainly could not say at any time last season. Of course, this opens the door for speculation as to who might no longer fit into the plans for the 2009-10 season from this group and let’s not forget old friend Mike Lundin, jettisoned to the minors last year never to return. Clearly, things are just getting started.
Where to go from here? With the defensive holes seemingly filled, Tampa Bay management can now shift the focus to other need areas, including filling the void left by goalie Karri Ramo’s departure to Russia. I shared word yesterday, received from multiple sources, that a backup for Mike Smith might come via trade rather than free agency. Nashville and Tampa Bay have been linked as potential trade partners many times in the past, including as recently as last weekend’s draft, and there could very well be something to that going on here. Keep an eye on goaltender Dan Ellis, who teamed with Smitty in the Dallas Stars organization earlier in their respective careers, as a possibility.
With added depth on defense, as well as an excess among the lower-level forward ranks, the Bolts now have some meaningful chips with which to barter.
Aside from the need in goal, look for the Lightning to take a look at some of the remaining forwards out there via free agency, including Chad Larose, whose name has been mentioned here often in recent days and from whom his former employer, the Carolina Hurricanes, are apparently moving on after re-signing Erik Cole. Earlier, I’d indicated the need for a top-six winger as well as an upgrade in overall forward depth. Some other names I’d mentioned that are still available include Maxim Afinogenov, Dan Hinote, Tom Kostopolous, Travis Moen and Mikael Samuelsson.
Former Lightning tough guy David Koci moved on yesterday, signing a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche, despite his agent Rich Evans telling me as recently as Monday that his preference was to remain in Tampa. Apparently, the interest was not mutual. A very minor deal, overall, but it makes me wonder if toughness might be addressed before all is said and done as well. The Lightning do not have a bona fide heavyweight currently on the roster and surely they don’t want the likes of Ryan Malone dropping the mitts all that often this upcoming season. I’m not discounting the team toughness element, as the Bolts have their fair share of willing combatants, but there isn’t the presence of anyone who is going to keep the opponent honest simply by being in the lineup and, if you’ve paid attention to transactions in the Eastern Conference of late, it’s clear that the rough-and-tumble aspect of the game is hardly a thing of the past.
Take Philadelphia, for instance, who can now boast a murderer’s row of able pugilists in every weight class and at every position in Arron Asham, Dan Carcillo, Braydon Coburn, Riley Cote, Ray Emery, Scott Hartnell, Ian Laperriere, Darroll Powe, Chris Pronger and team captain Mike Richards. The Broadstreet Bullies are alive and well. Yeesh!
***
If you followed me on Twitter yesterday, you already know where to go for breaking Lightning news and the most current updates on free agency. If you didn’t, make sure you do so today and in the coming days and weeks as things are truly only getting started. Twitter.com/JonJordan
On that note, this Twitter phenomenon has clearly changed the game in terms of breaking stories and ongoing events. Literally, within minutes - and sometimes seconds - of signings and trades becoming official, the public is up-to-speed. (And sometimes, as in the case of ex-Blackhawk and new Minnesota Wild forward Martin Havlat, a little inside drama gets leaked.)
Stay tuned there (and here for the big stuff, naturally) …
JJ
jon.jordan@hockeybuzz.com
JJ on Facebook
JJ on Twitter
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