Yzerman has done a lot of good.....I'm sorry, but when you sign the likes of Cory Conacher and Tyler Johnson when 29 other gms didn't, it's either you're a great GM, or the scouts you've hired are doing a terrific job, which still translates into you being a great gm..

The only area I'd critique Yzerman in is in getting a goalie, Lindback might one day flip the opinion on this, but that's the only area I'd give Yzerman a grade below B.

As for the guy who had issues with Tampa's drafting.....

2010:
Brett Connolly is going to be a top 6 forward, guy's got the tools, and will likely be a key contributor on next years team. Radko Gudas, kids the type of d-men most teams would love to have in their organization, and is going to be a great d-man for years in the NHL.

2011:
Getting a guy like Namestnikov is great at 27, Kucherov in the 2nd round was a solid pick (that could look like a steal, and Palat in the 7th round is ridiculous.
Even still, it's way too early to expect guys from this draft to be in the NHL, and already you guys got one.

2012:
Way too early, but there's nothing wrong with taking a big bruising Peterbourough Pete in the 1st round, especially when he's a d-man.
- mykokes

This.

Yzerman has done a lot of good.....I'm sorry, but when you sign the likes of Cory Conacher and Tyler Johnson when 29 other gms didn't, it's either you're a great GM, or the scouts you've hired are doing a terrific job, which still translates into you being a great gm..

The only area I'd critique Yzerman in is in getting a goalie, Lindback might one day flip the opinion on this, but that's the only area I'd give Yzerman a grade below B.

As for the guy who had issues with Tampa's drafting.....

2010:
Brett Connolly is going to be a top 6 forward, guy's got the tools, and will likely be a key contributor on next years team. Radko Gudas, kids the type of d-men most teams would love to have in their organization, and is going to be a great d-man for years in the NHL.

2011:
Getting a guy like Namestnikov is great at 27, Kucherov in the 2nd round was a solid pick (that could look like a steal, and Palat in the 7th round is ridiculous.
Even still, it's way too early to expect guys from this draft to be in the NHL, and already you guys got one.

2012:
Way too early, but there's nothing wrong with taking a big bruising Peterbourough Pete in the 1st round, especially when he's a d-man.
- mykokes

I had no issues with the drafting, though I think you are referring to my post. I said it hasn't produced much at the NHL level yet but needs more time to be judged one way or the other, which is what it seems like you are saying, right?

I had no issues with the drafting, though I think you are referring to my post. I said it hasn't produced much at the NHL level yet but needs more time to be judged one way or the other, which is what it seems like you are saying, right?
- simon17

Not sure if it was your post, jumping between threads, but if it was, sorry. We are in agreement then. Might've even be my own fellow Leaf fan's post, don't make me do research!

Well Written blog....

There is no way around saying steve yzerman is a good GM. Bottom line, he has transformed this team to success.

The issues between the pipe...people who know nothing about tampa bay are the ones saying we suck at goal tending. These people are idiots.. Tampa bay has an extremely solid goalie in lindback. He has had flashes of greatness in net, and yzerman saw that, and got him.

For the retards talking about our prospects and young talented depth, shut up
It is clear that you don't have a clue what you are talking about when you are saying none of them but Gudas have proven anything at an NHL level and to people who are educated on Tampa Bays hockey, you sound like a moron..

The only thing I can say about yzerman is to at least take a look for a better goalie coach, we need Lindback to be developed properly to become a wicked goalie.. and if that is done correctly this team will be once again a huge force in the national hockey league

Yzerman is already a greaty gm in my opinion, but whats that worth?

I had no issues with the drafting, though I think you are referring to my post. I said it hasn't produced much at the NHL level yet but needs more time to be judged one way or the other, which is what it seems like you are saying, right?
- simon17

hasnt produced much?
Tyler johnson : +6, 3G, 3A, 6GP
Ondrej Palat: +4, 2G, 2A, 13GP
Radko Gudas: +3, 1G, 1A, 9GP

A combination of 6 goals and 6 assists in AT THE MOST ..13 games

that is a huge contribution from young players, and none of them are 0 or have a negative +/- ...its all POSITIVE BABY

Our farm system is great because of who? Yzerman.
We have a better defensive core (only 2 active players have negative -/+) because of who? Yzerman.
- Artyukhin76

Go Arty

hasnt produced much?
Tyler johnson : +6, 3G, 3A, 6GP
Ondrej Palat: +4, 2G, 2A, 13GP
Radko Gudas: +3, 1G, 1A, 9GP

A combination of 6 goals and 6 assists in AT THE MOST ..13 games

that is a huge contribution from young players, and none of them are 0 or have a negative +/- ...its all POSITIVE BABY

- RileyB77

Ummm, Tyler Johnson wasn't drafted Pretty sure I pointed out Gudas already, and to a lesser extent Palat. I like Gudas, I am hoping he can help to stabilize the defense a bit and he is getting a lot of minutes. Palat has been a good role player thus far.

Ummm, Tyler Johnson wasn't drafted Pretty sure I pointed out Gudas already, and to a lesser extent Palat. I like Gudas, I am hoping he can help to stabilize the defense a bit and he is getting a lot of minutes. Palat has been a good role player thus far.
- simon17

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ..your talking about the draft not producing much .. i thought you were talking about our prospects / young players ..
all this trashing on stevie Y has me all fired up , sorry
i feel like one of those morons i talked about in my previous comments,

Perhaps you should go back and read what you wrote.
What do you purpose Yzerman do then? Burn the farm system he built back up in hopes of Temporary fix like Holmgren has done? How about we trade Conacher, Johnson and Connolly for Luongo? You can't have it both ways.
- Artyukhin76

I don't think Paul Holmgren's moves in Philly are the right example for what you're trying to say.

Holmgren blew up a team that was past its best before date and brought in youngsters like Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek and the picks for Sean Couturier and Nick Cousins.

It's hypocritical that you are so critical of other people on this site for their lack of knowledge about teams other than their own and then you say something like this.

Yzerman has done a lot of good.....I'm sorry, but when you sign the likes of Cory Conacher and Tyler Johnson when 29 other gms didn't, it's either you're a great GM, or the scouts you've hired are doing a terrific job, which still translates into you being a great gm..

The only area I'd critique Yzerman in is in getting a goalie, Lindback might one day flip the opinion on this, but that's the only area I'd give Yzerman a grade below B.

As for the guy who had issues with Tampa's drafting.....

2010:
Brett Connolly is going to be a top 6 forward, guy's got the tools, and will likely be a key contributor on next years team. Radko Gudas, kids the type of d-men most teams would love to have in their organization, and is going to be a great d-man for years in the NHL.

2011:
Getting a guy like Namestnikov is great at 27, Kucherov in the 2nd round was a solid pick (that could look like a steal, and Palat in the 7th round is ridiculous.
Even still, it's way too early to expect guys from this draft to be in the NHL, and already you guys got one.

2012:
Way too early, but there's nothing wrong with taking a big bruising Peterbourough Pete in the 1st round, especially when he's a d-man.
- mykokes

Great post!

Well Written blog....
- newyorkerssuck

Thank you.

great article Michael. I agree that Stevie is doing a great job and Boucher was just one mistake, albeit a large one which kept us out of serious contention. he is building an entire team from the ground up and I think his hard work will become apparent very soon, ie, next year.

I am of the belief that goaltending, while a major issue the remainder of this year, is not the biggest problem going forward. Bouchers system was very hard on the goalies and left our defensemen way out of position too often. I think most of our problems will correct themselves with Cooper stepping in. all we need is a capable goaltender and I think we have much more than that in Lindback when he's at 100%. his last half dozen games were great and with Cooper putting a fire into our forwards to backcheck responsibly he will have a much easier time.

very good days coming..

edit : wouldn't hurt to get rid of the goalie coach though..

great article Michael. I agree that Stevie is doing a great job and Boucher was just one mistake, albeit a large one which kept us out of serious contention. he is building an entire team from the ground up and I think his hard work will become apparent very soon, ie, next year.

I am of the belief that goaltending, while a major issue the remainder of this year, is not the biggest problem going forward. Bouchers system was very hard on the goalies and left our defensemen way out of position too often. I think most of our problems will correct themselves with Cooper stepping in. all we need is a capable goaltender and I think we have much more than that in Lindback when he's at 100%. his last half dozen games were great and with Cooper putting a fire into our forwards to backcheck responsibly he will have a much easier time.

very good days coming..
- Boltdolt84

Thanks! I completely agree with everything you've said here. Goaltending isn't the big issue at play here; it's the system under Boucher. Now that he's gone, I suspect that everything will calm down. Boucher's system wasn't good for goaltenders. Like you said, too often our goalies were left out to dry with nothing more than a hope and a prayer. Cooper will tighten the defensive ship.

I'm absolutely shocked that so many people have given up on Lindback after less than half a season....

Lightning sign prospect Tanner Richard and college pick Luke Witkowski. Steve Yzerman at it again.

Thanks! I completely agree with everything you've said here. Goaltending isn't the big issue at play here; it's the system under Boucher. Now that he's gone, I suspect that everything will calm down. Boucher's system wasn't good for goaltenders. Like you said, too often our goalies were left out to dry with nothing more than a hope and a prayer. Cooper will tighten the defensive ship.

I'm absolutely shocked that so many people have given up on Lindback after less than half a season....

- Michael_Stuart

he has had some amazing saves to keep us in.. Hedman and Gudas picking up their play will really help too. I'm hoping that Stamkos and Connolly invite a bunch of guys to go train with them and Gary Roberts. Look what he's done to those two. I think Conacher could use some more strength, he falls down too much.. Gudas would be a beast if he got any stronger too

Lightning sign prospect Tanner Richard and college free agent Luke Witkowski. Steve Yzerman at it again.
- Michael_Stuart

but Witkowski isn't even 6"6'

Lightning sign prospect Tanner Richard and college free agent Luke Witkowski. Steve Yzerman at it again.
- Michael_Stuart

Witkowski was a draft pick signee but I love both of these moves. Witkowski was DeKeyser's d partner and Richard is needed in Syracuse now with all of the #TampaCuse callups

Witkowski was a draft pick signee but I love both of these moves. Witkowski was DeKeyser's d partner and Richard is needed in Syracuse now with all of the #TampaCuse callups
- uf1910

Ah shoot. My mistake there. That was a few years back, if I recall.

Ah shoot. My mistake there. That was a few years back, if I recall.
- Michael_Stuart

"Only" 5 years in the making for his signature so you are forgiven.

"Only" 5 years in the making for his signature so you are forgiven.
- uf1910

Brain fart.

Brain fart.
- Michael_Stuart

In other news great blog. To me any who have questioned Yzerman don't know the Bolts nor do they truly know all that he has accomplished so far. Still a ways to go but to me it's not as far as many pundits would suggest. To think that his leash goes only as far as Cooper to me short-sighted and doesn't give enough credit for the work he has done building the prospect depth.

In other news great blog. To me any who have questioned Yzerman don't know the Bolts nor do they truly know all that he has accomplished so far. Still a ways to go but to me it's not as far as many pundits would suggest. To think that his leash goes only as far as Cooper to me short-sighted and doesn't give enough credit for the work he has done building the prospect depth.
- uf1910

Thank you.

Lightning have recall Mike Angelidis and assigned Dana Tyrell to Syracuse.

In other news great blog. To me any who have questioned Yzerman don't know the Bolts nor do they truly know all that he has accomplished so far. Still a ways to go but to me it's not as far as many pundits would suggest. To think that his leash goes only as far as Cooper to me short-sighted and doesn't give enough credit for the work he has done building the prospect depth.
- uf1910

The force is strong with this one.