Agreed. Too early to declare a winner either way - long-term thinking for both clubs today.
- Michael_Stuart

To me, I would even give a 55/45 split for Tampa. I really like this move by Stevie. Another team may have offered a first, and instead of giving up a nice pick in a deep draft he subsidized the deal with a smaller skilled forward which you have a surplus of. Stevie is taking wayyyy too much heat. Another manager could have grossly overpaid with a first, but Stevie put a nice package together

To me, I would even give a 55/45 split for Tampa. I really like this move by Stevie. Another team may have offered a first, and instead of giving up a nice pick in a deep draft he subsidized the deal with a smaller skilled forward which you have a surplus of. Stevie is taking wayyyy too much heat. Another manager could have grossly overpaid with a first, but Stevie put a nice package together
- karlssens

Completely agree. Yzerman grabbed the player he wanted and dealt from a position of strength. He's taking a lot of heat, but it seems that people just love to hate south market franchises.

Alright look, when i heard this trade, i was absolutely shocked! I was upset because Cory was a player we found. Homemade, homegrown. He's tenacious,gritty, fast and i think hes a winner.Winners are hard to find and i think that's what fans are upset about. He was Marty 2.0. Having said that, Ive had it with Garon and his inconsistencies. We need a 1a/1b and i really believe this is gonna work out well. The size that Brett brings is needed and hello another fast grity and tenacious player in Tyrell. We are loaded with talented forwards. What happens to Brown? Malone and Brewer are still here? Why was Crombeen renewed for two yrs? Why bring Hall back?

He doesn't have a big shot so not much of a scorer on that front. Will get dirty in front of the net and will collect some rebounds. Decent instincts in the offensive zone to get to lose pucks. Overall he's an average skater.

From a playmaking point of view he has good instincts and sees the ice fairly well, but with his lack of size often times he gets knocked off of the puck too quick so he couldn't utilize his abilities.
- uf1910

didn't like to read that but the last comment brings me some relief. He has to be closer to a gionta or St. Louis, not gerbe, PLEASE NOT GERBE

didn't like to read that but the last comment brings me some relief. He has to be closer to a gionta or St. Louis, not gerbe, PLEASE NOT GERBE
- AlfieisKing

I think he's got better hockey sense than Gerbe.

great write up Michael. I think once the emotions go down a little and if Bishop makes a positive impact this will be seen in a different light. however, if Conacher has a higher ceiling than most people think (and why not, hes already gone much farther than anyone projected) this could end up biting us in the ass.. his heart gives him the potential to be a franchise player. I do wish him luck though. seems to be a great kid

great write up Michael. I think once the emotions go down a little and if Bishop makes a positive impact this will be seen in a different light. however, if Conacher has a higher ceiling than most people think (and why not, hes already gone much farther than anyone projected) this could end up biting us in the ass.. his heart gives him the opportunity to be a franchise player. I do wish him luck though. seems to be a great kid
- Boltdolt84

Well the good/bad news is that we'll see a whole lot of him next season and beyond as we are in the same division. And thanks!

Well the good/bad news is that we'll see a whole lot of him next season and beyond as we are in the same division. And thanks!
- Michael_Stuart

oh joy..

any word if Bishop going to jump in the start tomorrow?

great write up Michael. I think once the emotions go down a little and if Bishop makes a positive impact this will be seen in a different light. however, if Conacher has a higher ceiling than most people think (and why not, hes already gone much farther than anyone projected) this could end up biting us in the ass.. his heart gives him the potential to be a franchise player. I do wish him luck though. seems to be a great kid
- Boltdolt84

It was a lot to give up, but I love Stevie Y and tampa. Bishop is a SOLID pick up. He is a #1 goalie and will pay dividends.

A few questions again for tampa fans... how is conchars' slap shot? accuarcy and power? how is his defensive play? what about poise? stick checking?

When you're super deep at one position and you're hurting at another, you make a trade to address it.

works for the lightning, who when healthy going forward are likely the deepest team in the NHL at forward, I mean look at these lines:

Connolly-Stamkos-St Louis
Killorn-Lecavalier-Johnson
Malone-Purcell-Panik

- TommyDeVito

Right, and when healthy the Lightning have the best goaltending duo in the NHL!

It was a lot to give up, but I love Stevie Y and tampa. Bishop is a SOLID pick up. He is a #1 goalie and will pay dividends.

A few questions again for tampa fans... how is conchars' slap shot? accuarcy and power? how is his defensive play? what about poise? stick checking?
- AlfieisKing

He's a fast tenacious player who had a lot of early success with the top line. His last 25 games have fallen off as he's been 12 points and -14 in the last 25 but Stamkos has gone from plus 7to-7 in this stretch too so it's been a team in decline making mistakes that I don't think you'll see in your system. Boucher wasn't the best for playing a sound defensive system. His slap shot is so so but he'll get to the dirty areas and score and his puck retrieval skills are good. His size both helps and hurts him until he gets a bit stronger with age. He's fast in the zone on the puck but can be knocked off the puck too easily because of his size something that will improve with a good strengthening program in the off season. He will benefit from a strong minded defensive coach to make him a better all round player. Give him a year or two and you'll be happy he's on your team.

Right, and when healthy the Lightning have the best goaltending duo in the NHL!
- Coburns_Nose

Your talking about goaltending. lol Philly has a goaltender that ducks under pucks so he doesn't get hit. That was one of the worst goaltending plays I've seen this year and in Tampa we have quite a few to see. Bryz was worried about getting hit in the mask and ducked amazing what did he think he wasn't wearing a mask.

Your talking about goaltending. lol Philly has a goaltender that ducks under pucks so he doesn't get hit. That was one of the worst goaltending plays I've seen this year and in Tampa we have quite a few to see. Bryz was worried about getting hit in the mask and ducked amazing what did he think he wasn't wearing a mask.
- tpd11

Hey, didn't you see Philly just shored up their goaltending, they acquired Steve Mason

Hey, didn't you see Philly just shored up their goaltending, they acquired Steve Mason
- simon17

I hope he reminds Bryz that he's not on the bench and doesn't need to duck. They talk about our goaltending but they've given up more goals and scored fewer even with a league leading power play.

It was a lot to give up, but I love Stevie Y and tampa. Bishop is a SOLID pick up. He is a #1 goalie and will pay dividends.

A few questions again for tampa fans... how is conchars' slap shot? accuarcy and power? how is his defensive play? what about poise? stick checking?
- AlfieisKing

His shot, accuracy, and power are pretty average on the NHL level (Nothing to cry home about). His biggest weapon is his ability to steamroll the net (which is odd considering his size). Defensively, he leaves a little to be desired. His positional play can be a bit shaky, but he never gives up and is always moving his feet/hustling.

When will Bishop be in net for us?

Your talking about goaltending. lol Philly has a goaltender that ducks under pucks so he doesn't get hit. That was one of the worst goaltending plays I've seen this year and in Tampa we have quite a few to see. Bryz was worried about getting hit in the mask and ducked amazing what did he think he wasn't wearing a mask.
- tpd11

Bryzgalov's struggles do not take away from the stupidity of that statement about the Lightning's forward depth.

Bryz and Mason have both had struggles, but Mason himself has accomplished more than Bishop and Lindback combined.

Bryzgalov's struggles do not take away from the stupidity of that statement about the Lightning's forward depth.

Bryz and Mason have both had struggles, but Mason himself has accomplished more than Bishop and Lindback combined.
- Coburns_Nose

Well when you responded to the forward comment you responded with goaltending, so I'm not sure what you are getting at. As for the forward depth, what exactly is wrong with the statement? Would you like to hear about the forward prospects who aren't even in Tampa yet? Because I would be happy to rattle off names that make up the Bolts deepest position in their TOP 5 SYSTEM to add to the names of Stamkos, St Louis, Lecavalier and all the other guys already playing in Tampa. There's a reason Conacher wasn't playing in the top 6 with Tampa. So actually it's not as stupid of a statement as you want to think.

As for Mason, the only thing he has "accomplished" outside of his rookie year in the NHL is how to royally suck. So if that is what you are looking for out of your goaltenders then between Bryz and now Mason you have it more than covered

When will Bishop be in net for us?
- tyler20c

I'm guessing Saturday or Sunday. Garon has been a Carolina killer this year so I would think Cooper would ride the Garon train tonight and let Bishop get acclimated to the Bolts before throwing him in there.

That being said other than back to backs I don't see Garon getting another start after tonight.

Killorn.875 Stamkos7.5 Purcell4.5
Brown.925 Lecavalier7.728 St. Louis 5.625
Panik.79 Johnson.84 Connolly1.65
Palat.562 Thompson1.5 Crombeen1.15

Salo3.75 Hedman4
Gudas.75 (est) Carle5.5
Barberio.75 (est) Brewer3.875
Aulie.65 (est)

Lindback1.8
Bishop1.5 (est)
Next season I like!
Est= estimate based on qualifying offer numbers. Puts us at $57,500,000

Well when you responded to the forward comment you responded with goaltending, so I'm not sure what you are getting at. As for the forward depth, what exactly is wrong with the statement? Would you like to hear about the forward prospects who aren't even in Tampa yet? Because I would be happy to rattle off names that make up the Bolts deepest position in their TOP 5 SYSTEM to add to the names of Stamkos, St Louis, Lecavalier and all the other guys already playing in Tampa. There's a reason Conacher wasn't playing in the top 6 with Tampa. So actually it's not as stupid of a statement as you want to think.

As for Mason, the only thing he has "accomplished" outside of his rookie year in the NHL is how to royally suck. So if that is what you are looking for out of your goaltenders then between Bryz and now Mason you have it more than covered
- uf1910

uf you are ok in my book sir

Bishop starts tonight. Pre-game blog to follow later this afternoon.

Killorn.875 Stamkos7.5 Purcell4.5
Brown.925 Lecavalier7.728 St. Louis 5.625
Panik.79 Johnson.84 Connolly1.65
Palat.562 Thompson1.5 Crombeen1.15

Salo3.75 Hedman4
Gudas.75 (est) Carle5.5
Barberio.75 (est) Brewer3.875
Aulie.65 (est)

Lindback1.8
Bishop1.5 (est)
Next season I like!
Est= estimate based on qualifying offer numbers. Puts us at $57,500,000
- Artyukhin76

I think this is very close to where we will be. Pouliot was so strong before his injury, maybe he should be given the opportunity to help out slotting between 2nd and 3rd lines as a veteran prescence and secondary scoring. he gets into the zone well and can hold onto the puck. I think Brown and Panik will be battling for a spot while Connolly will probably be played top 6 minutes. Palat has looked great as a 2way FWD.

how about

Connolly - Stamkos - St Louis/Purcell
Killorn/Pouliot - Lecavalier - Purcell/St. Louis
Brown/Panik - Johnson - Pouliot/Killorn
Palat - Thompson - Crombeen

Salo3.75 - Hedman4
Gudas.75 - Carle5.5
Barberio.75 - Brewer3.875
Aulie.65

Bishop starts tonight. Pre-game blog to follow later this afternoon.
- Michael_Stuart

Bishop starts tonight. Pre-game blog to follow later this afternoon.
- Michael_Stuart

I think this is probably a good idea. While Carolina has been terrible lately and Garon has a history of shutting them down, he hasn't played well since Montreal.. Pacioretty put a lot on this shot.. but