I'm from the north and love Tampa so if your nuts arty idk what that makes me.. I guess I just have good taste in teams

I'm from the north and love Tampa so if your nuts arty idk what that makes me.. I guess I just have good taste in teams
- RileyB77

In the extreme minority

In the extreme minority
- Artyukhin76

Has anyone tried to break into the Magic Kingdom yet?

Has anyone tried to break into the Magic Kingdom yet?
- Michael_Stuart

Let just say that those skeletons in Pirates look awfully life like don't they?

Let just say that those skeletons in Pirates look awfully life like don't they?
- Artyukhin76

That's what I like to hear!

Agree with all this, other than the bit about faith in Yzerman.
- Michael_Stuart

Don't get me wrong, he's easily the best GM we've had in a long time (Feaster included... always thought he was given too much credit for the 2004 team).

As I've said before I THINK I know what SY is doing. I can kind of see both his vision and my vision for how a team should be run in tandem, but every now and then I get a little spooked by him.

Probably just shell-shock from Lawton and the Cowboys. Though, with some respect to Lawton, he did have a few real nice draft choices with lower picks.


EDIT (again): With regards to Malone: His contact was fine. He did his job in Tampa well and he was nothing short of a leader on the team.

He took tough assignments in the playoff run a couple years back and showed why you need guys like him in the post season. Yes, he can be injury prone, and takes some dumb penalties from time to time, but his value for a low-payroll team would be great. Higher cap hit (to get to the floor, or if there's a ton of excess cap space) and lower salary (to not break the bank).

I think it's time for him to move on. He's not in the long term plans, and I'd really rather play the kids. We've got guys like Gudas, Crombeen, Tyrell and Killorn who can provide plenty of grit. It makes Malone's usefulness for TB right now less than it was a while ago.

A team like Columbus would be a wonderful fit for Bugsy. They need veteran leadership, they need a gritty "winning attitude" guy, and it makes sense for them financially, in a lot of ways. Also, I don't think Cooper is too big a fan of his (just from the few snippets he's thrown out about RM)- maybe it's better he get a fresh start somewhere else and we can maybe get a #4 D-man out of it, or something of that sort. (I'd just as happily take a young, fast, two-way forward for the 3rd line if there's one available for trade).

Don't get me wrong, he's easily the best GM we've had in a long time (Feaster included... always thought he was given too much credit for the 2004 team).

As I've said before I THINK I know what SY is doing. I can kind of see both his vision and my vision for how a team should be run in tandem, but every now and then I get a little spooked by him.

Probably just shell-shock from Lawton and the Cowboys. Though, with some respect to Lawton, he did have a few real nice draft choices with lower picks.
- OzBolts

Lawton did a lot more great things than most people give him credit for.
If he goes out and gets Luongo at a reasonable price, I won't complain one bit.

Lawton did a lot more great things than most people give him credit for.
If he goes out and gets Luongo at a reasonable price, I won't complain one bit.
- Michael_Stuart

Purcell and Downie come to mind. So yeah, I agree.

Lawton did a better job when the cowboys stayed out of it. That whole era and the way Boyle was run out of town will always stick in my craw.

Purcell and Downie come to mind. So yeah, I agree.

Lawton did a better job when the cowboys stayed out of it. That whole era and the way Boyle was run out of town will always stick in my craw.
- OzBolts

Definitely. Without Downie we don't have Vasilevski in the system.
The good news now is that we have stable ownership, and one of the more impressive prospect systems in the league. I say it all the time, but the future is bright.

I really, really doubt this. Anything short of a Vinny for Luo swap makes no sense from Tampa's perspective.

Cap hit and actual dollar amount are an issue for Tampa. Not a make or break issue, but one that the Bolts have to keep in check far more vigilantly than a team owned by a major entertainment conglomerate such as MLSE etc.

Bishop and Lindback are a fine tandem 'til our Russian super-prospect is ready to become our diplomat of the diamond depot #bowen.


Even if we need a vet to come in and mentor Val, this is not the way to go about it. Term length and cap hit are just too brutal to take on. Heck, even with Vinny going back the other way, I feel like it's kind of a counter-intuitive move.

Thumbs all the way down.



Also, if he comes to Tampa, my faith in Stevie Y will, for the first time, officially hit the negative side of the ledger. You're smarter than this, Stevie!



EDIT- On trading Marty: If we bomb this coming season, trade him at the deadline. Why not? The value you could get in return would be outstanding. And if we're that far out of it come the trade deadline, it's not like we're going to turn it around and win the cup 14-15 months later.

Golden rule of sports: don't fall in love with your own players, love what the full team becomes.
- OzBolts

stevie smarter......not even close.......GM wise...Awesome Player, but as Gm driving TB in to a Hole!

stevie smarter......not even close.......GM wise...Awesome Player, but as Gm driving TB in to a Hole!
- Canuckfan2006

Evidence to back that up? He took over a mess, and commenced a rebuild that has seen the Lightning's system go from one of the shallowest in the league to arguably the deepest. He's re-signed and signed key players to affordable deals, attracted free agents out of college, drafted well in all rounds, and brought on one of the league's most respected new coaches.

stevie smarter......not even close.......GM wise...Awesome Player, but as Gm driving TB in to a Hole!
- Canuckfan2006

not true at all, you have no idea what you are talking about

Evidence to back that up? He took over a mess, and commenced a rebuild that has seen the Lightning's system go from one of the shallowest in the league to arguably the deepest. He's re-signed and signed key players to affordable deals, attracted free agents out of college, drafted well in all rounds, and brought on one of the league's most respected new coaches.
- Michael_Stuart

yes sir, the jon cooper era seems to be the start of something special here in bolts nation, I love the guys attitude

stevie smarter......not even close.......GM wise...Awesome Player, but as Gm driving TB in to a Hole!
- Canuckfan2006

I assume you didn't pay attention to the Bolts from around 2008-2011, did you?

Or other than the 2 years that Feaster lorded over a heck of a team built for him (which he then screwed up)?


Yeaaaaah, if you follow TB history, you'd see how much better we're looking for the long haul compared to any incarnation in front office this franchise has ever had.

stevie smarter......not even close.......GM wise...Awesome Player, but as Gm driving TB in to a Hole!
- Canuckfan2006

How's work life on Hastings street? Or have you been moved to West Pender? Working hard?

How's work life on Hastings street? Or have you been moved to West Pender? Working hard?
- Artyukhin76

lol you did your research for this one arty, i'm impressed

lol you did your research for this one arty, i'm impressed
- RileyB77

I live in Central Florida, Raise my kids here and call it home, but I wasn't born here

montreal is buying out Kaberle.

I live in Central Florida, Raise my kids here and call it home, but I wasn't born here
- Artyukhin76

Got it .

montreal is buying out Kaberle.
- Artyukhin76

Of course, theyvnever let him play all year lol so he wouldnt get injured

Got it .
- RileyB77

stevie smarter......not even close.......GM wise...Awesome Player, but as Gm driving TB in to a Hole!
- Canuckfan2006

what is this Canucks east forum? Go away with your desperate trade ideas to rid yourselves from a bad contract you all hailed as the signing of a cup champion for years to come. When everyone talks about the Bolts look at your own situation first it sure as hell is worse than ours. We have most of the core signed and Vinnys or not we can live a year with alot of the Cuse boys if necessary. What about all your cap issues all the RFA and UFAs that if not signed will put Vancouver in rebuild mode very soon.Looking at the cap issues Vancouver is in desperation mode and looking for someone to save them from lousy planning. Good bye get lost with the desperation.

- Artyukhin76

yes

Why would anyone trade for that contract?

Just let Vancouver either put him on waivers or buy him out then make an offer.
- Iggysbff

I still think a Luongo for Vinny trade straight up is best option for everybody
- B_A_Baracus