Fantastic post!
- Michael_Stuart

Thanks, Man!

Keep up the great work, and kudos on the round table gig!

Thanks, Man!

Keep up the great work, and kudos on the round table gig!
- OzBolts

Thank you!

well this was a definite downer to start the day but it's hard not to see the benefit of extra cap space. I'm just surprised it was this season, but obviously steve has a plan. what do you think of Filppula for a year? even if we do get Barkov, im not sure he comes straight to the big club. he's pretty patient with developing his prospects

Sorry to see Vinny go I thought next year but this is a good deal for both the club and Vinnie. He gets an annuity for the next 14 years and a new contract to offset the monetary loss. Vinik gets to fully depreciate the cost of the contract which will have a tax benefit, show a loss on paper anyway and get league revenue sharing that more or less pays the contract. The club gets younger and healthier and depending on the pick bring along the Cuse boys or a 3 pick to fill the space. If we get Jones then the D is set and we have alot of offense still to boot. Personally I see the money freed up for our younger talent and maybe a Vet to solidify the young core besides Marty. Maybe he signs somewhere for a year and comes back. We will see.

Toronto !!!*!!!! Please God

No

First off, let me just say hats off to Stevie Y for making this decision. He is going to better his TEAM, and such decisions are necessary. As a cats fan, I obviously think the Lightning can well, you know.. but this move will help their franchise and I am happy for them.

This all being said, and please let me dream, hear me out:

Vinny is 33 years old. He easily has 5-7 seasons left in him. He is going to be overwhelmed with things over the next few weeks like signing with a new team, moving, maybe selling his home, new schools for his kids... things can be hectic.

Florida needs a #1 center. We do not need him for 5 years, maybe 2. This lets Nick Bjugstad develop the proper way to become our #1 center. We can pay him $4 million a season, and he wouldn't have to sell his home. He can get things situated much easier, and there is a luxury apartment complex right next to the BB&T Center where many players live during the season. It's a quick drive/flight to Tampa.. I just think it would be a great fit. Obviously he can sign somewhere else once things are easier, and he would have the time to make a decision that helps himself and his family.

This would be amazing for Huberdeau, who looked up to Vinny. I know this is a pipe dream but damn... if there's EVER a dream I want to come to fruition..
- Panthers88

And who knows maybe come back to Tampa in 2-3 years to finish his career. It would certainly make sense all around for both teams and VINNIE This may have potentially already been thought out with all parties involved ?

Terrible.... Now we have holes to fill at 2c and defense....

But now we have the money to do it ...

Business side and hockey side

As hard as it is for me to accept, I'm just going to have to keep calm and trust in yzerman , I believe in the guy

No
- RileyB77

Come on he has to play somewhere. And honestly a star of his calibre is just what Toronto needs. And an offensively gifted C. I think VINNIE would thrive in the spot light as he is still young enough to love the attention and gifted enough to live up to the TO expectations . I truly think Toronto needs to sign him 2-4 years, give him the C, let him be their Moses to the CUP, then trade him or his rights to Tampa after the parade for a reasonable sum to finish up in the sunshine state. No one LOVES their heroes like us Canadians. It's a match made in heaven.

Come on he has to play somewhere. And honestly a star of his calibre is just what Toronto needs. And an offensively gifted C. I think VINNIE would thrive in the spot light as he is still young enough to love the attention and gifted enough to live up to the TO expectations . I truly think Toronto needs to sign him 2-4 years, give him the C, let him be their Moses to the CUP, then trade him or his rights to Tampa after the parade for a reasonable sum to finish up in the sunshine state. No one LOVES their heroes like us Canadians. It's a match made in heaven.
- marklaprise

nah, you guys would just overpay him and then turn on him when hes not a ppg player

nah, you guys would just overpay him and then turn on him when hes not a ppg player
- Boltdolt84

Lol.now now Sparky. Toronto has grown exponentially both mentally and organizationally. Although I agree with you that a certain percentage of LEAFS fans will always complain or criticizetthe REAL fans will truly see the bigger picture as the youth movement matures and the final pieces fall into place. The mistakes of JFJ are finally erased and the future is bright. Go LEAFS

Lol.now now Sparky. Toronto has grown exponentially both mentally and organizationally. Although I agree with you that a certain percentage of LEAFS fans will always complain or criticizetthe REAL fans will truly see the bigger picture as the youth movement matures and the final pieces fall into place. The mistakes of JFJ are finally erased and the future is bright. Go LEAFS
- marklaprise

I actually think he would be perfect fit in Toronto; as much as I hate the leafs, I think he thrives there as top center with capable wingers such as kessel and jvr/lupul. everybody thinks he goes to the habs; not sure he fits, definitely think the leafs are the best fit.

Funny the team I hate the most in hockey would be my favorite team overnight.

One more thing Michael; st Louis does not finish the season with the bolts but Malone does!!!!

I actually think he would be perfect fit in Toronto; as much as I hate the leafs, I think he thrives there as top center with capable wingers such as kessel and jvr/lupul. everybody thinks he goes to the habs; not sure he fits, definitely think the leafs are the best fit.

Funny the team I hate the most in hockey would be my favorite team overnight.

One more thing Michael; st Louis does not finish the season with the bolts but Malone does!!!!
- vinnybolt4life

Intriguing thought. We'll see how that plays out.

O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done;

Will miss seeing #4 at the forum.

Lord, Please dont take Barkov.....then we'll end up with Jones!!! We need scoring not another Norris contender 3 years from now on an anemically scoring team!!!
- HockeyHop

Take Lindholm, he's the best all around player in the draft. Could very well end up being Zetterberg.

I actually think he would be perfect fit in Toronto; as much as I hate the leafs, I think he thrives there as top center with capable wingers such as kessel and jvr/lupul. everybody thinks he goes to the habs; not sure he fits, definitely think the leafs are the best fit.

Funny the team I hate the most in hockey would be my favorite team overnight.

One more thing Michael; st Louis does not finish the season with the bolts but Malone does!!!!
- vinnybolt4life

Would be a good fit with the Leafs. No need to hate the Leafs since they likely will not get Vincent. The Leaf fans are not that different than Lightning fans except they haven't had a Stanley Cup during most of their fans' lifetimes.

I expect St Louis will be with Tampa until he retires.

Would be a good fit with the Leafs. No need to hate the Leafs since they likely will not get Vincent. The Leaf fans are not that different than Lightning fans except they haven't had a Stanley Cup during most of their fans' lifetimes.

I expect St Louis will be with Tampa until he retires.
- Leafsandbolts

Marty wants another cup; lightning are at least 3 years out for being cup potential if not longer; Marty gets you some key pieces; just my opinion.

Take Lindholm, he's the best all around player in the draft. Could very well end up being Zetterberg.
- Viktory

I think Barkov's right on the edge at three. I don't see Lindholm as being an option at three. Then again, I didn't see Koekkoek at ten.

Marty wants another cup; lightning are at least 3 years out for being cup potential if not longer; Marty gets you some key pieces; just my opinion.
- vinnybolt4life

Trade kulemin and grabo or rights to Bozak (I'D rather we re-sign him young 2ND line centre). For Marty and Malone. TB gets a SOLID second line centre and a hard working defensive minded winger. Toronto takes on a bad contract bang and crash forward and awesome talented winger. Then signs Lecavalier for 3-4 years. Probably a few 2nd or 3rd round picks to even it out in there somewhere. Or Toronto agrees to send Marty and VINNIE back after we win the cup for 5th-6 th rounders so they finish up their careers with Tampa and maybe eke out another cup. Just a thought

Trade kulemin and grabo or rights to Bozak (I'D rather we re-sign him young 2ND line centre). For Marty and Malone. TB gets a SOLID second line centre and a hard working defensive minded winger. Toronto takes on a bad contract bang and crash forward and awesome talented winger. Then signs Lecavalier for 3-4 years. Probably a few 2nd or 3rd round picks to even it out in there somewhere. Or Toronto agrees to send Marty and VINNIE back after we win the cup for 5th-6 th rounders so they finish up their careers with Tampa and maybe eke out another cup. Just a thought
- marklaprise

Vinnie will never come back to the lightning; his next contract is his last.

Vinnie will never come back to the lightning; his next contract is his last.
- vinnybolt4life

Never underestimate the power of the dark side !

$8 mill freed up you say? I know a defensemen that wants that amount.

I won a lot of Cups with Lecavalier in NHL 2008. I hope the Canucks offer him a deal. I've been a huge fan since he started to fill out his frame.

I had a dream last night he signed with Nashville for 4 mill a yr over 10 years