Thanks... I wouldn't either but why not????
- Ur Not Me

I like the potential fit with Drouin/Stamkos. Plus, I think Drouin has the potential to be absolutely elite.

No, I wouldn't.

Drouin is probably the top prospect, with Andrei Vasilevskiy sitting a close second.
- Michael_Stuart

At this point, i dont even think it would cost that much to get Kane... but i dont think i would want him in my locker room...

OK but question: who did Staal play with and against when apart from AS? and same questions for AS? this is why it's dangerous to blindly assume everything about a player through stats only. there is always going to be missing context.

i'm not criticizing this signing. $4.5 million is the going rate for a top-4 d man. but this is also a guy who scored 1 goal and 13 points in 81 games and was only +9. those are horrific offensive numbers for a second pairing dman, especially one who had a relatively high off start %.

so again, this is a guy with decent (not great) possession stats who provides absolutely no offence. i am not saying this was a bad signing. but i think the whole "applause" thing is a bit farfetched.
- DoubleDown

his possession #s are great. Best on the team against high competition, too. Mcdonagh was dragged down by Girardi, though. Crazy they chose Girardi over Stralman

Congrats ....Enjoy ya lifetime ban from Toronto.





No Ford crack for u
- Fruitcakenipple

I could care less

I like the potential fit with Drouin/Stamkos. Plus, I think Drouin has the potential to be absolutely elite.
- Michael_Stuart

Thanks for input...

From an outsider point of view, how do you view Strome? And would you include him in a trade for Kane? just asking again....

Thanks for input...

From an outsider point of view, how do you view Strome? And would you include him in a trade for Kane? just asking again....
- Ur Not Me

Tough question. I really, really like Strome. But the opportunity to slot Kane in beside Tavares would be hard to pass up. I'd think about making that deal, but I wouldn't add much more.

his possession #s are great. Best on the team against high competition, too. Mcdonagh was dragged down by Girardi, though. Crazy they chose Girardi over Stralman
- TheNugeIsHuge

Despite the subpar postseason from Girardi, I think he's def better than Stralman. Again like others mentioned, you have to credit the Rangers great defensive system over the last 3 or 4 years for the sudden advance in AS game. He was a 7th d man for his career before coming to NY.

Despite the subpar postseason from Girardi, I think he's def better than Stralman. Again like others mentioned, you have to credit the Rangers great defensive system over the last 3 or 4 years for the sudden advance in AS game. He was a 7th d man for his career before coming to NY.
- B2B76

I couldn't care less
- tpd11

fixed

Hi Michael and Fans,

First, Michael - I have been a fan of your blogs for a long time. I finally decided to get involved.

I love the Stralman signing. Below is my take on the Lightning's line-up as of today :

Tampa Bay Lightning Line-up analysis :

First, I fully expect Jonathan Drouin to end up playing on the top-line with Stamkos. But, he will likely start out the season on an easier line. I doubt they will throw him to the wolves on the top line up against the league's top lines. They will ease him into that slowly, depending on how fast he adjusts to the NHL style of play.

Right-wing is the only area of slight concern remaining. GM Yzerman made a hard push for Jarome Iginla, so I don't think Stevie Y. is done with acquisitions. I expect to see us pick up another quality wing via a trade by the beginning of the season.

Ok, first, let's look at the defense pairings. What a difference one off-season makes. Arguably, the Lightning now have one of the most solid corps of defensemen in the East. I don't know how coach Cooper is going to pair them up, but here is my selections :

Hedman - Stralman (this is downright dangerous for other teams)
Carle - Garrison
Brewer - Gudas
Barberio - Sustr (reserve)

Here are my forward lines : (again, subject to change once the season goes on)

Palat - Stamkos - Johnson
Drouin - Filppula - Callahan
Killorn - Boyle - Kucherov
Brown - Pyatt - Connolly

Notice, I put Johnson on wing with Stamkos - this would be temporary until Drouin steps up, then I would put Drouin on the line and put Johnson in as 3rd line center and bump Boyle back to line 4. Connolly could move up also, depending on how he adjusts.

The goaltending situation is amazing, and that is a huge change from the days of Smith and Ellis : Bishop and Nabokov, with Gudlevskis and Vasilevsk waiting in the minors.

If I was Marty St. Louis, I would be regretting that move to New York right now, because while the Rangers are now depleted and in worse shape than last year, the Lightning are the talk of the league and on the rise to being a serious Cup contender.

Hi Michael and Fans,

First, Michael - I have been a fan of your blogs for a long time. I finally decided to get involved.

I love the Stralman signing. Below is my take on the Lightning's line-up as of today :

Tampa Bay Lightning Line-up analysis :

First, I fully expect Jonathan Drouin to end up playing on the top-line with Stamkos. But, he will likely start out the season on an easier line. I doubt they will throw him to the wolves on the top line up against the league's top lines. They will ease him into that slowly, depending on how fast he adjusts to the NHL style of play.

Right-wing is the only area of slight concern remaining. GM Yzerman made a hard push for Jarome Iginla, so I don't think Stevie Y. is done with acquisitions. I expect to see us pick up another quality wing via a trade by the beginning of the season.

Ok, first, let's look at the defense pairings. What a difference one off-season makes. Arguably, the Lightning now have one of the most solid corps of defensemen in the East. I don't know how coach Cooper is going to pair them up, but here is my selections :

Hedman - Stralman (this is downright dangerous for other teams)
Carle - Garrison
Brewer - Gudas
Barberio - Sustr (reserve)

Here are my forward lines : (again, subject to change once the season goes on)

Palat - Stamkos - Johnson
Drouin - Filppula - Callahan
Killorn - Boyle - Kucherov
Brown - Pyatt - Connolly

Notice, I put Johnson on wing with Stamkos - this would be temporary until Drouin steps up, then I would put Drouin on the line and put Johnson in as 3rd line center and bump Boyle back to line 4. Connolly could move up also, depending on how he adjusts.

The goaltending situation is amazing, and that is a huge change from the days of Smith and Ellis : Bishop and Nabokov, with Gudlevskis and Vasilevsk waiting in the minors.

If I was Marty St. Louis, I would be regretting that move to New York right now, because while the Rangers are now depleted and in worse shape than last year, the Lightning are the talk of the league and on the rise to being a serious Cup contender.
- GalacticStone

I'm thinking more like this:
Drouin(Killorn) Stamkos Connolly
Palat Filppula Callahan
Killorn Johnson Kucherov
Paquette Boyle Panik
(Brown)

Hedman Garrison
Carle Stralman
Brewer Gudas
(Barberio Sustr)

Bishop
Nabokov


Limit Drouin's time on the top line but don't assign him to the bottom six. Have Killorn fill in on the first and third lines to give Drouin time to adjust. Victor Hedman can play with anyone so I put Garrison with him. Carle needs more defensive help so Stralman is better with him.

Hi Michael and Fans,

First, Michael - I have been a fan of your blogs for a long time. I finally decided to get involved.

I love the Stralman signing. Below is my take on the Lightning's line-up as of today :

Tampa Bay Lightning Line-up analysis :

First, I fully expect Jonathan Drouin to end up playing on the top-line with Stamkos. But, he will likely start out the season on an easier line. I doubt they will throw him to the wolves on the top line up against the league's top lines. They will ease him into that slowly, depending on how fast he adjusts to the NHL style of play.

Right-wing is the only area of slight concern remaining. GM Yzerman made a hard push for Jarome Iginla, so I don't think Stevie Y. is done with acquisitions. I expect to see us pick up another quality wing via a trade by the beginning of the season.

Ok, first, let's look at the defense pairings. What a difference one off-season makes. Arguably, the Lightning now have one of the most solid corps of defensemen in the East. I don't know how coach Cooper is going to pair them up, but here is my selections :

Hedman - Stralman (this is downright dangerous for other teams)
Carle - Garrison
Brewer - Gudas
Barberio - Sustr (reserve)

Here are my forward lines : (again, subject to change once the season goes on)

Palat - Stamkos - Johnson
Drouin - Filppula - Callahan
Killorn - Boyle - Kucherov
Brown - Pyatt - Connolly

Notice, I put Johnson on wing with Stamkos - this would be temporary until Drouin steps up, then I would put Drouin on the line and put Johnson in as 3rd line center and bump Boyle back to line 4. Connolly could move up also, depending on how he adjusts.

The goaltending situation is amazing, and that is a huge change from the days of Smith and Ellis : Bishop and Nabokov, with Gudlevskis and Vasilevsk waiting in the minors.

If I was Marty St. Louis, I would be regretting that move to New York right now, because while the Rangers are now depleted and in worse shape than last year, the Lightning are the talk of the league and on the rise to being a serious Cup contender.
- GalacticStone

Welcome!!

^Those lines look scary good. And you mentioned one thing that I feel many people here are overlooking... Stralman will probably play with Hedman. Now I don't know what #4 caliber D man Hedman dragged around last season, but I know he didn't have much help back there and he had a Norris caliber season (should have been nominated over Keith. Im sick of offensive defensemen winning over defense first players. And don't start with me hawks fans, Keith is not nearly as good defensively as Weber, Suter, Chara, Hedman... He's like the 3rd best on his team behind Seabrook and Hjalmarsson) But I digress... Playing with Hedman will only make Stralman better and vice versa as Hedman will actually have a reliable defender to back him up on the rare occasion he makes a mistake. Not to mention adding Garrison to the 2nd pair will further relieve pressure on the 1st pair... The lightning will absolutely be a top 3 East team with Bos and Pit next year. Barring injury, I see no weakness on this team other than theyre very young and maybe a bit undersized up front (and for that reason I love the Boyle signing) I remember when I was looking forward to feasting on Florida in the new division... Not looking like thatll be the case anymore

I'm thinking more like this:
Drouin(Killorn) Stamkos Connolly
Palat Filppula Callahan
Killorn Johnson Kucherov
Paquette Boyle Panik
(Brown)

Hedman Garrison
Carle Stralman
Brewer Gudas
(Barberio Sustr)

Bishop
Nabokov




Limit Drouin's time on the top line but don't assign him to the bottom six. Have Killorn fill in on the first and third lines to give Drouin time to adjust. Victor Hedman can play with anyone so I put Garrison with him. Carle needs more defensive help so Stralman is better with him.
- Artyukhin76

I like this lineup (i'dd put Brown ahead of Panik, though. Panik is just baffling. One day he mesmerizes you and the next he looks like Ryan Malone.
The only thing though is that doesnt Cooper like to play with 7 Dmen and 11 forwards?
As far as acquiring another forward, I'dd rather give the kids a chance.

^Those lines look scary good. And you mentioned one thing that I feel many people here are overlooking... Stralman will probably play with Hedman. Now I don't know what #4 caliber D man Hedman dragged around last season, but I know he didn't have much help back there and he had a Norris caliber season (should have been nominated over Keith. Im sick of offensive defensemen winning over defense first players. And don't start with me hawks fans, Keith is not nearly as good defensively as Weber, Suter, Chara, Hedman... He's like the 3rd best on his team behind Seabrook and Hjalmarsson) But I digress... Playing with Hedman will only make Stralman better and vice versa as Hedman will actually have a reliable defender to back him up on the rare occasion he makes a mistake. Not to mention adding Garrison to the 2nd pair will further relieve pressure on the 1st pair... The lightning will absolutely be a top 3 East team with Bos and Pit next year. Barring injury, I see no weakness on this team other than theyre very young and maybe a bit undersized up front (and for that reason I love the Boyle signing) I remember when I was looking forward to feasting on Florida in the new division... Not looking like thatll be the case anymore
- Shaundre93

I like this lineup (i'dd put Brown ahead of Panik, though. Panik is just baffling. One day he mesmerizes you and the next he looks like Ryan Malone.
The only thing though is that doesnt Cooper like to play with 7 Dmen and 11 forwards?
As far as acquiring another forward, I'dd rather give the kids a chance.
- TBolts4

The issue with Brown is that he doesn't have the size to play on the fourth line and Panik does. I have no desire to aquire another forward, Paquette is in our system and a great energy/gritty guy.

Stralman is the defenseman we need to complete a strong top 4. He will never be a points whore Like Hedman, but he will be a brick wall on our Blueline.
Our defense has improved, but by how much? Time will tell.

Stralman is the defenseman we need to complete a strong top 4. He will never be a points whore Like Hedman, but he will be a brick wall on our Blueline.
Our defense has improved, but by how much? Time will tell.
- Artyukhin76

Stralman = Elite defensive defenseman.

http://www.blueshirtbante...rs-really-have-on-defence

The issue with Brown is that he doesn't have the size to play on the fourth line and Panik does. I have no desire to aquire another forward, Paquette is in our system and a great energy/gritty guy.
- Artyukhin76

That's true. I think we'll see a lot of interchanging this year. Like you said, killorn and drouin alternating. Or Johnson taking the odd shift on the top line. Boyle playing on the third line. Stamkos playing with Callahan. Johnson with Palat and Drouin. And so on.

As for Hedman, I think he'll benefit greatly with playing with Stralman as well. I think Salo did OK and as well as was expected of him, but Stralman is younger, faster, and quite frankly better, which will only make Hedman better. Or he would DEFINITELY make Carle better. I also think Hedman will see a lot more time on the power play this year. He could really do some damage on the scoresheet if he does!

Stralman = Elite defensive defenseman.

http://www.blueshirtbante...rs-really-have-on-defence
- Michael_Stuart

We haven't seen him play for us yet. I like him, I think he's good, but he hasn't had to carry someone like Carle before.

We haven't seen him play for us yet. I like him, I think he's good, but he hasn't had to carry someone like Carle before.
- Artyukhin76

Marc Staal.

Plus, he may play with Hedman. Who knows.

Marc Staal.

Plus, he may play with Hedman. Who knows.
- Michael_Stuart

Are you saying
Carle = M. Staal?

Stralman could be the next Seidenberg. Its all about putting the right player in the right situation

Deryk Engelland was the smartest signing

Marc Staal.

Plus, he may play with Hedman. Who knows.
- Michael_Stuart

Don't be blinded by Corsi stats; Marc Staal is a legitimate top four defender on just about any team in the league.