Is your day really that bad that all you can do is come into other threads and be a douche? Nobody said he was the be all/end all in defense. Simpily a good addition.
- Artyukhin76

I actually think Michael Stuart has said this ever single day since July 1st

the Rangers won 6 playoff series in 3 years with Brad Richards.

It was the change in CBA with the new cap re-capture rules that forced the Rangers to amnesty Richards, just like the Lightning were forced to do with Lecavalier.

The Lightning didn't really want to say goodbye to Vinny and the Rangers really didn't want to say goodbye to Brad.

This has nothing to do with the Stralman signing at all. Good try though.
- jimbro83

I see you missed the point again? Reading comprehension not a strong suit is it? It was about signings being 20/20 in hindsight, we will live and learn if the Stralman signing was good or not, that's all.
Who said they weren't happy to see Vinny go? His contract was an albatross made by a previous owner management group. It's easy to let him go when he's past his prime getting paid 10 mil- 7.5 cap hit for 25 goals especially when you have a Stamkos that needs to be paid.

I actually think Michael Stuart has said this ever single day since July 1st
- jimbro83

Are we Michael Stuart? Again reading comprehension. What a concept huh?

It's an opinion genius, get over it or GTFO! He's a (frank)ing blogger, not the Lightning GM so chill out.

So, on a side note to the fan battle about Stralman and the likes...

I'm looking for insight into Vasilevski. I can look at his impressive stats all I want. I saw him play for Russia, he's signed now and I think he's going to be your AHL starter this season?

With Bishop on the last year of his deal, what's Vasilevski's outlook to be the #1 guy in TB? He's still very young, they could sign Bishop for 3-4 more years before Vasilevski takes over. He appears to have elite #1 potential, and is tracking that way.

So, on a side note to the fan battle about Stralman and the likes...

I'm looking for insight into Vasilevski. I can look at his impressive stats all I want. I saw him play for Russia, he's signed now and I think he's going to be your AHL starter this season?

With Bishop on the last year of his deal, what's Vasilevski's outlook to be the #1 guy in TB? He's still very young, they could sign Bishop for 3-4 more years before Vasilevski takes over. He appears to have elite #1 potential, and is tracking that way.
- Rocktane

I think that's the game plan but he hasn't played a game yet maybe a year or two in he AHL before coming up as backup.

So, on a side note to the fan battle about Stralman and the likes...

I'm looking for insight into Vasilevski. I can look at his impressive stats all I want. I saw him play for Russia, he's signed now and I think he's going to be your AHL starter this season?

With Bishop on the last year of his deal, what's Vasilevski's outlook to be the #1 guy in TB? He's still very young, they could sign Bishop for 3-4 more years before Vasilevski takes over. He appears to have elite #1 potential, and is tracking that way.
- Rocktane

Vasilevski could be in the NHL by seasons end.
http://www.rawcharge.com/...ov-steve-yzerman-comments

Exciting times for you guys ! I don't know if a team can have to much talent but if there was one it would be Tampa you guys have almost no needs. Hopefully bishop picks up where he left off

Exciting times for you guys ! I don't know if a team can have to much talent but if there was one it would be Tampa you guys have almost no needs. Hopefully bishop picks up where he left off
- blizzzard

I expect a small drop off for Bishop (nothing major) but the improved defense should compensate for any of that.

I'd love to stay and chat but time for 18.

I'd love to stay and chat but time for a 18 yr old.
- tpd11

Fixed.

At least she's 18!

Im pumped to watch the Lightning this year - will definitely be tuning into their games. Solid team you have there in Florida!

I don't remember him being benched once let alone several times but yea he's a 2nd pairing guy on a good defensive team.
- rangerdanger94

Which is a valuable position to any hockey team?

Honestly, I don't get why Ranger fans on here are so insecure about their team that they have to relentlessly bash anyone who leaves the team and get any dissenting posters kicked off their board.

Just ignore them, Tampa fans. They'll find out soon enough how important Stralman was in limiting their GA.

Which is a valuable position to any hockey team?

Honestly, I don't get why Ranger fans on here are so insecure about their team that they have to relentlessly bash anyone who leaves the team and get any dissenting posters kicked off their board.

Just ignore them, Tampa fans. They'll find out soon enough how important Stralman was in limiting their GA.
- TommyDeVito

Did they get MSL or is that still not happening, per you?

Which is a valuable position to any hockey team?

Honestly, I don't get why Ranger fans on here are so insecure about their team that they have to relentlessly bash anyone who leaves the team and get any dissenting posters kicked off their board.

Just ignore them, Tampa fans. They'll find out soon enough how important Stralman was in limiting their GA.
- TommyDeVito

I never said it's not a valuable position. As a fan of a team that thrives on defense I understand how important having 6 nhl caliber defensemen is and especially a top 4 where any player can shut down crosby or ovechkin.

The rangers kept their GA down before stralman and as long as hank is healthy will likely keep it down after stralman. I didn't like seeing stralman go but our defense is still deep and his replacement dan boyle is a step back defensively but adds an offensive dimension our blueline has been missing for years. I think both teams benefited from their additions in different ways.

Which is a valuable position to any hockey team?

Honestly, I don't get why Ranger fans on here are so insecure about their team that they have to relentlessly bash anyone who leaves the team and get any dissenting posters kicked off their board.

Just ignore them, Tampa fans. They'll find out soon enough how important Stralman was in limiting their GA.
- TommyDeVito

There are a good number of Rangers posters that are actually pretty cool and always good for a solid conversation, and coming from an Islander fan that should say a lot. Someone just poured an entire beach's worth of sand into Jimbro's lady parts and he is very angry at the world.

I never said it's not a valuable position. As a fan of a team that thrives on defense I understand how important having 6 nhl caliber defensemen is and especially a top 4 where any player can shut down crosby or ovechkin.

The rangers kept their GA down before stralman and as long as hank is healthy will likely keep it down after stralman. I didn't like seeing stralman go but our defense is still deep and his replacement dan boyle is a step back defensively but adds an offensive dimension our blueline has been missing for years. I think both teams benefited from their additions in different ways.
- rangerdanger94

Guess what? Stralman adds a defensive dimension that the lightning's blueline has been missing for years. All that was said in here was that Stralman was the best piece we could have added to our defence, and we got it. Makes the Bolts better. As far as all the corsi/possession talk, and im not a big proponent of that, the facts are that "those" stats show that Stralman was a better possession player than Stall. Is he the better defenseman? Probably not. Is he the better possession player? Stats show that he is. Whether you "believe" in corsi or not, fact of the matter is that Stralman is rated highly, higher than Stall, under the corsi ratings.

Guess what? Stralman adds a defensive dimension that the lightning's blueline has been missing for years. All that was said in here was that Stralman was the best piece we could have added to our defence, and we got it. Makes the Bolts better. As far as all the corsi/possession talk, and im not a big proponent of that, the facts are that "those" stats show that Stralman was a better possession player than Stall. Is he the better defenseman? Probably not. Is he the better possession player? Stats show that he is. Whether you "believe" in corsi or not, fact of the matter is that Stralman is rated highly, higher than Stall, under the corsi ratings.
- TBolts4

Like I said, you guys getting stralman and us getting boyle both benefited our respective clubs in different ways. As far as corsi, that number isn't a fact that stralman is a better possession player. It means that the rangers got slightly more shots on goal while stralman is on the ice instead of shots against as compared to when staal is on the ice. People just assume that means that you possess the puck more because how can a team shoot the puck on net if they dont possess it. Its a simple concept but just a concept based on extremely dumbed down assumptions.

Like I said, you guys getting stralman and us getting boyle both benefited our respective clubs in different ways. As far as corsi, that number isn't a fact that stralman is a better possession player. It means that the rangers got slightly more shots on goal while stralman is on the ice instead of shots against as compared to when staal is on the ice. People just assume that means that you possess the puck more because how can a team shoot the puck on net if they dont possess it. Its a simple concept but just a concept based on extremely dumbed down assumptions.
- rangerdanger94

I don't really like that corsi stuff either, and really dont get it, but from what I saw from rangers games last season, Stralman is a solid defender who doesnt make too many mistakes and blocks shots. To compare him to a former lightning player, i would say 2004 Cory Sarich? Or maybe a young Salo.

I don't really like that corsi stuff either, and really dont get it, but from what I saw from rangers games last season, Stralman is a solid defender who doesnt make too many mistakes and blocks shots. To compare him to a former lightning player, i would say 2004 Cory Sarich? Or maybe a young Salo.
- TBolts4

I never watched sarich enough to make a comparison to him but you are right in how you describe him as a solid defender that doesn't make mistakes. He loves to hipcheck too.

If I had to compare him to someone, id say hamhuis lite. Not as good as hamhuis but very quietly effective.

The lightning got a good player in Stralman. Will he be worth the contract? Who knows, but at 4.5m salary with the cap going up, even if he doesn't replicate his time with the Rangers will be less and less of a burden. Every team takes risks when it comes to FA signings, what makes this any different? Obviously compared to last year 4.5m for Stralman seems like a lot, but look at the inflated contracts that have been given out this free agency and even last year (David Clarkson). I'm not saying Stralman will be worth 4.5m, but I'd be excited if I were a bolts fan to add to and bolster our defense. Bunch of Ranger fans being sour pusses is really all I see. If you think it is overpayment, then fine state it in a way that doesn't make you look like a jerk.

The lightning got a good player in Stralman. Will he be worth the contract? Who knows, but at 4.5m salary with the cap going up, even if he doesn't replicate his time with the Rangers will be less and less of a burden. Every team takes risks when it comes to FA signings, what makes this any different? Obviously compared to last year 4.5m for Stralman seems like a lot, but look at the inflated contracts that have been given out this free agency and even last year (David Clarkson). I'm not saying Stralman will be worth 4.5m, but I'd be excited if I were a bolts fan to add to and bolster our defense. Bunch of Ranger fans being sour pusses is really all I see. If you think it is overpayment, then fine state it in a way that doesn't make you look like a jerk.
- RickJames77

I'm not sure if youve been following michael stuarts blogs since they signed stralman but he consistently says that stralman made marc staal an nhl player and the only reason staal has any success is because of stralman. Staal is apparently a "drag" on stralmans elite defensive ability.

Not sure youd be too happy if an Edmonton blogger continued to write blogs about how ference carried seidenberg on his back and was the only reason seidenberg was successful because corsi.That's why we come in waves being angry sour pusses. Whenever you try to argue it he just says "corsi proves it as a fact you are wrong".

The lightning got a good player in Stralman. Will he be worth the contract? Who knows, but at 4.5m salary with the cap going up, even if he doesn't replicate his time with the Rangers will be less and less of a burden. Every team takes risks when it comes to FA signings, what makes this any different? Obviously compared to last year 4.5m for Stralman seems like a lot, but look at the inflated contracts that have been given out this free agency and even last year (David Clarkson). I'm not saying Stralman will be worth 4.5m, but I'd be excited if I were a bolts fan to add to and bolster our defense. Bunch of Ranger fans being sour pusses is really all I see. If you think it is overpayment, then fine state it in a way that doesn't make you look like a jerk.
- RickJames77

The thing is, some of them act like its a grossly overpayment, while the rangers offered him a mere 500k less. For a top 4 defender, 4.5mil per is market price, and there's no reason to believe Stralman is not a top 4 dman.

It's an opinion genius, get over it or GTFO! He's a (frank)ing blogger, not the Lightning GM so chill out.
- Artyukhin76

Tampa fans telling Rangers fans to "get over it" isn't that funny

I'm not sure if youve been following michael stuarts blogs since they signed stralman but he consistently says that stralman made marc staal an nhl player and the only reason staal has any success is because of stralman. Staal is apparently a "drag" on stralmans elite defensive ability.

Not sure youd be too happy if an Edmonton blogger continued to write blogs about how ference carried seidenberg on his back and was the only reason seidenberg was successful because corsi.That's why we come in waves being angry sour pusses.
- rangerdanger94

Nope haven't been following along, admittedly. Well if fans are backing that assertion up then I'd tend to agree with you. Stralman in no way makes Staal and NHLer and I would certainly take Staal over Stralman. That being said, I thought I saw the Tampa posters say a few times that they were not trying to say Stralman was better than Staal? Could be wrong, but regardless I would be happy to sign Stralman if my team needed defensive help and there was a continuingly rising salary cap/inflated contracts.