Fact is the Lightning have drafted really well over the last five or six years. Dealing an elder statesmen for a younger winger and inevitably two first round draft picks adds to an already pretty well stocked cupboard of offensive talent.

Not that I like giving a newly arrogant fan base any credit but you have to respect how the Lightning organization have gone about their business and kept building from within. Aside from the about six players the Lightning are a homegrown group with some more talent on the way.

It always helps to have a franchise player, the quality of Stamkos, to build around. But bottom line is that they took advantage of the years they were basement dwellers and have made some shrewd deals to shore up weak areas in the organization: goaltending and defense.

The Rangers have never been so bad they were able to draft in the top five in this century. But, I have said it before and I will say it again, how many current top teams have been able to remain competitive without ever drafting in the top five, in any recent draft year?
- MidnightMarauder

Yes they are. Tampa seems to make the right moves every year. And to Sathers credit the Rangers have also seemed to make the right moves every year for awhile now. Obviously this year is a question mark?

I just don't get the whole perpetually offended piss and moan, even if you like your team better now than before attitude. Hell if I was a Tampa fan I would be thrilled. Team is playing well, got 2 1sts, Cally seems to fit in well on that Stamkos line.

Maybe its as I get older, but I really don't understand the hatred of MSL from Tampa fans. Seems really juvenile and petty.

Yes they are. Tampa seems to make the right moves every year. And to Sathers credit the Rangers have also seemed to make the right moves every year for awhile now. Obviously this year is a question mark?

I just don't get the whole perpetually offended piss and moan, even if you like your team better now than before attitude. Hell if I was a Tampa fan I would be thrilled. Team is playing well, got 2 1sts, Cally seems to fit in well on that Stamkos line.

Maybe its as I get older, but I really don't understand the hatred of MSL from Tampa fans. Seems really juvenile and petty.
- mdw7413

I can see why their fans are annoyed at how he insisted his way out of town but it wasn't solely about the organization; it was about Yzerman and their relationship. Once that fell apart St. Louis became fed up and demanded his way out of town. It's not like he would have boycotted and refused to play for them anymore if a deal was never made.

Players demand trades, it happens, I don't know why people get so bent out of shape over that.

I can see why their fans are annoyed at how he insisted his way out of town but it wasn't solely about the organization; it was about Yzerman and their relationship. Once that fell apart St. Louis became fed up and demanded his way out of town. It's not like he would have boycotted and refused to play for them anymore if a deal was never made.

Players demand trades, it happens, I don't know why people get so bent out of shape over that.
- MidnightMarauder

MSL probably beats children like adrian peterson. Total scumbag.

I can see why their fans are annoyed at how he insisted his way out of town but it wasn't solely about the organization; it was about Yzerman and their relationship. Once that fell apart St. Louis became fed up and demanded his way out of town. It's not like he would have boycotted and refused to play for them anymore if a deal was never made.

Players demand trades, it happens, I don't know why people get so bent out of shape over that.
- MidnightMarauder

Yeah, no doubt, I totally understand if I was a Tampa fan at the time I would have been pissed off. I just don't get what seems like real hatred for a guy who was a professional by all accounts and was a leader for 13 years and brought a cup to Tampa.

Yeah, no doubt, I totally understand if I was a Tampa fan at the time I would have been pissed off. I just don't get what seems like real hatred for a guy who was a professional by all accounts and was a leader for 13 years and brought a cup to Tampa.
- mdw7413

Their egos are hurt. When the rumors popped up they laughed saying they were impossible and that theres no way any player would want out of the best up and coming organization in the league and that yzerman is god and the players love him. And then MSL admitted it and their hearts were broken.

Also MSL banged every lightning fans sister right before left. Scumbag.

Yeah, no doubt, I totally understand if I was a Tampa fan at the time I would have been pissed off. I just don't get what seems like real hatred for a guy who was a professional by all accounts and was a leader for 13 years and brought a cup to Tampa.
- mdw7413

That's where I am at. I get being annoyed but the flat out hatred and still with the insults. To each their own I guess.

Their egos are hurt. When the rumors popped up they laughed saying they were impossible and that theres no way any player would want out of the best up and coming organization in the league and that yzerman is god and the players love him. And then MSL admitted it and their hearts were broken.

Also MSL banged every lightning fans sister right before left. Scumbag.
- rangerdanger94

Probably kicked puppies too.

Probably kicked puppies too.
- mdw7413

Probably?

That's where I am at. I get being annoyed but the flat out hatred and still with the insults. To each their own I guess.
- MidnightMarauder

Yup, and its not just Tampa, hell there where idiots at MSG booing Cally. Just seems the MSL issue is the majority of fans feel that way. Like you say though, to each his own.

Probably?
- rangerdanger94

For some reason this is what I think of him now.

Well no Giroux tomorrow night

Well no Giroux tomorrow night
- TPC

Well that's good news for us at least.

Please please read, this totally changed my mood, I'm making this my manifesto

http://keefetothecity.com...in-st-louis-huge-mistake/
- HankdaTank

I second that emotion

yessss

MSL wanted out of Tampa before Yzerman showed up . I saw their former GM (maybe Bellows) on tsn last year just after the story broke that MSL was asking for a trade . He said MSL asked for a trade twice . At the begning of the two previous years and Bellows talked him out of it saying hang on for a bit longer .

MSL wanted out of Tampa before Yzerman showed up . I saw their former GM (maybe Bellows) on tsn last year just after the story broke that MSL was asking for a trade . He said MSL asked for a trade twice . At the begning of the two previous years and Bellows talked him out of it saying hang on for a bit longer .
- way out west

Link to the interview with former Tampa GM Brian Lawton here:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...trade-to-rangers-in-2009/

Link to the interview with former Tampa GM Brian Lawton here:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...trade-to-rangers-in-2009/
- 21peter

Guess my memory is not what I thought !! I do know I saw him in studio talking thou. But then again I am 59

Guess my memory is not what I thought !! I do know I saw him in studio talking thou. But then again I am 59
- way out west

Always meant to ask you, you live out west or are you a fan of the The Big Lebowski ?

Always meant to ask you, you live out west or are you a fan of the The Big Lebowski ?
- mdw7413

I live on the west coast of Canada . And are also a fan of the big lebowski , how can a guy not be ?

I live on the west coast of Canada . And are also a fan of the big lebowski , how can a guy not be ?
- way out west

So the name is perfect.

Of course the Isles are taking care of Tampa, this season really sucks

Since Mr. Hyde was on the ice last night, Dr. Jekyll should show up tomorrow ...

Looks like Nash-Brass-Zuke will be the top line. Remember AV said "That's one of the best periods I've seen three guys play in a long time" after the Wild game. Hopefully they will stay together for a while!

We know what he meant and it still is insane to read.

Callahan giving his all is terrific; the guy is nothing more than a glorified third line player playing with an all world center in Stamkos. His stats will look great as long as he is playing on that line.
- MidnightMarauder

Ya gotta be kidding me. Cally scores about 25 a year and does
Many other good things. What does a guy have to do to be a
Legit top 6? Score 30? Are there any teams that have 4
Better wingers than cally? Even disregarding his immense intangibles,
Are there any teams w 4 wingers who score more than 25?
C'mon man.

Of course the Isles are taking care of Tampa, this season really sucks
- HankdaTank

Tampa is playing their backup goalie tonight

Tampa is playing their backup goalie tonight
- TPC

Still out playing them, just adds to the nightmare and embarrassing start of this season, if they don't figure this out sooner than later it could be very damaging to the franchise