I really don't understand why any TB fans would dislike MSL. I mean that as a sincere statement.

The guy was an absolutely amazing player for over a decade in a Bolts uniform. He was a regular all star and by all counts that I had ever seen a great guy to both his teammates and the fans.

I understand being disappointed that he wanted to leave and I'm not privy to his personal reasons whether it be family, Yzerman, etc. But why does it matter?

The guy represented the game and his team well for over 13 years and then asked his GM privately to be traded at a time when he could easily be moved for quality return value. It's not like he pulled a Kovalchuk and left the team high and dry with no options negatively impacting them for years to come.

I just get the impression that a lot of fans have their butts hurt because they feel some self entitlement that MSL owes them his entire playing career for reasons that I cannot comprehend. Messier left NY. Bourque left Boston. Blake left LA. Hasek left Buffalo. I don't recall anyone hating these guys for it. Maybe someone can explain it to me.
- Maskdman3

Many of those listed left for different reasons. For instance Bourque was graciously granted a trade so he could pursue a cup when the B's weren't competitive. Not one listed requested a trade at the deadline on a playoff team.

Marty earned the love and admiration of this city over the years and no Bolt fan doesn't recognize his contributions.

Ask yourself this, if Brian Leetch had pulled this on your Rags how would you feel?

this trade is one of those trades that's proving to be great for both teams.

After Lundqvist, MSL was probably the 2nd biggest reason the Rangers made it to the Stanley Cup finals and he is becoming a beloved player who will probably keep signing one year deals with the team until he retires, which may not be for quite awhile.

Tampa got a great player in Callahan who wanted to stay and two first round picks, Marty requesting a trade to the Rangers may ultimately be one of the best things that have happened to that organization.

There's just no need to be negative about it, it's much better than Marty retiring and you guys getting nothing
- jimbro83

If Brian Leetch had pulled this type of shenanigan on your Rags how would you feel? All peaches and cream right

you guys have the 2nd best record in the NHL, as good a chance to win the Cup as any team in the league, probably the best player in the league in Stamkos, two first round picks in June, yet you guys do not stop waaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaing

it's amazing.
- jimbro83

We aren't complaining about our hockey team. But thanks for the status update.

You can't say he quit on the team. He played hard every night despite the leaked rumors and would've continued to play hard every night had there been no deal.
- rangerdanger94

I've asked this question quite a few times on your thread and here including this particular thread and have never gotten a response but how do you think you'd feel honestly if the roles were reversed?

If the roles were reversed do you think you guys would be upset?
- Cptmjl

They won't answer this question. You know since NY fans are so "forgiving" to players that leave them....cough cough Cano cough cough

If Brian Leetch had pulled this type of shenanigan on your Rags how would you feel? All peaches and cream right
- uf1910

We'd be salty but I think we would've gotten over it depending on the return.

I will say that Cally signed his ticket out of town by demanding $6.5M+ for 8 years and a full NTC to stay and he was our captain yet none of us our salty at him for making unrealistic demands and being willing to walk for nothing at the end of the year.

I've asked this question quite a few times on your thread and here including this particular thread and have never gotten a response but how do you think you'd feel honestly if the roles were reversed?
- Cptmjl

Just answered it...we'd be salty but again, depending on the return, I think we'd be over it by now.

Just answered it...we'd be salty but again, depending on the return, I think we'd be over it by now.
- rangerdanger94

ok

We'd be salty but I think we would've gotten over it depending on the return.

I will say that Cally signed his ticket out of town by demanding $6.5M+ for 8 years and a full NTC to stay and he was our captain yet none of us our salty at him for making unrealistic demands and being willing to walk for nothing at the end of the year.
- rangerdanger94

I think that's a big distinction

We'd be salty but I think we would've gotten over it depending on the return.

I will say that Cally signed his ticket out of town by demanding $6.5M+ for 8 years and a full NTC to stay and he was our captain yet none of us our salty at him for making unrealistic demands and being willing to walk for nothing at the end of the year.
- rangerdanger94

Marty didn't leave due to contract issues. That is not comparing apples to apples.

The NHL is a business and with the Rags cap issues Cally was always going to be a difficult sign. In fact if you had signed him chances are Girardi would have walked. We understand that not all players get to stay for these type of reasons, after all we had to watch Vinny get ushered out for the better long-term future of the franchise. But this was NOT one of those situations. He requested a trade as the captain of the team yet still has not come out and said why? He has alluded to family and also the Team Canada decision but not once has said exactly why he wanted out right then vs waiting until the offseason.

Thank you for being honest and owning up to the fact that NY fans would be salty. You're damn right you guys would be and anyone who says otherwise would be lying.

I think that's a big distinction
- Cptmjl

Honestly I don't care about this MSL - Lightning fan soap opera. MSL demanded a trade to my team cuz my team is awesome so i don't see the need to try and defend him or his decisions. (frank) it and (frank) the Lightning.

Marty didn't leave due to contract issues. That is not comparing apples to apples.

The NHL is a business and with the Rags cap issues Cally was always going to be a difficult sign. In fact if you had signed him chances are Girardi would have walked. We understand that not all players get to stay for these type of reasons, after all we had to watch Vinny get ushered out for the better long-term future of the franchise. But this was NOT one of those situations. He requested a trade as the captain of the team yet still has not come out and said why? He has alluded to family and also the Team Canada decision but not once has said exactly why he wanted out right then vs waiting until the offseason.

Thank you for being honest and owning up to the fact that NY fans would be salty. You're damn right you guys would be and anyone who says otherwise would be lying.
- uf1910

I don't care

Honestly I don't care about this MSL - Lightning fan soap opera. MSL demanded a trade to my team cuz my team is awesome so i don't see the need to try and defend him or his decisions. (frank) it and (frank) the Lightning.
- rangerdanger94

Just answered it...we'd be salty but again, depending on the return, I think we'd be over it by now.
- rangerdanger94

See the bold is what I take issue with? How exactly have the Bolts had a chance to "get over it" much less "by now". Marty still hasn't owned up to his decision, this is his first visit back, what part of reality for us as Bolts fans says we should be over it by now?

Sure we have a good team. Sure the trade looks good for us but that has NOTHING to do with Marty and in fact is the case in spite of Marty. He put this organization in an impossible situation yet somehow Yzerman was able to turn it into a good situation. That credit belongs to Yzerman and Yzerman alone

See the bold is what I take issue with? How exactly have the Bolts had a chance to "get over it" much less "by now". Marty still hasn't owned up to his decision, this is his first visit back, what part of reality for us as Bolts fans says we should be over it by now?

Sure we have a good team. Sure the trade looks good for us but that has NOTHING to do with Marty and in fact is the case in spite of Marty. He put this organization in an impossible situation yet somehow Yzerman was able to turn it into a good situation. That credit belongs to Yzerman and Yzerman alone
- uf1910

Whatever man. I understand where you're coming from and why you're mad I just don't care.

I don't care
- rangerdanger94

Not to be captain obvious but I have to ask

Why are you here?

Not to be captain obvious but I have to ask

Why are you here?
- uf1910

Every other thread is dead

The 2 defensemen they drafted with the picks they got from you for our 1st rounder don't seem likethey'll be anything special let alone make the NHL ever. So essentially right now it was cally and our 2015 1st for MSL and a 2nd and they can still fck up that pick like they did our other one.
- rangerdanger94

And you know this how? Our GM knows talent!
Ondrej Palat 7th round 208th overall
Tyler Johnson Undrafted free agent
Nikita Kucherov 2nd round 58th overall
And that's just one of our forward lines!

And you know this how? Our GM knows talent!
Ondrej Palat 7th round 208th overall
Tyler Johnson Undrafted free agent
Nikita Kucherov 2nd round 58th overall
And that's just one of our forward lines!
- Artyukhin76

Just a few articles I read about them. They both project to have ceilings of borderline/3rd pairing defensive defensemen that have no offensive upside. One of them is at least 4 years away.

See the bold is what I take issue with? How exactly have the Bolts had a chance to "get over it" much less "by now". Marty still hasn't owned up to his decision, this is his first visit back, what part of reality for us as Bolts fans says we should be over it by now?

Sure we have a good team. Sure the trade looks good for us but that has NOTHING to do with Marty and in fact is the case in spite of Marty. He put this organization in an impossible situation yet somehow Yzerman was able to turn it into a good situation. That credit belongs to Yzerman and Yzerman alone
- uf1910

Well if it truly is yzerman I doubt he publicly outs him that would only lead to more criticism. Probably multiple reasons(family, Olympics snub, other)none of which really matters at this point. Trade certainly hasn't made you guys lose a step but I get the negativity surrounding how he left. Things must have gotten real volatile with him and Stevie Y after the olympics IMO. Only way i can explain him not at the very least finishing the season.

Well if it truly is yzerman I doubt he publicly outs him that would only lead to more criticism. Probably multiple reasons(family, Olympics snub, other)none of which really matters at this point. Trade certainly hasn't made you guys lose a step but I get the negativity surrounding how he left. Things must have gotten real volatile with him and Stevie Y after the olympics IMO. Only way i can explain him not at the very least finishing the season.
- Cptmjl

Rangers never would have traded for him in the summer. It was either at the deadline or never.

Rangers never would have traded for him in the summer. It was either at the deadline or never.
- rangerdanger94

Do you think that's what inspired him to demand a trade when he did?

Just a few articles I read about them. They both project to have ceilings of borderline/3rd pairing defensive defensemen that have no offensive upside. One of them is at least 4 years away.
- rangerdanger94

Hedman, Keokkeok and Deangelo are our offensive defensemen.
Boltprospects on Dominik Masin:
Scouting Comments:
"Big, strong, mobile d-man with character." -Red Line Report
Strengths:
Mobile skater with a nice, projectable frame that will fill out even more. Already strong and well schooled positionally. Manages his gap control well and closes out his marks physically. Shows some ability to handle the puck and jump into the play and is fairly unflappable under duress.
Weaknesses:
Had a slow start to the 2013-2014 campaign and performed better overall for country than he did for club. Although he has some offensive tools, he's not a power play quarterback at this point in his career. Sometimes struggles giving and receiving passes.
Projection:
#4/5 Defenseman

On Jonathan Macleod:
Scouting Comments:
"Has size, powerful stride, and a big point shot." - Red Line Report
Strengths:
Lots of pro tools. Big, mobile rearguard has NHL athleticism and has barely scratched his potential. Shows willingness to take the body and a big point shot. Will develop in a strong program at Boston University.
Weaknesses:
Raw. Very raw. Positionally unpolished in the defensive zone. Unrefined offensively and can tend to make a sloppy outlet pass.
Projection:
Project defenseman with top-4 ceiling.

Hedman, Keokkeok and Deangelo are our offensive defensemen.
Boltprospects on Dominik Masin:
Scouting Comments:
"Big, strong, mobile d-man with character." -Red Line Report
Strengths:
Mobile skater with a nice, projectable frame that will fill out even more. Already strong and well schooled positionally. Manages his gap control well and closes out his marks physically. Shows some ability to handle the puck and jump into the play and is fairly unflappable under duress.
Weaknesses:
Had a slow start to the 2013-2014 campaign and performed better overall for country than he did for club. Although he has some offensive tools, he's not a power play quarterback at this point in his career. Sometimes struggles giving and receiving passes.
Projection:
#4/5 Defenseman

On Jonathan Macleod:
Scouting Comments:
"Has size, powerful stride, and a big point shot." - Red Line Report
Strengths:
Lots of pro tools. Big, mobile rearguard has NHL athleticism and has barely scratched his potential. Shows willingness to take the body and a big point shot. Will develop in a strong program at Boston University.
Weaknesses:
Raw. Very raw. Positionally unpolished in the defensive zone. Unrefined offensively and can tend to make a sloppy outlet pass.
Projection:
Project defenseman with top-4 ceiling.
- Artyukhin76

Sounds pretty accurate to the other articles I read. MacLeod is basically a McIlrath. Masin is a bottom pairing defenseman that's very vanilla.

Do you think that's what inspired him to demand a trade when he did?
- Cptmjl

I think he requested (not demanded as in "If you don't trade me, I'm not gonna come to practice or play anymore go (frank) yourself") because...who cares? I don't