Good series, fellas. Those 3rd period full presses were intolerable.

Gotta think Bishop is the difference last night on the 2nd goal... his big body stops that puck and then who knows what happens.

Vasy is a solid though.

Good luck with Stammer and getting all the pieces in play and under the cap! Good problem to have; Stevie Y will get it figured out.

Vladdy could be a trade chip especially if Erne is ready to make the jump soon. We need a little more size on the third line
- tpd11

We are already getting slim down the center, we don't need to trade Vladdy.

Good series, fellas. Those 3rd period full presses were intolerable.

Gotta think Bishop is the difference last night on the 2nd goal... his big body stops that puck and then who knows what happens.

Vasy is a solid though.

Good luck with Stammer and getting all the pieces in play and under the cap! Good problem to have; Stevie Y will get it figured out.
- brienstel

The second goal wasn't the problem, it was 17 shots against Pittsburgh goalie that was the problem.

Congrats Pens

Go Sharks

If you retain 4 million combined on them when trying to trade them there a lot easier to look at and you don't need beer goggles.

Filppula at 3.5m (1.5 retained) and Carle at 3m (2.5 retained) is much easier to swallow for other teams.
- Artyukhin76

I think Carle at $3M for 2 more years is rough. Could just buy him out and eat $1.83M for the next 4 years.

I think Carle at $3M for 2 more years is rough. Could just buy him out and eat $1.83M for the next 4 years.
- jmatchett383

Carle is gone some way somehow...trade or buyout

I was surprised at Stammers low ice time, I thought he was the most dangerous player for the Lightning.

Thank you Ty for stepping up this season and covering the Lightning.

Pittsburgh was the better team in the series and dominated the last 2 games. Good luck to them in the SCF.

It was quite the season with Drouin getting demoted, leaving, sitting, returning and playing well in the playoffs. I hope Stamkos returning for game 7 was because he loves the Lightning and his team mates and wanting to win was more important than the risks to his career. I hope it wasn't to show other teams that he is ready to play so they don't need to be afraid to sign him. Kucherov showed he is a great scorer again these playoffs and capable of being a star. Vasi was amazing and showed he is a solid goalie that can replace Bishop full time. I would love to see both Bishop and Vasi again for the foreseeable future but who knows. Hedman was so solid.

I know roster changes are coming but I hope they are improvements vs replacement patches.

I meet anybody today that blames Vasy for us losing in the conference finals I'm gonna punch gem in the throat.
- Artyukhin76

The kid doesn't deserve any criticism or garbage. Yes, the winning goal was dirty, or soft depending on which way you sit on the fence, but he was the only reason TB was in many of the games. Last night's game very easily could have been 6-1 or 7-1 without him. He is a very good one and has a bright future.

I was surprised at Stammers low ice time, I thought he was the most dangerous player for the Lightning.
- j.boyd919

He hadn't played in two months. To me, I was more concerned with Drouin last night than anyone else on TB's roster. He wasn't much of a factor at all. One shot, a few hits and pointing at Lovejoy for the puck hitting his stick.

I don't want to move Brown or Vladdy but I don't know what Yzerman is thinking as they are potential trade chips. I want both of them to stay. I am ok moving Paquette he really disappeared these playoffs.
- stammerman

No way dude, Namestnikov has skills. He's so young, and showed what he could do in an elevated role (before he came down to earth) but for a while when we was playing on the 1st line this season he looked good. You don't trade that.

No way dude, Namestnikov has skills. He's so young, and showed what he could do in an elevated role (before he came down to earth) but for a while when we was playing on the 1st line this season he looked good. You don't trade that.
- j.boyd919

Yeah Vladdy ain't moving anywhere except to a scoring line next year.

Stammer well home is home but he's competitive and the two mentioned most won't be for three or four years as he's turning 30. He's in his prime and it would be wasted trying to be a home town hero.
Kuch is worth in the 6-7 range easily. Sign him.
Hedman and Bishop can wait and be extended anytime so they have time with them, depending on a draft, Stammer etc. Plenty of cap questions first, they have another year but definitely are priorities.
Drouin has one year of ELC so if the situation is mended he's not going anywhere. At least now, If Stammer goes then he could be a piece to keep. But I really think Stammer wants to finish some business with this team first.
- tpd11

I think Stamkos resigns with the Lightning. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes to FA but finds out the money (grass) only looked greener elsewhere. I hope Yzerman signs Hedman asap and doesn't let Bishop go to UFA. Doubt any team will offer sheet Kucherov since it would cost multiple 1st draft picks but who knows. Drouin will be back next year unless Yzerman gets a solid offer and thinks it would be better to move him now.

Stammer well home is home but he's competitive and the two mentioned most won't be for three or four years as he's turning 30. He's in his prime and it would be wasted trying to be a home town hero.
Kuch is worth in the 6-7 range easily. Sign him.
Hedman and Bishop can wait and be extended anytime so they have time with them, depending on a draft, Stammer etc. Plenty of cap questions first, they have another year but definitely are priorities.
Drouin has one year of ELC so if the situation is mended he's not going anywhere. At least now, If Stammer goes then he could be a piece to keep. But I really think Stammer wants to finish some business with this team first.
- tpd11

I think Stamkos resigns with the Lightning. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes to FA but finds out the money (grass) only looked greener elsewhere. I hope Yzerman signs Hedman asap and doesn't let Bishop go to UFA. Doubt any team will offer sheet Kucherov since it would cost multiple 1st draft picks but who knows. Drouin will be back next year unless Yzerman gets a solid offer and thinks it would be better to move him now.

Thanks Ty, great work on these blogs throughout the season and playoffs. I really appreciate you giving us Lightning fans a place to talk after Mike left
- jvar17

Seconded.

I think Stamkos resigns with the Lightning. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes to FA but finds out the money (grass) only looked greener elsewhere. I hope Yzerman signs Hedman asap and doesn't let Bishop go to UFA. Doubt any team will offer sheet Kucherov since it would cost multiple 1st draft picks but who knows. Drouin will be back next year unless Yzerman gets a solid offer and thinks it would be better to move him now.
- Leafsandbolts

Goaltending situation will be decided by expansion

Unfortunately I believe Stamkos leaves. Personally I wouldn't want Yzerman to go over $9M AAV and I truly believe Toronto will give him $11-$12 per

Hedman, Kuch, Drouin all come back/re-signed for sure

Goaltending situation will be decided by expansion

Unfortunately I believe Stamkos leaves. Personally I wouldn't want Yzerman to go over $9M AAV and I truly believe Toronto will give him $11-$12 per

Hedman, Kuch, Drouin all come back/re-signed for sure
- uf1910

Regardless if there is expansion or not, shouldn't the discussion be of not extending Bishop and rolling with the cheaper option Vasi? It looks like Johnson, Kucherov, Hedman, Palat, Drouin, and Vasi have new contracts coming this year or next with some of them getting significant raises (Hedman & Kucherov).

This is a fun team to watch. Once the Hawks were knocked out, I wanted to see Tampa win it all.

Yeah Vladdy ain't moving anywhere except to a scoring line next year.
- uf1910

Exactly. He'll be no. 2 center behind Johnson next year. I liked seeing him play with Kuch earlier on in the year.

Exactly. He'll be no. 2 center behind Johnson next year. I liked seeing him play with Kuch earlier on in the year.
- j.boyd919

Drouin Namestnikov Kucherov

Drouin Namestnikov Kucherov
- Artyukhin76

Drouin-Namestnikov-Kuch
Palat-Johnson-Killorn
Brown-Filp-Erne
Paquette-Boyle-Cally

(although I'm pretty sure Erne and Cally would be flipped) But that's how I'd do it. Hell, with the money saved from Stammer, you might be able to find a solid winger for the 3rd ine, and move Brown/Cally/Erne down to 4th permanently.

Drouin-Namestnikov-Kuch
Palat-Johnson-Killorn
Brown-Filp-Erne
Paquette-Boyle-Cally

(although I'm pretty sure Erne and Cally would be flipped) But that's how I'd do it. Hell, with the money saved from Stammer, you might be able to find a solid winger for the 3rd ine, and move Brown/Cally/Erne down to 4th permanently.
- j.boyd919

This is my take for what it's worth:

Palat 3.34 Johnson 3.34 Killorn (3.5)
Drouin 3.194 Namestnikov(1.5) Kucherov(7)
Marchessault (1.25) Richard .575 Callahan 5.8
Paquette (1) Boyle 2 Brown (1.25)
Vermin .575
32.824

Hedman 4 Stralman 4.5
Garrison 4.6 ___________
Coburn 3.7 Koekkoek 1.45
Sustr 1.45
19.7

Bishop 5.95
Vasilevskiy 1.475

Other 4
10.425

62.949

I'd like to fill that empty RHD with Shattenkirk or Demers.

This is my take for what it's worth:

Palat 3.34 Johnson 3.34 Killorn (3.5)
Drouin 3.194 Namestnikov(1.5) Kucherov(7)
Marchessault (1.25) Richard .575 Callahan 5.8
Paquette (1) Boyle 2 Brown (1.25)
Vermin .575
32.824

Hedman 4 Stralman 4.5
Garrison 4.6 ___________
Coburn 3.7 Koekkoek 1.45
Sustr 1.45
19.7

Bishop 5.95
Vasilevskiy 1.475

Other 4
10.425

62.949

I'd like to fill that empty RHD with Shattenkirk or Demers.
- Artyukhin76

Oh poop, I forgot about Marchy. He's solid too. Filp gone eh? I could see that.

Regardless if there is expansion or not, shouldn't the discussion be of not extending Bishop and rolling with the cheaper option Vasi? It looks like Johnson, Kucherov, Hedman, Palat, Drouin, and Vasi have new contracts coming this year or next with some of them getting significant raises (Hedman & Kucherov).

This is a fun team to watch. Once the Hawks were knocked out, I wanted to see Tampa win it all.
- Dannyboy

By expansion I am referring to resign Bish vs Vasi. If expansion happens we will only be able to protect 1 or the other. If expansion doesn't happen or rules are changed then if/when Stamkos leaves I believe we can afford both for next few years and then make a final decision at that time. With expansion the 1 year clock is ticking and a decision will need to be made

Who do you guys think has the higher potential/overall ceiling?
Bishop or Vasi?

Drouin-Namestnikov-Kuch
Palat-Johnson-Killorn
Brown-Filp-Erne
Paquette-Boyle-Cally

(although I'm pretty sure Erne and Cally would be flipped) But that's how I'd do it. Hell, with the money saved from Stammer, you might be able to find a solid winger for the 3rd ine, and move Brown/Cally/Erne down to 4th permanently.
- j.boyd919

A year or 2 early on Erne IMO