When I looked at the Lightning's numbers over the last few years, one thing that really stands out is just how good Kucherov is. He's legit worth $9-10M per year (obviously not with the compensation attached). I just don't understand why teams sit around and let things like that deal happen though. Yzerman is getting $5-6M of surplus value for 3 seasons.
- PhillySportsGuy

If they weren't so stupid managing their cap with bad contracts, they could have locked him in for 8 years at like $6.5-7 mil probably. Let that be a lesson to all them bridgers out there.

He was concussed by Rinaldo on a dirty hit and knee on kneed by Trocheck. Those seem like fluke injuries to me and nothing to do with filling out a frame. He's a bull down low on the puck and pretty filled out. He's already like 215lbs.
- Mononoke

He's 190 lbs... at 6'3.... one of the smallest frames on the team especially for his height.

And honestly you know very well that he did not play a physical brand of hockey in his early years. He picked that up as he grew as a player. I don't see him continually playing 82 games.

My post got deleted? Are you kidding me?

If they weren't so stupid managing their cap with bad contracts, they could have locked him in for 8 years at like $6.5-7 mil probably. Let that be a lesson to all them bridgers out there.
- Mononoke

Didn't kucherov want the bridge deal betting on himself ?

If they weren't so stupid managing their cap with bad contracts, they could have locked him in for 8 years at like $6.5-7 mil probably. Let that be a lesson to all them bridgers out there.
- Mononoke

I hope Yzerman signs Johnson and Palat long-term, but loses Kucherov

He's 190 lbs... at 6'3.... one of the smallest frames on the team especially for his height.

And honestly you know very well that he did not play a physical brand of hockey in his early years. He picked that up as he grew as a player. I don't see him continually playing 82 games.
- Tfaehner

What? He's NOT 190 lbs. His official listing is 211lbs, and he could be heavier. He plays heavy. He's become more physical as he's aged and gained weight sure, but none of his injuries have come from that. They're fluke things. I don't know how a knee and a hit to the head have to do with physicality.

Sooo.. why did Raffl put up 11 points in 52(ish) games last year?
- Doc_Sarcasm

Because he was misused. Raffl needs a strong center and Giroux is not a 1C anylonger
And when he played Bottom 6 also as center the wingers where not quick enough

Yeah i saw this too from him. I thought he brought a playmaking element to the team that was lacking. Thought he transitioned well
- Just5

This!

I hope Yzerman signs Johnson and Palat long-term, but loses Kucherov
- PhillySportsGuy

POS always finds a way. They'll re-sign Palat and Johnson, trade Drouin, have Vegas take Killorn who sucks and is on a 7 year deal, and then it's just 3 years of Callahan. Buy out his last year when Kucherov is up for a new deal. Then they'll find cap space to sign Point long-term. They could even trade Johnson for defense help and give Point his money. And they'll all be below market deals while other GMs sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

POS always finds a way. They'll re-sign Palat and Johnson, trade Drouin, have Vegas take Killorn who sucks and is on a 7 year deal, and then it's just 3 years of Callahan. Buy out his last year when Kucherov is up for a new deal. Then they'll find cap space to sign Point long-term. They could even trade Johnson for defense help and give Point his money. And they'll all be below market deals.
- Mononoke

I think signing Palat and Johnson long-term might be overkill for them. I feel like both of them may have higher trade value than actual value.

I think signing Palat and Johnson long-term might be overkill for them. I feel like both of them may have higher trade value than actual value.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think they'll choose Palat. Point's emergence has made Johnson more expendable, and I've always felt like prefer Palat. Cirelli and Howden, two of their top center prospects, should be able to join the bottom 6 soon too. Need defense.

I think they'll choose Palat. Point's emergence has made Johnson more expendable. Cirelli and Howden, two of their top center prospects, should be able to join the bottom 6 soon too.
- Mononoke

That's who I would choose too. Johnson could probably bring back a good, young dman too.

That's who I would choose too. Johnson could probably bring back a good, young dman too.
- PhillySportsGuy

I would trade a certain dynamic left handed d-man on our roster for Johnson

I would trade a certain dynamic left handed d-man on our roster for Johnson
- Mononoke

MacDonald?




I'm so nervous about moving Ghost. I feel like I'd regret moving him. Now that they have a chance to secure that 1C, I kinda just want to let everything play out with the youth.

MacDonald?



I'm so nervous about moving Ghost. I feel like I'd regret moving him. Now that they have a chance to secure that 1C, I kinda just want to let everything play out with the youth.
- PhillySportsGuy

Bingo. Johnson+2nd for MacDonald+right to VDV.

Love my boy Ghost, but this contract is likely his last from this team if things work out with Sanheim and Myers. Age 30 for an undersized already not the speediest d-man......and he should hopefully cost a lot more leaving his prime years if he's done his job on this deal. Just comes down to business. It's the type of contract where I could see us trading him with a year or two left for excellent value in a hockey trade, some future need that materializes. For the next handful of years though everything will play out more magically than Disney on Ice.

Johnson+2nd for MacDonald+right to VDV.

Love my boy Ghost, but this contract is likely his last from this team if things work out with Sanheim and Myers. Age 30 for an undersized already not the speediest d-man......and he should hopefully cost a lot more leaving his prime years if he's done his job on this deal. Just comes down to business. It's the type of contract where I could see us trading him with a year or two left for excellent value in a hockey trade, some future need that materializes. For the next handful of years though everything will play out more magically than Disney on Ice.
- Mononoke

I just think Johnson has his flaws too. Johnson is definitely a better player than Ghost right now, but I could see Ghost getting really good. When you isolate Johnson away from Kucherov, his numbers aren't that special. It's not like the rest of the Lightning lineup is slop either. He's played 2/3 of his minutes with Kucherov the last 3 years. That's a poopload.

I just think Johnson has his flaws too. Johnson is definitely a better player than Ghost right now, but I could see Ghost getting really good. When you isolate Johnson away from Kucherov, his numbers aren't that special. It's not like the rest of the Lightning lineup is slop either. He's played 2/3 of his minutes with Kucherov the last 3 years. That's a poopload.
- PhillySportsGuy

I was joking and meant MacDonald, not Ghost. You just ruined my punchline by blurting out MacDonald

TJ is a very good 2C and always steps it up in the playoffs. Fought through an injury too this year. But he's not a need with #2, Giroux, Couturier. Our defense is still trash. We do need to find our own Kucherov though, so keep an eye out! Besides if you want TJ, just draft Yamamoto. Same team, hometown, size, and trains with him in the summers.

MacDonald?




I'm so nervous about moving Ghost. I feel like I'd regret moving him. Now that they have a chance to secure that 1C, I kinda just want to let everything play out with the youth.
- PhillySportsGuy

Obviously not everyone is going to live up to expectations but they haven't had a pipeline like this in a long time and it would be sad to not let it play out.

I was joking and meant MacDonald, not Ghost. You just ruined my punchline by blurting out MacDonald

TJ is a very good 2C and always steps it up in the playoffs. Fought through an injury too this year. But he's not a need with #2, Giroux, Couturier. Our defense is still trash. We do need to find our own Kucherov though, so keep an eye out! Besides if you want TJ, just draft Yamamoto. Same team, hometown, size, and trains with him in the summers.
- Mononoke

You're the devil

Since it's dead in here, who wants Black Book passages?! Just say a name, any name! Limited time offer! But wait.....there's more! Post within the next 12 minutes, and you'll get a bonus offer of Mononoke's opinion. See dealer for details. Other restrictions may apply. Prices slightly higher in Canada. Sanitized for your protection.

I think they'll choose Palat. Point's emergence has made Johnson more expendable, and I've always felt like prefer Palat. Cirelli and Howden, two of their top center prospects, should be able to join the bottom 6 soon too. Need defense.
- Mononoke

I claimed him

The offer has ended.

The offer has ended.
- Mononoke

Nico 3:16 please

Nico 3:16 please
- YuenglingJagr

Only familiar with the Old Testament sorry

Only familiar with the Old Testament sorry
- Mononoke

Oh I get it

Give me the book of Dove-McFalls 4:8