Why, Gusev is signed in the KHL for a while so he will be a UFA when (IF) he comes. I'm sure Yzerman was in touch with Gusevs people and was aware of his future when he made the deal.
- Kucherovski

Gusev signed a 2 year deal in the KHL after his rights were acquired by VGK.

He was also just named MVP of the KHL.

Gusev signed a 2 year deal in the KHL after his rights were acquired by VGK.

He was also just named MVP of the KHL.
- Feds91Stammer

Gusev's team had an awful season last year and lost like its 3 best players with massive salarys. I was pretty clear his team (SKA? Dont have the energy to look it up) was gonna back the truck up for him.

He is awesome though.

And I wonder if Cooper quit as a laywer because he used the same arguments for every case, no matter if it was domestic violence or tax fraud.. "If it work once it will work again"

Your Rangers also sucked this year, then traded Nash/Mcd/Miller away. Probably your best 3 players from the season. And Kovy is gonna come rescue you boys?????
- bikeguy99

the season

Gusev signed a 2 year deal in the KHL after his rights were acquired by VGK.

He was also just named MVP of the KHL.
- Feds91Stammer

I'm aware of when he signed which is why I said I'm sure Yzerman had made contact with his agent and they talked about what they thought Gusev would do which is why he was comfortable making the trade.

It's all speculation but it's not unreasonable to think the trade was made to protect other players instead of get rid of a Garrison contract for one season

I'm aware of when he signed which is why I said I'm sure Yzerman had made contact with his agent and they talked about what they thought Gusev would do which is why he was comfortable making the trade.

It's all speculation but it's not unreasonable to think the trade was made to protect other players instead of get rid of a Garrison contract for one season
- Kucherovski

They needed cap space. Part of the reason the Drouin trade happened as well. They had to sign Palat and Johnson.

Gusev's team had an awful season last year and lost like its 3 best players with massive salarys. I was pretty clear his team (SKA? Dont have the energy to look it up) was gonna back the truck up for him.

He is awesome though.
- Cloud

The point wasn't that the trade was bad. It was that it was made to guarantee VGK took Garrison.

And I wonder if Cooper quit as a laywer because he used the same arguments for every case, no matter if it was domestic violence or tax fraud.. "If it work once it will work again"
- Cloud

This is (frank)ing gold Jerry.

From an outside perspective, a lot of the things Cooper does seems questionable. There are multiple decisions throughout the years that has led me to dislike him. For the longest time, he kept giving Sustr ice time, and this season kept Sergachev on the bottom pairing, instead of giving him more ice time when he had shown that he was better at every facet of the game than someone like Girardi. For some reason he puts trust in certain, talented young players and gives them a lot of ice time, like Point, but then mismanages others, like Drouin. I don't think Yzerman will get rid of him, but I personally wouldn't mind seeing him get replaced.

Stamkos is a ghost come elimination games. 0 points in 6 career game 7s. 3 points in 10 career elimination games (0 in last 9).


- Feds91Stammer

It's crazy how big of a difference there was between the captains, the best goal scorer versus the second best goal scorer in the league. Ovechkin was all over the place, being physical and making big hits, creating scoring chances, and scoring goals. His presence was felt throughout the whole series. Then you contrast that to Stamkos, who was a powerplay specialist and was nonexistent besides that, especially at 5v5 throughout the playoffs, it raises some questions.

Stamkos has had plenty of opportunities to be clutch in the playoff runs he's been in, but hasn't performed. The Lightning's other players, like Johnson the year they went to the cup final, or Point this year have been the ones to score the big, important goals. Compared to players like Crosby, Kane, and Ovi in the playoffs, his play pales in comparison.

It's disappointing for fans, and probably frustrating for him. Hopefully him and the Lightning can bounce back next year.

From an outside perspective, a lot of the things Cooper does seems questionable. There are multiple decisions throughout the years that has led me to dislike him. For the longest time, he kept giving Sustr ice time, and this season kept Sergachev on the bottom pairing, instead of giving him more ice time when he had shown that he was better at every facet of the game than someone like Girardi. For some reason he puts trust in certain, talented young players and gives them a lot of ice time, like Point, but then mismanages others, like Drouin. I don't think Yzerman will get rid of him, but I personally wouldn't mind seeing him get replaced.
- jvar17

Yeah not sure how i stand on Coop. Sure we have been in the ECF 3 times last 4 years, but with our roster we probably should..

I'll say it again, Stamkos is not a captain. Hedman should be.

And Stamkos is getting paid top dollar to deliver when the pressure is there, but he fizzles away. Not good for a "Franchise" player.

I'll say it again, Stamkos is not a captain. Hedman should be.

And Stamkos is getting paid top dollar to deliver when the pressure is there, but he fizzles away. Not good for a "Franchise" player.
- Leniwm1

Says the guy who if I remember correctly said "Devil's in a sweep" before the first round.... I can't take anything you say seriously after that because you actually meant it at the time.

Do you guys want Tampa to sign Miller. Where you happy w/ his play?
- rrentz

I am not sold on Miller, he could bring back a good return on a trade since he is a RFA. I like Miller he is the type of player the Bolts could use but is he worth 5M over the next 6 years. That I am not sure.

The Lightning are going to have to navigate 21, 86, 88, and 98's new contracts so somewhere they will have to make choices. Is Miller one of those choices? I could also see them move Gourde (would not shock me, sell high) even though I like him. Going to be interesting over the next two years.

I also wonder if Foote can make it with the Bolts this year out of camp.

Says the guy who if I remember correctly said "Devil's in a sweep" before the first round.... I can't take anything you say seriously after that because you actually meant it at the time.
- stammerman

They would have if they won 4 in a row.

I am not sold on Miller, he could bring back a good return on a trade since he is a RFA. I like Miller he is the type of player the Bolts could use but is he worth 5M over the next 6 years. That I am not sure.

The Lightning are going to have to navigate 21, 86, 88, and 98's new contracts so somewhere they will have to make choices. Is Miller one of those choices? I could also see them move Gourde (would not shock me, sell high) even though I like him. Going to be interesting over the next two years.

I also wonder if Foote can make it with the Bolts this year out of camp.
- stammerman

Yes. He is a 24 year old 20 goal, 40-50 point player, he is absolutely worth 5m per year. And you'll have him until he's 30, 31, just in time to let him walk into UFA and get overpaid after his prime.

Yes. He is a 24 year old 20 goal, 40-50 point player, he is absolutely worth 5m per year. And you'll have him until he's 30, 31, just in time to let him walk into UFA and get overpaid after his prime.
- j.boyd919

I like Miller and he is what this team needs like I said but they are stuck with Killorn's contract that has a NTC. Miller is what Killorn wants to be. It would be good to have Miller resigned but I don't think the money adds up with who is currently signed and 21,86, 88, 98 all due for raises soon.

Time to change the coach. Staggering to think this group hasn't got a Cup (or 2).

I like Miller and he is what this team needs like I said but they are stuck with Killorn's contract that has a NTC. Miller is what Killorn wants to be. It would be good to have Miller resigned but I don't think the money adds up with who is currently signed and 21,86, 88, 98 all due for raises soon.
- stammerman

I don't see a reason why you wouldn't sign Miller. The cap space is fine and a lot of bad deals are up soon (Coburn, Girardi, Callahan). It may be time to shake up the core a bit.

Miller is a interesting case. Sure he played well with 86/91 but we have seen that most players do that. If he gets 6yrs/5m then it could be a burden going forward. We have alot of young guys who can produce those 50 points in 2-3 years (Raddysh/Katchouk). I would rather see us package KK and Miller to Edmonton for picks and some bottom 6 help.

Our cap isnt as fine as Feds say. Next summer 4 of our veteran D is unsigned. Coburn and Girdardi problably gets to walk. McD should probably be extended, next season will tell. If Stralman wants to stay and still can keep up he should be resigned, but doubt he will take a pay-cut from his 4.5. And the only D prospect we have that you can bank on being in/close to NHL by then is Foote. Some more help will be needed and D cost alot in Cap to sign as FA and alot of assets to trade.

Ofcourse also Kuch new deal and Point who I hope we lock up for 8 years right away.

If we ship Johnson, this is a different conversation.

Miller is a interesting case. Sure he played well with 86/91 but we have seen that most players do that. If he gets 6yrs/5m then it could be a burden going forward. We have alot of young guys who can produce those 50 points in 2-3 years (Raddysh/Katchouk). I would rather see us package KK and Miller to Edmonton for picks and some bottom 6 help.

Our cap isnt as fine as Feds say. Next summer 4 of our veteran D is unsigned. Coburn and Girdardi problably gets to walk. McD should probably be extended, next season will tell. If Stralman wants to stay and still can keep up he should be resigned, but doubt he will take a pay-cut from his 4.5. And the only D prospect we have that you can bank on being in/close to NHL by then is Foote. Some more help will be needed and D cost alot in Cap to sign as FA and alot of assets to trade.

Ofcourse also Kuch new deal and Point who I hope we lock up for 8 years right away.

If we ship Johnson, this is a different conversation.
- Cloud

4 x 4.5M for Miller

McD has not shown enough for me to say he should definitely be re-signed. He would also be 30 when his next contract starts. Pretty much red flag territory there.

I'll say it again, Stamkos is not a captain. Hedman should be.

And Stamkos is getting paid top dollar to deliver when the pressure is there, but he fizzles away. Not good for a "Franchise" player.
- Leniwm1

then what would people say when Hedman went scoreless the first 2 series ?

I don't see a reason why you wouldn't sign Miller. The cap space is fine and a lot of bad deals are up soon (Coburn, Girardi, Callahan). It may be time to shake up the core a bit.
- Feds91Stammer

false. time to shakeup the surrounding cast. IMO core is 91 86 21 18 77 98 88.
as long as this core is in tact i don't think the window is closed. If miller plays with 91 + 86 again and has a career year for himself MAYBE you consider him part of the core being on that line.

anyone not on this list is completely expendable. and you can add adam foote to that list of core whenever he shows up.

Also, Jon Cooper is extremely questionable to me. I don't really know what to say about him other than it seems his coaching is masked by the talent of this roster, and every time adversity or a coach with a system that completely mutes his comes along that challenge the way they play, nothing changes. there are no adjustments. hey lets shuffle these lines and see what happens seems to be the only strategy. sometimes it works for 2 or 3 games just purely on the fact its a mixup and this roster is extremely gifted so it gives them a little spark, but it is not a long term or consistant fix to any problems...

and if he has the answers but the players just won't listen or buy in, then that's a whole other problem. I feel like he can't get the team motivated, especially kucherov. which is on both of them

Also, Jon Cooper is extremely questionable to me. I don't really know what to say about him other than it seems his coaching is masked by the talent of this roster, and every time adversity or a coach with a system that completely mutes his comes along that challenge the way they play, nothing changes. there are no adjustments. hey lets shuffle these lines and see what happens seems to be the only strategy. sometimes it works for 2 or 3 games just purely on the fact its a mixup and this roster is extremely gifted so it gives them a little spark, but it is not a long term or consistant fix to any problems...

and if he has the answers but the players just won't listen or buy in, then that's a whole other problem. I feel like he can't get the team motivated, especially kucherov. which is on both of them
- RileyB77

Been saying that for years.