Michael Stuart: Lightning Deal Purcell, Thompson, Crombeen in Three Separate Deals

Maybe the odds of landing a Matt Niskanen or an Anton Stralman are a little bit higher now than they were before.

That's it, Stevie Y, overpay for mediocre defensemen.

That's it, Stevie Y, overpay for mediocre defensemen.
- grand-magus

I'd rather take Stralman than Niskanen. Not sure that Stralman is mediocre - he drove the bus on that New York blue line (and that team, for that matter).

Unless interest is for Statsny - and I doubt it - there has to be common sense pointing to a lightning strike on the blueline.

But one key decision may prove the bigger story. Whom does Drouin play with? A veteran skill player like Callahan. Not a flash and dash, but a solid player like Callahan sounds like a match in the immediate quick consideration. Two solid scoring lines plus a strong defensive line and an energy line possible next season? Where does Palat and the Russian forward fit in? T Johnson you #3C?

Actually does Connelly and or Drouin both eventually play top line offensive roles? There is a lot of talent to plug in and more skill guys than jobs available if Connelly, Drouin and any other prospects stand out.

I am sure that Yzerman had his thinking cap on for a good long time and has a plan. Most GM's in fact usually have back up plans as well.

I didn't see letting Lindback go was a great move. He has ability but I haven't read up on the logic behind that move.

I know he has a plan! you just don't dump thompson he needs all that cap room for something

Unless interest is for Statsny - and I doubt it - there has to be common sense pointing to a lightning strike on the blueline.

But one key decision may prove the bigger story. Whom does Drouin play with? A veteran skill player like Callahan. Not a flash and dash, but a solid player like Callahan sounds like a match in the immediate quick consideration. Two solid scoring lines plus a strong defensive line and an energy line possible next season? Where does Palat and the Russian forward fit in? T Johnson you #3C?

Actually does Connelly and or Drouin both eventually play top line offensive roles? There is a lot of talent to plug in and more skill guys than jobs available if Connelly, Drouin and any other prospects stand out.

I am sure that Yzerman had his thinking cap on for a good long time and has a plan. Most GM's in fact usually have back up plans as well.

I didn't see letting alien back go was a great move. He has ability but I haven't read up on the logic behind that move.
- jhawk59

Lots of good questions there. I think they'll at least try that Palat-Filppula-Callahan line that was really good last year. Drouin-Stamkos-Connolly is my dream. I think TJ is definitely the 3C. Question is where everybody else fits in. It's a game of musical chairs.

Lots of good questions there. I think they'll at least try that Palat-Filppula-Callahan line that was really good last year. Drouin-Stamkos-Connolly is my dream. I think TJ is definitely the 3C. Question is where everybody else fits in. It's a game of musical chairs.
- Michael_Stuart

yzerman will make it all work in due time when he gets his defenseman he wants

I want to party teddy purcell is gone

Better trick than this is just to not sign guys like Teddy Purcell to 4.5 million $$$ deals....

Better trick than this is just to not sign guys like Teddy Purcell to 4.5 million $$$ deals....
- RoloTahmasee

Nothing particularly wrong with his deal. The team just has too many forwards coming up, so it made him expendable.

Oilers are a funny organisation. Wanted a first and prospect for gagner. Now they got Teddy Purcell.

Im sad to see Thompson leave. He's always been solid for us, doing the dirty work. We'll lets se what Yzerman has up his sleeve.

Hey Michael, how much cap space do we have now?

Hey Michael, how much cap space do we have now?
- omatty44

$8MM + Ohlund, according to Capgeek.

$8MM + Ohlund, according to Capgeek.
- Michael_Stuart

When you say + Ohlund you mean what we get back by placing him on LTIR? How much does him going to LTIR save us?

When you say + Ohlund you mean what we get back by placing him on LTIR? How much does him going to LTIR save us?
- omatty44

I think his ltir can start when season starts so that helps if drouin hits his bonus

I think his ltir can start when season starts so that helps if drouin hits his bonus
- todd1a

Got ya, thanks to both of y'all for answering.

We would've given you more than a 6th for Gagner

so Bolts sign stastny and ehrhoff, have one of the youngest cores in the league, and dominate the eastern conference for the next 5-6 years.

yzerman was always my favorite player (even over sens players), but since becoming a gm of a team in the same division as my team....I HATE HIM!!!!!

Nate Thompson hurts, but other then that....

If we add a Stralman or a Niskanen, do you think Tampa can get first in the Eastern Conference this year?

If we add a Stralman or a Niskanen, do you think Tampa can get first in the Eastern Conference this year?
- TampaTalk

with the cap hell the bruins find themselves in, i think they'll take a little step backwards, all your young guys getting a year older......as long as you don't have any "sophmore slumps", and bishop can maintain a level close to where he was last year (not vezina, but top half of the starting goalies) then tampa should easily compete for the eastern crown IMO.

If we add a Stralman or a Niskanen, do you think Tampa can get first in the Eastern Conference this year?
- TampaTalk

I think that they'd have to be considered one of the favorites.

Oilers are a funny organisation. Wanted a first and prospect for gagner. Now they got Teddy Purcell.

Im sad to see Thompson leave. He's always been solid for us, doing the dirty work. We'll lets se what Yzerman has up his sleeve.
- Cloud

1st and prospect? Who in the organization told you that?

1st and prospect? Who in the organization told you that?
- robin_steele264

only the most reliable source.......a random poster on hockeybuzz.

so Bolts sign stastny and ehrhoff, have one of the youngest cores in the league, and dominate the eastern conference for the next 5-6 years.

yzerman was always my favorite player (even over sens players), but since becoming a gm of a team in the same division as my team....I HATE HIM!!!!!
- sensarmy_11

I get the feeling Stevie yzerman is setting something like that up!