Michael Stuart: The "South-Least" Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Good blog, nice to hear some talk about hockey rather than that make whole crap. To me the Canes have the most talented roster but which Ovechkin shows up is key to how this division plays out imo. If Ovi returns to form this division be will tough to the end. I think the Hurricanes take the division though. JUST WNNA SEE SOME HOCKEY!

Good blog, nice to hear some talk about hockey rather than that make whole crap. To me the Canes have the most talented roster but which Ovechkin shows up is key to how this division plays out imo. If Ovi returns to form this division be will tough to the end. I think the Hurricanes take the division though. JUST WNNA SEE SOME HOCKEY!
- bigjschiese

Thanks! I try to keep the lockout out of my writing. If people want to discuss it with me, I'm available on Twitter. My position here is to write about hockey and the Tampa Bay Lightning; that's what I'm going to do.

The Hurricanes definitely pose a huge threat from top to bottom. My only concern with them is defense. They have some great young guys coming up there, but I'm still not sold.

If Holtby can play like he did in the playoffs, the Capitals should be in great shape. Considering what Adam Oates did for the Bolts and our PP, I can't see Ovechkin struggling under him.

There's going to be a ton of competition in the SE.

Thanks! I try to keep the lockout out of my writing. If people want to discuss it with me, I'm available on Twitter. My position here is to write about hockey and the Tampa Bay Lightning; that's what I'm going to do.

The Hurricanes definitely pose a huge threat from top to bottom. My only concern with them is defense. They have some great young guys coming up there, but I'm still not sold.

If Holtby can play like he did in the playoffs, the Capitals should be in great shape. Considering what Adam Oates did for the Bolts and our PP, I can't see Ovechkin struggling under him.

There's going to be a ton of competition in the SE.
- Michael_Stuart

Signing Carle in the offseason was a good move to help the Bolts blueline, I am not to familer with Tampas situation in goal but Ward is the best goalie in that division, and being a Rangers fan I know how far a good goalie can take you! Ward isnt at that level yet but he is getting better. Adding Semin is going to be a good move IMO because he is only getting one year deals, he has to show teams he is going to play and not check out. Having the Staal brothers doesnt hurt either. This is going to be a great division to watch. Being a fan of Tampa it must be great watching Stamkos play. The guy is a goal scoring machine!

With teams like the Hurricanes, Penguins, Capitals, Rangers and Leafs (among others) making big moves, the Lightning are going to be in for a hell of a fight for one of the ultra-important playoff spots in the conference.

- Michael_Stuart

Schenn for JVR is a big move?

Signing Ranger to a minor league contract?

Discontinuing the dynamite roll at the executive sushi bar at the ACC, and bringing in the dragon roll?

Schenn for JVR is a big move?

Signing Ranger to a minor league contract?

Discontinuing the dynamite roll at the executive sushi bar at the ACC, and bringing in the dragon roll?
- Atomic Wedgie

yes

Burke working his magic!

Michael Stuart: The "South-Least" Just Got a Whole Lot Better
- Michael_Stuart

The big question marks are :

1) Is the team D, overall, better
2) Can the Lighting withstand the inevitable growing pains Lindback will suffer as he matures into a #1 goalie (or are they gonna blow it like they did Mike Smith?)

I don't think this year, especially a shortened season (if any), is their year.

Next year is a more likely scenario for them to move up the standings.

Schenn for JVR is a big move?

Signing Ranger to a minor league contract?

Discontinuing the dynamite roll at the executive sushi bar at the ACC, and bringing in the dragon roll?
- Atomic Wedgie

JVR is what I had in mind; I'm also looking at a potential Luongo deal.

Schenn for JVR is a big move?

Signing Ranger to a minor league contract?

Discontinuing the dynamite roll at the executive sushi bar at the ACC, and bringing in the dragon roll?
- Atomic Wedgie

I love dynamite rolls.

I've grown to understand the "love" for certain Leaf fans around here. Hockey talk just goes straight out the window.

I've grown to understand the "love" for certain Leaf fans around here. Hockey talk just goes straight out the window.
- Michael_Stuart

I've grown to understand the annoyance so many Leaf posters find with the uneducated ones that talk about how great a Luongo trade would be, and how his contract is "really not that bad".

I've grown to understand the annoyance so many Leaf posters find with the uneducated ones that talk about how great a Luongo trade would be, and how his contract is "really not that bad".
- prock

Don't believe that was brought up here. This is the Lightning thread. Try to keep it on topic.

when do the jets leave the southeast division? was there ever a real answer for the new alignment?

when do the jets leave the southeast division? was there ever a real answer for the new alignment?
- DVISION

No answer yet. Won't be this season. Hopefully soon - it's not fair to them.

Washington will win it, but I can see Tampa, Florida or Carolina getting second. Jets will finish in last place.

Washington will win it, but I can see Tampa, Florida or Carolina getting second. Jets will finish in last place.
- Thehabsfan93

I just cant buy into washington after what I have seen lately i think the Hurricanes are the team to beat in that div IMO

I just cant buy into washington after what I have seen lately i think the Hurricanes are the team to beat in that div IMO
- bigjschiese

Well getting Jordan Staal and Semin will help the Hurricanes a lot.

Well getting Jordan Staal and Semin will help the Hurricanes a lot.
- Thehabsfan93

Semin though is a huge IF in my book, I think he will work out but he has been known to check out, Cam Ward is going to be pretty good so I think that will make up for their lack of defense.

Don't believe that was brought up here. This is the Lightning thread. Try to keep it on topic.
- Michael_Stuart

Listening to the crunch?

Semin though is a huge IF in my book, I think he will work out but he has been known to check out, Cam Ward is going to be pretty good so I think that will make up for their lack of defense.
- bigjschiese

Faulk

Faulk
- BlueBallz

Didnt even mention Justin Faulk.... another reason I think the Hurricanes have the most talent and should win the division.

Spicey tuna with avocado are the best!

Lightning should, should I say come back to life in the SE Division. If they can get solid goaltending and the better defense, which it appears they've done. They'll be fine.

I've grown to understand the annoyance so many Leaf posters find with the uneducated ones that talk about how great a Luongo trade would be, and how his contract is "really not that bad".
- prock

another good take Prock ....I dont want to start a Toronto discussion on a TB blog, but this is a perfect example of what is wrong in TO ..... 'people' start nonsense like this and it builds so much momentum in social media and then mainstream media that the brass in TO feel 'forced' into making stupid deals like this to appease The Nation.....

Toronto has to set a rebuild plan and stick with it reagrdless of what it's fans say....patience can yeild an awesome team in five years..... quick fixes have yielded a less than mediocre team for a generation (safe for the few years when Dougie played)

This stinks; getting cold out 65 and no hockey?

Stop the stupidity and get a deal done!!!!!

My take is if lindy can come in and stabilize us in goal with additions we made on the back end can come together, the bolts should be fighting for a playoff spot,
hopefully this april and not next.

May the southbeast division rise again!!!!!!!!!

On one of your previous article, the other little prospect was Tyler Johnson. He is a strong prospect to make the team soon. He's younger and full of desire to prove himself .