Michael Stuart: Lightning News, Notes & Randoms

can't wait to be heading to tampa early tomorrow morning for the fan fest and start of camp!

can't wait to be heading to tampa early tomorrow morning for the fan fest and start of camp!
- norbs

Hattricks...

Hattricks...
- jimmc7722

I look forward to being bombarded by Hattricks ads on Sun Sports.

Hattricks...
- jimmc7722

Might have to stop by for lunch

Though free food at the Forum sounds pretty good to me as well

Though free food at the Forum sounds pretty good to me as well
- norbs

Let's get real. Free food anywhere = good.

Gonna be fun to see what Conacher can bring to the table if he indeed gets thrown together with Vinny

Gonna be fun to see what Conacher can bring to the table if he indeed gets thrown together with Vinny
- norbs

Yeah I agree. I mean, the reason I'm assuming he'll be placed with Vinny is that he doesn't fit in with the bottom-six. He's a top-six player. The fact that neither Connolly nor Brown nor Johnson was invited leads me to believe that Conacher will be fill the second line winger spot we've been discussing here for months.

Yeah I agree. I mean, the reason I'm assuming he'll be placed with Vinny is that he doesn't fit in with the bottom-six. He's a top-six player. The fact that neither Connolly nor Brown nor Johnson was invited leads me to believe that Conacher will be fill the second line winger spot we've been discussing here for months.
- Michael_Stuart

I myself had Connolly penciled in for the most part, but like you said with him not getting the call, it has to be inevitable that Cory is put there. Hopefully he can be productive in that role.

Though Johnson was invited

I myself had Connolly penciled in for the most part, but like you said with him not getting the call, it has to be inevitable that Cory is put there. Hopefully he can be productive in that role.

Though Johnson was invited
- norbs

Really? The team's official press release tonight doesn't have him on it.

Like you, I had Connolly penciled in. Ah well - he'll be there next year.

Really? The team's official press release tonight doesn't have him on it.

Like you, I had Connolly penciled in. Ah well - he'll be there next year.
- Michael_Stuart

You're right, wasn't in the release, but...

From the official twitter page:
"Bolts also expected to bring forwards Johnson and Wyman, as well as d-men Gudas and Barberio to camp. Played 2night for @SyracuseCrunch."

So yeah, we shall see tomorrow. Cant wait to see everybody out on the ice

You're right, wasn't in the release, but...

From the official twitter page:
"Bolts also expected to bring forwards Johnson and Wyman, as well as d-men Gudas and Barberio to camp. Played 2night for @SyracuseCrunch."

So yeah, we shall see tomorrow. Cant wait to see everybody out on the ice
- norbs

Ah makes sense! Just got back on Twitter tonight and see that. Thanks.
Still not sure I see Johnson on the second line; more suited as third line C (another hole) IMO. Barberio and Gudas are interesting. Personally I think more time in the AHL could benefit both. Let them come in next season.

Ah makes sense! Just got back on Twitter tonight and see that. Thanks.
Still not sure I see Johnson on the second line; more suited as third line C (another hole) IMO. Barberio and Gudas are interesting. Personally I think more time in the AHL could benefit both. Let them come in next season.
- Michael_Stuart

Yeah for sure, him and Pyatt will battle it out, though I would almost prefer seeing what Johnson can do because with Pyatt you basically already know what you're getting

Yeah for sure, him and Pyatt will battle it out, though I would almost prefer seeing what Johnson can do because with Pyatt you basically already know what you're getting
- norbs

Agree 100%.

you would have to think if conacher plays well this season then you will have him and connolly in the top 6 next year making malone expendable. we also have killorn in the wings. thinking the lines will look something like...

purcell stamkos malone
st. louis lecavalier conacher
wilson johnson pyatt
tyrell thompson hall/crombeen

carle hedman
salo brewer
lee barberio
mikkelson gudas

lindback
garon



pyatt is not a natural center. he got put there when dom moore was traded.

you would have to think if conacher plays well this season then you will have him and connolly in the top 6 next year making malone expendable. we also have killorn in the wings. thinking the lines will look something like...

purcell stamkos malone
st. louis lecavalier conacher
wilson johnson pyatt
tyrell thompson hall/crombeen

carle hedman
salo brewer
lee barberio
mikkelson gudas

lindback
garon



pyatt is not a natural center. he got put there when dom moore was traded.
- boltsfan48

Heard from a source that Malone is on the trading block and then The Fourth Period put out a piece saying that they expect Yzerman to listen to calls on him. Where there's smoke there's fire so it will be an interesting story to follow. Will try to keep you all posted as I hear more.

Heard from a source that Malone is on the trading block and then The Fourth Period put out a piece saying that they expect Yzerman to listen to calls on him. Where there's smoke there's fire so it will be an interesting story to follow. Will try to keep you all posted as I hear more.
- Michael_Stuart

I have more confedence in Eklund then the Fourth Period. Malone has a NTC and well we've already discussed his contribution to the Bolts.

I have more confedence in Eklund then the Fourth Period. Malone has a NTC and well we've already discussed his contribution to the Bolts.
- Artyukhin76

I know we have, and you know I agree with you. That being said, it wouldn't surprise it if what's being thrown out there is true. I've heard it and outlets are reporting it. Will be an interesting story to follow, for sure. A lot depends on what happens with Conacher this season, IMO.

It makes perfect sense now why Johnson has been killing penalties down in Syracuse if TB planned to have him as the 3rd line center

It makes perfect sense now why Johnson has been killing penalties down in Syracuse if TB planned to have him as the 3rd line center
- D-UNIT-

Heard from a source that Malone is on the trading block and then The Fourth Period put out a piece saying that they expect Yzerman to listen to calls on him. Where there's smoke there's fire so it will be an interesting story to follow. Will try to keep you all posted as I hear more.
- Michael_Stuart

I know his name always seems to come up, but it would not seem to make sense to trade him now since he is in the favorable part of his contract. He is only due 3 million this year, and 2.5 million the next two years. A pretty good deal for a guy who can score 20-25 goals and add some toughness. Unless they got something significant for him I don't think it makes sense to move him, not to mention the team is already on the lower end as far as toughness goes. Other than getting a good return, the only other reason to move him would be if they have concerns about his ability to stay healthy at this point in his career.

I know his name always seems to come up, but it would not seem to make sense to trade him now since he is in the favorable part of his contract. He is only due 3 million this year, and 2.5 million the next two years. A pretty good deal for a guy who can score 20-25 goals and add some toughness. Unless they got something significant for him I don't think it makes sense to move him, not to mention the team is already on the lower end as far as toughness goes. Other than getting a good return, the only other reason to move him would be if they have concerns about his ability to stay healthy at this point in his career.
- simon17

It will be interesting to follow, that's for sure. Totally depends on Yzerman's plans for next season. The reality is that we have a bunch of young guys who are ready to perhaps contribute more and gain valuable experience. Do we sacrifice that to keep Malone around? Lots to think about.

Just got back from Tampa, some quick notes:

Don't know what was discussed on here earlier as far as line combinations go, but from what I saw out on the ice, the following is what is being tried:

Malone-Stammer-Marty

Purcell-Vinny-Conacher

Tyrell/Wilson-Pyatt-Poulliot

Hall-Thompson-Crombeen

Brewer-Carle

Hedman-Salo

Bergeron-Lee

Garon
Lindback

-None of the aforementioned crunch players who played 2 nights ago (Johnson, Wyman, Barberio, Gudas) were out on the ice, expect them to be with the team tomorrow.

-Garon seemed to be mechanically more sound, though Lindback looks a heck of a lot bigger in the net.

-That 3rd line really kept on changing a lot, definitely what will be tinkered the most

-D pairings were pretty consistent, barely changed from that 6 D once scrimmage-like play started

-As of TODAY, Garon still looks to be the starter, though wouldn't surprise me if Anders gets better as the week goes on

Just got back from Tampa, some quick notes:

Don't know what was discussed on here earlier as far as line combinations go, but from what I saw out on the ice, the following is what is being tried:

Malone-Stammer-Marty

Purcell-Vinny-Conacher

Tyrell/Wilson-Pyatt-Poulliot

Hall-Thompson-Crombeen

Brewer-Carle

Hedman-Salo

Bergeron-Lee

Garon
Lindback

-None of the aforementioned crunch players who played 2 nights ago (Johnson, Wyman, Barberio, Gudas) were out on the ice, expect them to be with the team tomorrow.

-Garon seemed to be mechanically more sound, though Lindback looks a heck of a lot bigger in the net.

-That 3rd line really kept on changing a lot, definitely what will be tinkered the most

-D pairings were pretty consistent, barely changed from that 6 D once scrimmage-like play started

-As of TODAY, Garon still looks to be the starter, though wouldn't surprise me if Anders gets better as the week goes on
- norbs

Thanks for the updates, Norbs! I like the look of lines one, two and four. Real solid. Line three is weak as can be. Hopefully Johnson gets slotted in on that third line.

Lindback will calm down. New team, new surroundings. Garon is a veteran and I wouldn't expect anything less from him.

Love the Hedman/Salo pairing. That's something I've talked about for a couple months here. Let Salo mentor Hedman through this season and into next. Could be a very beneficial relationship.