Michael Stuart: Lightning Must Keep Calm and Stay the Course

Lets get at least 3 wins this week and get back on track. Go Bolts!

Lets get at least 3 wins this week and get back on track. Go Bolts!
- norbs

That would be very nice.

That would be very nice.
- Michael_Stuart

I mean, this team would have a chance to win every game it played in if it showed up consistently.

Keep Calm and Carry On?

While there have been some good aspects this season, its wins that count not feel good or individual accomplishments. Its time to be accountable for the product on the ice.

Keep Calm and Carry On?

While there have been some good aspects this season, its wins that count not feel good or individual accomplishments. Its time to be accountable for the product on the ice.
- Leafsandbolts

Accountable, yes. But no need for snap changes. We're not a first place team; we're not setup to be a first place team. The product on the ice, save for a couple games, has been decent. Small gaffes have cost the team, not overall performances.

So, once again, while it’s easy to say that Roberto Luongo might put the Lightning in the playoffs

Yeah - this is a upside down year to be sure. That said - Roberto Luongo IS enough to put the Ning in the playoffs... not saying Stevie Y would want to pay the asking price ... he already proved he did not. BUT ... and it is really a question as IF the Lightning HAVE to be in the playoffs... the team DOES need change and from the outside looking in - it would be goaltending that is NOT getting the job done. The sv% and GAA should be much better even if the team has the record it does. Lindback may develop as the future all star as his former starter Rinne is. Right now however, that will not be this year or perhaps a couple more. Acquiring a starter in place of Lindback would imho damage the chances of that ever happening in TB though....

Staying the course is certainly cheaper in comparison to what would have to be sacrificed - especially so if the team can be patient and miss the playoffs for at least this shortened bizarre season.

Yeah - this is a upside down year to be sure. That said - Roberto Luongo IS enough to put the Ning in the playoffs... not saying Stevie Y would want to pay the asking price ... he already proved he did not. BUT ... and it is really a question as IF the Lightning HAVE to be in the playoffs... the team DOES need change and from the outside looking in - it would be goaltending that is NOT getting the job done. The sv% and GAA should be much better even if the team has the record it does. Lindback may develop as the future all star as his former starter Rinne is. Right now however, that will not be this year or perhaps a couple more. Acquiring a starter in place of Lindback would imho damage the chances of that ever happening in TB though....

Staying the course is certainly cheaper in comparison to what would have to be sacrificed - especially so if the team can be patient and miss the playoffs for at least this shortened bizarre season.
- deanofnucks

Great post. I don't know if you ever saw any of my posts on Esplen's thread a long time ago, but I'm a HUGE Roberto Luongo fan. I have been since his days as a member of the Panthers. People can say what they want, but he's an elite goaltender. Trouble is that he doesn't fit in with the age demographic that this Lightning team needs, while Lindback and Vasilevski do. I have spoken to a number of people in Nashville, and then a couple of other folks in goalie circles, who believe that Lindback has what it takes to be a starter. Growing pains. I expected them.

Goaltending isn't getting the job done right now, but Lindback hasn't been all bad. He got hung out to dry because of gaffes on numerous occasions. It's only in the last couple weeks that he's started to look mediocre. Give him time, and he should be okay.

Thanks for chiming in! Like I said, great post.

You're right in almost all aspects except 1 and that is the goalie coach. Other then that I agree to stay the course (drop Lee and MAB too).

You're right in almost all aspects except 1 and that is the goalie coach. Other then that I agree to stay the course (drop Lee and MAB too).
- Artyukhin76

Definitely think there's merit to at least looking at Jean's coaching style, and seeing where that's led the group.

My question is when a GM says the roster is good we're not getting the concistancy. Who's is he blaming? Yzerman has never showed his hand since he has taken over as GM for the Bolts, is this his way of saying get your head out of the sand or something will change? By no means am i saying blow this thing up but something must change soon. What that is I don't know. If they play like they did against Boston Saturday they can't loose 4 in a row. If they compete night in night out this should be a contender, but when they play 20 to 30 minutes a game all I see is lottery balls. You can't fire a team but you can shake things up different ways, I hate saying it's time for Boucher to go, but is it? His job is to get the players to compete and to be quite honest they aren't on a nightly basis. I hope they pull it together so i can't eat my words later. I still think they need an eye in the sky at games but appently Boucher/Yzerman thinks we don't.

If we are rebuilding yes but how long can you wait for the defense and goaltending while you have Vinny and Marty another year longer in the tooth both are playing well but age catches everyone with few exceptions Marty might be one of those but no one ever knows. I like Killorn and Panik and what has been coming out of Syracuse but this season will be hallf over after this week. if they can't take 5 out of 6 points it's toast. Bring up the kids and lets start giving them more experience now.

Accountable, yes. But no need for snap changes. We're not a first place team; we're not setup to be a first place team. The product on the ice, save for a couple games, has been decent. Small gaffes have cost the team, not overall performances.
- Michael_Stuart

True that the Lightning are not a first place team but the Southeast doesn't have any true first place teams. This is a special opportunity for the Lightning compared to other divisions.

Gaffes done repeatedly lose games and are especially costly in a shortened season. As we approach the midpoint of the season and the trading deadline in 4 weeks, it is the time for change unless the Lightning organization are willing to accept they are not a playoff team.

Players need to be accountable for their breakdowns and poor performance. If they don't learn, don't play their position, take stupid penalties, or don't work hard every shift; then don't give them ice time. Lee should not be playing by those rules. Time to bring up a kid like Gudas from Syracuse and waive Lee if necessary.

Coaches are accountable. If the team has another losing season and continue to drop in the standings, something will happen sooner than later since it is easier to change a coach than a team of players. They better start lighting a fire under this team to make sure they are prepared for their games.

Yzerman will also be held accountable sooner or later by Vinik. At least, Yzerman has not made any Feaster size errors yet.

No changes will result in another losing season. It might not be time to fire Boucher nor trade Lecavalier for Luongo but the time for overreaction is approaching if nothing changes.

If we are rebuilding yes but how long can you wait for the defense and goaltending while you have Vinny and Marty another year longer in the tooth both are playing well but age catches everyone with few exceptions Marty might be one of those but no one ever knows. I like Killorn and Panik and what has been coming out of Syracuse but this season will be hallf over after this week. if they can't take 5 out of 6 points it's toast. Bring up the kids and lets start giving them more experience now.
- tpd11

Agree. I hate to say it but trading St Louis would likely bring the best long term return. I would also consider trading Brewer. You are right it is time to play some of the kids and give them some NHL experience.

Agree. I hate to say it but trading St Louis would likely bring the best long term return. I would also consider trading Brewer. You are right it is time to play some of the kids and give them some NHL experience.
- Leafsandbolts

Marty isn't going anywhere.

Is Pouliot OK?

Is Pouliot OK?
- allycat

Right arm was seen in a sling reportedly. Take that for what it's worth.