Michael Stuart: Disappointing Lightning Effort Results in Crushing Loss

yup. no point in hanging onto this one when moving onto bigger better stuff tmrw

yup. no point in hanging onto this one when moving onto bigger better stuff tmrw

Cant win them all.

You're ruining our lottery run here... start putting some wins together

You're ruining our lottery run here... start putting some wins together
- Sabresfan-365

If we lose tomorrow, we'll be in that race to the bottom right with you.

Cant win them all.
- poisondhearts37

Your team almost did last spring

Your team almost did last spring
- Michael_Stuart

Well. In the playoffs yes. Not reg season.

Well. In the playoffs yes. Not reg season.
- poisondhearts37

If we're not going to make the playoffs, I wish you folks all the best. Hopefully Quick picks it up, or Bernier needs to continue playing as well as he has. Anze Kopitar is, in my opinion, the most underrated two-way center in the game. Love that guy!

If we're not going to make the playoffs, I wish you folks all the best. Hopefully Quick picks it up, or Bernier needs to continue playing as well as he has. Anze Kopitar is, in my opinion, the most underrated two-way center in the game. Love that guy!
- Michael_Stuart

He and M.Koivu. Quick just needs more rehab time. Just glad Sutter is playing Bernier more now. But I will say. Bernier has looked wicked good. I have a feeling Bernier is gonna get us a real good return if Quick can return to form. I think there is a chance that Bernier is resigned in LA again for another two years.

He and M.Koivu. Quick just needs more rehab time. Just glad Sutter is playing Bernier more now. But I will say. Bernier has looked wicked good. I have a feeling Bernier is gonna get us a real good return if Quick can return to form. I think there is a chance that Bernier is resigned in LA again for another two years.
- poisondhearts37

Mikko Koivu has been one of my favorite players for years. Nobody out East even hears about him, but my goodness is he ever talented. Great minds think alike

Do you think that Bernier will want a shot to be a number one guy somewhere? I'm not sure his value can get higher than it's going to be this summer. You'll get a nice little haul for him from someone. There're a few teams out this way that would certainly like a good young goalie.

Mikko Koivu has been one of my favorite players for years. Nobody out East even hears about him, but my goodness is he ever talented. Great minds think alike

Do you think that Bernier will want a shot to be a number one guy somewhere? I'm not sure his value can get higher than it's going to be this summer. You'll get a nice little haul for him from someone. There're a few teams out this way that would certainly like a good young goalie.
- Michael_Stuart

Bernier wants to be a number one. He's asked for a trade twice. Dean told him last year he was to important for the playoffs incase Quick went down. Then in the offseason he let Bernier know that he wont let him go for free. The right offer has to come along. But alot of things are gonna depend on how Quick recovers from his back surgery. Thats something most people dont know he went through this off season.

The lockout was good for him because it was more time to recover. But I from day one of the season starting knew he wasnt recovered fully still. He's nowhere near as fast as he was post to post. Or even just getting back up from butterfly or flopping around. Also wondering if he is scared to give 110% because he might get hurt. He played the playoffs with a messed up back last year.

Also glad Koivu finally has some legit wingers. Esp Parise. Theyre a perfect pairing imo.

Bernier wants to be a number one. He's asked for a trade twice. Dean told him last year he was to important for the playoffs incase Quick went down. Then in the offseason he let Bernier know that he wont let him go for free. The right offer has to come along. But alot of things are gonna depend on how Quick recovers from his back surgery. Thats something most people dont know he went through this off season.

The lockout was good for him because it was more time to recover. But I from day one of the season starting knew he wasnt recovered fully still. He's nowhere near as fast as he was post to post. Or even just getting back up from butterfly or flopping around. Also wondering if he is scared to give 110% because he might get hurt. He played the playoffs with a messed up back last year.

Also glad Koivu finally has some legit wingers. Esp Parise. Theyre a perfect pairing imo.
- poisondhearts37

Definitely tough for Quick. As you know, he's a guy who relies on playing down low and his flexibility. Coming off surgery, it can't be easy to play that style of game. Thank goodness you've got Bernier there. He's one of only a few undersized goalies who should have no problem making it as a number one guy somewhere.

Typical Lightning goaltending... play lights out in a game. Let's in 2 stinkers the next game.

Perhaps you should look at picking up a legitimate number 1 goaltender who is proven instead of aging goalies who were 1b/2a... and these project young goalies who do not seem to pan out.

When will this team learn...

Definitely tough for Quick. As you know, he's a guy who relies on playing down low and his flexibility. Coming off surgery, it can't be easy to play that style of game. Thank goodness you've got Bernier there. He's one of only a few undersized goalies who should have no problem making it as a number one guy somewhere.
- Michael_Stuart

Bernier's technique is redic. Hes always in position. Id like to see him in NJ for a Merrill package. I thought Chicago for a Saad package.

Typical Lightning goaltending... play lights out in a game. Let's in 2 stinkers the next game.

Perhaps you should look at picking up a legitimate number 1 goaltender who is proven instead of aging goalies who were 1b/2a... and these project young goalies who do not seem to pan out.

When will this team learn...
- kneughter

A bad game and hes a bust? Bishop will be better than anything they got thats ready right now. Tampa is a team searching for a new identity right now.

A bad game and hes a bust? Bishop will be better than anything they got thats ready right now. Tampa is a team searching for a new identity right now.
- poisondhearts37

Mark my words.... Bishop will not be a starter for this team come next year... and they will continue to get mediocre goaltending for awhile

Typical Lightning goaltending... play lights out in a game. Let's in 2 stinkers the next game.

Perhaps you should look at picking up a legitimate number 1 goaltender who is proven instead of aging goalies who were 1b/2a... and these project young goalies who do not seem to pan out.

When will this team learn...
- kneughter

That's just a ridiculous comment. There was one stinker, and the team didn't deserve to be in the game. He was the only reason the Islanders didn't get two or three in the first period alone.

Instead of aging goalies? We don't have an former 1b/2a aging goalie on our roster. Garon is the back-up, Lindback/Bishop is the starter right now. Next season Lindback and Bishop will split the duties.

I have no idea whether or not you watched the game, but based on your comment I'm willing to bet you didn't. Goaltending is not the problem right now. It's easy for outside fans to look at the highlights/boxscore and make a bunch of bogus conclusions. Take it from me, goaltending was not the problem on Saturday night.

Mark my words.... Bishop will not be a starter for this team come next year... and they will continue to get mediocre goaltending for awhile
- kneughter

Yzerman has already said that Bishop and Lindback will split starting duties next season. Try again. If you're just going to troll, leave. If you're going to bring something useful to the conversation, like Poison, feel free to stay.

A bad game and hes a bust? Bishop will be better than anything they got thats ready right now. Tampa is a team searching for a new identity right now.
- poisondhearts37

Exactly, and it wasn't even that bad of a game from him. He's the only reason the score wasn't worse. NYI had two or three grade A chances in the first period. I've dealt with comments like the one you responded to all season; it's starting to irk me.

That's just a ridiculous comment. There was one stinker, and the team didn't deserve to be in the game. He was the only reason the Islanders didn't get two or three in the first period alone.

Instead of aging goalies? We don't have an former 1b/2a aging goalie on our roster. Garon is the back-up, Lindback/Bishop is the starter right now. Next season Lindback and Bishop will split the duties.

I have no idea whether or not you watched the game, but based on your comment I'm willing to bet you didn't. Goaltending is not the problem right now. It's easy for outside fans to look at the highlights/boxscore and make a bunch of bogus conclusions. Take it from me, goaltending was not the problem on Saturday night.
- Michael_Stuart

I was talking about Roloson...

Nittymakki, Smith, and Garon. All goalies that shouldn't be playing more than 20 games in a season.. all back ups in this league and Tampa has them playing 50 games in a season. (Do not let Phoenix fool you into thinking Smith is a legitimate starter)

I thought Lindback was going to be the answer?.. it took what? Half of a shortened season to realize he isn't any good. Now they bring in Bishop.. do people really think he is going to be the answer?

This team is 2nd in the league for GF.. they are an offensive jaugernaut.. and they are in the bottom 10 of the league for GAA.. and you tell me it isn't goaltending?.. I've seen enough Lightning games to know there have been more than just a few softies let in.

If I was a fan of this team... a team who has a lot of great pieces.. and is in desperate need of a legitimate number 1 guy.. I would be screaming for it. But you can keep believing Bishop is the answer and stick with the status quo and before you know it.. St louis is gone.. Lecavlier is gone and this team isn't what it was.

If I was a fan of this team... a team who has a lot of great pieces.. and is in desperate need of a legitimate number 1 guy.. I would be screaming for it. But you can keep believing Bishop is the answer and stick with the status quo and before you know it.. St louis is gone.. Lecavlier is gone and this team isn't what it was.
- kneughter

Dafuq are you on about. Bishop has played a whole 2 games for Tampa.

I was talking about Roloson...

Nittymakki, Smith, and Garon. All goalies that shouldn't be playing more than 20 games in a season.. all back ups in this league and Tampa has them playing 50 games in a season. (Do not let Phoenix fool you into thinking Smith is a legitimate starter)

I thought Lindback was going to be the answer?.. it took what? Half of a shortened season to realize he isn't any good. Now they bring in Bishop.. do people really think he is going to be the answer?

This team is 2nd in the league for GF.. they are an offensive jaugernaut.. and they are in the bottom 10 of the league for GAA.. and you tell me it isn't goaltending?.. I've seen enough Lightning games to know there have been more than just a few softies let in.

If I was a fan of this team... a team who has a lot of great pieces.. and is in desperate need of a legitimate number 1 guy.. I would be screaming for it. But you can keep believing Bishop is the answer and stick with the status quo and before you know it.. St louis is gone.. Lecavlier is gone and this team isn't what it was.
- kneughter

Another ridiculous comment. Garon has never been this team's number one guy. He's played big minutes largely due to injuries elsewhere on the roster. I seem to recall a period where Alex Auld was your number one goaltender for a while when Cloutier was injured. It's no different.

Lindback may well be the answer. Who said he's not any good? He's injured right now, but prior to his injury check out his stats. In the five games leading up to his injury, he posted all-star numbers. He was playing incredibly well. I have no idea why you've given up on a player after 21 games as an NHL starting goaltender. Where would the Canucks be if they gave up on the Sedins that early on?

Yes, I'm telling you that goaltending is not the biggest problem right now. That's exactly what I'm saying. Thanks for catching up. You can't make turnovers at the blue line and allow opposition skaters to walk right up main street with all the time in the world. I don't care whether your team's goaltender is Dan Cloutier or Cory Schneider; you won't win many games doing that.

Nobody has ever said that Garon is a number one goaltender, so if he lets in softies it's to be expected. Bishop has played two games with this team, and you're already passing judgment. My god. He let in one bad goal after stopping 45 in his last game. Give him time. If you honestly think that goaltending has been this team's biggest problem, I find it hard to believe that you've watched many Lightning games this season. On many nights, the goaltender (whoever it's been) has been left out to dry by the skaters in front of him. Last game was a prime example. Blue line turnovers will haunt any goaltender's stat line.

This team has enough talent coming up in all positions to be competitive for years to come. Replacing Marty will never happen, but with Connolly, Panik, Palat, Brown, etc. we're in good shape. Vinny will be around for a long while yet.

Dafuq are you on about. Bishop has played a whole 2 games for Tampa.
- MisterC

Thank you.

I was talking about Roloson...

Nittymakki, Smith, and Garon. All goalies that shouldn't be playing more than 20 games in a season.. all back ups in this league and Tampa has them playing 50 games in a season. (Do not let Phoenix fool you into thinking Smith is a legitimate starter)

I thought Lindback was going to be the answer?.. it took what? Half of a shortened season to realize he isn't any good. Now they bring in Bishop.. do people really think he is going to be the answer?

This team is 2nd in the league for GF.. they are an offensive jaugernaut.. and they are in the bottom 10 of the league for GAA.. and you tell me it isn't goaltending?.. I've seen enough Lightning games to know there have been more than just a few softies let in.

If I was a fan of this team... a team who has a lot of great pieces.. and is in desperate need of a legitimate number 1 guy.. I would be screaming for it. But you can keep believing Bishop is the answer and stick with the status quo and before you know it.. St louis is gone.. Lecavlier is gone and this team isn't what it was.
- kneughter

And Roloson worked out alright for us the year Yzerman brought him in. Hindsight is 20/20, but at the time it was hard to fault him for bringing Rollie back.