Michael Stuart: Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Ben Bishop to Two Year Extension

Good for Ben. Good for Tampa

Good for Ben. Good for Tampa
- AlfieisKing

Agreed.

Future looks good for Tampa's goaltending (although you'll still have Canuck fans swearing that you're interested in Luongo)

How in the world do you have as much talent on that roster as you do and still suck so bad?

This is a very serious question, as I rarely get to watch Bolts games (they stink, why would I? lol).

Defense or what? Carle suck this season?

Enlighten me. Obviously Lindback started off great and then..... yeah.

Future looks good for Tampa's goaltending (although you'll still have Canuck fans swearing that you're interested in Luongo)
- qwijibo

They're not fond of me when I tell them otherwise. With Vasilevski just a couple years away, trading for Lu's contract doesn't make a ton of sense. I think the world of Luongo, and have since he was a Panther, but it just doesn't work for the Bolts.

To be honest, I was ok with bishop leaving only because of lehner. Really though, you got a solid goalie, he'll be your stater, not lindback. You must have the tallest goalie tandem in the league.

How in the world do you have as much talent on that roster as you do and still suck so bad?

This is a very serious question, as I rarely get to watch Bolts games (they stink, why would I? lol).

Defense or what? Carle suck this season?

Enlighten me. Obviously Lindback started off great and then..... yeah.
- NorCalAvsFan

It's an inability to be consistent. The team has put forth very few sixty minute efforts this season. Lindback has been good, but then he got injured. The team in front of our goaltenders has just been brutal. Giveaways at the blue line, silly little drop passes in the neutral zone, and the list goes on. The guys are trying to be too cute. The defensive structure just looked so porous under Boucher; with Cooper it's been significantly better, but it's clear that there's still work to be done.

To be honest, I was ok with bishop leaving only because of lehner. Really though, you got a solid goalie, he'll be your stater, not lindback. You must have the tallest goalie tandem in the league.
- Hard T

I'm not so fast to write-off Lindback. I like a lot of what he brings and he's only going to get better with time. He's still only 24 years old.

I'm not so fast to write-off Lindback. I like a lot of what he brings and he's only going to get better with time. He's still only 24 years old.
- Michael_Stuart

I watched him in Nashville a lot (live/watch west coast stuff mainly) but.. they played good defense in front of him, lol.

He's good. Just get some good defensive d guys out there and you should be fine. Not pylons.

It remains unclear whether a Bishop/Lindback tandem will be good enough for Tampa moving forward but there's no arguing that the talent is there.

I'm not privy to watch every TB game but from afar it seems the overwhelming area that needs upgrading is on D.

It remains unclear whether a Bishop/Lindback tandem will be good enough for Tampa moving forward but there's no arguing that the talent is there.

I'm not privy to watch every TB game but from afar it seems the overwhelming area that needs upgrading is on D.
- AlexF

to a certain extent you are right, however I think more than anything its a team issue. these guys are searching for their group identity and they know how much talent they have. maybe it makes them rely too much on each other when they should be giving it 100%. forward defensive play has been lackluster at best. just look at MSL and Stamkos. together they have 104 points, with a combined -10.. a full training regiment and a pro strength regiment for the kids (hopefully with Stamko's guy Gary Roberts) will pay dividends

It remains unclear whether a Bishop/Lindback tandem will be good enough for Tampa moving forward but there's no arguing that the talent is there.

I'm not privy to watch every TB game but from afar it seems the overwhelming area that needs upgrading is on D.
- AlexF

I think it's a systems issue more than a roster issue. Cooper has straightened some things out, and will continue to do so moving into next year. Adding Seth Jones wouldn't hurt though.

I think it's a systems issue more than a roster issue. Cooper has straightened some things out, and will continue to do so moving into next year. Adding Seth Jones wouldn't hurt though.
- Michael_Stuart

I knew it!!! they are tanking!

Michael Stuart: Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Ben Bishop to Two Year Extension
- Michael_Stuart

I think the deal should have been longer

if he does what the team wants, they will have to pay him a boat load of money in 2 years or lose him