Michael Stuart: Lightning Comeback Falls Short as Hurricanes Skate to Victory

Wow...I never expected the Lightning to be one of the worst teams in the NHL!! What's going on down there?

Wow...I never expected the Lightning to be one of the worst teams in the NHL!! What's going on down there?
- LeftCoaster

Consistency has been lacking, to say the least.

You guys should be getting ready for your subtle tank. Like the time you drafted Stamkos, you sat Lecavalier, played St. Louis on the 4th line, traded Richards and Boyle, then hit bottom. Just about time for another tank job, don't you think?

You guys should be getting ready for your subtle tank. Like the time you drafted Stamkos, you sat Lecavalier, played St. Louis on the 4th line, traded Richards and Boyle, then hit bottom. Just about time for another tank job, don't you think?
- PrinceLH

Yeah...

i love the close but still lose. makes the guys feel like they tried but our pick keeps getting better and better. we are now looking at a top 3 pick and any of the top 3 should be in the NHL next year. we even have a shot at winning the lotto and getting number 1. i cant wait for all the jokes to come if florida and tampa end 1 and 2. but thats just scary for the NHL with us having these players and getting that high of a pick. with a well organized roster next season and a vet D signing and a year of bishop to start we should dominate teams like we started this season. i predict we break 100 points next year. if cooper gets this team playing like syracuse watch out.

i love the close but still lose. makes the guys feel like they tried but our pick keeps getting better and better. we are now looking at a top 3 pick and any of the top 3 should be in the NHL next year. we even have a shot at winning the lotto and getting number 1. i cant wait for all the jokes to come if florida and tampa end 1 and 2. but thats just scary for the NHL with us having these players and getting that high of a pick. with a well organized roster next season and a vet D signing and a year of bishop to start we should dominate teams like we started this season. i predict we break 100 points next year. if cooper gets this team playing like syracuse watch out.
- boltsfan48

If we got that first overall do you take Jones or drouin or MacKinnon . Drouin would be pretty nice with Marty retiring soon I've heard nothing but great things about him

If we got that first overall do you take Jones or drouin or MacKinnon . Drouin would be pretty nice with Marty retiring soon I've heard nothing but great things about him
- vaas91

Drouin or Jones. Dump, trade or kill Brewer and Malone. Start training camp VERY early and make sure each of these guys knows WTF the game plan is.

WTF was Labrie thinking? He gets hit, loses his balance and pulls a bush league move like that? Point out that Channelside drive goes east and west, because his dumb ass ain't staying here.

I guess we are tanking, because that first period was an absolute sham. People actually paid to see that bull crap? Tell me again why I bought tickets to the Lightning/leafs game Wednesday? Oh that's right I'm in to S&M and self punishment. Shoulda found something better to do, but my wife's brother is a leafs fan and he's been very good to us and watching our kids without complaint or charge, so it's all good.

Drouin or Jones. Dump, trade or kill Brewer and Malone. Start training camp VERY early and make sure each of these guys knows WTF the game plan is.

WTF was Labrie thinking? He gets hit, loses his balance and pulls a bush league move like that? Point out that Channelside drive goes east and west, because his dumb ass ain't staying here.

I guess we are tanking, because that first period was an absolute sham. People actually paid to see that bull crap? Tell me again why I bought tickets to the Lightning/leafs game Wednesday? Oh that's right I'm in to S&M and self punishment. Shoulda found something better to do, but my wife's brother is a leafs fan and he's been very good to us and watching our kids without complaint or charge, so it's all good.
- Artyukhin76

Malone WTF did you think you were in the wrong crease? Our first period play has been dismal for years this one more so than others. How do you plan on playing from behind every game and win. I agree Malone and Brewer are gone, clone Gudas once or twice and we will be better off. Do refs know the difference between tripping and a hip check?
.

Drouin or Jones. Dump, trade or kill Brewer and Malone. Start training camp VERY early and make sure each of these guys knows WTF the game plan is.

WTF was Labrie thinking? He gets hit, loses his balance and pulls a bush league move like that? Point out that Channelside drive goes east and west, because his dumb ass ain't staying here.

I guess we are tanking, because that first period was an absolute sham. People actually paid to see that bull crap? Tell me again why I bought tickets to the Lightning/leafs game Wednesday? Oh that's right I'm in to S&M and self punishment. Shoulda found something better to do, but my wife's brother is a leafs fan and he's been very good to us and watching our kids without complaint or charge, so it's all good.
- Artyukhin76

I went to the sabres lightning game last week man was that pathetic with brewer always mixing up his signals with garon behind the net or Malone turning it over. The only noticeable people were killorn panik and gudas who were the only guys throwing a hit

Big changes coming with the Lightning? Some players like Malone have seen their better days long ago and are currently not very effective NHL players. What happens with Vinny?

You guys should be getting ready for your subtle tank. Like the time you drafted Stamkos, you sat Lecavalier, played St. Louis on the 4th line, traded Richards and Boyle, then hit bottom. Just about time for another tank job, don't you think?
- PrinceLH

What are you talking about? 4/20 extend a few extra days this year?

Big changes coming with the Lightning? Some players like Malone have seen their better days long ago and are current not very effective NHL players. What happens with Vinny?
- LeftCoaster

Vinny stays. He's been great. Malone probably goes.

If we got that first overall do you take Jones or drouin or MacKinnon . Drouin would be pretty nice with Marty retiring soon I've heard nothing but great things about him
- vaas91

Jones is the best prospect available by a mile, from what I've heard. I don't know how you pass that up, regardless of positional need.

Vinny stays. He's been great. Malone probably goes.
- Michael_Stuart

Any idea of why Vinny's ice time has been so low recently? Is he playing hurt?

Any idea of why Vinny's ice time has been so low recently? Is he playing hurt?
- mblightning

Haven't heard anything, but you're right that it's odd.

Jones is the best prospect available by a mile, from what I've heard. I don't know how you pass that up, regardless of positional need.
- Michael_Stuart

Well if we don't get first overall or Jones is gone by the time our pick comes im sure Tampa will sadly be forced to decide between drouin or MacKinnon

Our biggest issue is droping Malone, Brewer and Frantz Jean. If we can escape there incompetence then we're in good shape. I don't see much in the way of FA's coming to town. I think Cooper (and Yzerman) plan to fill the roster from within. Maybe a FA defenseman, but I like the look of Korbov. Good sturdy stay at home kinda guy with an excellent +/- just needs to use that big body of his more.

The subtraction of Malone can be filled by Palat, Panik and Johnson.
Purcell Stamkos St Louis
Killorn Lecavalier Connolly
Brown Johnson Panik
Crombeen Thompson Palat

Salo Hedman
Carle Gudas
Korbov Aulie

Bishop
Lindback

If we do go after a UFA defenseman then I'd take Mark Fistric. Sturdy sta at home with good numbers on a upside down team.

Our biggest issue is droping Malone, Brewer and Frantz Jean. If we can escape there incompetence then we're in good shape. I don't see much in the way of FA's coming to town. I think Cooper (and Yzerman) plan to fill the roster from within. Maybe a FA defenseman, but I like the look of Korbov. Good sturdy stay at home kinda guy with an excellent +/- just needs to use that big body of his more.

The subtraction of Malone can be filled by Palat, Panik and Johnson.
Purcell Stamkos St Louis
Killorn Lecavalier Connolly
Brown Johnson Panik
Crombeen Thompson Palat

Salo Hedman
Carle Gudas
Korbov Aulie

Bishop
Lindback

If we do go after a UFA defenseman then I'd take Mark Fistric. Sturdy sta at home with good numbers on a upside down team.
- Artyukhin76

That defense has got zero shot at measuring up against the top teams in the East. I like where you're going with the roster, but I view it as being too young.

That defense has got zero shot at measuring up against the top teams in the East. I like where you're going with the roster, but I view it as being too young.
- Michael_Stuart

Which? Defense or offense? I don't see our offensive attack as an issue. the offense is almost the same, but without Malone and Labrie. Perhaps a Salo like signing? Who? Sergi Gonchar? Too expensive and probably wants to stay in Ottawa.
How about Doug Murray? Arm-Pittsburgh won't be able to retain all of this seasons acquisitions, so why not a big boy like him?
Hedman Salo
Carle Gudas
Murray Aulie

Which? Defense or offense? I don't see our offensive attack as an issue. the offense is almost the same, but without Malone and Labrie. Perhaps a Salo like signing? Who? Sergi Gonchar? Too expensive and probably wants to stay in Ottawa.
How about Doug Murray? Arm-Pittsburgh won't be able to retain all of this seasons acquisitions, so why not a big boy like him?
Hedman Salo
Carle Gudas
Murray Aulie
- Artyukhin76

Murray can't skate. I'd rather have Brewer than him. Rob Scuderi interests me. Offense is still very young as well.

Murray can't skate. I'd rather have Brewer than him. Rob Scuderi interests me. Offense is still very young as well.
- Michael_Stuart

That offense is almost the same as now. 140 goals for in 45 games (3.11 goals per game) we don't need to add anything up front. Pouliot won't be back, hopefully Malone is traded or bought. However, Connolly, Johnson and Panik are ready to play for the big club. If I were Yzerman, I'd leave the offense alone. Our defense needs I man, like another Salo to shore it all up. Scuderi is a definite, but I question weather he would leave LA.

i love the close but still lose. makes the guys feel like they tried but our pick keeps getting better and better. we are now looking at a top 3 pick and any of the top 3 should be in the NHL next year. we even have a shot at winning the lotto and getting number 1. i cant wait for all the jokes to come if florida and tampa end 1 and 2. but thats just scary for the NHL with us having these players and getting that high of a pick. with a well organized roster next season and a vet D signing and a year of bishop to start we should dominate teams like we started this season. i predict we break 100 points next year. if cooper gets this team playing like syracuse watch out.
- boltsfan48

You guys have a team that underperformed this year for whatever reason? Definitely should be better next year.

Heres my year end wish list. The Jets win the SE and the Caps miss out. Pens-Rags, Bruins- Sens jets-Isles and Habs- Leafs. Stammer gets the Rocket and Marty the Art Ross. MVP is a tough one but anyone but OV who only played well half a season and has 60% of his goals on the PP and even played a full 4 minutes on a double vs. the Bolts. I know Crosby should have the Ross and Hart in his pocket but the kid just can't seem to stay healthy anymore even with a freak accident.