Michael Stuart: Hedman's Heroics Propel Lightning Past Flyers

great write up and on point! Hedman is a stud and he's going to be Norris repeating caliber very soon. Kucherov. just wow, 6 shots and the majority of them scoring chances. This kid is good. really, really good. look out stanley, the bolts are looking to keep you in tampa soon, and for a long time

all i kept thinking the whole game was, wow the guys are fast. doubt we'll slow down much next year, after adding a few "kids" that was great when they played the vid of Lecavalier hitting a mic'd Marty, and you can hear him giggling and then again when he pushes him back. hard not to love that guy

great write up and on point! Hedman is a stud and he's going to be Norris repeating caliber very soon. Kucherov. just wow, 6 shots and the majority of them scoring chances. This kid is good. really, really good. look out stanley, the bolts are looking to keep you in tampa soon, and for a long time
- Boltdolt84

Kucherov looked awesome. If he bulks up a little bit, he'll be dominant in the NHL for a long, long time.

And Hedman...

TB still has a ways to go before the SC contender label gets used, in my opinion. The Western road swing demonstrated that quite effectively.

Lindback played a solid game and he looks much more calm in net then previous games. Taking cues from Bishop maybe?

Overall a solid performance from the Bolts in showing there old Captian what he's missing out on

Hedman played like a man on fire tonight. This Kid could finally be coming into his own.

Kucherov looked awesome. If he bulks up a little bit, he'll be dominant in the NHL for a long, long time.

And Hedman...

TB still has a ways to go before the SC contender label gets used, in my opinion. The Western road swing demonstrated that quite effectively.
- Michael_Stuart

Cannot wait to see the end result of Yzermans plan/team. It will most definitely be good if everyone comes together!! Stamkos, kucherov, drouin, Hedman, vasilevski.. This will truly be be a team in contention for playoff spot for many years to come!

nikita kucherov is the real deal, he could of had a hat trick in 1 shift alone, and 5 more on top of it..he is a force, he is superior in the offensive end and he was back checking like CRAZY ... man that guy is good

it is mindblowing knowing he has only played 20 games of AHL and that's all he has for pro experience

Kucherov looked awesome. If he bulks up a little bit, he'll be dominant in the NHL for a long, long time.

And Hedman...
TB still has a ways to go before the SC contender label gets used, in my opinion. The Western road swing demonstrated that quite effectively.
- Michael_Stuart

Btw.. Great write up Mike! Great game by the bolts!

nikita kucherov is the real deal, he could of had a hat trick in 1 shift alone, and 5 more on top of it..he is a force, he is superior in the offensive end and he was back checking like CRAZY ... man that guy is good

it is mindblowing knowing he has only played 20 games of AHL and that's all he has for pro experience
- RileyB77

Put him on the top line now. He's played great in his two games and with Bugsy out let see what he has, if not the top line put him in the sniper position on the #1 PP. Hartnell kneeing Hedman before drawing a penalty and his charging non penalty call were ridiculous Glad Brewer called him out on the charge.

Cannot wait to see the end result of Yzermans plan/team. It will most definitely be good if everyone comes together!! Stamkos, kucherov, drouin, Hedman, vasilevski.. This will truly be be a team in contention for playoff spot for many years to come!
- bradstar

Did you see the clip on Drouins 400 foot shift (that's what they called in in the article) unbelievable and then leaving 2 Dmen undressed and setting up a goal.

Put him on the top line now. He's played great in his two games and with Bugsy out let see what he has, if not the top line put him in the sniper position on the #1 PP. Hartnell kneeing Hedman before drawing a penalty and his charging non penalty call were ridiculous Glad Brewer called him out on the charge.
- tpd11

that 2nd line has great chemistry I would leave it

Did you see the clip on Drouins 400 foot shift (that's what they called in in the article) unbelievable and then leaving 2 Dmen undressed and setting up a goal.
- tpd11

Link?

So far both Salo and Sustr have been playing safety at the second blue line which has allowed Hedman the ability to use his skating ability to enter into the offensive zone. I think the speed in which he enters has caused issues for opposing teams. He has taken a step forward this year.

To be honest it seems most of the young guys have taken a step forward this year which is why they are getting the results. JT Brown has been playing an under rated role, I like what I see out of him, he got robbed of a goal by Emery as well.

It will be interesting to see how long Kucherov stays with the big team, he has shown he belongs. He is great in the offensive zone creating scoring chances. He should have had a goal with all those chances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_XQHkDmUmE

Link?
- Artyukhin76

Kucherov looked awesome. If he bulks up a little bit, he'll be dominant in the NHL for a long, long time.

And Hedman...

TB still has a ways to go before the SC contender label gets used, in my opinion. The Western road swing demonstrated that quite effectively.
- Michael_Stuart

thats why i used the qualifier "soon" good sir

So far both Salo and Sustr have been playing safety at the second blue line which has allowed Hedman the ability to use his skating ability to enter into the offensive zone. I think the speed in which he enters has caused issues for opposing teams. He has taken a step forward this year.

To be honest it seems most of the young guys have taken a step forward this year which is why they are getting the results. JT Brown has been playing an under rated role, I like what I see out of him, he got robbed of a goal by Emery as well.

It will be interesting to see how long Kucherov stays with the big team, he has shown he belongs. He is great in the offensive zone creating scoring chances. He should have had a goal with all those chances.
- stammerman

me thinks Kooch and Drouin may spell the last of Connolly in TBL organization. he's just not coming together and a lot of people are. stevie's got to know when to let go of his early first round pick, which is now, while his value is high.

me thinks Kooch and Drouin may spell the last of Connolly in TBL organization. he's just not coming together and a lot of people are. stevie's got to know when to let go of his early first round pick, which is now, while his value is high.
- Boltdolt84

connolly is 21 years old way to early! to think about ditching him! just leave him down in the minors and let him work it out.

connolly is 21 years old way to early! to think about ditching him! just leave him down in the minors and let him work it out.
- todd1a

Kucherov could challenge Connolly, but it's more likely that he'll play second fiddle to Nikita. Try this on for size (next season):

Drouin Stamkos St. Louis (trade Purcell)
Killorn Filppula Kucherov
Palat Johnson Connolly
Malone Thompson Crombeen
Brown

Sustr Hedman
Carle Gudas
Brewer Barberio
Korobov

Bishop
Gudlevskis

Looks good to me.

Kucherov could challenge Connolly, but it's more likely that he'll play second fiddle to Nikita. Try this on for size (next season):

Drouin Stamkos St. Louis (trade Purcell)
Killorn Filppula Kucherov
Palat Johnson Connolly
Malone Thompson Crombeen
Brown

Sustr Hedman
Carle Gudas
Brewer Barberio
Korobov

Bishop
Gudlevskis

Looks good to me.
- Artyukhin76

trade Purcell for as many young talented prospects and picks as possible
Our D has rounded out nicely with young gudas, hedman,barberio will hopefully improve korobov is good, koekkoek on his way...that's a good mix of young stay @ homes and offensive talents on the back end

Kucherov could challenge Connolly, but it's more likely that he'll play second fiddle to Nikita. Try this on for size (next season):

Drouin Stamkos St. Louis (trade Purcell)
Killorn Filppula Kucherov
Palat Johnson Connolly
Malone Thompson Crombeen
Brown

Sustr Hedman
Carle Gudas
Brewer Barberio
Korobov

Bishop
Gudlevskis

Looks good to me.
- Artyukhin76

I cant imagine how well a line if drouin and stamkos would work once drouin has 1 year in

I also think that there is a player on our team that is getting overlooked because of his position and stature. Tyler Johnson has put together a very solid season for a third line center.
25 games, 6 goals, 7 assist for 13 points and a + 2

I also think that there is a player on our team that is getting overlooked because of his position and stature. Tyler Johnson has put together a very solid season for a third line center.
25 games, 6 goals, 7 assist for 13 points and a + 2
- Artyukhin76

him and palat have really impressed me

Kucherov could challenge Connolly, but it's more likely that he'll play second fiddle to Nikita. Try this on for size (next season):

Drouin Stamkos St. Louis (trade Purcell)
Killorn Filppula Kucherov
Palat Johnson Connolly
Malone Thompson Crombeen
Brown

Sustr Hedman
Carle Gudas
Brewer Barberio
Korobov

Bishop
Gudlevskis

Looks good to me.
- Artyukhin76

I think malone will get bought out and purcell will stay. Also I think Lindback will be here unless he just busts out!

him and palat have really impressed me
- todd1a

palat & filppula, our best 2 way guys

I think malone will get bought out and purcell will stay. Also I think Lindback will be here unless he just busts out!
- todd1a

I'd be fine with Lindback, but 1.8m for a back-up is a little much. If Malone AND Purcell are gone I would be happy.