Ty Anderson: Stamkos returns, but Lightning fall to Penguins in Game 7

Thanks Ty, great work on these blogs throughout the season and playoffs. I really appreciate you giving us Lightning fans a place to talk after Mike left

you got a stud in vasi as do we in murray. I felt before the game started that it was risky to play stamkos but he didn't have as much rust as I thought he would. instead our "rust" ended the series
great series with a lot of up and downs for both teams. never felt that pittsburgh didn't have a chance but in the same way I never felt that lightning didn't have a chance. they were pretty much even. cya in the eastern conference final again next year.

I meet anybody today that blames Vasy for us losing in the conference finals I'm gonna punch gem in the throat.

Thanks Ty, great work on these blogs throughout the season and playoffs. I really appreciate you giving us Lightning fans a place to talk after Mike left
- jvar17

It was my pleasure. You guys make it fun.

I meet anybody today that blames Vasy for us losing in the conference finals I'm gonna punch gem in the throat.
- Artyukhin76

They'd be bozos, so you should escape any formal charges.

They'd be bozos, so you should escape any formal charges.
- tyanderson

Great game and a great series. That goalie for you guys is nothing short of incredible.

Great series, Tampa has so much skill...going to be scary good when healthy next year. I hope SS returns to your team.

It's pretty crazy that a team that had so many great players go down to injuries (Stamkos, Stalman, Bishop..... I'm missing someone else) and make it 1 game away from the SCF for 2 years in a row.

4 Questions:

1) Stamkos - what percentage you put at him resigning in Tampa? (imo 30%)
2) Kucherov contract?
3) Hedman & Bishop contract extensions? Can't have what Stamkos had
4) What happens with Drouin?

Too bad. Was really pulling for the Lightning.

Thanks Ty for your work all year. Congratulations to the Pens, Sully has them fine tuned, they don't leave it at home but definitely leave it all on the ice. Extremely hard working team in 3 zones, well coached.
Vasy played his heart out you can't lay any fault on him. Stammer thanks for the encore.
It should be one helluva final round to watch.

The rest of the team should all take up a collection and give it to Vas. He is the only reason the the Bolts got to where they were. They never even had a lead the last three game Game 5 they won in O/T and that was their only lead. They were extremely lucky to get as far as they did. Thanks Andrei

It's pretty crazy that a team that had so many great players go down to injuries (Stamkos, Stalman, Bishop..... I'm missing someone else) and make it 1 game away from the SCF for 2 years in a row.

4 Questions:

1) Stamkos - what percentage you put at him resigning in Tampa? (imo 30%)
2) Kucherov contract?
3) Hedman & Bishop contract extensions? Can't have what Stamkos had
4) What happens with Drouin?
- AlfieisKing

Stamkos is gone.
Kucherov will get Tarasenko type deal.
Hedman 7.5-8, Bishop possible.
Sounds as though he wants to stay.

You guys showed some real resilience. The injury bug really hit your team as bad as anybody else and you made it close to the finals.

I meet anybody today that blames Vasy for us losing in the conference finals I'm gonna punch gem in the throat.
- Artyukhin76

He gave you more than a good enough chance to win. You can't expect more than that from someone with his age.

It's pretty crazy that a team that had so many great players go down to injuries (Stamkos, Stalman, Bishop..... I'm missing someone else) and make it 1 game away from the SCF for 2 years in a row.

4 Questions:

1) Stamkos - what percentage you put at him resigning in Tampa? (imo 30%)
2) Kucherov contract?
3) Hedman & Bishop contract extensions? Can't have what Stamkos had
4) What happens with Drouin?
- AlfieisKing

Stammer well home is home but he's competitive and the two mentioned most won't be for three or four years as he's turning 30. He's in his prime and it would be wasted trying to be a home town hero.
Kuch is worth in the 6-7 range easily. Sign him.
Hedman and Bishop can wait and be extended anytime so they have time with them, depending on a draft, Stammer etc. Plenty of cap questions first, they have another year but definitely are priorities.
Drouin has one year of ELC so if the situation is mended he's not going anywhere. At least now, If Stammer goes then he could be a piece to keep. But I really think Stammer wants to finish some business with this team first.

Missing person report. Has anyone seen Filp lately?
11 mil tied up in Filp and Carle please clear it up for the core players

Missing person report. Has anyone seen Filp lately?
11 mil tied up in Filp and Carle please clear it up for the core players
- tpd11

If you retain 4 million combined on them when trying to trade them there a lot easier to look at and you don't need beer goggles.

Filppula at 3.5m (1.5 retained) and Carle at 3m (2.5 retained) is much easier to swallow for other teams.

Missing person report. Has anyone seen Filp lately?
11 mil tied up in Filp and Carle please clear it up for the core players
- tpd11

Koekkoek has passed Carle. Carle will be gone finally this offseason its been real, I wonder how Yzerman will do it, most likely buyout. Koekkoek will be the 6th dman next year and possibly move up the lines - he was a puck moving Dman in the end for the Lightning in the series and Cooper gave him more and more as it went on.

Filppula is a little more difficult to determine - Cooper loves him he plays 20 minutes a night but his offensive production has fallen away to nothing. I don't think they get rid of him which stinks.

Vasy has arrived, will be interesting to see if they extend Bishop of Vasy. If the league expands then they go into next season with both and one is gone by the trade deadline depending on who Yzerman feels he wants long term.

Drouin should not be going anywhere. I said last night Yzerman needs to sit him and Cooper down and say your stuck together make it work. That worked for the Bolts when Feaster did it with Vinny and Torts.

Stamkos I think really wants to stay but I think he has a number in is head and his pride will have him leave if that number is not met. I would love to have him back but at the same time I am ok with him leaving if he wants 10M a year.

Kucherov will get Tarasenko money, Hedman will get 7-8 million. Killorn I don't think is going anywhere and will get 3.5-4 million - if he is wanting 5+ Yzerman moves his rights.

On the lower lines I think Paquette is out, and I am not sure about Brown or Vlad and where they end up.

Great year, I think the Lightning far outreached everyone's expectations. To make it that far with the adversity was great. This offseason will be roller coaster but come October the Lightning will again be one of the favorites in the Atlantic. GO BOLTS!!!

Koekkoek has passed Carle. Carle will be gone finally this offseason its been real, I wonder how Yzerman will do it, most likely buyout. Koekkoek will be the 6th dman next year and possibly move up the lines - he was a puck moving Dman in the end for the Lightning in the series and Cooper gave him more and more as it went on.

Filppula is a little more difficult to determine - Cooper loves him he plays 20 minutes a night but his offensive production has fallen away to nothing. I don't think they get rid of him which stinks.

Vasy has arrived, will be interesting to see if they extend Bishop of Vasy. If the league expands then they go into next season with both and one is gone by the trade deadline depending on who Yzerman feels he wants long term.

Drouin should not be going anywhere. I said last night Yzerman needs to sit him and Cooper down and say your stuck together make it work. That worked for the Bolts when Feaster did it with Vinny and Torts.

Stamkos I think really wants to stay but I think he has a number in is head and his pride will have him leave if that number is not met. I would love to have him back but at the same time I am ok with him leaving if he wants 10M a year.

Kucherov will get Tarasenko money, Hedman will get 7-8 million. Killorn I don't think is going anywhere and will get 3.5-4 million - if he is wanting 5+ Yzerman moves his rights.

On the lower lines I think Paquette is out, and I am not sure about Brown or Vlad and where they end up.

Great year, I think the Lightning far outreached everyone's expectations. To make it that far with the adversity was great. This offseason will be roller coaster but come October the Lightning will again be one of the favorites in the Atlantic. GO BOLTS!!!
- stammerman

As little as they'll make, there's NO reason to move JT, Vladdy or DUMPTRUCK.

If you retain 4 million combined on them when trying to trade them there a lot easier to look at and you don't need beer goggles.

Filppula at 3.5m (1.5 retained) and Carle at 3m (2.5 retained) is much easier to swallow for other teams.
- Artyukhin76

Flip should be okay to retain 1.5 but Carle is the bigger problem at 2.5. Paying him to go always burns, but he's deadwood at this point. Garrison at 4.6 and Colburn at 3.7 are serviceable.

As little as they'll make, there's NO reason to move JT, Vladdy or DUMPTRUCK.
- Artyukhin76

Why would you move JT Brown you don't. Leave them in the bottom six for now they are serviceable at their prices.

Why would you move JT Brown you don't. Leave the bottom six for now they are serviceable at their prices.
- tpd11

I don't want to move Brown or Vladdy but I don't know what Yzerman is thinking as they are potential trade chips. I want both of them to stay. I am ok moving Paquette he really disappeared these playoffs.

I don't want to move Brown or Vladdy but I don't know what Yzerman is thinking as they are potential trade chips. I want both of them to stay. I am ok moving Paquette he really disappeared these playoffs.
- stammerman

Vladdy could be a trade chip especially if Erne is ready to make the jump soon. We need a little more size on the third line