Erik Erlendsson: Lightning issue qualifying offers, hire assistant coach for Syracuse Some minor news from the Lightning today

From previous thread re Deangelo "attitude" problems

Keep in mind those previous attitude problems weren't really attitude problems. He was suspended for racial slurs and verbally abusing a ref. If these were still ongoing problems in Cuse I guarantee you we would have heard about them in a higher profile situation like AHL.

Now there could have been something to the father's comments about a "quicker road to the NHL" and the underlying affect the scratches could have played on his feelings to how quickly his road was with the Bolts, as in there could have been an under the table trade request of sorts. But even in this scenario it is not a case of the Bolts going sour on a player they just drafted. Moreso they felt very high on the Libor kid and the price to get the 37 pick was higher in dealing picks vs dealing Deangelo esp if there were other lingering circumstances (informal trade request etc)

From previous thread re Deangelo "attitude" problems

Keep in mind those previous attitude problems weren't really attitude problems. He was suspended for racial slurs and verbally abusing a ref. If these were still ongoing problems in Cuse I guarantee you we would have heard about them in a higher profile situation like AHL.

Now there could have been something to the father's comments about a "quicker road to the NHL" and the underlying affect the scratches could have played on his feelings to how quickly his road was with the Bolts, as in there could have been an under the table trade request of sorts. But even in this scenario it is not a case of the Bolts going sour on a player they just drafted. Moreso they felt very high on the Libor kid and the price to get the 37 pick was higher in dealing picks vs dealing Deangelo esp ifs there were other lingering circumstances (informal trade request etc)
- uf1910

Before the scratches came a -18 and a lot of breakdowns in the D zone. The kid has talent but I guess he thinks he was going to be Tampas version of the Ghost in Philly.

- walshyleafsfan

What's so funny?

Before the scratches came a -18 and a lot of breakdowns in the D zone. The kid has talent but I guess he thinks he was going to be Tampas version of the Ghost in Philly.
- tpd11

Yup...to me this had zero to do with his "attitude" and everything to do with who they drafted. They were obviously extremely high on Libor and coupling the statements about "it had to be Deangelo in return" and "high cost of picks to acquire #37" tells me all I need to know. Everyone wants there to be a "reason" for us to trade him, but the reason had little to nothing to do with Tony IMO.

Yup...to me this had zero to do with his "attitude" and everything to do with who they drafted. They were obviously extremely high on Libor and coupling the statements about "it had to be Deangelo in return" and "high cost of picks to acquire #37" tells me all I need to know. Everyone wants there to be a "reason" for us to trade him, but the reason had little to nothing to do with Tony IMO.
- uf1910

You don't drop a kid after his first year in the pros without a little something else being there. I agree he was a defensive liability in his own end and the main reason why he was traded but he has had attitude issues its well documented. Maybe his attitude issues are such that he wasn't willing to listen to the coaches. Something predicated the move more so then getting Libor, the Lightning needs right handed puck moving D in there system DeAngelo was the only one. So to me its probably him not wanting to listen to the coaches to try and correct his horrendous defensive zone coverage.

You don't drop a kid after his first year in the pros without a little something else being there. I agree he was a defensive liability in his own end and the main reason why he was traded but he has had attitude issues its well documented. Maybe his attitude issues are such that he wasn't willing to listen to the coaches. Something predicated the move more so then getting Libor, the Lightning needs right handed puck moving D in there system DeAngelo was the only one. So to me its probably him not wanting to listen to the coaches to try and correct his horrendous defensive zone coverage.
- stammerman

Those attitude issues stemmed from racial slurs and verbally abusing officials.

I'm not saying the kid didn't have warts to his game, obviously he does. All I'm saying is the Bolts didn't trade him b/c of his "attitude" when those attitude problems did not surface in his time with Cuse. There is no doubt he was struggling with the defensive side of the game, which IMO the Bolts expected somewhat when they drafted him. They probably figured if he became average in the d-zone his offense would more than make up for his defensive warts.

The Bolts were very high on Libor and the draft pick cost was too high to get #37. Their exact words bear this out that it "had" to be Deangelo to get the pick. Doesn't mean the Bolts didn't/don't think Deangelo won't be in the NHL, just means they felt Libor would be better or more rounded (again their words spell this out as well). The fact they made this deal in spite of the need for RHD in the system should tell all of us how they feel about Libor

EDIT: They didn't "drop" Deangelo...they traded him. Which means they were very focused on acquiring Libor which means they really like Libor. Focus on the return and not what/who/why we gave up to get said return.

Those attitude issues stemmed from racial slurs and verbally abusing officials.

I'm not saying the kid didn't have warts to his game, obviously he does. All I'm saying is the Bolts didn't trade him b/c of his "attitude" when those attitude problems did not surface in his time with Cuse. There is no doubt he was struggling with the defensive side of the game, which IMO the Bolts expected somewhat when they drafted him. They probably figured if he became average in the d-zone his offense would more than make up for his defensive warts.

The Bolts were very high on Libor and the draft pick cost was too high to get #37. Their exact words bear this out that it "had" to be Deangelo to get the pick. Doesn't mean the Bolts didn't/don't think Deangelo won't be in the NHL, just means they felt Libor would be better or more rounded (again their words spell this out as well). The fact they made this deal in spite of the need for RHD in the system should tell all of us how they feel about Libor

EDIT: They didn't "drop" Deangelo...they traded him. Which means they were very focused on acquiring Libor which means they really like Libor. Focus on the return and not what/who/why we gave up to get said return.
- uf1910

Im not trying to argue with you. You have your opinion and I have mine. In my opinion you dont trade a right-handed puck moving defender 1 year into his contract just because you wanted a prospect. Best of luck to him and I hope Libor is great.

would it not be hilarious if stamkos signed elsewhere and tampa bay won the cup within the next two years

would it not be hilarious if stamkos signed elsewhere and tampa bay won the cup within the next two years
- RileyB77

we almost made it to the SCF without him. we had 2 chances to win while we were up 3-2 on the penguins but we didn't. also we were without stralman, and even when he came back was not the same. i won't say anything about not having bishop because i think vasilevskiy is great and once the team adjusts to playing without the nhl's best puck moving goaltender it will all unfold nicely