John Gove: Lightning Mailbag: February 12, 2017

the fact that we could put drouin stamkos kucherov hedman and stralman out there together is just scary. thats pretty much an instagoal every shift.

These past couple games I think Cooper is showing his hand for next seasons top 6 which will be:

Killorn-Stamkos-Kucherov
Palat- Point-Drouin

He had Namestnikov between Killorn and Kucherov.

I think Johnson will be traded for a top 4 Dman. If he buys out or trades Filppula that also allows him to protect Namestnikov as well if he wants as he is a decent tweener.

Going to be and interesting few weeks to see if they make moves as to me the playoffs are still slim chance.

These past couple games I think Cooper is showing his hand for next seasons top 6 which will be:

Killorn-Stamkos-Kucherov
Palat- Point-Drouin

He had Namestnikov between Killorn and Kucherov.

I think Johnson will be traded for a top 4 Dman. If he buys out or trades Filppula that also allows him to protect Namestnikov as well if he wants as he is a decent tweener.

Going to be and interesting few weeks to see if they make moves as to me the playoffs are still slim chance.
- stammerman

16% chance according to the Hockey News.
http://www.thehockeynews....ticle/nhl-playoff-chances

16% chance according to the Hockey News.
http://www.thehockeynews....ticle/nhl-playoff-chances
- Leafsandbolts

I feel it will take 95 to 96 points to make the playoffs. They have 26 games left and 57 points. If they go 19-7 that gets them to 95 points. They just have not proved to me they are capable of that record. Hopefully they prove me wrong.

I feel it will take 95 to 96 points to make the playoffs. They have 26 games left and 57 points. If they go 19-7 that gets them to 95 points. They just have not proved to me they are capable of that record. Hopefully they prove me wrong.
- stammerman

Ugh. Getting 95 points is a stretch.

Atlantic Division is pretty weak so your estimate of 95 could be too high. Maybe just over 90 points to sneak into the playoffs but Sens, Bruins, Leafs and Isles have an easier path to 90+ points. What a downer.

These past couple games I think Cooper is showing his hand for next seasons top 6 which will be:

Killorn-Stamkos-Kucherov
Palat- Point-Drouin

He had Namestnikov between Killorn and Kucherov.

I think Johnson will be traded for a top 4 Dman. If he buys out or trades Filppula that also allows him to protect Namestnikov as well if he wants as he is a decent tweener.

Going to be and interesting few weeks to see if they make moves as to me the playoffs are still slim chance.
- stammerman

I doubt Johnson returns a top 4 defenseman (that isn't a rental) without a prospect and draft pick thrown in. Everyone wants / needs a top 4 dman.

You are likely right on Cooper looking to next year. Funny how he never answers an injury question too.

Ugh. Getting 95 points is a stretch.

Atlantic Division is pretty weak so your estimate of 95 could be too high. Maybe just over 90 points to sneak into the playoffs but Sens, Bruins, Leafs and Isles have an easier path to 90+ points. What a downer.
- Leafsandbolts

17-9 gets them to 91 points. Again I am hopeful they make it but they have not shown the ability to win basically 2 out of 3 the rest of the way. And like you said they have a lot of teams they have to pass and stay ahead.

I doubt Johnson returns a top 4 defenseman (that isn't a rental) without a prospect and draft pick thrown in. Everyone wants / needs a top 4 dman.

20 goal 50 point player with ability for more, proven 2nd line center with ability to play 1st. Proven playoff performer. Also he is an RFA which is big so whoever gets him will have him for a while. I definitely see him bringing back a good 3-4 defender. It would not be a rental. I don't want to lose him to be honest but he is the most logical trade chip.

He's not a reliable goal scorer in the season so you have that much wrong. His real value comes from his ability to step up his game in the playoffs. I don't think a 1st is out of the question, but there's no way get a legitimate 3-4 d-man with term for him alone.

He's not a reliable goal scorer in the season so you have that much wrong. His real value comes from his ability to step up his game in the playoffs. I don't think a 1st is out of the question, but there's no way get a legitimate 3-4 d-man with term for him alone.
- BoltsFan1993

We shall see. And im not wrong the guy basically averages .67 points per game his whole career in regular season and yes really steps up in postseason. He has hit 20+ goals twice and most likely again this year for 3 out of 4 years. Even last year when he was way off due to the broken wrist he put up almost 40 pts in 65 or so games. Plus the dude is a RFA proven 2C who can play 1C. Never thought I would be the one defending him, I remember everyone wanted Stamkos to leave due to his salary because everyone said Johnson could be the 1C. I was not one of those people but now all of the sudden Johnson is only worth a pick, he is worth more then that in my opinion. If its for a 3-4 defender maybe Yzerman adds more to a Johnson deal but he is worth more then just a pick.

He's not a reliable goal scorer in the season so you have that much wrong. His real value comes from his ability to step up his game in the playoffs. I don't think a 1st is out of the question, but there's no way get a legitimate 3-4 d-man with term for him alone.
- BoltsFan1993

I agree. Besides his 70+ point season, which of course increases his career point per game, he has not broken 50 points. Everyone needs top 4 D men, not everyone needs 27 year old small centers who have had one great year and then a few decent years. If Yzerman does not have a plan to bring him back I think all we get is a pick and maybe a mid-tier prospect for him. Nobody will want to get Chonachered again by Yzerman.

I agree. Besides his 70+ point season, which of course increases his career point per game, he has not broken 50 points. Everyone needs top 4 D men, not everyone needs 27 year old small centers who have had one great year and then a few decent years. If Yzerman does not have a plan to bring him back I think all we get is a pick and maybe a mid-tier prospect for him. Nobody will want to get Chonachered again by Yzerman.
- Kucherovski

5v5 10 game rolling average CF%, SZV adjusted. They are playing much better, but is it too little too late?

He's not the same player since he played that cup final with the broken wrist. I'll leave your opinion to be yours, but i'm disagreeing.

And I never personally thought Johnson could ever be a 1C, 2C at best, maybe on some teams a great 3C

He's not the same player since he played that cup final with the broken wrist. I'll leave your opinion to be yours, but i'm disagreeing.
- BoltsFan1993

What makes you say that?

He's not the same player since he played that cup final with the broken wrist. I'll leave your opinion to be yours, but i'm disagreeing. And I never personally thought Johnson could ever be a 1C, 2C at best, maybe on some teams a great 3C
- BoltsFan1993

I am with you on one point like I said he to me was never a 1C but he can play it in a pinch. He is a 2C and I think has proved that is what he is with his PPG and playoff acumen. If a 2C with RFA status who is what 26 and a 20+ goal scorer is going to be traded it would be for me more then 1 pick. Like I said in my prior post if he can't pull a 3-4 dman alone maybe Yzerman sweetens it but on his own to me he would return more then a draft pick.

What does everything else think the return on Tyler Johnson would be if he was traded? It will be interesting to see how everyone values certain players.

What does everything else think the return on Tyler Johnson would be if he was traded? It will be interesting to see how everyone values certain players.
- stammerman

I think 2nd rounder and prospect is what Yzerman would get for Johnson alone

HOpefully a top 4 d , he is an RFA not UFA , I'm not good with contracts or cap space or any thing outside of the game itself but wouldn't that make him worth more ?

You would hope a 2nd line centerman could get a top 4 d but I have a feeling I feel we trade him he will tear it up cause he is good, so hopefully to an out of division team

I think 2nd rounder and prospect is what Yzerman would get for Johnson alone
- Kucherovski

- Feds91Stammer

Don't follow what you think with that? Staal got a few second rounders, Hossa back in the day got a 1st rounder and he was a far better player. Teams don't just trade away first rounders. If you look at the deals the past few years not a lot of first rounders get moved, especially not for a guy like Johnson

Don't follow what you think with that? Staal got a few second rounders, Hossa back in the day got a 1st rounder and he was a far better player. Teams don't just trade away first rounders. If you look at the deals the past few years not a lot of first rounders get moved, especially not for a guy like Johnson
- Kucherovski

The fact that he is an RFA and not a rental, and a proven NHLer makes him far more valuable than rental Hossa, Eric Staal, or any other rental. I could see Johnson bringing back a 1st, a roster player, and a prospect.

The fact that he is an RFA and not a rental, and a proven NHLer makes him far more valuable than rental Hossa, Eric Staal, or any other rental. I could see Johnson bringing back a 1st, a roster player, and a prospect.
- j.boyd919

Not a lot of RFAs get moved YOY so hard to find comparables but what team would be willing to do that for Johnson? A playoff team probably has a 1C and maybe a 2C and then a non playoff team would be giving up a decent first round pick for Johnson?

Not a lot of RFAs get moved YOY so hard to find comparables but what team would be willing to do that for Johnson? A playoff team probably has a 1C and maybe a 2C and then a non playoff team would be giving up a decent first round pick for Johnson?
- Kucherovski

If I'm the Pens I offer up Sundqvist, Pouliot and a 1st. But I also think some teams could offer something better. But that deal gives the Lightning a new bottom 6 center when Boyle leaves (Sundqvist), a puck moving defenseman that could probably play on their 2nd pairing (Pouliot) and a late 1st round pick.