John Gove: Game 18 Recap: Tamp Bay Completes California Sweep With Win in Anaheim

Last? ..quick. .some one suck it! ..so Steven has put together this team..well done!..a team that seems poised to go all the way! ..there's no real holes in this line up..they also seem to have depth on the farm..and all things being equal. .Stamkos healthy and all.. they will definitely be looking to be cup Champs !..although the pens and Nashville. .maybe a healthy Anaheim? ..might have something to say about it ..but wow..Tampa Bay Lightning is a extremely strong team this year to beat!..congrats guys and best of luck with the rest of the way!

Last? ..quick. .some one suck it! ..so Steven has put together this team..well done!..a team that seems poised to go all the way! ..there's no real holes in this line up..they also seem to have depth on the farm..and all things being equal. .Stamkos healthy and all.. they will definitely be looking to be cup Champs !..although the pens and Nashville. .maybe a healthy Anaheim? ..might have something to say about it ..but wow..Tampa Bay Lightning is a extremely strong team this year to beat!..congrats guys and best of luck with the rest of the way!
- MR.Hunter

Yeah, the forward depth that Yzerman has assembled is impressive. To bad we dont have the same depth at D.

Hedman can lift anyone on a first pair and is doing fine with Dotchin. Second pair of Stralman/Serg/Koekkoek is fine aswell allthough the lack of experience is a concern for the young guys.

Coburn/Girardi is fine as a third pairing even if they cost us 6,7 mill. Sustr is done in this organization.

If we get one or two injurys on the backend for the playoffs this team could really be hurt. Giradi is playing more on his stomach then on his skates. Sustr is a liability every time hes on the ice.

Some more depth would be nice even if Hedman can log 30 minutes in the playoffs. Injurys will happen, they always do. Hjalmarsson would be a nice TDL pickup, but i guess he is #1 on each teams list who want defensive help for the playoffs. Also it would create a logjam. Will be interesting to see what SY does in february.

Yeah, the forward depth that Yzerman has assembled is impressive. To bad we dont have the same depth at D.

Hedman can lift anyone on a first pair and is doing fine with Dotchin. Second pair of Stralman/Serg/Koekkoek is fine aswell allthough the lack of experience is a concern for the young guys.

Coburn/Girardi is fine as a third pairing even if they cost us 6,7 mill. Sustr is done in this organization.

If we get one or two injurys on the backend for the playoffs this team could really be hurt. Giradi is playing more on his stomach then on his skates. Sustr is a liability every time hes on the ice.

Some more depth would be nice even if Hedman can log 30 minutes in the playoffs. Injurys will happen, they always do. Hjalmarsson would be a nice TDL pickup, but i guess he is #1 on each teams list who want defensive help for the playoffs. Also it would create a logjam. Will be interesting to see what SY does in february.
- Cloud

Always loved G, but this is spot on.
Thanks for the good laugh!

GREAT road series! SIX POINTS!!!! This team keeps surprising me.

I read reports that Yzerman was at the Jets game....Jacob Trouba anyone?

GREAT road series! SIX POINTS!!!! This team keeps surprising me.

I read reports that Yzerman was at the Jets game....Jacob Trouba anyone?
- LightningMcKing

Would love to get him and to move the bad Johnson contract to get him. I doubt he comes that cheap but Johnson/Sustr/bag of pucks/4 dozen Warrior sticks?

But really, Johnson and Koekkoek, throw in a pick if needed to get it done and call it a day.

Would love to get him and to move the bad Johnson contract to get him. I doubt he comes that cheap but Johnson/Sustr/bag of pucks/4 dozen Warrior sticks?

But really, Johnson and Koekkoek, throw in a pick if needed to get it done and call it a day.
- Kucherovski

It is interesting to think about. You'd have to think that acquiring Trouba through a sign and trade would solve our future right handed defensive problems. But is the Jets asking price and Trouba's salary asking price too high? Namestnikov, Kucherov and Point are all going to need new contracts in the next two years...

It is interesting to think about. You'd have to think that acquiring Trouba through a sign and trade would solve our future right handed defensive problems. But is the Jets asking price and Trouba's salary asking price too high? Namestnikov, Kucherov and Point are all going to need new contracts in the next two years...
- LightningMcKing

Which is why the Johnson deal was bad and needs to go. Point I think we can bridge a bit if we wanted. Kucherov will double, at least, but Kunitz will leave $2m for us next year, JT Brown will give us $1m and Sustr will give us $2m. Those guys leaving is enough to cover the majority of the Kucherov raise. If we can clear up $6m from Johnson and Koekkoek I think we are ok. Gotta remember, Coburn and Girardi are off the books ($6.7m) by the time Kucherov needs a new deal.

I think the Bolts have enough system depth to keep it rolling. I said in the summer they should not have signed Johnson, should have traded him then and now it's even more evident.

Which is why the Johnson deal was bad and needs to go. Point I think we can bridge a bit if we wanted. Kucherov will double, at least, but Kunitz will leave $2m for us next year, JT Brown will give us $1m and Sustr will give us $2m. Those guys leaving is enough to cover the majority of the Kucherov raise. If we can clear up $6m from Johnson and Koekkoek I think we are ok. Gotta remember, Coburn and Girardi are off the books ($6.7m) by the time Kucherov needs a new deal.

I think the Bolts have enough system depth to keep it rolling. I said in the summer they should not have signed Johnson, should have traded him then and now it's even more evident.
- Kucherovski

You have to have depth at Center. Yes Johnson is down to #3 on the depth chart but with Stamkos injury history, you almost HAD to resign him. We all know you dislike Johnson with a passion, but he is not a bad player. Is he a #1 center? No, but he is an adequate #2 and a great #3.

You have to have depth at Center. Yes Johnson is down to #3 on the depth chart but with Stamkos injury history, you almost HAD to resign him. We all know you dislike Johnson with a passion, but he is not a bad player. Is he a #1 center? No, but he is an adequate #2 and a great #3.
- TBolts4

I don't dislike Johnson, I just don't think he is worth $5m a year, especially with Point around who can easily replace him like he has done. We gave Johnson too much money for too long. He is a fine player, works his butt off but we can get a cheaper, almost as good, 3rd line center for a fraction of the cost. You have Peca and Stephens in the minors who can replace a 3rd line center, maybe not today but for sure before the Johnson contract is up so there was no real benefit to committing that much money and years to Johnson, plus I think he has a full NTC.

I don't dislike Johnson, I just don't think he is worth $5m a year, especially with Point around who can easily replace him like he has done. We gave Johnson too much money for too long. He is a fine player, works his butt off but we can get a cheaper, almost as good, 3rd line center for a fraction of the cost. You have Peca and Stephens in the minors who can replace a 3rd line center, maybe not today but for sure before the Johnson contract is up so there was no real benefit to committing that much money and years to Johnson, plus I think he has a full NTC.
- Kucherovski

I agree he got too much term but I also think they are going for it the next 2-3 years... And you definetly needed him this year, and possibly next. But I also dont think that his AAV is so outrageous that he will be untradeable once Peca and/or Stephens and/or other is ready to step up. I also think Trouba will be too pricey for the Bolts.

I agree he got too much term but I also think they are going for it the next 2-3 years... And you definetly needed him this year, and possibly next. But I also dont think that his AAV is so outrageous that he will be untradeable once Peca and/or Stephens and/or other is ready to step up. I also think Trouba will be too pricey for the Bolts.
- TBolts4

That is where I disagree. We gave him $5m per year for like 7 years to be a #2 center, I didn't think we should have done that because we had Point who I said could replace him. We did not need Johnson as a #2 center this year, or next. Now who knows what we could have or would have got for Johnson if we traded him so Johnson as a #3 center is unknown but I would imagine we could have found someone else to fill in at #3 center this year, Dumont/Gourde?

That is where I disagree. We gave him $5m per year for like 7 years to be a #2 center, I didn't think we should have done that because we had Point who I said could replace him. We did not need Johnson as a #2 center this year, or next. Now who knows what we could have or would have got for Johnson if we traded him so Johnson as a #3 center is unknown but I would imagine we could have found someone else to fill in at #3 center this year, Dumont/Gourde?
- Kucherovski

I also believe Trouba is too pricey. I wish I knew why Yzerman was there.

Johnson's NTC kicks in after this season. So if Yzerman is having buyers remorse, now is the time to trade him. Plus Johnson controlled for 7 more years for the Jets, I believe would be attractive for them.

I think we need the Center depth right now. I'm not a fan of trading Johnson. I also think he is playing very well. His numbers don't show it because of the quality and lack of consistency of his line mates. Get him better lines mates and his numbers will improve. It's hard, as a playmaker, to have good numbers when you are on a line with no finishers.

I also believe Trouba is too pricey. I wish I knew why Yzerman was there.

Johnson's NTC kicks in after this season. So if Yzerman is having buyers remorse, now is the time to trade him. Plus Johnson controlled for 7 more years for the Jets, I believe would be attractive for them.

I think we need the Center depth right now. I'm not a fan of trading Johnson. I also think he is playing very well. His numbers don't show it because of the quality and lack of consistency of his line mates. Get him better lines mates and his numbers will improve. It's hard, as a playmaker, to have good numbers when you are on a line with no finishers.
- LightningMcKing

I guess the question is, do we go for Trouba to make a run this year or for a long term player? He may be too expensive for long term but could be the Sydor of this year? The way the team is playing I'm not sure if Yzerman makes any move but good on him to be out there looking at what is going on.

Something to remember about the whole Trouba/Johnson Conversation that has started here is that the Jets have Scheif at 1C and Little at 2C for a similar contract as Johnson. I cant see a scenario that they are interested in TyJo as a piece of this trade considering the current centers on the Jets.

Something to remember about the whole Trouba/Johnson Conversation that has started here is that the Jets have Scheif at 1C and Little at 2C for a similar contract as Johnson. I cant see a scenario that they are interested in TyJo as a piece of this trade considering the current centers on the Jets.
- headyhedman77

That's a good point. They could move Little over to RW but it doesn't seem Trouba for Johnson will be the trade. I do not even want to think about what it would take from a prospect and draft pick stand point to get Trouba.

That's a good point. They could move Little over to RW but it doesn't seem Trouba for Johnson will be the trade. I do not even want to think about what it would take from a prospect and draft pick stand point to get Trouba.
- LightningMcKing

They have Wheeler and Laine, neither of them will be moved from right wing so that is just not an option. Hate to say it but if this trade happens (which i dont think it will) i cant see a way that it allows us to retain everyone we would like to based on salary cap. Dont forget that in 3 years both Serg and Vasy will be up for contract as well (sizable raises if recent play is sustainable). This is not the time to make a trade like this, the team is playing very well and the addition of girardi bought our defensive prospects the development time they needed (or at least im assuming that was the intent). Im not saying girardi has stellar, but most of the time his positioning is sound and he is always looking to block shots. Dont know what else you would ask of 3rd line Dman and adding trouba would only clog the pipeline of Dmen even more.

They have Wheeler and Laine, neither of them will be moved from right wing so that is just not an option. Hate to say it but if this trade happens (which i dont think it will) i cant see a way that it allows us to retain everyone we would like to based on salary cap. Dont forget that in 3 years both Serg and Vasy will be up for contract as well (sizable raises if recent play is sustainable). This is not the time to make a trade like this, the team is playing very well and the addition of girardi bought our defensive prospects the development time they needed (or at least im assuming that was the intent). Im not saying girardi has stellar, but most of the time his positioning is sound and he is always looking to block shots. Dont know what else you would ask of 3rd line Dman and adding trouba would only clog the pipeline of Dmen even more.
- headyhedman77

I agree that now is not the time to make a trade. However, Adding Trouba to the Right side with Stralman and Giradi would be a great addition! Trouba would rank 2nd on our team in blocked shots and 3rd for hits. It's fun to dream about!

Girardi, by they way, has been very impressive! Leads the team in blocked shots by almost DOUBLE the next person (Coburn) and is only behind Mr. Wrecking Ball himself (Callahan) in hits! I've been very happy with his play!