We've only seen the pre-season folks, not the real deal. Let's see how they perform against an NHL lineup top to bottom. It would be a shame to lose the size and grit that Panik provides. Brett Connolly also has size which is a much needed commodity on this team. I think Vladdy get's sent down once Drouin is ready and they sort it out with their play. It will also be easier to pass a guy through waivers 3 weeks into the season than now. Yzerman should find plenty of trading partners for Connolly or Panik if he decides to go that route, but he's restricted in contracts he can take back, and would probably prefer picks.
- Don in St. Pete

Yah well we need to make some cuts soooo pre season or not someone needs to go

I might have seen these lines already , but I really like these ones

Palat stamkos Johnson
Killorn filppula Callahan
Kucherov Drouin Connolly
Morrow Boyle brown
Panik

Or based on kucherovs pre season we could go

Kucherov stamkos Callahan
Palat filppula drouin
Killorn Johnson Connolly
Morrow Boyle brown
Panik

Hmmmmmm I really really like that one th most

I don't understand how sending a defense man down helps us at all ... We would still have too many forwards, so how could it be sustr ?

I might have seen these lines already , but I really like these ones

Palat stamkos Johnson
Killorn filppula Callahan
Kucherov Drouin Connolly
Morrow Boyle brown
Panik

Or based on kucherovs pre season we could go

Kucherov stamkos Callahan
Palat filppula drouin
Killorn Johnson Connolly
Morrow Boyle brown
Panik

Hmmmmmm I really really like that one th most
- RileyB77

when drouin and morrow come back then vladdy and kucherov go down. if panik and connolly don't cut it then they are gone.

when drouin and morrow come back then vladdy and kucherov go down. if panik and connolly don't cut it then they are gone.
- todd1a

They only have to make one move to get to the 23 man roster so there is no need to send two guys down plus Kucherov is not going anywhere, so its Vlad goes down or one of Morrow/Drouin start on IR for Thursday nights opener. When either Drouin or Morrow is ready then they have a decision to make and its most likely Vlad goes down.

They only have to make one move to get to the 23 man roster so there is no need to send two guys down plus Kucherov is not going anywhere, so its Vlad goes down or one of Morrow/Drouin start on IR for Thursday nights opener. When either Drouin or Morrow is ready then they have a decision to make and its most likely Vlad goes down.
- stammerman

So " for now" he made the team out of camp ( vlad) right

So " for now" he made the team out of camp ( vlad) right
- RileyB77

Not really sure, I read somewhere that they have to make another move by 5 o'clock today.

Edit: it appears that Brendan Morrow is going to go on IR and Jonathan Drouin is in.

Not really sure, I read somewhere that they have to make another move by 5 o'clock today.

Edit: it appears that Brendan Morrow is going to go on IR and Jonathan Drouin is in.
- Artyukhin76

But this isn't the team right ? I read it's yZerman using the injury system to his advantage to find more time ? Also read he's excited to see what Vladislav can do in the regular season which to me signifies that he made the team ?

But this isn't the team right ? I read it's yZerman using the injury system to his advantage to find more time ? Also read he's excited to see what Vladislav can do in the regular season which to me signifies that he made the team ?
- RileyB77

There could be a trade in the works. Everyone thinks Panik, but I'm leaning towards Brown.

But this isn't the team right ? I read it's yZerman using the injury system to his advantage to find more time ? Also read he's excited to see what Vladislav can do in the regular season which to me signifies that he made the team ?
- RileyB77

There could be a trade in the works. Everyone thinks Panik, but I'm leaning towards Brown.

There could be a trade in the works. Everyone thinks Panik, but I'm leaning towards Brown.
- Artyukhin76

I lean towards Brown as well, although I think he would be great with Boyle on the 4th line.

There could be a trade in the works. Everyone thinks Panik, but I'm leaning towards Brown.
- Artyukhin76

I don't see why we trade a good forward .. Brown was awesome for us and even f he just gets a 1% increase in luck could be a 20-25 goal guy every year in the bottom 6 and can even go top 6 if needed . Panik has jus been bad , although he had a good camp . I really do hope things turn around for him because he is a force at full potential

The choice would be to send Sustr down, he does not require to go on waivers. Vladdy is in the same boat but he has been down for two years and another year in the AHL is not going to do anything for him. Sustr is going to be a good defensemen for years to come but needs to be playing 25 minutes a night which he can not do in Tampa. It takes something like 300 games for defensemen to really learn their position in the NHL. Its also the same reason he was sent down last season he needs more game action than he is getting.

The choice would be to send Sustr down, he does not require to go on waivers. Vladdy is in the same boat but he has been down for two years and another year in the AHL is not going to do anything for him. Sustr is going to be a good defensemen for years to come but needs to be playing 25 minutes a night which he can not do in Tampa. It takes something like 300 games for defensemen to really learn their position in the NHL. Its also the same reason he was sent down last season he needs more game action than he is getting.
- hudackom1

It wouldn't make sense to send a defenseman down at this point IMO

That would leave us with 2 extra forwards.. and 2 skilled ones that should be playing top 6 (or in tampas case top 9 because our 3rd line is definitely a scoring line, whoever it may be)

Sending Namestnikov down as much as I HATE to say it is what makes the MOST sense. He was hurt almost his whole first year and last year is when he really started to develop well. Really he has only had 1 developmental year down there, but he proved he is ready which is why it sucks.. I hope we find a way to keep everyone who deserves to be on the team. I know that's pretty much impossible but I think in order to "ice the best roster" maybe Morrow doesn't play.... Hard to imagine that happening due to us going out and signing him as a free agent BUT that leaves us with:

Palat Stamkos Johnson
Killorn Filppula Callahan
Kucherov Namestnikov Connolly
Panik (off-wing) Boyle Brown

and even then, where the hell does Drouin slot in? I just think there's too many forwards at this point, and I think Namestnikov and Kucherov and Drouin should be on the team over a guy like Brendan Morrow.. I know "Leadership" but, he is taking up room for guys who are very much ready.. We have a huge log jam as the roster stands right now in the forward group and something needs to happen.

The choice would be to send Sustr down, he does not require to go on waivers. Vladdy is in the same boat but he has been down for two years and another year in the AHL is not going to do anything for him. Sustr is going to be a good defensemen for years to come but needs to be playing 25 minutes a night which he can not do in Tampa. It takes something like 300 games for defensemen to really learn their position in the NHL. Its also the same reason he was sent down last season he needs more game action than he is getting.
- hudackom1

It wouldn't make sense to send a defenseman down at this point IMO

That would leave us with 2 extra forwards.. and 2 skilled ones that should be playing top 6 (or in tampas case top 9 because our 3rd line is definitely a scoring line, whoever it may be)

Sending Namestnikov down as much as I HATE to say it is what makes the MOST sense. He was hurt almost his whole first year and last year is when he really started to develop well. Really he has only had 1 developmental year down there, but he proved he is ready which is why it sucks.. I hope we find a way to keep everyone who deserves to be on the team. I know that's pretty much impossible but I think in order to "ice the best roster" maybe Morrow doesn't play.... Hard to imagine that happening due to us going out and signing him as a free agent BUT that leaves us with:

Palat Stamkos Johnson
Killorn Filppula Callahan
Kucherov Namestnikov Connolly
Panik (off-wing) Boyle Brown

and even then, where the hell does Drouin slot in? I just think there's too many forwards at this point, and I think Namestnikov and Kucherov and Drouin should be on the team over a guy like Brendan Morrow.. I know "Leadership" but, he is taking up room for guys who are very much ready.. We have a huge log jam as the roster stands right now in the forward group and something needs to happen.

It wouldn't make sense to send a defenseman down at this point IMO

That would leave us with 2 extra forwards.. and 2 skilled ones that should be playing top 6 (or in tampas case top 9 because our 3rd line is definitely a scoring line, whoever it may be)

Sending Namestnikov down as much as I HATE to say it is what makes the MOST sense. He was hurt almost his whole first year and last year is when he really started to develop well. Really he has only had 1 developmental year down there, but he proved he is ready which is why it sucks.. I hope we find a way to keep everyone who deserves to be on the team. I know that's pretty much impossible but I think in order to "ice the best roster" maybe Morrow doesn't play.... Hard to imagine that happening due to us going out and signing him as a free agent BUT that leaves us with:

Palat Stamkos Johnson
Killorn Filppula Callahan
Kucherov Namestnikov Connolly
Panik (off-wing) Boyle Brown

and even then, where the hell does Drouin slot in? I just think there's too many forwards at this point, and I think Namestnikov and Kucherov and Drouin should be on the team over a guy like Brendan Morrow.. I know "Leadership" but, he is taking up room for guys who are very much ready.. We have a huge log jam as the roster stands right now in the forward group and something needs to happen.
- RileyB77

To me, it makes sense to send Sustr down. He's not going to get enough playing time if he stays up and thats what he needs. I think he has top 4 material but he has plenty of time to develop. We dont have to rush him. As well as Namestnikov played in the preseason, I dont think there is a spot for him on the team. He's not going to take Morrow's spot on the 4th line. And there's no room for him in the top 9. Just like Connolly last season, send him down and let him gain confidence and work on his game more in the AHL. He'll be back up whenever theres an injury, which will happen. Its a long season.

Palat - Stamkos - Kucherov/Drouin
Killorn - Filpulla - Callahan
Connolly - Johnson - Drouin/Kucherov
Morrow - Boyle - Brown
Panik

Hedman - Stralman
Garrison - Carle
Gudas - Brewer
Barberio

I guess Im one short. So do we keep Sustr or Namestnikov. Both need to play. Damn

To me, it makes sense to send Sustr down. He's not going to get enough playing time if he stays up and thats what he needs. I think he has top 4 material but he has plenty of time to develop. We dont have to rush him. As well as Namestnikov played in the preseason, I dont think there is a spot for him on the team. He's not going to take Morrow's spot on the 4th line. And there's no room for him in the top 9. Just like Connolly last season, send him down and let him gain confidence and work on his game more in the AHL. He'll be back up whenever theres an injury, which will happen. Its a long season.

Palat - Stamkos - Kucherov/Drouin
Killorn - Filpulla - Callahan
Connolly - Johnson - Drouin/Kucherov
Morrow - Boyle - Brown
Panik

Hedman - Stralman
Garrison - Carle
Gudas - Brewer
Barberio

I guess Im one short. So do we keep Sustr or Namestnikov. Both need to play. Damn
- TBolts4

I agree with the forwards you have in your line-up that is who I think will be on the team as well, and I agree with you on sustr as well, I believe a year in the AHL would do him great. As for namestnikov, I know he will go back down, it just sucks to split him and kucherov up, as they work so well together., theres just no room, whatever question I ask about the lineup leads to "theres just no room" .. its ridiculous, even if we traded away our prospects for something valuable in return there wouldn't be any room for that valuable item we received in the trade lol

my line up would be :

Palat Stamkos Callahan
Kucherov Filppula Drouin (this line would be outstanding if it worked)
Killorn Johnson Connolly
Morrow Boyle Brown
Panik

Garrison Hedman
Stralman Carle
Gudas Brewer
Barberio Sustr

Bishop
Nabokov

That would be my 23 man roster (forgive my defensive pairings, they are probably all on the wrong side)

In probably 75 percent of the games last year Cooper went with an 11-7 lineup so that means having 13-8 is the best scenario so sending Sustr down does not make sense unless Cooper is going to go to a primary 12-6 this season. Plus Sustr has shown he is capable in the NHL. With that it means it will be a forward who is sent down or moved. Sending vlad down when drouin and morrow are healthy makes the most sense, if he shows he is too good then I wouldn't mind seeing morrow stay on ir for a while. I dont see the need to trade anyone yet.

In probably 75 percent of the games last year Cooper went with an 11-7 lineup so that means having 13-8 is the best scenario so sending Sustr down does not make sense unless Cooper is going to go to a primary 12-6 this season. Plus Sustr has shown he is capable in the NHL. With that it means it will be a forward who is sent down or moved. Sending vlad down when drouin and morrow are healthy makes the most sense, if he shows he is too good then I wouldn't mind seeing morrow stay on ir for a while. I dont see the need to trade anyone yet.
- stammerman

I wonder if the 11-7 setup last year was due to the defensive deficiencies on the team? He's got a much more defined group to work with this year.

If they keep TJ at 1st line RW then Drouin will probably be 3C if they send Vlad down between Connolly and Kucherov. If they keep Vlad where does Droiun go and who sits. Tough choices.

I wonder if the 11-7 setup last year was due to the defensive deficiencies on the team? He's got a much more defined group to work with this year.
- Michael_Stuart

Very true, we will know soon. If they send sustr down then yeah he is going 12-6 primary. But he did an interview not to long ago about how much better a player is when minutes are limited. He also talked about how the new guys will help keep the d to under 20 minutes due to them handling specific roles so I think the 11-7 will still be around. Two days away finally.