Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/09  at  07:44 PM

I agree about being disappointed that there hasn’t been as much attention to the defense as the wingers and goalie.  At the same time, I am hopeful that by bundling the overflow of wingers and Kuba, they may still make a trade for a good defenseman.  There’s still time, and hope.

Posted by  Bill Smith, Central FL on 07/09  at  07:23 PM

Obviously we won’t agree on this and that is fine. But my last comment on this, is to consider the increase in average ice time of Kuba +24% (24.96 min), O’Brien +41.65% (21.22 min) and Ranger +24.17% (25.22) over the entire season had more negative impact than Boyle did in 37 games?

I want the Lightning to win as much as anyone. Last season was horrible there is no doubt. However the addition of so many experienced forwards and not adding experinced help on defense is disappointing to me.

Posted by  chris, jensen beach on 07/09  at  06:06 PM

Yes Mike no Bill
Yes Arty no Boyle

Posted by  Bill Smith, Central FL on 07/09  at  04:26 PM

Mike Joyce

Why did the team try to get him back in the line up so early that he re-injured the wrist and lost even more time? If Boyle was so ineffective why would the team risk that? It is obvious the team needed Boyle on defense as much for his play on the power play.

Adding 3 minor league defenseman will not make this team better on defense.

It seems your analysis of my statements were indeed clouded by your own emotions.

Posted by  BOLTS RULE !!!!, Tampa on 07/09  at  03:57 PM

just in case anyone cares. the other newspaper across the bay did a report on Kolzig in todays paper, at the end of it they said “ Forwards Andre Roy and Chris Gratton will not be with the team. ‘’It’s pretty disappointing,” Roy said. “I love the city and fans.”

I guess that answers those questions

Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/09  at  02:56 PM

Bill Smith,

I hate to tell you this, but if you look at the records from last year, the team had a better record when Boyle was out than when he played.  Your last comment is not supported by facts, but by your emotions.

Posted by  Jake, Tampa on 07/09  at  01:25 PM

Mike Joyce is my hero. His statment was both truth and intensely funny.

Thanks for that Mike.

Posted by  Tank, Orlando on 07/09  at  12:25 PM

Eric, I read on SI that Carolina has too many defensemen and is interest in getting rid of Wallin or Kaberle.  I know that you try to avoid keeping guys in division, but it is something where Joikenen or Ouellet (I hope not, I loved his chemistry with Halpern) or maybe Ward could get traded?

Keep up the good work

Posted by  Gary, Orlando on 07/09  at  11:44 AM

Check the pic on the TBO Lightning page.  Anyone notice who Arty’s beating the snot out of? I remember that fight, I thought he was gonna kill the guy.  Now, he’s taking the his job too, right?

Posted by  Bill Smith, Central FL on 07/09  at  08:53 AM

The meeting is next Tuesday July 15. Time guess is 7ish. Nothing on the Lightning site yet.

I am going to make the 2 hour drive just to hear if they allow anyone to ask tough questions of the new guys or are we expected to lob softballs and sing kum-bye-ya.

Posted by  Anthony A., Tampa, FL on 07/09  at  08:37 AM

What is that meeting going to be like tonight? It says open to the public, is it worth going to? What time does it begin?

Posted by  Bill Smith, Central FL on 07/09  at  05:49 AM

How many 4th liners do we need for cryin out loud. I like R2KN as much as anyone, but really folks, he is not a scoring machine. He is more of a bad penalty machine.

The fact is, the most glaring need this team had and still has is a defensive corps. Our defense has an average age of 23.5 years old. The new owners have added 4 blueliners (Carle, Wishart,Niskala and Hutchinson)and subtracted Boyle and Lukowich. 3 of the added defenders did not even play in the NHL last season and the one that was traded for Boyle (Carle) was benched for 20 games last season.

Our blueline was horrible without Boyle last year, how is it better now?

Posted by  Lorri Streine, Odessa, FL on 07/08  at  10:44 PM

Erik, I just want to thank you so much for answering my Stamkos and Vinny question.  This was my first time ever putting my comments out anywhere and I guess it works!  Very cool.

Posted by  Sue Miley, Brandon on 07/08  at  10:44 PM

Glad to see Artyukhin back but he will not be able to play to his full potential because every time he hits the ice & looks @ an oppontent he gets a penalty slapped on him just because he’s big. How many times did we see that in the 05-06 season?? It got to be a joke, I don’t blame him for going back to Russia, @ least they let him play. As far as Boyle goes I think the new “director” & “producer” of the TBL made a big mistake. Look @ Marty, size doesn’t matter, as long as you work hard & Boyle definitely did that. They were not above board when dealing with him either. Where are their ‘ethics’???????????

Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/08  at  08:59 PM

The team was better off to trade Richards.  Halpern got Richards line going; something Brad couldn’t do all year.  Losing Boyle was like gaining a defenseman.  The puck will move up the ice faster with a pass than skating it up, plus we don’t have a defenseman caught up the ice at the opponent’s goal crease.

The Bolts have better goal tending now than before the Richards’ trade.  We now have four lines with NHL caliber players, rather than one line.

Other than that, there has been little improvement from last year at this time, when we had a bunch of minor leaguers pretending to be NHL’ers.

Just open your eyes a little.

Posted by  RCG2, Land O'lakes, FL on 07/08  at  08:29 PM

Nothing this ownership group has done makes me think there will be any improvement.  They have their hands all over dumping Richards, screwing over Boyle, signing a washed up below .500 coach from the TV studio, and trying to sign some players who were maybe in the league back when he was.  What is the master plan to improve this team?  I’m just not seeing it.

Posted by  Erik Erlendsson,  on 07/08  at  07:15 PM

Lorri, in reference to your two questions: First, on Lecavalier’s contract. The earliest that a new deal could be announced was July 1, but as I’ve reported, the official announcment is expected to come on July 15. There were still some details that needed to be worked out, most of them involving bonuses and such after Lecavalier turns 35 years old.
In regards to Stamkos, because he has not signed a contract, he can’t be added to the roster. My understanding is the two sides are supposed to meet sometimes this week to begin contract discussions, which shouldn’t be much of a negotiating since the rookie salary cap pretty much defines the first three years of an entry level (rookie) contract.
Hope that helps!
EE

Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/08  at  04:34 PM

If I’m not mistaken, the date was July 14, when Vinny got back to Tampa.

Posted by  LORRI STREINE, Odessa,FL on 07/08  at  04:15 PM

I love that we are getting Artyukhin back, hate that we lost Boyle. My main question is why haven’t we “SEEN STAMKOS” added to the Bolts roster?  Everybody else has been added and taken away.  Also, I thought the owners were supposed to be able to tell us that Vinny had signed on July 1st?

Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/08  at  03:54 PM

Arty is a really good addition for the fourth line.  He’s got good talent that needs to have regular NHL playing time and has the toughnes to intimidate most offensive players.  If they are looking over their shoulder to avoid an Arty hit, they can’t be productive with the puck.

If his skills in skating and moving the puck develop a little more, he can move up and one of the older vets can move down.

All in all, it’s a good situation for a team getting better and tougher.

Posted by  Justin, Tampa on 07/08  at  03:25 PM

I don’t see them moving. They first need to find a city who wants to pay for an arena or already has one that can house the team. Then they have to find a city where they won’t have to shell out more on marketing than on payroll. People don’t realize that a TON of people in Tampa come from up north and are already hockey fans.

Posted by  Barry, FL. on 07/08  at  03:15 PM

“As you say it is a BUSINESS”

Remember that when the Glimmer Twins tell you that when they move the team out of town, it is a business.

Posted by  Bill Berg, Blairsville Ga. on 07/08  at  02:41 PM

I agree Jim everyone takes this as cannot let my favorite player go. As you say it is a BUSINESS and they are doing everything OK believes is improving the TEAM! Get a GRIP on this FANS as a BETTER TEAM will hit the ice in Sept.

Posted by  Stan, Tampa on 07/08  at  12:52 PM

I agree Tarnasky has grit he’s a perfect 4th liner.And at least gives us depth at an affordable price.

Posted by  berlin, sarasota on 07/08  at  12:48 PM

Boyle has said new ownership questioned his work ethic and that if he did not agree to a trade they would put him on waivers(reported by 620wdae among others).And there’s two ways of doing business the right way and the wrong way!