Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/01  at  10:08 PM

This is turning out to be a great off season.  Bye bye minor leaguers.

Still need some help on defense.

Posted by  Jon O, E.L., Mi on 07/01  at  05:59 PM

Wow a never thought I’d see a West Michigan Warrior Alum in a Lightning jersey. He’s a good role player that can pitch in here and there.

Posted by  dale, fl on 07/01  at  03:26 PM

I’m not sure about the Olie deal, I think he’s to old and lost his skills / quickness.

Just another Maritimers 2 cents worth.

Posted by  Justin, Tampa on 07/01  at  03:26 PM

lol, awesome.

Posted by  Greg, Tampa on 07/01  at  03:18 PM

ah, I’m a good ole boy from PEI - actually played against Richards as a kid - things obviously worked out a little bit better for him - oh, and my brother tried unsuccessfully to put the moves on his smoking hot little sister - anyway tampa wasn’t big enough for two islanders so B-rad had to go.

Posted by  Mitchell Margo, tampa on 07/01  at  03:17 PM

i really like this signing, for 600,000 dollars, i think this is a depth steal. Many people really like this guy and with good playing time he could score some, but i expect him to be a roster fill in if some people get injured.
and Kolzig is a 1 year, 1.5 million deal with bonuses.
Please pick up Orpik or Cullimore.

Posted by  Justin, Tampa on 07/01  at  03:14 PM

Sarnia, Ontario. Used to live by Dino. I’ve been a fan of the Lightning since they were announced so you can only imagine how excited I was when we got Stamkos.

Posted by  berlin, sarasota on 07/01  at  03:14 PM

Hope we hang onto Tarnasty and Oulette or I’ll be pissed!

Posted by  Geografer, Spokane, WA on 07/01  at  03:10 PM

I’m with Mat - Cully would be an improvement over Kuba. Sign him trade Kuba.

Posted by  Greg, Tampa on 07/01  at  03:09 PM

All I’m saying is that the obviously improved offense will allow Kuba, O’Brien, Ranger all to play more of a stay at home defenseman role - the d-fense was asked to take a lot of chances last year and thus got burned - but with more fire power up front everyone dman except Boyle will just park it in the defensive zone.

Happy Canada Day to you to Justin what part of the Great White North are you from?

Posted by  b, sarasoa on 07/01  at  03:07 PM

boooo!

Posted by  Mat G, Tampa, FL on 07/01  at  03:02 PM

Gratton? Like to keep him but he didn’t seem to be the same player this time around…

Posted by  Mat G, Tampa, FL on 07/01  at  02:57 PM

Rather have Cullimore back than Kuba. Someone that hits rather than a spectator.

Posted by  Justin, Tampa on 07/01  at  02:57 PM

There is alot of factors that hurt our defense last season, there is no denying that. Boyle out for almost half the season and probably didn’t return at 100% not too mention that chance meeting with Olli Jokinen’s skate, Boyle will be better this season. Ranger, I couldn’t stand him at times, other times loved him, but come the close of the season we find out he had the same shoulder injury Vinny got (or they were just making an excuse.), so expect his game to improve too. Let’s face it, Injuries and a played out system got the best of us, so many games were lost by just a goal. We weren’t a horrible team just unlucky.

Posted by  berlin, sarasota on 07/01  at  02:53 PM

Don’t get me wrong Greg I do like Boyle, Ranger and Picard.Also Lundin has potential but I just think thats about it.We need more.

Posted by  Geografer, Spokane, WA on 07/01  at  02:53 PM

You especially don’t pay that for a backup when you are paying Huet $5.625 million a year on average for the next four years.

Posted by  Geografer, Spokane, WA on 07/01  at  02:49 PM

You know how the joke a couple of seasons ago was that wherever Stillman was was who would win the cup? Well I guess we better watch out because Stiller apparently still favors the Southeast Division having just signed with Florida. Guess we get to see him a bunch again this year!
Oh, and Chicago just signed Huet - gotta wonder what that means for Habby!! You don’t pay Habby $6.75 million to back up. You trade him or buy him out.

Posted by  dale, fl on 07/01  at  02:49 PM

A strong goalie, some hard working forwards backchecking and the group of lads we have can do the job.  I wish Kuba was a little meaner, Lundin a little bigger (I really like that kid) O’brien just needs to reeled in a little bit, Picard looks like a keeper, Ranger can skate and play d, he just neeeds to stop making them awfull passes, and Boyler…...sorry brad, you gotta go.

Posted by  berlin, sarasota on 07/01  at  02:46 PM

Set on defense you sure your watching? How many times did we see the puck stuck in our own end due to either poor clearing attempts or turning the puck back into our own end. These are basics.And what about all of the odd man rushes.

Posted by  Justin, Tampa on 07/01  at  02:43 PM

Greg, me too! Happy Canada Day!

Posted by  Mat G, Tampa, FL on 07/01  at  02:40 PM

Agreed. Torts system sucked and hung the goalies out to dry. How many odd man rushes did we have against us last year? Must’ve been a record.

Posted by  Jordan Gault, Riverview, FL on 07/01  at  02:39 PM

I agree with Greg. But, I also think that Tampa could use another defenceman, a more defensive defenceman, if you understand my meaning. I also think that the new owners are trying heavily to almost completely replace last years team. I wonder how many players from last years team will actually be on the roster this year. (not including the main guys, Vinny, Marty etc…they will always be on the team…)

Posted by  LightningRod, Tampa on 07/01  at  02:38 PM

I never thought I would say this; but enough with the offense guys. Now 1 D-man.
The fans will not recognize this team come October.

Posted by  Greg, Tampa on 07/01  at  02:32 PM

Oh, and everyone that says we need to add to the defense doesn’t follow the team to well - between Boyle, Ranger, Kuba, Lundin, Smaby, Picard, O’Brien, and Mihalik we are pretty set on defense the problem last year was a combination of Tort’s system and none of the forwards helping out on D.  But what do I know I’m Canadian - what do we know about hockey?

Posted by  Justin, Tampa on 07/01  at  02:31 PM

I know we’ll hold on to Boyle, and I expect Ranger’s play to excel this season since he will be playing healthy.