What approach do the Lightning have for free agency now?

Posted Jul 1, 2008 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Jul 1, 2008 at 10:59 AM

The clock is ticking down and the phone lines are about to start burning up. I have to say, this is a different approach than normal for a hockey writer covering this team. In years past, I could have probably gone to lunch at my parents house or hopped into the pool at my in-laws house on free agency day, just waiting to find out what kind of bargain-basement free agent the Lightning would land. Certainly Jay Feaster’s hands were tied the past couple of years under the budget constraints set forth by Palace Sports and was forced to dip into the shallow end of the free agent pond.

But now, we just don’t know what to expect, as the weekend pointed out to us. Under Oren Koules and Len Barrie, apparently nothing is out of bounds and no player is out of their thought process (except maybe Marian Hossa at this point because he is going to get some stupid, stupid money today).

So, what will the team do today?

First off, they will continue to hold out hope that Brian Rolston likes the offer the team made to him and he opts to join the restructuring down here in Tampa. It’s a pretty significant offer, from what I hear, and money is not a hold up on his decision.

If that plan falls through - or even if it comes to fruition - then certainly Radim Vrbata is on their radar screen today. The 27-year-old had 27 goals in the desert last year for the Coyotes, but he has bounced around a bit the past couple of years. Len Barrie told me last night that they firmly believe you need three lines that can score, and we already know what will most likely be on the second line with Steven Stamkos, Ryan Malone and (Rolston?) maybe Jussi Jokinen or Michel Ouellet? The third line will be centered by Jeff Halpern when he makes it back from injury in midseason, but Ryan Craig could also center the third line.

In addition, I expect a goaltender to at least be in the mix as Tampa Bay has only three guys under contract for next season - Mike Smith, Karri Ramo and Riku Helenius - and they certainly need at least one more to either push for a job in Tampa or man the nets in Norfolk assuming Ramo doesn’t get sent there to play every 2 out of 3 games. I keep hearing Olie Kolzig and Alex Auld as possibilities.

Keep your eyes peeled and make sure your finger is near the refresh button, because as we’ve seen the past couple of days, things change in an instant in this new (free agent) world we live in.