Posted by  lightning friend, tampa on 08/04  at  03:08 PM

Get us some DEFENSE !!!If we get one great defender , we go deep into the playoffss. Two, and we make it to the cup finals .

Posted by  Randall Buschmann, Panama City Beach, Florida on 08/03  at  06:52 PM

Really happy to hear the positive reviews for Chris Lawrence, and especially Andy Rogers. I’d love for Rogers to end up being the top pairing defenseman he was thought to be able to be when we drafted him. People are over-exaggerating the amount of forwards we have, all we really need is one more top four defenseman and I think if we could swing a deal with Nashville for Dan Hamhuis that would be the perfect fit for us.

Posted by  Goalman, Sarasota on 08/03  at  03:49 PM

Be on the lookout!! According the Buzz, Nahville is interested in forwards and we have those to spare. I noticed that one of their defenseman just won an arbitration hearing. He doubled his salary to 750,000. That’s well within our cap and if we trade Jokinen it’s even better. Hopefully we can replace Kuba with a seasoned hard hitter. I think Schneider is still up for grabs. Old,but experienced

Posted by  earl scott, spring hill, fl on 08/03  at  08:33 AM

Somehow, we need to get to the 22-23 players allowed from the 68(it seems like)we have signed.....something tells me, we will be making some MAJOR trades to get 1 or 2 quality defensemen....i mean,we could trade 35 offensive players for 1 quality defenseman and STILL have 33(or so it semms)left....but make no mistake about it...as much as the owners have tried to deflect the pressure from THE MULLETT, he will be under the watchfull and hockey savy fans of TAMPA BAY. with seats season tickets starting at $6.20/game...the owners want the arena full and loud...face it, we can’t finish any worse than last year. i am excited..lets be great fans and support the new owners, new players, new coach, and VINNY AND MARTY. GO BOLTS !!!!

Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 08/02  at  06:50 PM

The new owners have added veteran leadership to the forwards and to the goalies.  It doesn’t make sense to then turn the defense over to a largely inexperienced group of defensemen.  Kuba is the most experienced of the group, and probably the worst of the crew.

Offense brings fans, but defense wins championships.  They have improved the defense by getting rid of Boyle; but, they do need veteran leadership there as well as in the other two aspects of the game.

Posted by  Mario Crociata, Jonesboro, Arkansas on 08/02  at  06:26 PM

Everyone is harping on getting an anchor for the defense. The old system and scheme played a large part in our poor defensive showing. A new coach, new scheme, and young players who buy into the system and know their responsibilities may surprise everyone. A “play the body” rather than “play the puck” system, speed on the wings to come back and help on “D”, and a better scheme getting out of our own end, should all allow the defense to concentrate on covering the errant pass, turnovers and shot block. It starts with the system and if the players buy into it, then you customize your team and its needs. No one bought the old system anymore leading to failure! See what you have built before you tear it down before training camp.

Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 08/02  at  07:23 AM

It should be interesting to see the youngsters at the big camp; but, where would they fit in the big team?  There doesn’t seem to be much room.  The Bolts have an oversupply of forwards.  If they deal some of the excess forwards to get an anchor on defense, they should be set there.