Easier to deal the player at the end of his contract. Although the cap hit remains the same, it will be easier for teams to deal guys like Malone and Briere. These are the types of deals that kill teams.
I liked the LeCavalier signing. Stamkos (although not as valuable as Tavares or Hedman) will be a major boost to the offence. Even the Richards deal wasn't that bad since it netted a decent starting goalie who can at least buy them time until Helenius. Getting the rights to Rolston was a good move too, since IMO he's the only UFA worth going after this offseason. However, it's a signing like this Malone one which will kill them. This is your classic Martin Lapointe-esque signing. They may contend this year or next, but this deal will hurt them very soon.
Didn't take them long to put recent big signing Boyle on the block.... they should have learned.
Awful signing of Malone.
He's a 51 point career high scorer.. and that was on a loaded line with Sykora and Malkin. At best, he'll be a 25 goal, 60 points scorer.. for the 1st two years and will bottom out. Not to mention they hired Malone's dad for some work as well. Heh.
And the Roberts signing is weird.
He's a 51 point career high scorer.. and that was on a loaded line with Sykora and Malkin. At best, he'll be a 25 goal, 60 points scorer.. for the 1st two years and will bottom out. Not to mention they hired Malone's dad for some work as well. Heh.
And the Roberts signing is weird.
What you fellas think of the Bolts adding Kolzig?
This past spring as Huet was getting so much time in Washington, I wondered privately if Kolzig might be a legit fit for TBay to play maybe 25-30 games with Smith doing most of the rest.
Oli certainly familiar with Southeast Division offenses I would presume.
This past spring as Huet was getting so much time in Washington, I wondered privately if Kolzig might be a legit fit for TBay to play maybe 25-30 games with Smith doing most of the rest.
Oli certainly familiar with Southeast Division offenses I would presume.
Oli is certainly a class act all the way and will add something to the locker room and in mentor role but don't expect much from him performance wise. He let in far too many questionable goals last year and certainly cannot be considered a top flight tender any longer. Even as a number two he is less than ordinary and in my opinion his acquisition was more in the capacity as goalie coach than as player.
IMO...Mike Smith has looked fine as a backup and behind a tight defensive Dallas Stars scheme/roster. How he fairs as a starter behind the thin Tampa Bay blue line and the open offensive style of the Southeast division should be a concern for any Bolt fan.
...on the other hand here's a interesting blog by Mirtle on the ridiculous depth of Tampa Bay's forward lines. They'll score some goals for sure and maybe all they'll need in net is a blow up doll.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"The Lightning's potential line combinations:
Prospal - Lecavalier - St. Louis
Malone - Stamkos - Vrbata
Jokinen - Halpern - Recchi
Roberts - Craig - Hall
That looks like a pretty darn solid top 12, but it leaves Michel Ouellet, Artyukhin, Jason Ward, Nick Tarnasky and Bochenski on the sidelines.
Believe it or not, at some point in the coming weeks (or months), the Lightning has more deals in the works. I imagine they won't want to increase payroll over the $48-million currently accounted for, but a veteran defenceman is, at this point, a must."
-----------------------------------------------------------
"The Lightning's potential line combinations:
Prospal - Lecavalier - St. Louis
Malone - Stamkos - Vrbata
Jokinen - Halpern - Recchi
Roberts - Craig - Hall
That looks like a pretty darn solid top 12, but it leaves Michel Ouellet, Artyukhin, Jason Ward, Nick Tarnasky and Bochenski on the sidelines.
Believe it or not, at some point in the coming weeks (or months), the Lightning has more deals in the works. I imagine they won't want to increase payroll over the $48-million currently accounted for, but a veteran defenceman is, at this point, a must."
I don't know if it's ridiculous depth, but they do have a top 5 line in the NHL, plus a solid 2nd line, and a very good checking line. Really like the Vrbata signing, could be the best value of the offseason.... ironically enough on the same line as one of the worst signings in the offseason. Vrbata could have a monster year with Stamkos and on an offensive team.
I don't think anyone doubts that this team has the weapons to score a lot of goals, especially with Stamkos joining the team this season, but they still have no defense. I love Smith as a goalie and I think he is a franchise goaltender, but that means nothing if you have no defense to protect him.
Kolzig was highly overpayed when you look at his talent and what he can do for you between the pipes right now, but he will be a great guy for Smith to learn from in practice which makes it a good signing IMO. This team is a question mark to me. They could either make the playoffs in an extremely weak division, or they could finish near the bottom again, which would be good for them so they can pick up a top defensemen next year in the draft.
Kolzig was highly overpayed when you look at his talent and what he can do for you between the pipes right now, but he will be a great guy for Smith to learn from in practice which makes it a good signing IMO. This team is a question mark to me. They could either make the playoffs in an extremely weak division, or they could finish near the bottom again, which would be good for them so they can pick up a top defensemen next year in the draft.
