Well, as a fan that watched him play every game last season, I must respectfully disagree. He was everything he was advertised to be and more when he played for us. His shot, his playmaking, his hands, his vision, his skating, his size, his strength and power, his ability to singlehandedly take over and dominate a game...he's unreal. Gets a bad rep cuz he played poorly in the playoffs but he gets a pass from me because of how unreal he was in the regular season.
- rangerdanger94

He took stretches of games off and in other games looked incredible. At times inconsistent and completely invisible in the playoffs. That is not what I'd call the best power forward in the league and if you wouldn't take Tavares or Hall over him either you're a complete homer or you haven't watched either of them play enough.

Financial reasons aka people from all over north america watching to generate the revenue aka people interested in the team?

It's all correlated, but you're trolling and aren't even serious so whatevs yo.
- rangerdanger94

This seems to be your MO. If someone doesn't agree with your very "unbiased" opinion you call someone a troll or say their opinion doesn't matter bcs of what team they're a fan of. What's really the point of engaging in conversation in the first place?

Richard Cloutier: The 10 Least Interesting Teams in the NHL
- Maxbone

Ok Mr Cloutier...going to pick apart your ignorant comments regarding the Lightning. First off attendance and whether the building will be "half empty or half full".

http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance/_/year/2013

That's an average of over 19k people watching a bad hockey team and top 10 average across the entire NHL, but yeah you're right. They only care about oranges and pensions

Next, "prospect-wise, there is Drouin and no one else"

http://www.hockeyprospect...rticle.php?articleid=1553

So a respected site believes the Bolts system is #1 OVERALL yet according to your ill-informed opinion after Drouin we have nothing????

For future reference, if you're going to write something like that at least back up your statements with something of substance, otherwise you make yourself to look like you have a problem with substance abuse

- laughs2907

Read on, it gets better.

I just question why it's taken this long and why it has seemed like a train-wreck at times with the clarity of the direction of the franchise. You did well in the draft and got good you pieces, but you still need a big FA signing too... I look at your roster and it's slim-picking's...
- Flyers_V88

It took him 2 years to clean up the mess Sutter left. This last draft was really his first Sutter free draft if you will. I'm sure he's looking to add more bodies and probably from teams that are in a bad cap situation. (ie. TO with Kadri and Franson to sign with limited cap space) After next years draft is when we will really be able to judge Feaster's moves imo...

Well said about the Lightning, but your wrong about their prospect depth. They usually always have prospects, attendance has been pitiful up until this last season which Im sure you can expect wont last long. Hockey is for sure an after thought in the sunshine state, its all about college football down there. The "true" "hardcore" lightning fans (and believe me there is not many) have an inferiority complex about their bolts. My best friend is the biggest lightning fanatic I know, he deserves true props cause he has been with them since the very beginning and watched every game, even when they were the joke of the league getting crushed every game, 12 win seasons and such. I lived in Tampa for 10 years. I know what its all about down there.

Well said about the Lightning, but your wrong about their prospect depth. They usually always have prospects, attendance has been pitiful up intil this last season which Im sure you can expect wont last long. Hockey is for sure a after thought in the sunshine state, its all about college football down there. The "true" "hardcore" lightning fans (and believe me there is not many) have an inferiority complex about their bolts. My best friend is the biggest lightning fanatic I know. I lived in Tampa for 10 years. I know what its all about down there.
- GOA88

Vinik purchased the Bolts in 2010. In 2010-11 we were 18th in the league in attendance. In 11-12 we were 13th, and 12-13 we were 8th. Since you lived here for 10 years you should also know some of the ownership history of the Bolts and how bad it was. Vinik has brought stability and excellent ownership to an organization that was devoid for most of it's history (outside of a few years under Davidson). Consequently the uptick in attendance has followed.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance/_/year/2011
http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance/_/year/2012
http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance/_/year/2013

Vinik purchased the Bolts in 2010. In 2010-11 we were 18th in the league in attendance. In 11-12 we were 13th, and 12-13 we were 8th. Since you lived here for 10 years you should also know some of the ownership history of the Bolts and how bad it was. Vinik has brought stability and excellent ownership to an organization that was devoid for most of it's history (outside of a few years under Davidson). Consequently the uptick in attendance has followed.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance/_/year/2011
http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance/_/year/2012
http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance/_/year/2013
- uf1910

Things are def looking up for Tampa, but they still arent quite there. You might be a true fan, but you have to agree finding true passionate lightning fans in Tampa is pretty tough, its mostly families with free tickets from work that show up, or companies that bring their clients to close a sale, its not for the love of the game. You also didnt mention how many of those fans in those percentages are road team fans? Every time I went to a flyers game down there it was 3/4 Flyers to 1/4 Lightning fans. This is still recent too, I went to both games last season, and a Rangers game, same thing....

- laughs2907

TROLL!

I would add the Devils to this list

He took stretches of games off and in other games looked incredible. At times inconsistent and completely invisible in the playoffs. That is not what I'd call the best power forward in the league and if you wouldn't take Tavares or Hall over him either you're a complete homer or you haven't watched either of them play enough.
- Cptmjl

Nash took stretches of games off in the regular season? I dont remember any stretch to be honest. He was consistently really good for us.

Again, that best power forward in the league comment wasn't serious.

I would take tavares over nash for sure...not sure about hall, yet. Maybe because hall is younger, but I'd argue nash is bigger, more powerful, and has a better shot, amongst a few other perks he might have over hall. Hall had more points but also played with some elite kids and in a much more better system than what nash played in under torts.

Remember that nash was considered one of the best players in the entire league when he was on the blue jackets and was a 1 man team that scored 30 to 40 goals a year consistently. Now that he's on the rangers, he's arguably the most overrated player in the league even though he was on pace to put up over 40? Its hard to say who the best power forward in the league is for sure, but I'd put nash in the top 5.

This seems to be your MO. If someone doesn't agree with your very "unbiased" opinion you call someone a troll or say their opinion doesn't matter bcs of what team they're a fan of. What's really the point of engaging in conversation in the first place?
- Cptmjl

You mean to tell me this blog isn't the epitome of trolling?

You mean to tell me this blog isn't the epitome of trolling?
- rangerdanger94

Not sure how the Rangers made this list.......

Actually, I come in here quite often as any of these guys can attest too. Get over yourself man. I gave you my honest opinion and you assume it's because I'm an Islander fan. The funny thing is anyone and everyone would agree with me besides a Ranger fan so in reality who has a biased opinion in this really?
- Cptmjl

Maybe you do...but its funny because besides 1 leafs fan, fans of every other team totally ignored my post, including most oilers fans, but I had 3 or 4 isles fans picking away at it.

I would add the Devils to this list
- mighty13duck

The Devils have a pitiful attendance and are boring to watch, they def make this list over the Rangers, seriously

Not sure how the Rangers made this list.......
- GOA88

Not sure if this is sarcasm or not, but besides the rags, you could make a case about half the teams on this list.

Nash took stretches of games off in the regular season? I dont remember any stretch to be honest. He was consistently really good for us.

Again, that best power forward in the league comment wasn't serious.

I would take tavares over nash for sure...not sure about hall, yet. Maybe because hall is younger, but I'd argue nash is bigger, more powerful, and has a better shot, amongst a few other perks he might have over hall. Hall had more points but also played with some elite kids and in a much more better system than what nash played in under torts.

Remember that nash was considered one of the best players in the entire league when he was on the blue jackets and was a 1 man team that scored 30 to 40 goals a year consistently. Now that he's on the rangers, he's arguably the most overrated player in the league even though he was on pace to put up over 40? Its hard to say who the best power forward in the league is for sure, but I'd put nash in the top 5.
- rangerdanger94

It certainly seemed like you were serious? You actually debated it? As far as him being top 5 that would be a more realistic argument I'd think. I think Nash is a great player don't get me wrong but Top power forward in the league no. Hall is a very good player and I think is going to only get better. He's a leader out there and has incredible skill. In reality he has the potential to be the top power forward in the league.

Not sure if this is sarcasm or not, but besides the rags, you could make a case about half the teams on this list.
- rangerdanger94

Not sarcasm, seriously, The only team Im defending on this list

Maybe you do...but its funny because besides 1 leafs fan, fans of every other team totally ignored my post, including most oilers fans, but I had 3 or 4 isles fans picking away at it.
- rangerdanger94

Probably because most Islander/Ranger fans watch both teams play quite a bit? Most of my Ranger fan friends watch the Islanders and vice versa. I'll speak for myself but I watch just about every Ranger game through the season. I know your team and it's players pretty well. I think my opinion is pretty valid.

It certainly seemed like you were serious? You actually debated it? As far as him being top 5 that would be a more realistic argument I'd think. I think Nash is a great player don't get me wrong but Top power forward in the league no. Hall is a very good player and I think is going to only get better. He's a leader out there and has incredible skill. In reality he has the potential to be the top power forward in the league.
- Cptmjl

Didnt I also debate that nash was on a higher tier than tavares because nash was a captain and tavares never has been? just because I don't use smileys when I troll or joke doesn't mean im not trolling or joking.

also did u not see me sneak stepans name in with the kanes, toewes, and getlafzs? Thought it was obvious at that point.

Nash and hall are both amazing, 1st overall players. Skies the limit for hall, especially playing with wonderkids like rnh and yak. I think nash has the potential to score 50 next season. Hoping he does.

Didnt I also debate that nash was on a higher tier than tavares because nash was a captain and tavares never has been? just because I don't use smileys when I troll or joke doesn't mean im not trolling or joking.

Nash and hall are both amazing, 1st overall players. Skies the limit for hall, especially playing with wonderkids like rnh and yak. I think nash has the potential to score 50 next season. Hoping he does.
- rangerdanger94

Don't remember but OK. Was not aware.

Things are def looking up for Tampa, but they still arent quite there. You might be a true fan, but you have to agree finding true passionate lightning fans in Tampa is pretty tough, its mostly families with free tickets from work that show up, or companies that bring their clients to close a sale, its not for the love of the game. You also didnt mention how many of those fans in those percentages are road team fans? Every time I went to a flyers game down there it was 3/4 Flyers to 1/4 Lightning fans. This is still recent too, I went to both games last season, and a Rangers game, same thing....
- GOA88

There are a lot of other team's fans (Flyers, Rags etc), that I will agree. As for the ratio most I saw last year was 30%-40%...maybe half road fans but not for every game. What makes it seem more is the road fans mostly buy lower bowl and quite frankly enjoy being loud and obnoxious. That will probably continue to be so moving forward but that doesn't mean there aren't passionate Bolts fans.

Either way, Cloutier's comments on the Bolts are ignorant. I sincerely doubt Yzerman would leave the vaunted Detroit organization to go to a boring franchise in a bad market.

There are a lot of other team's fans (Flyers, Rags etc), that I will agree. As for the ratio most I saw last year was 30%-40%...maybe half road fans but not for every game. What makes it seem more is the road fans mostly buy lower bowl and quite frankly enjoy being loud and obnoxious. That will probably continue to be so moving forward but that doesn't mean there aren't passionate Bolts fans.

Either way, Cloutier's comments on the Bolts are ignorant. I sincerely doubt Yzerman would leave the vaunted Detroit organization to go to a boring franchise in a bad market.
- uf1910

Hockey is becoming very big in florida. Lots of kids play hockey there now. My roommate for example is from tampa and went to school in buffalo for hockey.

There are a lot of other team's fans (Flyers, Rags etc), that I will agree. As for the ratio most I saw last year was 30%-40%...maybe half road fans but not for every game. What makes it seem more is the road fans mostly buy lower bowl and quite frankly enjoy being loud and obnoxious. That will probably continue to be so moving forward but that doesn't mean there aren't passionate Bolts fans.

Either way, Cloutier's comments on the Bolts are ignorant. I sincerely doubt Yzerman would leave the vaunted Detroit organization to go to a boring franchise in a bad market.
- uf1910

New management is definitely trying to make the lightning more relevant and interesting, the arena upgrades (which are very nice) and the signing of Yzerman. Now its time to invest some money in this team and bring in some recognizable players, too many players from the minor leagues. Cant rely on Stamkos and St.Louis every game. St.Louis is 2-3 years from retirement at least and what would happen if Stamkos got hurt? Probably dont want to think about that....

Hockey is becoming very big in florida. Lots of kids play hockey there now. My roommate for example is from tampa and went to school in buffalo for hockey.
- rangerdanger94

Your joking right? I moved back to Philly in April this year, Unless since then it got popular then this statement is completely false, yes they have ice rinks, yes they have a couple of teams, but to say its "very big" is way off base. Very big compared to what? Cuba? Texas? Oklahoma?