If he wants out, he deserves to be dealt. It's that simple. There's no sense in keeping a player who doesn't want to stick around, especially a guy who has built up a ton of respect like Marty.

His reasons for wanting out can be debated all day long. It's not a media attack. People, in general, don't think he's handled this all that well. And I'm really of the belief that any player who has asked for a trade can't really be totally committed to his current team. He'll play well just as he always has, but I don't think it's right to say that Marty is totally committed to the Lightning right now.

It's not really interesting that Yzerman has no comment; that's standard practice in this sort of situation.
- Michael_Stuart

It is a media attack since it is one sided and not only this website but local radio, TSN etc. It is relevant that the media does not ask Yzerman for comments but fans expect St Louis to clear the air. If Yzerman shouldn't have to comment on the situation, then St Louis should be offered the same courtesy.

It does make sense to keep a player even if he doesn't want to be there if the trade return is insufficient.

Not every player that has asked for a trade is wrong. Having lived through the handling of Keon, McDonald, Sittler, Gilmour, Boyle and Richards know that management is often wrong as often as the players.

Maybe St Louis is no longer totally committed but can you really say he isn't trying to do his best every shift? Few can say that about the rest of the team.

The reporting of the last week has been very uneven. Based on the actual evidence, I am not ready to condemn St Louis. I am surprised so many fans have reacted to hearsay.

It is a media attack since it is one sided and not only this website but local radio, TSN etc. It is relevant that the media does not ask Yzerman for comments but fans expect St Louis to clear the air. If Yzerman shouldn't have to comment on the situation, then St Louis should be offered the same courtesy.

It does make sense to keep a player even if he doesn't want to be there if the trade return is insufficient.

Not every player that has asked for a trade is wrong. Having lived through the handling of Keon, McDonald, Sittler, Gilmour, Boyle and Richards know that management is often wrong more often than the players.

Maybe St Louis is no longer totally committed but can you really say he isn't trying to do his best every shift? Few can say that about the rest of the team.

The reporting of the last week has been very uneven. Based on the actual evidence, I am not ready to condemn St Louis. I am surprised so many fans have reacted to hearsay.
- Leafsandbolts

First point - You're incorrect about the media not asking Yzerman for comment. Cristodero quoted him as saying this in reference to the St. Louis discussion: "I'm not going to comment on trade rumors in this situation or any situation." Noncommittal, just like St. Louis. Interesting to note that Eric Brewer said that "the uncertainty is not ideal."

We'd all love to hear either Yzerman or Marty speak up, but it's probably naive to expect either one to do so.

A manager is never going to get a fair return for a player who is known to want out, especially one who is only willing to waive for one team. New York has all the leverage here. Does that mean that Yzerman should hold on to an unhappy player for the next two years? If you think so, that's fine. I don't. It's an opinion.

Did I say that he won't give his all on every shift? No. I've said that I fully expect St. Louis to perform like the professional he is until he can be accommodated. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't look to get this distraction dealt with sooner rather than later.

You're absolutely right that management is often at fault when a player wants out. But does that argument really hold water when you consider that St. Louis wanted out under Lawton and now wants out under Yzerman? Maybe he just wants out. We don't have all the details, but I don't think that condemning fans for being emotional about their Captain wanting out is the answer.

Maybe there is a 'media attack' going on, but is it totally off-base? Is it wrong to say that St. Louis could have handled this better? Is it wrong to say that he perhaps shouldn't have re-signed if he wanted out back in 2009? Is it wrong to suggest that maybe, just maybe, he should follow through with this campaign for his teammates and friends? Is it wrong to assert that asking for a trade and then saying that he'll only waive for one club is a bit of a selfish thing to do, especially when you consider that he could have gone there as a free agent just a few years ago? I'm not sure.

Reacted to hearsay? Are you legitimately suggesting that this report holds no weight? I think it's pretty much a known fact now that St. Louis asked for a deal and wants to go to the Rangers.

I'm off for the night now. Have a good one!

Leafsandbolts... I have decided to not pass judgment one way or the other on Marty or Yzerman until all the dust has settled on this thing.

You say it is hearsay but both Marty and Yzerman could have squashed this thing but they didn't. Marty was very cryptic in his response and if what is being reported is probably true and Marty asked out then it is in Yzerman's best interest to not say anything because then he would be calling out his Captain who I am certain he wants to stay on the team by admitting Marty did ask or Yzerman would be out right lying by denying it if it did happen.

That is where all the drama lies, if it is true then to me the fans have a right to be upset at Marty not Yzerman. I hope that if it did happen, the Gold medal and potential playoff push, Vinik backing Marty and to a lesser extent Stamkos worked on Marty and he will continue to be a Bolt. This is where the hearsay lies in my opinion, no one knows where it all stands right now. Either your on board or not the Lightning have until March 5th to figure this out.

I just want the trade deadline over, Stamkos on the ice and the boys pushing to the playoffs and I will be a happy camper.

GO BOLTS!!!!

First point - You're incorrect about the media not asking Yzerman for comment. Cristodero quoted him as saying this in reference to the St. Louis discussion: "I'm not going to comment on trade rumors in this situation or any situation." Noncommittal, just like St. Louis. Interesting to note that Eric Brewer said that "the uncertainty is not ideal."

We'd all love to hear either Yzerman or Marty speak up, but it's probably naive to expect either one to do so.

A manager is never going to get a fair return for a player who is known to want out, especially one who is only willing to waive for one team. New York has all the leverage here. Does that mean that Yzerman should hold on to an unhappy player for the next two years? If you think so, that's fine. I don't. It's an opinion.

Did I say that he won't give his all on every shift? No. I've said that I fully expect St. Louis to perform like the professional he is until he can be accommodated. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't look to get this distraction dealt with sooner rather than later.

You're absolutely right that management is often at fault when a player wants out. But does that argument really hold water when you consider that St. Louis wanted out under Lawton and now wants out under Yzerman? Maybe he just wants out. We don't have all the details, but I don't think that condemning fans for being emotional about their Captain wanting out is the answer.

Maybe there is a 'media attack' going on, but is it totally off-base? Is it wrong to say that St. Louis could have handled this better? Is it wrong to say that he perhaps shouldn't have re-signed if he wanted out back in 2009? Is it wrong to suggest that maybe, just maybe, he should follow through with this campaign for his teammates and friends? Is it wrong to assert that asking for a trade and then saying that he'll only waive for one club is a bit of a selfish thing to do, especially when you consider that he could have gone there as a free agent just a few years ago? I'm not sure.

Reacted to hearsay? Are you legitimately suggesting that this report holds no weight? I think it's pretty much a known fact now that St. Louis asked for a deal and wants to go to the Rangers.

I'm off for the night now. Have a good one!
- Michael_Stuart

Fair response. That is twice you have indicated I am naive in posts, sticks and stones.

It is hearsay since no one except Lawton reporting on this story has ever heard St Louis ask for a trade. No witnesses to Lawton's and St Louis' conversation have come forward but I will give you that one since things were awful in 2009.

To not be hearsay a person would have needed to have heard St Louis and Yzerman during their conversation. Since neither St Louis nor Yzerman have a witness to their conversation, it is technically hearsay if anyone reports on the conversation. He said vs he said.

Why is it selfish to have a preference to go to a particular team or stay where you are. Asking for a trade is different than demanding a trade and deciding to stop playing for your team. St Louis has not stopped playing for the Lightning. Is St Louis making Yzerman's life uncomfortable, quite likely.

We don't have the details but a lot of the fans have thrown St Louis under the bus.

When there is real evidence that St Louis has hurt the Lightning, I will change my opinion. Thirteen seasons of hard work deserves better.

If St Louis is not traded and not removed as Captain, what will the story be then?

Fair response. That is twice you have indicated I am naive in posts, sticks and stones.

It is hearsay since no one except Lawton reporting on this story has ever heard St Louis ask for a trade. No witnesses to Lawton's and St Louis' conversation have come forward but I will give you that one since things were awful in 2009.

To not be hearsay a person would have needed to have heard St Louis and Yzerman during their conversation. Since neither St Louis nor Yzerman have a witness to their conversation, it is technically hearsay if anyone reports on the conversation. He said vs he said.

Why is it selfish to have a preference to go to a particular team or stay where you are. Asking for a trade is different than demanding a trade and deciding to stop playing for your team. St Louis has not stopped playing for the Lightning. Is St Louis making Yzerman's life uncomfortable, quite likely.

We don't have the details but a lot of the fans have thrown St Louis under the bus.

When there is real evidence that St Louis has hurt the Lightning, I will change my opinion. Thirteen seasons of hard work deserve better.

If St Louis is not traded and not removed as Captain, what will the story be then?
- Leafsandbolts

Oh, I didn't mean to paint you as naive. Sincere apologies if that's how it was read. I wanted either St. Louis or Yzerman to comment, and in the beginning I expected that one would give some clear indication. I was guilty of naivety as much as anyone. Now I read the non-answer as being an answer.

All the big names in the business have said that St. Louis has asked for a trade. I really find it hard to believe that their information is all bad. Combine that with St. Louis's non-answer when asked about it, and I think it's pretty much confirmed. You won't find too many people around the hockey world who don't think that Marty asked for a trade to New York.

Darren Dreger said that the Lightning are telling NHL teams that Marty is set on the Rangers. So, unless he's: a) lying or b) being fed bad information from calling teams or the Lightning, it's pretty clear that Marty asked to be dealt out.

I don't think it's selfish to want to go play for the Rangers. I think it's selfish to commit to one team, sign a deal that restricts the team's ability to move you, and then ask for a move out to a single team. Marty had the opportunity to go to New York. I don't think that anyone would have blamed him back then if he had decided to move on.

St. Louis is definitely making Yzerman's life uncomfortable. I'd wager that you're spot on there. Eric Brewer's comment really caught my eye. These situations can hurt in a locker room. Whether this one will or not remains to be seen, but it's clear that guys are concerned about it.

If St. Louis isn't dealt and he remains team Captain heading into next year, I hope that he will come out and say that he's happy to be a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and that he looks forward to another successful year. I hope that he doesn't come out and say that he's had more conversations with Yzerman about his future.

Personally, I don't think that thirteen years of hard work buys him carte blanche to turn his back on teammates after committing to them and the organization by signing a contract. But that's just my opinion. This team has the potential to perhaps do something special. I just hope that this story hanging over the dressing room won't impact that.

I can't sleep...

we all know the problem and its sucks! but the question is what is the end game for this ? the only way to end this is to trade him to the rangers! lightning- get callahan, prospect and a draft pick. Rangers get marty st.louis! marty will play hard even if he is still on the lightning but what concerns me is how this affects the kids? killorn, palat, Johnson, Kucherov, Gudas etc.. when your captain quits on your team saying he wants out during a very surprising good season the lightning are having! I really think it upsets the younger guys a whole lot.

we all know the problem and its sucks! but the question is what is the end game for this ? the only way to end this is to trade him to the rangers! lightning- get callahan, prospect and a draft pick. Rangers get marty st.louis! marty will play hard even if he is still on the lightning but what concerns me is how this affects the kids? killorn, palat, Johnson, Kucherov, Gudas etc.. when your captain quits on your team saying he wants out during a very surprising good season the lightning are having! I really think it upsets the younger guys a whole lot.
- todd1a

Agreed. He'll play like a professional and give it his all, but I'm not sure how his teammates will react to knowing that their captain wants out of town and that he's comfortable quitting on them.

Agreed. He'll play like a professional and give it his all, but I'm not sure how his teammates will react to knowing that their captain wants out of town and that he's comfortable quitting on them.
- Michael_Stuart

I could be wrong mike but I see no way he stays in tampa after march 5th! I think yzerman trades him to new york and cuts his losses.

I could be wrong mike but I see no way he stays in tampa after march 5th! I think yzerman trades him to new york and cuts his losses.
- todd1a

I go back and forth on this. Part of me thinks you're right, but then another part of me thinks that he'll wait until the off-season. Let St. Louis hopefully build on what has been a great year for the Bolts, and then hope that he expands his list in the off-season to help with a potential return (or hope that he decides Tampa is the place for him).

I go back and forth on this. Part of me thinks you're right, but then another part of me thinks that he'll wait until the off-season. Let St. Louis hopefully build on what has been a great year for the Bolts, and then hope that he expands his list in the off-season to help with a potential return (or hope that he decides Tampa is the place for him).
- Michael_Stuart

at this point the only thing that might save this is stamkos coming back and him talking to marty wanting him to stay! If anyone can get st.louis to stay it's steven stamkos!

TSN Radio's Ian Mendes asked the following:

"If Martin St. Louis is asking for a trade and is only willing to go to NYR, is that any different than what Dany Heatley did in Ottawa?"
- Michael_Stuart

Heatley is a bum. St. Louis is God's gift to hockey fans, and we are fortunate to even discuss such an Adonis. St. Louis' work ethic is second to none...he legitimately works harder than any other professional hockey player I've ever seen. He also poops rainbows.

at this point the only thing that might save this is stamkos coming back and him talking to marty wanting him to stay! If anyone can get st.louis to stay it's steven stamkos!
- todd1a

I'm guessing they probably have phones?

is it over yet ?

im going to see Drouin play tonight :D ill be wearing my Tampa jersey, waving it in his face while he comes off the ice hoping he signs it!!!!!!!

im going to see Drouin play tonight :D ill be wearing my Tampa jersey, waving it in his face while he comes off the ice hoping he signs it!!!!!!!
- RileyB77

he will be are only star left if stamkos wants out in two years!

he will be are only star left if stamkos wants out in two years!
- todd1a

Anyone have any word on filp

Anyone have any word on filp
- DrouinsDrone

Won't play.

Won't play.
- Michael_Stuart

Damn hope we can beat Dallas today we really need the win

St. Louis

"@erlendssonTBO 41s
And for the first time since a while that I have noticed, big smile and some emotion from St Louis after he scored"

St. Louis

"@erlendssonTBO 41s
And for the first time since a while that I have noticed, big smile and some emotion from St Louis after he scored"
- Michael_Stuart

Because he's laughing at us

Because he's laughing at us
- Artyukhin76

Still angry?

St. Louis

"@erlendssonTBO 41s
And for the first time since a while that I have noticed, big smile and some emotion from St Louis after he scored"
- Michael_Stuart

Maybe he was told a rangers deal will get done soon

Maybe he was told a rangers deal will get done soon
- todd1a

Oooooh, intriguing.

Still angry?
- Michael_Stuart

poop no, he will be when he finds out I Tyler Seguined his wife while he's away though

We look like crap, crap, crap....