So we drop a spot? Last season we where 2nd in the division and 3rd in conference.
- Artyukhin76

I think it will be closer to 1st but are we better then Boston or Montreal or redwings ?

I think it will be closer to 1st but are we better then Boston or Montreal or redwings ?
- todd1a

Probably better than Detroit next season.

Where do we rank in the division next year you think ? I say 3rd
- todd1a

Honestly? First or second.

They also have dominick moore and just signed cedrick Desjardins yesterday. There are a number of former bolts there that they acquired in the past two years. Had Pouliot last year as well who I think got over payed by Edmonton but my oilers fan friend likes the signing
- jbs32

Moore was originally a Ranger and Pouilot here for a year Cedrick bounced between Montreal and ourselves a couple of times.

I think it will be closer to 1st but are we better then Boston or Montreal or redwings ?
- todd1a

Montreal was one of the league's worst possession teams. Riding the Carey Price train works for them, but I'm not sure it's enough to be better than the Lightning. Boston will be good as usual, but I'm interested to see what they have to do to make the cap situation work.

So playoffs for sure ?

Honestly? First or second.
- Michael_Stuart

As always tell me who is the healthiest of the bunch and I'll venture a guess. As in All sports who gets injured and plays all year means a lot. I'd put us right up there healthy. Montreal really didn't too much to improve and Boston already lost Johnson who played great for them. Iggy is gone too. Cap issues to boot. Detroit has a solid young core like us and both of us will be worried about some sophomore slumps Ottawa is playing cap floor games with Melnyk and Toronto still has work to do. Florida could be a surprise next year. Buffalo is playing for McDavid.

As always tell me who is the healthiest of the bunch and I'll venture a guess. As in All sports who gets injured and plays all year means a lot. I'd put us right up there healthy. Montreal really didn't too much to improve and Boston already lost Johnson who played great for them. Iggy is gone too. Cap issues to boot. Detroit has a solid young core like us and both of us will be worried about some sophomore slumps Ottawa is playing cap floor games with Melnyk and Toronto still has work to do. Florida could be a surprise next year. Buffalo is playing for McDavid.
- tpd11

2015 Stanley cup champions Tampa bay lightning Tyler Johnson playoff MVP I really hope this happens! I don't like making predictions but I have a great feeling about next year and beyond.

I wanna give my 2cents on the Thompson/Boyle switch. Thompson is one of the leagues most consistent 4th liners and played allot in the 3rd line last year when SS went down.

But Boyle has a higher ceiling and brings size. Thompson had the better hands of the two, otherwise their pretty much a wash.

But we have seen a lot of players come to a new club and didn't get their game going (clarkson, bryz, Richards, Vinny, leino just to name a few). Until Boyle has played a full season, or maybe even two, I will say this was a good move by SY. Right now I don't like, don't because I think Boyle is a downgrade not worth 400k cap and 2 picks, but because we had a guy in Thompson that we knew what he brought every single night. That's a comfort that is really valueable.

But I like Boyle, he's really solid. I just really hopes he can live up to the expectations.

Are the lightning the team to beat in the east ? Is this the year we take over the east ?

Are the lightning the team to beat in the east ? Is this the year we take over the east ?
- todd1a

Lol. I'd say we have a good shot to come out of the East on top, given everything goes accordingly and our players keep developing properly

Too many factors to consider right now. but, it looks good

Lol. I'd say we have a good shot to come out of the East on top, given everything goes accordingly and our players keep developing properly

Too many factors to consider right now. but, it looks good
- RileyB77

Ya it's hard to predict but looking at the roster we look great in goal good on defense 4 lines deep unreal the job yzerman did.

Lol. I'd say we have a good shot to come out of the East on top, given everything goes accordingly and our players keep developing properly

Too many factors to consider right now. but, it looks good
- RileyB77

Claude Giroux arrested in Ottawa. Hope he didn't hit the policeman with his golf club.

Claude Giroux arrested in Ottawa. Hope he didn't hit the policeman with his golf club.
- tpd11

They didn't charge him just got an autograph

Are the lightning the team to beat in the east ? Is this the year we take over the east ?
- todd1a

Let's wait and see what happens during the season.

Are the lightning the team to beat in the east ? Is this the year we take over the east ?
- todd1a

Would prefer to fly under the radar like we always do. Though I hate it, the hockey world will continue to poop on us...that's fine with me.

The element of surprise offers great advantages.

Would prefer to fly under the radar like we always do. Though I hate it, the hockey world will continue to poop on us...that's fine with me.

The element of surprise offers great advantages.
- vsunited001

Yup! Zero coverage on nhl.com and zero coverage on television. (frank) em, I say!

LETS GO BOLTS!!! Mini bolts in camp right now, putting in work. Looking forward to finding some reading material / videos on it, if anyone finds some today / tonight

They didn't charge him just got an autograph
- tpd11

But he was drunk and grabbed the police mans ass

As always tell me who is the healthiest of the bunch and I'll venture a guess. As in All sports who gets injured and plays all year means a lot. I'd put us right up there healthy. Montreal really didn't too much to improve and Boston already lost Johnson who played great for them. Iggy is gone too. Cap issues to boot. Detroit has a solid young core like us and both of us will be worried about some sophomore slumps Ottawa is playing cap floor games with Melnyk and Toronto still has work to do. Florida could be a surprise next year. Buffalo is playing for McDavid.
- tpd11

Your first line should read...

"As always which team has the depth to withstand inevitable injuries"

Injuries are going to happen to every team. The real question is which teams lose truly key players and like the Bolts last season which teams have the depth and young talent to withstand key injuries

They didn't charge him just got an autograph
- tpd11

A handprint on their ass

Did Tampa qualify Sustr?

Counting him and not including Ohlund, I see 8 NHL Defenseman on the roster with Carle, Garrison, Hedman, Stralman, Brewer, Gudas, Barberio, and Sustr.

Do you see them keeping all 8?

How do you think this plays out next year? Can any of the younger guys play on the AHL team without going through waivers?

Love what Yzerman is doing, congrats.

Did Tampa qualify Sustr?

Counting him and not including Ohlund, I see 8 NHL Defenseman on the roster with Carle, Garrison, Hedman, Stralman, Brewer, Gudas, Barberio, and Sustr.

Do you see them keeping all 8?

How do you think this plays out next year? Can any of the younger guys play on the AHL team without going through waivers?

Love what Yzerman is doing, congrats.
- Marc D

Sustr is the only one who's waiver exempt. Most likely he'll be playing in Syracuse next season. Our defense will probably look something like this:
Hedman Garrison
Carle Stralman
Brewer Gudas
Barberio

Did Tampa qualify Sustr?

Counting him and not including Ohlund, I see 8 NHL Defenseman on the roster with Carle, Garrison, Hedman, Stralman, Brewer, Gudas, Barberio, and Sustr.

Do you see them keeping all 8?

How do you think this plays out next year? Can any of the younger guys play on the AHL team without going through waivers?

Love what Yzerman is doing, congrats.
- Marc D

Sustr got qualified. I think he will play in AHL with a few call ups to the Lightning.

I think Kucherov can go to AHL without going through waivers!
Drouin would go to QMJHL

Sustr is the only one who's waiver exempt. Most likely he'll be playing in Syracuse next season. Our defense will probably look something like this:
Hedman Garrison
Carle Stralman
Brewer Gudas
Barberio
- Artyukhin76

do you think the Lightening were in on Niskanen?

the Stralman deal was excellent imo.

Watching the NYRs I thought initially he benefitted a lot by playing with Staal, but I'm not sure about that. I think he is good in his own right.

do you think the Lightening were in on Niskanen?

the Stralman deal was excellent imo.

Watching the NYRs I thought initially he benefitted a lot by playing with Staal, but I'm not sure about that. I think he is good in his own right.
- Marc D

Until Yzerman heard the term then hung up the phone.