Until Yzerman heard the term then hung up the phone.
- Artyukhin76

fantastic GM

loved the cap clearing moves on 6/30

Drouin on the big team this season?

What does everyone see in Sustr? He is sooooo slow and is not NHL ready. I see the potential and love his size so let him develop in the AHL but if he can't skate faster he'll never be top 4. I'm guessing Yzerman agrees because there is not a spot for him in the Lightning this year.

Until Yzerman heard the term then hung up the phone.
- Artyukhin76

Reports say Niskanen was taking too much time and Yzerman didn't want to miss out if Nisk chose elsewhere so he directed attention to Stralman.

For all of the bluster about what kind of deal Niskanen was going to get leading up to free agency, bottom line is he signed a 7 year deal with a cap hit less than $6M which fell right in line if not below what he was expected to get. They had plenty of conversations leading up to FA (and I'm sure plenty more yesterday) so it's not like anything Yzerman heard would have been truly surprising to make Yzerman walk away due to asking price

[quote=TampaTalk]Sustr got qualified. I think he will play in AHL with a few call ups to the Lightning.

What does everyone see in Sustr? He is sooooo slow and is not NHL ready. I see the potential and love his size so let him develop in the AHL but if he can't skate faster he'll never be top 4. I'm guessing Yzerman agrees because there is not a spot for him in the Lightning this year.
- reshooter

He's actually a decent skater for his size. It's his footwork that needs help. He's so tall and his legs are so long that sometimes if/when he tries to change direction quickly he crosses his legs up. It's an experience thing as with more seasoning everything will slow down for him and this will become less and less of a factor

fantastic GM

loved the cap clearing moves on 6/30

Drouin on the big team this season?
- Marc D

Without a doubt

He's actually a decent skater for his size. It's his footwork that needs help. He's so tall and his legs are so long that sometimes if/when he tries to change direction quickly he crosses his legs up. It's an experience thing as with more seasoning everything will slow down for him and this will become less and less of a factor
- uf1910

I see your point, don't get me wrong I hope we see him in our top 4 in the next few years, he's just not there yet. Glad we got some guys to step in this year now though!!!

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

Thank God you were not. Stralman deal has way more value than what Wash will get.....

Jay Feaster has returned to Tampa Bay. Executive director of community hockey development. Gives him something to do and brings him home without the ability trading away the prospect system.

Jay Feaster has returned to Tampa Bay. Executive director of community hockey development. Gives him something to do and brings him home without the ability trading away the prospect system.
- Artyukhin76

That guy is like 3 cheeseburgers away from the hospice. Maybe the weather agrees with him.

That guy is like 3 cheeseburgers away from the hospice. Maybe the weather agrees with him.
- Jeropotato

Or 1 baconator?

Or 1 baconator?
- Artyukhin76

As long as he's not in charge of trading down in the 1st round or dishing out offer sheets, he's a fine addition to the organization.

As long as he's not in charge of trading down in the 1st round or dishing out offer sheets, he's a fine addition to the organization.
- Jeropotato

He really, really (frank)ed our farm system!

He really, really (frank)ed our farm system!
- Artyukhin76

I don't think he messed up are farm system we never had one with players to mess up back then! Are scouts were terrible!

Jay Feaster has returned to Tampa Bay. Executive director of community hockey development. Gives him something to do and brings him home without the ability trading away the prospect system.
- Artyukhin76

good to see jay feaster return to tampa vinik really respects the lightning's past! I will say this Jay feaster was the gm here when we won the cup! until yzerman wins the cup here he won't be better. Jay feaster also won the cup in tampa without deep pockets from a guy like mr. vinik. Yzerman has more resources here with money scouting then feaster ever did. Now I think steve yzerman has done a great job here but he has a great owner that's gives him what he needs.

I don't they he messed up are farm system we never had one with players to mess up back then! Are scouts were terrible!
- todd1a

He traded away.... EVERYTHING!

I don't they he messed up are farm system we never had one with players to mess up back then! Are scouts were terrible!
- todd1a

Agreed.

Before Murray showed up this was the worst drafting franchise by a mile.

He traded away.... EVERYTHING!
- Artyukhin76

what did he trade away ? we never had nothing ?

Agreed.

Before Murray showed up this was the worst drafting franchise by a mile.
- Michael_Stuart

this!

I still feel the Bolts are going to get another veteran winger in the 1-1.5MM range. I just think it would be good to have one more vet incase the Drouin, Connolly, Panik, Kucherov have some growing pains. What does everyone else think?

I still feel the Bolts are going to get another veteran winger in the 1-1.5MM range. I just think it would be good to have one more vet incase the Drouin, Connolly, Panik, Kucherov have some growing pains. What does everyone else think?
- stammerman

Maybe, although I don't think so.

I still feel the Bolts are going to get another veteran winger in the 1-1.5MM range. I just think it would be good to have one more vet incase the Drouin, Connolly, Panik, Kucherov have some growing pains. What does everyone else think?
- stammerman

If they do I think it comes via trade we are pretty much right at the cap after sustr Connolly and panik sign.

If they do I think it comes via trade we are pretty much right at the cap after sustr Connolly and panik sign.
- todd1a

I am correct and you are correct. Steve Yzerman was on 620 this morning in Tampa and said they would like another right wing veteran but it didn't work out in free agency so he is going to wait and see if a trade works for both sides and can make it happen. So if he trades who do they trade, he has been pretty outspoken about Kucherov, Drouin, Connolly and Panik stepping up in this interview so I don't think it would come from them... must be draft pick and prospect with the Cuse. Listen here.

http://www.620wdae.com/me...teve-yzerman-73-24984314/

I am correct and you are correct. Steve Yzerman was on 620 this morning in Tampa and said they would like another right wing veteran but it didn't work out in free agency so he is going to wait and see if a trade works for both sides and can make it happen. So if he trades who do they trade, he has been pretty outspoken about Kucherov, Drouin, Connolly and Panik stepping up in this interview so I don't think it would come from them... must be draft pick and prospect with the Cuse. Listen here.

http://www.620wdae.com/me...teve-yzerman-73-24984314/
- stammerman

I'm thinking he wants a gritty guy 4th liner rw.

Honest opinion of Kostka. He played 19 games for you guys last season and seemed to have decent numbers. Whats his game?

Honest opinion of Kostka. He played 19 games for you guys last season and seemed to have decent numbers. Whats his game?
- mdw7413

A 6th defenseman tough guy checks well but lacks skill played decent for us during the season! But just was terrible in the playoffs!