Lee skating with the regulars at practice today
Maybe an optional skate but wow if he's able to come out with the team tonight and warmup the place will go nuts.
- nyisles7

They just wanted him to get one final skate with the boys since it will be their last practice together.

- JohnScammo

Yup, just a skate out in the warmup will get the coli and team buzzing. Doubt it happens but as you said....

True that.

They did trade up to make sure they got him though.
- GalacticStone

I didn’t realize that. Either way the guy is a game changer. Absolute animal.

They just wanted him to get one final skate with the boys since it will be their last practice together.
- Feds91Stammer

Nobody knew. Like Palat and Kucherov. Diamonds in the rough.

I remember when he got scratched early on because he was late (or no-show) to a team meeting. I remember thinking the guy was probably middle-six at best. He had good straight-line speed, but that's it. He's grown so much since then.
- GalacticStone

Oh, so you’re saying Ho-Sang has a chance?🤣🤣

Yup, just a skate out in the warmup will get the coli and team buzzing. Doubt it happens but as you said....
- nyisles7

So, what's the scoop on Lee? I am underinformed about him. Is he a game-changer, or just a welcome addition?

I didn’t realize that. Either way the guy is a game changer. Absolute animal.
- Cptmjl

I don't recall the specifics of the trade, but they did swap picks to go higher and snag Point. They were worried he was going to get selected.

Didn’t Kucherov drop in the draft because people weren’t sure when he’d leave Russia or am I imagining that?

So, what's the scoop on Lee? I am underinformed about him. Is he a game-changer, or just a welcome addition?
- GalacticStone

He’s not playing, I wouldn’t worry.

Didn’t Kucherov drop in the draft because people weren’t sure when he’d leave Russia or am I imagining that?
- potvin05

It's possible. I think I heard something like that, but I don't recall exactly what.

It took him a while to find his NHL game. He was benched early on.

This is where I credit Yzerman. Until Vinik and Yzerman, there was no team culture. No professionalism. No scouting. No development. They put in place the systems required to find guys like Palat, Point, and Kuch and then properly develop them. The list is endless when you include undrafted or overlooked guys like Gourde and Johnson. In hindsight, Cernak was a steal as a thrown-in on the Bishop trade. All of these guys needed some hand-holding to find their game and Yzerman made sure that happened.

He’s not playing, I wouldn’t worry.
- potvin05

I will always worry. The Isles are not pushovers and they have a chip on their shoulders after that last showing.

I'm actually quite worried and will be hitting the liquor store this afternoon.

Didn’t Kucherov drop in the draft because people weren’t sure when he’d leave Russia or am I imagining that?
- potvin05

Al Murray said in an interview that the scouts liked Kucherov better then Yakapov in that draft class but there was hesitancy about him coming over from Russia and he also had a lingering shoulder injury. The Lightning had a great Russian scout who had good relationship with Kucherov's junior coach so Yzerman drafted him and told him the Lightning would pay for his surgery and rehab and when the KHL team CSKA told him they would not pay for the surgery he came over and got the surgery paid by the Lightning.

He played a year in the OHL went to the AHL lit it up (17 games, 13 goals, 24 points) and has been in Tampa ever since. Played well his first year nothing spectacular as Cooper didn't trust him so he played sheltered then next year in training camp they could not stop him and he has been a force ever since then. Kucherov gave an interview where he said he was grateful for the Lightning for taking care of him when they did not have to and he wanted to reward them with a great player and Stanley cup. He fulfilled both those.

I will always worry. The Isles are not pushovers and they have a chip on their shoulders after that last showing.

I'm actually quite worried and will be hitting the liquor store this afternoon.
- GalacticStone

There’s absolutely zero chance he’s playing but he’s our captain and was on pace to score 25 goals in this short season. He’s basically a modern-day Tomas Holmstrom. Not many of those left in the league.

There’s absolutely zero chance he’s playing but he’s our captain and was on pace to score 25 goals in this short season. He’s basically a modern-day Tomas Holmstrom. Not many of those left in the league.
- potvin05

Wouldn't be surprised if they threw him out there for warm-ups just to get the Coli fired up and rocking early

Didn’t Kucherov drop in the draft because people weren’t sure when he’d leave Russia or am I imagining that?
- potvin05

Go Germany!

Wouldn't be surprised if they threw him out there for warm-ups just to get the Coli fired up and rocking early
- eichiefs9

Agreed, Kind of like Willis Reed coming out for the Knicks.

You make your own luck, but a little less pinball and a little more puck luck tonight would be nice