Erik Erlendsson: Who saw this coming? Cory Conacher returns Tampa Bay dips in to the free agent pool to bring back a familiar face.

This surprised me but he played awesome under cooper in the ahl so I'm happy the Lightning gave him a chance

There certainly were plenty of detractors who felt Ottawa won the deal big time, at the time, it hasn't worked out that way

this is why I always laugh when people criticize Ottawa for this deal. at the time it looked like a very even trade, even like you said, perhaps Ottawa came out on top. clearly in hindsight it's a pretty awful trade but nobody knew that at the time.

good for conacher, I always like him as a player. He was just never able to re-capture that magic he had in Tampa. I hope for him that he can find it again.

this is why I always laugh when people criticize Ottawa for this deal. at the time it looked like a very even trade, even like you said, perhaps Ottawa came out on top. clearly in hindsight it's a pretty awful trade but nobody knew that at the time.

good for conacher, I always like him as a player. He was just never able to re-capture that magic he had in Tampa. I hope for him that he can find it again.
- sensarmy_11

When the trade was annonced, it felt like a mistake. Cory was a really exciting player who looked like he had superstar potential. But with the young Crunch core he was a bit to old for the team Yzerman was building. And Steve also recognized that his game was elevated by playing with stammer and Marty. We had alot of good young forwards, but the Lindbäck experiment had Gone south and we needed to adress that position of need. So when i saw the trade from that point of view, i feelt good about it.

But i dont think no one, not even SY, expected Cory to be a bust the following years and bish a two time Veniza finalist. Worked out great for us, and hopefully Conacher can find redemption where it all started. For 500k its worth a shot.

Erik Erlendsson: Who saw this coming? Cory Conacher returns
Tampa Bay dips in to the free agent pool to bring back a familiar face.
- Erik Erlendsson

Now watch him rack a ton of assists playing along side Stamkos.

Can we go back to Tuesday and not do this? Whatever amount he got add it to the Kucherov offer and get Kucherov signed. Conacher stinks

Just asking, does this add to many F on team? If so, then is there a trade looming bc of it?

He's a local boy for me... so I'm happy to see it! Got a bit of a raw deal with NYI last year. Never got a shot at all it seemed.

I still laugh every time I see the pic of him wearing John Scott's helmet.

He's a local boy for me... so I'm happy to see it! Got a bit of a raw deal with NYI last year. Never got a shot at all it seemed.

I still laugh every time I see the pic of him wearing John Scott's helmet.
- mlindsay

I believe it was 2-3yrs ago on island, plus wasnt a raw deal, had his chances with JT just couldn't produce.

Good move for you guys. He got thrust into the spotlight the first time around, received a harsh reality check pretty quickly, got bounced around, but he kept his bearings and went over to Europe for a year and succeeded there. He knows your coach and your system... this could be a very "dangerous" 3rd line signing for you all. Well done.

Now watch him rack a ton of assists playing along side Stamkos.
- Alexzanki

This is a great signing. I always liked Cory.

I believe it was 2-3yrs ago on island, plus wasnt a raw deal, had his chances with JT just couldn't produce.
- Ur Not Me

14/15... his last NHL stop...
was given 15 games on the Island... I don't call that a lot of chances

Guys he's goin to fill a Machessault type roll and spend most the season in the AHL. This signing doesn't impact Kucherov and likely doesn't signal much for a move. Syracuse was not good last year and Tampa made a lot of moves to bolster their forward corps. We may see a move, moving some of the guys that have been pushed down for D or a throw in in a potential Bishop deal but I really wouldn't expect too much. Just a depth signing to help out in Syracuse just like Halmo Dumont Bournival and Morin

this is why I always laugh when people criticize Ottawa for this deal. at the time it looked like a very even trade, even like you said, perhaps Ottawa came out on top. clearly in hindsight it's a pretty awful trade but nobody knew that at the time.

good for conacher, I always like him as a player. He was just never able to re-capture that magic he had in Tampa. I hope for him that he can find it again.
- sensarmy_11

Mmmm nope

Guys he's goin to fill a Machessault type roll and spend most the season in the AHL. This signing doesn't impact Kucherov and likely doesn't signal much for a move. Syracuse was not good last year and Tampa made a lot of moves to bolster their forward corps. We may see a move, moving some of the guys that have been pushed down for D or a throw in in a potential Bishop deal but I really wouldn't expect too much. Just a depth signing to help out in Syracuse just like Halmo Dumont Bournival and Morin
- jbs32

If we don't need help at the NHL level why bother with guys like this? $600k for an AHL guy is wild. Can't we go get some two way contract guys who make $600k in the NHL and $50k in the AHL? I don't get this signing at all.

If we don't need help at the NHL level why bother with guys like this? $600k for an AHL guy is wild. Can't we go get some two way contract guys who make $600k in the NHL and $50k in the AHL? I don't get this signing at all.
- Kucherovski

It's just a depth signing in case of injuries... If everyone is healthy he most likely wont see too much ice, in my opinion.

It's just a depth signing in case of injuries... If everyone is healthy he most likely wont see too much ice, in my opinion.
- TBolts4

Why do we need Conacher to help? Call up Ernie, Peca? Some of the younger, cheaper guys who may be part of our future.

Why do we need Conacher to help? Call up Ernie, Peca? Some of the younger, cheaper guys who may be part of our future.
- Kucherovski

They aren't ready yet. They need another year to develop. Tampa is being patient with their prospects and it's a good thing. This move isn't a big deal. They're hoping if Conacher does play in the NHL they're hoping he can regain form under Cooper and not it's a low cost move to improve Syracuse for a year.

He had a pretty decent season in Switzerland.

I remember another 26 year old 5'8 forward that ended up coming to Tampa and went on to have a great career. Maybe Cory will follow in his footsteps.

They aren't ready yet. They need another year to develop. Tampa is being patient with their prospects and it's a good thing. This move isn't a big deal. They're hoping if Conacher does play in the NHL they're hoping he can regain form under Cooper and not it's a low cost move to improve Syracuse for a year.
- jbs32

They aren't ready? So Conacher will be a better NHL player next year vs any of our future players? Conacher stinks, who knows how good of an NHL player our good AHL players will be but I'm having a hard time believing they are worse than Conacher. The one way deal to me seems like Killorn, Kucherov or Namestnikov won't be back.

They aren't ready? So Conacher will be a better NHL player next year vs any of our future players? Conacher stinks, who knows how good of an NHL player our good AHL players will be but I'm having a hard time believing they are worse than Conacher. The one way deal to me seems like Killorn, Kucherov or Namestnikov won't be back.
- Kucherovski

You are pretty certain that he stinks arent you? Low risk high reward i would say.

You are pretty certain that he stinks arent you? Low risk high reward i would say.
- Cloud

I am pretty certain he stinks, that's why he ended up bouncing around from team to team and ended up in the Swiss League. I would say that there is low risk to calling Ernie up for 3rd or 4th line duty if there are injury needs compared to Conacher. I highly doubt the reward of Conacher over Ernie is greater. I would also much rather sign our three RFA's compared to Conacher. Yes it's only $575,000 but take that, add it to Kucherov to move the negotiations along. I see very little reward in Conacher as well as low risk then what's the point? I am curious as to the "high" reward Conacher brings, his 0.4 points per game in 141 NHL games don't really seem like a great reward.

You are pretty certain that he stinks arent you? Low risk high reward i would say.
- Cloud

No he's just worried about Kuch getting his money and no one getting in the way of that happening.

You are pretty certain that he stinks arent you? Low risk high reward i would say.
- Cloud

You know who else stunk?

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997-98 Saint John Flames AHL 25 15 11 26 20 20 5 15 20 16
1997-98 Cleveland Lumberjacks IHL 56 16 34 50 24 -- -- -- -- --
1998-99 Calgary Flames NHL 13 1 1 2 10 -- -- -- -- --
1998-99 Saint John Flames AHL 53 28 34 62 30 7 4 4 8 2
1999-00 Calgary Flames NHL 56 3 15 18 22 -- -- -- -- --
1999-00 Saint John Flames AHL 17 15 11 26 14 -- -- -- -- --

This 25/26 yo.

I am pretty certain he stinks, that's why he ended up bouncing around from team to team and ended up in the Swiss League. I would say that there is low risk to calling Ernie up for 3rd or 4th line duty if there are injury needs compared to Conacher. I highly doubt the reward of Conacher over Ernie is greater. I would also much rather sign our three RFA's compared to Conacher. Yes it's only $575,000 but take that, add it to Kucherov to move the negotiations along. I see very little reward in Conacher as well as low risk then what's the point? I am curious as to the "high" reward Conacher brings, his 0.4 points per game in 141 NHL games don't really seem like a great reward.
- Kucherovski

Probably as much reward as Marty and his 0.29 PPG prior to joining Tampa. Or if you compare them at the same age....0.38PPG

Conacher looked great with Stamkos, and with TJ. Give it a chance before you giveup.