Sam Hitchcock: Bolts Flay Flyers for Seven Straight Ws

You guys aren’t going anywhere without Simmonds. #muscleuptampa

Man Kuch was always a good player, but his value for that contract is now really shinning.

Point injuried?

You guys aren’t going anywhere without Simmonds. #muscleuptampa
- Just5

#Leadershipand2ndroundexits

Point injuried?
- MrPerfect316

He missed a team meeting and there are team rules and the same consequences for every player on the team so he had to sit. That's what Cooper said after the game.

Man Kuch was always a good player, but his value for that contract is now really shinning.
- Junot51

All of the Lightning's contracts are pretty good except for Callahan's but that will be gone this year. Even the mid tier contracts like Johnson, Palat, Miller, Killorn are good value for what they bring in my opinion. I think McDonaghs new contract is a tad long but still good value. This offseason I don't see Point getting more then Kucherov so it will be another good contract.

They all took less to keep the team together. I am over the narrative that no state income tax is such a huge factor as a lot of fans claim. If it was then the Bucs, Dolphins, Jags, Magic, Panthers, Rays and Marlins would all be good as well and we know that most of them are not. Not to mention all the teams in Texas, Tennessee, Vegas, etc where some are good and some are not.

Johnson is good, but he is no Point.

For those games where Point is not available, I would reunite Stamkos and Kucherov.

Let's just hope there aren't many more of those times.

I gotta say, I knew Kuch was real good, but I didnt know he was on a different level. 99 pts with 21 games left. Dude will get to 120+ pts!

I don't get this "leadership" thing re: Simmonds.

I figure with guys like Stammer, McD, et al in the room, we have plenty of leaders. The team does fine coming from behind, we rarely falter when things don't go our way. Loads of playoff experience.

I don't get this "leadership" thing re: Simmonds.

Agreed. I figure with guys like Stammer, McD, et al in the room, we have plenty of leaders. The team does fine coming from behind, we rarely falter when things don't go our way. Loads of playoff experience.
- OzBolts

We have ZERO need for more "leadership" or "intangibles" - we have both of those, in spades, with Callahan and Girardi.

Sandpaper and grit is not needed either - just a tweak in how this team is coached in terms of physicality.

I don't get this "leadership" thing re: Simmonds.

I figure with guys like Stammer, McD, et al in the room, we have plenty of leaders. The team does fine coming from behind, we rarely falter when things don't go our way. Loads of playoff experience.
- OzBolts

No one is saying the Bolts need Simmonds for his leadership.
People outside of Tampa are saying we need Simmonds "grit."

No one is saying the Bolts need Simmonds for his leadership.
People outside of Tampa are saying we need Simmonds "grit."
- LightningMcKing

What good is grit when its 5 strides behind. I like Simmonds as a player but not for the Lightning. Last night he was too slow to keep up with the Bolts pace.

What good is grit when its 5 strides behind. I like Simmonds as a player but not for the Lightning. Last night he was too slow to keep up with the Bolts pace.
- stammerman

I agree. I do not want him.

I agree. I do not want him.
- LightningMcKing

Racist

Simmonds is going to progress on a similar curve as Callahan. Both played heavy and their bodies can only absorb so much before it starts to break down. We saw that plainly with Callahan. The heart is still there, but the body just can't keep up.

If we could get Simmonds for next to nothing and just keep him for this run as a rental, then I wouldn't be against it. But, I would not give up quality young prospects or good picks for him.