Why not do a third line center from within. A free agency or trade option won't work as it's GMJR and he botches more trades then Sincara botched moves. I'd put Teddy Blueger in the no. 3 slot then use a 4th liner like Anthony Angelo.

The Lightning will rip through them like tissue paper.
- Rinosaur

Cooper is ass. I wouldn’t be shocked if he poop the bed.

(frank)ing poopty if the Lightning finally win it and Stamkos isn’t even playing. I would like to see Stamkos win the Cup. Not sure I care about seeing anyone else on that team lift it.

The Stars have such a good net crashing/net front group. This is what makes Hornqvist so useful/valuable. Simmons and Soderberg are the only real net front guys in free agency which I feel are both a downgrade from Hornqvist. The only other net front guy who I could see available in trade would be Zach Parise which I could potentially see a potential for a deal if salary was retained.

I think logically if JR wants to save cap space. Getting rid of JJ for a RHD free agent makes a lot of sense especially if they believe Riikola can make the jump.

I wouldn’t classify the Lightning as a speed and finesse team. Yes, there is a lot of that on the team, but they’ve managed to add players who bring the right amount of grit and sandpaper.
- Rinosaur

I agree but they're not a big brawny team. In fact, they have a lot of small fast skilled guys.

Cooper is ass. I wouldn’t be shocked if he poop the bed.

(frank)ing poopty if the Lightning finally win it and Stamkos isn’t even playing. I would like to see Stamkos win the Cup. Not sure I care about seeing anyone else on that team lift it.
- Victoro311

I'd much rather see Pavs and Benn win it.

I'd much rather see Pavs and Benn win it.
- MattStrat

I'd rather see Oleksiak and Comeau win it.

Cooper is ass. I wouldn’t be shocked if he poop the bed.

(frank)ing poopty if the Lightning finally win it and Stamkos isn’t even playing. I would like to see Stamkos win the Cup. Not sure I care about seeing anyone else on that team lift it.
- Victoro311

I'm with you on the sentiment. I'd love to see Stamkos raise the cup, but this is Tampa's year and they'll win it with or without him.

I said from the beginning we will see tons of overachieving and underachieving like you would in the beginning of any season and that's exactly what happened. The best teams aside from Boston and Tampa all exited earlier than expected. Yes, some due to injuries like in Colorado, but most due to what I stated and I'm standing by it.

Philly was on a decent run prior to the shutdown, but they're not a very good team and neither are the Islanders who likely would have missed the playoffs. The Islanders, while playing their system well are a slightly more dynamic version of the 1990's NJD teams without Brodeur. The West was crazy thin to begin with after Colorado and St.Louis bowed out, it was anyone's game. Dallas is a mediocre team getting other-worldly goaltending right now. Yes, they have some some studs there, but they're a largely mediocre team.

Tampa is in a different league than everyone else left. Kuhdobin will have to find an even higher level to stave them off. This is all barring any crazy injuries of course.

... and the Stars, the oldest team (I think) in the league, have advanced to the finals...

Guess Reaves wasn't THAT much of a factor....
- MattStrat

No one in the NHL gives a poop about Reaves.

I'd much rather see Pavs and Benn win it.
- MattStrat

Pavelski is one of my favorite non-Penguins and should have been the Captain for the USA at Pyeongchang had the NHL participated. I’m definitely rooting for the Stars, but if Stamkos ends up coming back and the Lightning win I won’t be upset.

Cooper is ass. I wouldn’t be shocked if he poop the bed.

(frank)ing poopty if the Lightning finally win it and Stamkos isn’t even playing. I would like to see Stamkos win the Cup. Not sure I care about seeing anyone else on that team lift it.
- Victoro311

Stamkos sucks when on the big stage. Dude has been dog poop in elimination games. He’s a mental midget.

Stamkos sucks when on the big stage. Dude has been dog poop in elimination games. He’s a mental midget.
- j.boyd919

Lol is this sarcasm? This runs too contradictory to what you usually say about sample sizes to not be.

Stamkos sucks when on the big stage. Dude has been dog poop in elimination games. He’s a mental midget.
- j.boyd919

53 points in 70 playoff games. I'd take that.

I wouldn’t classify the Lightning as a speed and finesse team. Yes, there is a lot of that on the team, but they’ve managed to add players who bring the right amount of grit and sandpaper.
- Rinosaur

The Lightning might have the most loaded roster of the cap era. That first Hawks Cup team might be the closest, and the Lightning face the same fate of losing several good players, but for now it's hard to see them lose. Of course we said that last year, but this team is even deeper.

Caps hired Laviolette lol

53 points in 70 playoff games. I'd take that.
- Hockey66

He certainly doesn't suck but I dont get why anyone cares to see him win the cup? I view him like Kovalchuk, very talented, often injured. Never been able to carry a team to success.

I dont mind the players but I could care less about whether they finish their careers with a cup (unless its with the Pens).

He certainly doesn't suck but I dont get why anyone cares to see him win the cup? I view him like Kovalchuk, very talented, often injured. Never been able to carry a team to success.

I dont mind the players but I could care less about whether they finish their careers with a cup (unless its with the Pens).
- MacPatty

I would also like to see Kobalchuk with the cup.

Caps hired Laviolette lol
- kfinl170

Is that funny? I think that's a smart choice.

The Lightning might have the most loaded roster of the cap era. That first Hawks Cup team might be the closest, and the Lightning face the same fate of losing several good players, but for now it's hard to see them lose. Of course we said that last year, but this team is even deeper.
- Tojo.

Yup and they don't get pushed around physically. They addressed that through a few players.

I would also like to see Kobalchuk with the cup.
- Victoro311

Only if he is finishing out his career with the Pens.

Lol is this sarcasm? This runs too contradictory to what you usually say about sample sizes to not be.
- Victoro311

Nope, no Sarcasm, the dude doesn't show up for big games.

The Lightning might have the most loaded roster of the cap era. That first Hawks Cup team might be the closest, and the Lightning face the same fate of losing several good players, but for now it's hard to see them lose. Of course we said that last year, but this team is even deeper.
- Tojo.

Feds gotta trust the Yzerplan. He’s gonna turn Detroit into another powerhouse.

Cooper is ass. I wouldn’t be shocked if he poop the bed.

(frank)ing poopty if the Lightning finally win it and Stamkos isn’t even playing. I would like to see Stamkos win the Cup. Not sure I care about seeing anyone else on that team lift it.
- Victoro311

Stamkos is a mental midget. Non factor for Tampa.

53 points in 70 playoff games. I'd take that.
- Hockey66

So you’d be cool with Crosby or Malkin being below a point per game in the playoffs and being invisible in elimination games?

Nope, no Sarcasm, the dude doesn't show up for big games.
- j.boyd919

Don’t you also say Justin Williams’ Mr. Game 7 nickname is overblown and a product of sample size? You can’t have both.

Nope, no Sarcasm, the dude doesn't show up for big games.
- j.boyd919

The only game here I will comment on is the ECF vs the Pens in 2016. It was his first game back after a very long injury lay off. He had a pretty good game but was rusty as fvck. He had a chance to tie in that game and missed.

I dont believe Stamkos to be a mental midget at all. The thing about this list is it a small sample of random games in different years. As someone else pointed out he's around .75 ppg in playoffs.