Michael Stuart: One Thing the Lightning Need to be Complete

This is my latest Tampa CF ACGM roster. Apparently trades can't happen according to the geniuses on there. So Tampa is totally screwed. These are the same morons who said Tampa would be losing Sergachev, Cirelli and Cernak to offer sheets. 🤣 I predicted Sergachev would get 3 years at 5 mil AAV so I was close!


- gergeswillems

wouldn't it better to lose Cirelli to an offer sheet, get the compensation, or better yet trade him for picks/prospects, than to give up all of that just to get rid of Tyler Johnson?

wouldn't it better to lose Cirelli to an offer sheet, get the compensation, or better yet trade him for picks/prospects, than to give up all of that just to get rid of Tyler Johnson?
- jimbro83

Cirelli is too important. Especially with Stamkos' injury history. You're basically losing an early 2nd round pick plus Raddysh to dump TJ and keep a stud 2C in Cirelli. Tampa is a win now team. They're comparable to Chicago after they won the Cup in 2010. Win as many Cups as you can while your core guys are elite.

Besides any interested team will lowball the crap out of JB to acquire Cirelli. Not worth it.

What if no one takes Tyler???What 2 do you trade then?

What if no one takes Tyler???What 2 do you trade then?
- HenryHockey

That's when JB plays the Stamkos LTIR card right before the season starts.

This is my latest Tampa CF ACGM roster. Apparently trades can't happen according to the geniuses on there. So Tampa is totally screwed. These are the same morons who said Tampa would be losing Sergachev, Cirelli and Cernak to offer sheets. 🤣 I predicted Sergachev would get 3 years at 5 mil AAV so I was close!


- gergeswillems

You are a voice of reason in these forums and your takes are usually accurate.

You are a voice of reason in these forums and your takes are usually accurate.
- GalacticStone

Thanks. Tampa kind of became of more interest to me after Yzerman went there. It's nice to see Yzerman's great work come to fruition.

However now everyone seems to want to throw pitch forks at him and blame him for all the NTC's. Recency bias at it's finest. I think Tampa still has at least one more Cup win in them.

They're not going away. That's just wishful thinking from the naysayers. Brisebois isn't going to be taken to the cleaners either. After all he learned from Yzerman. He'll lose a player or 2 he'd rather not lose. But what he'll have left over will still be great.

Also if Lou can weasel his way into LTIRing Boychuk then there's no reason why JBB can't LTIR Stamkos who does have a legitimate injury he's recovering from. I'm a big fan of Lou Lam.

But anyone who didn't see him LTIRing Boychuk after the playoffs were over are naive. They don't call him Loop hole Lou for nothing. 👍

Keep an EYE on Andrew Ladd. I have a feeling something will be happening with him soon. 😉

Thanks. Tampa kind of became of more interest to me after Yzerman went there. It's nice to see Yzerman's great work come to fruition.

However now everyone seems to want to throw pitch forks at him and blame him for all the NTC's. Recency bias at it's finest. I think Tampa still has at least one more Cup win in them.

They're not going away. That's just wishful thinking from the naysayers. Brisebois isn't going to be taken to the cleaners either. After all he learned from Yzerman. He'll lose a player or 2 he'd rather not lose. But what he'll have left over will still be great.

Also if Lou can weasel his way into LTIRing Boychuk then there's no reason why JBB can't LTIR Stamkos who does have a legitimate injury he's recovering from. I'm a big fan of Lou Lam.

But anyone who didn't see him LTIRing Boychuk after the playoffs were over are naive. They don't call him Loop hole Lou for nothing. 👍

Keep an EYE on Andrew Ladd. I have a feeling something will be happening with him soon. 😉
- gergeswillems

If the Lightning can work their way out of this cap-pickle (which I am sure they will), then they have the makings of a dynasty. Just too many elite players and too much depth not to make deep runs every year. Stamkos is made of glass, but they proved they could win without him on the ice, so having him healthy for an entire playoffs would make a dangerous team downright lethal.

Point, Kuch, and Sergachev are the future. Stamkos and Hedman have a few more good seasons in them before the decline starts in earnest, so the win now mentality is warranted.

The thing with "cap hell" is - it's a great problem to have, IF you have the Cup(s) to show for it. If the Bolts had flamed out again, then I'd have a different attitude about it. But, with a shiny new Cup on the resume, cap issues feel a lot better.

If the Lightning can work their way out of this cap-pickle (which I am sure they will), then they have the makings of a dynasty. Just too many elite players and too much depth not to make deep runs every year. Stamkos is made of glass, but they proved they could win without him on the ice, so having him healthy for an entire playoffs would make a dangerous team downright lethal.

Point, Kuch, and Sergachev are the future. Stamkos and Hedman have a few more good seasons in them before the decline starts in earnest, so the win now mentality is warranted.

The thing with "cap hell" is - it's a great problem to have, IF you have the Cup(s) to show for it. If the Bolts had flamed out again, then I'd have a different attitude about it. But, with a shiny new Cup on the resume, cap issues feel a lot better.
- GalacticStone

Agreed. Plus Vasy is in his prime. I can see Hedman aging well. Stamkos is a bonus. This is Point's team now.

Thanks. Tampa kind of became of more interest to me after Yzerman went there. It's nice to see Yzerman's great work come to fruition.

However now everyone seems to want to throw pitch forks at him and blame him for all the NTC's. Recency bias at it's finest. I think Tampa still has at least one more Cup win in them.

They're not going away. That's just wishful thinking from the naysayers. Brisebois isn't going to be taken to the cleaners either. After all he learned from Yzerman. He'll lose a player or 2 he'd rather not lose. But what he'll have left over will still be great.

Also if Lou can weasel his way into LTIRing Boychuk then there's no reason why JBB can't LTIR Stamkos who does have a legitimate injury he's recovering from. I'm a big fan of Lou Lam.

But anyone who didn't see him LTIRing Boychuk after the playoffs were over are naive. They don't call him Loop hole Lou for nothing. 👍

Keep an EYE on Andrew Ladd. I have a feeling something will be happening with him soon. 😉
- gergeswillems

Call me a naysayer, but I think you and the Lightning fans are completely over-looking a few important facts:

1) Many NHL teams are cash -poor right now and for the foreseeable future. Teams can't afford to take on the Tampa contracts. Lightning are going to have to add an uncomfortable amount of sweeteners.

2) Tampa players will not be willing to waive their NTCs and NMCs because of the tax implications. Player salaries have already been reduced, plus the escrow problem, plus you think players will say: "Hey, trade me to a place like NY" where they will immediately lose 12% of their remaining money to taxes?

3) NOBODY wants to help the Champs!

Lightning are in real trouble. Have to pay the piper and the price will be unpleasant for the fans to watch. Enjoy the Stanley Cup --- you were a worthy, memorable team!

Call me a naysayer, but I think you and the Lightning fans are completely over-looking a few important facts:

1) Many NHL teams are cash -poor right now and for the foreseeable future. Teams can't afford to take on the Tampa contracts. Lightning are going to have to add an uncomfortable amount of sweeteners.

2) Tampa players will not be willing to waive their NTCs and NMCs because of the tax implications. Player salaries have already been reduced, plus the escrow problem, plus you think players will say: "Hey, trade me to a place like NY" where they will immediately lose 12% of their remaining money to taxes?

3) NOBODY wants to help the Champs!

Lightning are in real trouble. Have to pay the piper and the price will be unpleasant for the fans to watch. Enjoy the Stanley Cup --- you were a worthy, memorable team!
- TommyGTrain

Yeah. We'll see what happens won't we? I'll keep this blog bookmarked for future reference. 👍

Thanks. Tampa kind of became of more interest to me after Yzerman went there. It's nice to see Yzerman's great work come to fruition.

However now everyone seems to want to throw pitch forks at him and blame him for all the NTC's. Recency bias at it's finest. I think Tampa still has at least one more Cup win in them.

They're not going away. That's just wishful thinking from the naysayers. Brisebois isn't going to be taken to the cleaners either. After all he learned from Yzerman. He'll lose a player or 2 he'd rather not lose. But what he'll have left over will still be great.

Also if Lou can weasel his way into LTIRing Boychuk then there's no reason why JBB can't LTIR Stamkos who does have a legitimate injury he's recovering from. I'm a big fan of Lou Lam.

But anyone who didn't see him LTIRing Boychuk after the playoffs were over are naive. They don't call him Loop hole Lou for nothing. 👍

Keep an EYE on Andrew Ladd. I have a feeling something will be happening with him soon. 😉
- gergeswillems

Are you saying Boychuck doesn’t have an legitimate injury?

Are you saying Boychuck doesn’t have an legitimate injury?
- Cptmjl

What do you think?

What do you think?
- gergeswillems

If Lou has rabbits up his sleeve why did he he trade Toews for a couple a seconds?

If Lou has rabbits up his sleeve why did he he trade Toews for a couple a seconds?
- Justbecause

Perhaps Lou needed the cap space to not only re-sign Barzal but to also fill out the rest of his roster?

Why did Boychuk play 3 playoff games after his eyelid injury? Lou said he was going to be ok to play the next season. Barzal needs to be re-signed and Boychuk quite conveniently LTIRetires freeing up $6 million. But I'm sure that was just a coincidence.

All this after Lou had said he was working on trading Boychuk. He obviously didn't like what he was hearing from other GMs. The sweeteners weren't to his liking.

It's quite simple. We're not splitting the atom here. Lou had a plan A and a plan B. Plan B was LTIRing Boychuk.

Lou has been doing this for years. Look up what he did with Mogilny and Malakhov around the time the salary cap was introduced. Bettman made him fork over a first round pick to San Jose. Lupul and Robidas Island have become punch lines.

I don't blame Lou one bit. He's doing his job. He's one of the best GM's in NHL history in my opinion. I've always been a fan of Loop Hole Lou. 👍

Michael Stuart: One Thing the Lightning Need to be Complete
- Michael Stuart

Trade Stamkos to Buffalo for D-man and a pick, trade a D-man for more picks or Coburn and a pick. sign your 2 RFA's problem solved!

Call me a naysayer, but I think you and the Lightning fans are completely over-looking a few important facts:

1) Many NHL teams are cash -poor right now and for the foreseeable future. Teams can't afford to take on the Tampa contracts. Lightning are going to have to add an uncomfortable amount of sweeteners.

2) Tampa players will not be willing to waive their NTCs and NMCs because of the tax implications. Player salaries have already been reduced, plus the escrow problem, plus you think players will say: "Hey, trade me to a place like NY" where they will immediately lose 12% of their remaining money to taxes?

3) NOBODY wants to help the Champs!

Lightning are in real trouble. Have to pay the piper and the price will be unpleasant for the fans to watch. Enjoy the Stanley Cup --- you were a worthy, memorable team!
- TommyGTrain

You are not wrong on any of these points, but some of them are not black and white when they play out in the league.

1) No argument here.

2) Again, no argument here. Johnson did the classy thing and was willing to work with Briebois on finding a team, albeit with a limited list of destinations. No takers (see point 1). Somebody might waive under the right circumstances, but I don't think they should have to or feel pressured to. It's their right to say no. And yes, those clauses shouldn't be handed out so generously and I doubt they will in the Covid-Cap future.

3) True, but GM's like to help their own team, and if they can do that they will - even if it means helping Tampa - if the deal is right. Of course, the devil is in the details.

I agree that no matter what happens, Tampa fans won't be happy with the results. As long as the core remains intact, along with Sergachev (check) and Cirelli (waiting), then I'll live with it.

Perhaps Lou needed the cap space to not only re-sign Barzal but to also fill out the rest of his roster?

Why did Boychuk play 3 playoff games after his eyelid injury? Lou said he was going to be ok to play the next season. Barzal needs to be re-signed and Boychuk quite conveniently LTIRetires freeing up $6 million. But I'm sure that was just a coincidence.

All this after Lou had said he was working on trading Boychuk. He obviously didn't like what he was hearing from other GMs. The sweeteners weren't to his liking.

It's quite simple. We're not splitting the atom here. Lou had a plan A and a plan B. Plan B was LTIRing Boychuk.

Lou has been doing this for years. Look up what he did with Mogilny and Malakhov around the time the salary cap was introduced. Bettman made him fork over a first round pick to San Jose. Lupul and Robidas Island have become punch lines.

I don't blame Lou one bit. He's doing his job. He's one of the best GM's in NHL history in my opinion. I've always been a fan of Loop Hole Lou. 👍
- gergeswillems

Yes i know the Malakhov, Lupul and Robidas stories. Yes I have no problem with playing hardball.

I can tell you Tyler Johnson is not going away as nicely as people are giving him credit for. Players are plum dumb to take less, your career can be very limited, take what you can get. Lou is far from perfect see Uncle Leo contract, Kovalchuk contract and please do not blame the owner.

The smartest thing would have been to pressure Stammer. Two core surgeries, yes LTIR exists...he is done!

Yes i know the Malakhov, Lupul and Robidas stories. Yes I have no problem with playing hardball.

I can tell you Tyler Johnson is not going away as nicely as people are giving him credit for. Players are plum dumb to take less, your career can be very limited, take what you can get. Lou is far from perfect see Uncle Leo contract, Kovalchuk contract and please do not blame the owner.

The smartest thing would have been to pressure Stammer. Two core surgeries, yes LTIR exists...he is done!
- Justbecause

Stammer is not done, he will come back with about 15 games left, when other injuries will allow the cap space and his cap hit will be less because he did not play all season. Some minor trade may be needed, but JBB will have it all figured out by then.So it will be like a deadline trade. and he will be fresh for the play-offs as well.

Yes i know the Malakhov, Lupul and Robidas stories. Yes I have no problem with playing hardball.

I can tell you Tyler Johnson is not going away as nicely as people are giving him credit for. Players are plum dumb to take less, your career can be very limited, take what you can get. Lou is far from perfect see Uncle Leo contract, Kovalchuk contract and please do not blame the owner.

The smartest thing would have been to pressure Stammer. Two core surgeries, yes LTIR exists...he is done!
- Justbecause

I never said Lou was perfect. He's made his share of mistakes. The best thing he did for the Isles was hiring Barry Trotz. Kevin Allen might be right. Tampa may have to forget trying to trade Tyler Johnson and trade Palat and Killorn instead.

Even that will be tough convincing them to waive their NTC's. I can see the Stamkos LTIR card being played. NHL can't say anything. Too many teams have already gotten away with using LTIR when it suits them. That can of worms was opened years ago.

Stammer is not done, he will come back with about 15 games left, when other injuries will allow the cap space and his cap hit will be less because he did not play all season. Some minor trade may be needed, but JBB will have it all figured out by then.So it will be like a deadline trade. and he will be fresh for the play-offs as well.
- HenryHockey

It'll be similar to Patty Kane after the Hawks used his LTIR cap space to trade for Andrew Vermette at the trade deadline. Stammer will then be available for game 1 of the playoffs like Kane was. He's healthy! It's a Tampa Christmas miracle! As I said a few days ago. This is much easier to pull off in a 48 game season.

Stammer is not done, he will come back with about 15 games left, when other injuries will allow the cap space and his cap hit will be less because he did not play all season. Some minor trade may be needed, but JBB will have it all figured out by then.So it will be like a deadline trade. and he will be fresh for the play-offs as well.
- HenryHockey

No Buddy Stammer I do not think "is done" LTIR definitely for awhile does help, but you cannot LTIR until the day the season starts.

I meant ideally for the Bolts TEAM he is older, they would get something for him no sweetener would be needed. But I do believe having a second core surgery is serious enough. Remember Crosby said it took 18 months to recover from one surgery.

if you think Doc that he is going to be great by the end of May, ok. Remember the season/playoffs needs to be over by July 24th.

I never said Lou was perfect. He's made his share of mistakes. The best thing he did for the Isles was hiring Barry Trotz. Kevin Allen might be right. Tampa may have to forget trying to trade Tyler Johnson and trade Palat and Killorn instead.

Even that will be tough convincing them to waive their NTC's. I can see the Stamkos LTIR card being played. NHL can't say anything. Too many teams have already gotten away with using LTIR when it suits them. That can of worms was opened years ago.
- gergeswillems

Exactly, no one is perfect, Trotz hiring for a team limited in scoring, they were a match made in heaven.