Taking a break from my demoralized state:
TRAINING CAMP: The Lightning will open training camp Monday, Sept. 12, at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. Players will gather for a team meeting early in the morning on the 12th before going through physical testing, on the ice and off.
The first round of intra-squad scrimmages are scheduled to begin Sept. 14.
“Today I settle all family business.” — Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), The Godfather
The shakeup of the Devil Rays - for good or for ill - is about to commence… Even there is an uneasy feeling with the possible transfer of power, it is a shakeup that is needed. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays look like they are going to gut the fish - totally.
Lou Pinella is supposed to be out, Chuck LaMar is supposed to be out (PRAISE THE LORD!!!) — this is all part of the move that ousts Vincent J. Naimoli from the seat of managing general partner. Even the franchise name is in question right now and could be changed (and rightfully so) by Stuart Sternberg and his partners.
The team, at current, is one of the hottest in Major League Baseball (even with corrupt officiating dictating games in Boston at current). The thought of how the Rays would perform with even a minorly increased payroll and more competant decision making at the top is captivating.
But the seeds of doubt are still there because, well — ten years of Rays baseball has been grim at best… Morbid at worst. I can’t shake the feeling it’s goign to get worse before better, still.
My apologies to regular readers right now. Things are just… Man… Being a few hundred miles from the death and destruction that New Orleans and Biloxi is just quite sobering and my focus has not been on hockey or the team or the NHL for that matter.
After last year when Florida had to face 4 storms, it can be looked at as we got by unscathed compared to what NOLA is dealing with at the moment… Yet there were such moments (with Hurricane’s Charley and Ivan) where it looked like Tampa Bay would be faced with this “Worst Case Scenario” ordeal with a major storm coming in head on…
Two things I want to post… First, thanks to Tommy Duncan from Sticks of Fire for giving me a heads up on a Lightning related article from the Winnipeg Sun… The Sun article talks about the fondness form of flattery that NHL teams are employing: Imitation of the Lightning system.
The other link I want to post is to where everyone — bloggers, readers, general human beings — can contribute during this crisis in the south. Please donate to The American Red Cross. As I write this - the total and complete evacuation of New Orleans survivors has been ordered by the governor of Louisiana. It doesn’t get much grimmer than that.
A few days ago it was just a mess of storms in the Bahamas with some rotation. Then it quickly developed into a tropical disturbance and tropical storm, making hurricane strength by the time it made landfall in south Florida. Hurricane Katrina, as of five days ago, wasn’t supposed to have much of a future.
Storm tracks had the system skirting up the west Florida coast and effecting the eastern seaboard. We, here in Tampa Bay, were in for rain and some constant wind and the northern Gulf coast was in for the brunt of whatever Katrina became.
Well, after it broke away from South Florida, Katrina did some soul searching and didn’t like that future… No… She wanted to make a name for herself and by god, she has…
After a south turn and some slowing, she has bloomed, blossomed and become a mega storm that the phrase “Worst Case Scenario” is associated with. Hurricane Katrina, as of this post, is packing 175 Mile Per Hour Winds (281 KPH) and heading dead on for New Orleans, Louisiana.
My thoughts are with those preparing to do battle with the storm — this is something that happens rarely and unfortunately, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama will be the ones to prove the point what Hurricanes are capable of.
Katrina is one hellacious bitch that is not going to be happy until she makes a name for herself — and takes as many lives away in the process.
EDIT: This is a LIVE FEED OF NEW ORLEANS TV Being streamed online. You’ll get pictures and reports from Louisana where they are facing the imminent danger head on
That’s the only phrase that explains this — junk. Simply garbage. Completely, despicable junk drawn up by desperate fans (with no offense intended to Ryan at HabsBlog ).
Now, seeing I would prefer Boltsmag readership not to click on the above link… I’ll post an excerpt of the latest desperation pleas… er, I mean Trade Rumors coming out of Montreal:
It was just on CBC Radio One 640 AM here in Bonavista Newfoundland that apperently home town star Michael Ryder along with fellow Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Ron Hainsey and a 2006 3rd round draft pick has been traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Tampa Bay Centerman Brad Richards. They noted that the trade will be formally announced on Monday August 29th when Bob Gainey will speak with the media.
Richards is regarded by Jay Feaster as a piece as big as Vinny and Marty… Suddenly he becomes expendable because of reports out of Newfoundland? Please.
The report goes on to say that Ryder’s brother had confirmed the trade as it were to be announced and la-de-da… While I report that I’m skeptical we’re going to hear jack on Monday with regards to Richards being moved… just like we didn’t hear jack on all those “imminent trade” rumors regarding Vincent Lecavalier before he was signed…
I like mild speculation at times in trades… But when the utterly ridiculous becomes the rule and the law of the land - rumor talk just becomes made up speculation by fans and by radio hosts alike.
EDIT: For those finding reference to this post on Hockeys Future — do yourself a favor and read the comments on this post to see a thorough debunking of the rumor
Captain Dave, in spite of having not played a game in more than a year, is coming back for not one but two more seasons.
He’s hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup, he’s tasted the champaign and he’s put on the Ring, but there’s still fire left… There’s still desire there…
With the Lightning already at 36+ Million against the cap, Andreychuk couldn’t have taken too much to re-sign — especially if the Bolts will have more than the current six defensivemen on the squad (Kubina, Sydor, Boyle, Sarich, Pratt and Timo Hebling)… The other possibility is that we will see someone on the roster moved in order to pick up defensiveman #7 (and more), but that’s unlikely knowing Jay Feaster loves to have good chemistry in the locker room and does not like to shake up the mix.
20 players is all the Lightning will carry into the season and they have locked up their 20th man in this deal.
Well, I had an early afternoon appointment with a doctor and I have been out of the loop for the last few hours… As of this morning, reported in the St. Petersburg Times, the Lightning hadn’t even begun negotiations with #26 post-Lecavalier signing and what do I find the moment I walk in the door and check up on the NHL and the news of the day?
Martin St. Louis: SIGNED, SEALED, and DELIVERED.
Six Years and 31.5 Million dollars is what it took… That’s a quick change from the pouting we saw post-Lecavalier signing from Marty last week. This will likely mean Marty will end his career in a Bolts uniform (and if all goes well, #26 would be the first number retired by this franchise). It’s a dynamic Lightning fans have got to be enthralled about - Marty is back.
But enough of the positive hoopla for a moment because this puts the hurt on the Lightning.
Fredrik Modin is a Free Agent after this season, Brad Richards is an RFA. I believe Pavel Kubina is a Free Agent after the season and Cory Sarich also is an RFA. That’s a lot of talent to ink and not a lot of money to do it with.
Having Brad Richards resigned is imperative. I don’t care how much Lecavalier is the franchise in the eyes of executives and fans alike. It’s Richards play that has been that of a franchise player over the course of his career. Having him sign a one year deal and then explore free agency in 2007 would be painful at best.
Kubina is another story - the oft maligned Czech has come into his own on the blue line and having a failure to resign him would be another blow to a defensive corps that is already lacking two consistent bodies (Jassen Cullimore and Brad Lukowich). Of course, this blow could be softened by defensive prospects Mike Egener or Andy Rogers stepping in - but that would likely turn into a trial-by-fire.
It’s great to have Martin signed, as it sets things up for this season (as there is only one other unsigned vet this team needs to ink - Dave Andreychuk)… but in the long term, you gotta see it as a bit too much over a long, long time… And unfortunately, visions of Darren Puppa’s post 1995-96 contract dance in my head - and his injuries that followed him.
Enough with the bi-polar post. When does Training Camp start??
Everyone’s reporting it — Marian Hossa has been signed by the Ottawa Senators and traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for Dany Heatley.
Ottawa was in a tight spot with Hossa expecting Thornton and Iggy money while the cap was tightening down on them. The Lecavalier contract must have sealed the deal for both his demands and his ouster from the Ottawa Senators.
There had been rumors earlier in the Hot Stove Season that Heatley wanted out of Atlanta but that’s all they were — rumors, talk and rhetoric.
On one hand, I give Ottawa a thumbs up for making the move. If and when they get Heatley inked, their roster remains just as formidable as before with a slightly younger body now joining the fray. With Atlanta - it’s very dangerous for the Lightning in the Southeast now. Hossa’s edition is nothing to dismiss, and Atlanta also has their Defensive liability addressed in this trade. The question is who is coming to Atlanta to bolster the blue line?
The premiere rivalry in the south is no longer the grudge-match Florida vs. Tampa Bay rivalry (as it has never been for more than bragging rights). It’s Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay for the run of the Southeast division.
EDIT: Oh man, no matter if I think the Thrashers improved through this deal even marginally, they lost out big time. Dany Heatley has reportedly signed for four years and 13+ million total. Ottawa just robbed the cradle with that signing, which bucks the trend of overpaying for star caliber players… Though it does put Heatley on common footing with the Lightning’s Brad Richards and Ottawa’s Martin Havlat, who both had seen similar deals in there 2nd NHL contracts.
During the Lightning’s run in 2003-04, it benefit greatly due to a lack of missed man-days from members of it’s roster. That was oen fo the stories that followed the Lightning as it went on to capture Lord Stanley’s Cup.
We all know that we can’t count on the same injury-free season again from this squad (it’s impractical and improbable to think about) and with that being said, you need players to fall back on - to sub for injuries - in case someone does get hurt.
Well, it’s official that Eric Perrin won’t be one of those individuals as he signed a deal with SC Bern. Perrin took less than he could have made with the Lightning at the NHL level… Due mostly to the fact that Perrin didn’t believe he woudl break in on the roster and would be forced to take only 75 Thousand at the AHL level.
Well, that and the fact he likely would be lost by the Lightning upon callup (as players have to go through waivers each way).
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