Defense… or a more defensive forward?
I was reading comments on Eric Erlendsson’s Bolt Report blog pertaining to the roster moves from Friday (Affy and Karlsson put on waivers). While some of the comments focused on defense entirely, Boltsmag regular (well, before I was too lazy to post and give her a reason to visit :p) Marsha chimed in to close out the comments on said post:
Well I’ll continue to be hard on Jay Feaster because he gave away Fredrik Modin for an unproven goalie on a lousy team. IMHO, Richie’s slump has as much to do with missing Modo as with the extra pressure of his big bucks. Modin gave the Bolts needed spark on the forecheck. Prospal and Feds have been trying to make up the difference, and that is likely the reason they’re not in position to score as much as they did last season.
While I don’t necessarily agree Denis was “unproven”, what struck a cord in me was bringing up Fredrik Modin’s departure from the team and some of the things that it has effected.
It was one thing that Marsha didn’t mention that resonates with me though, one thing Freddie helped cover for the Lightning that should be the absolute first noticeable folly of the current Tampa Bay Lightning:
Modin was as much a two-way forward for the Lightning as he was a power forward with a booming slapshot and an affinity to drive to the net.
Modin contributed to the Lightning’s power play and penalty kill units, stabilizing them. Modin’s seasonal plus-minus was only twice ended up negative during his six seasons with the Lightning — during the 1999-00 campaign (-26) and the 2000-01 season (-1). Note that Modin was playing for what was playing for a perennial 50-loss team at the time he came into Tampa Bay, surrounded by cast offs, has beens and potential-unrealized players.
I know Tampa Bay’s defense is the focus of what is wrong with the Bolts right now, but is the answer bringing in another veteran defensiveman or bringing in a defensive forward and allowing the Lightning defensive prospects a chance to earn a job? A defense learning on the go might hurt the Lightning this season, but long term it prepares them to fill voids left by departing members of the defensive core.
The Lightning need more help than just on D — another winger that contributes both ways would be optimal. It’ll take more than one high priced defensivemen on the market to clear up problems behind the blue line.
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December 31st, 2006 at 11:24 pm
I was about to post this at tbo but I know where my bolt bloggin’ loyalties lie.
Something I gripe about often but have somehow forgotten during this current player spec.
I’m starting to get a little fed up with all the personnel speculation. What’s missing is what Modin and DeMaio did that no one seems to be addressing,… the complete and I mean complete lack of checking. Save me the “this is a game of speed now” and “the new rules do not allow for it” crap, throw a friggin’ check. Sending Roy out for 30 seconds a game is not a solution to the lack of physical play. If I see one more guy go out of their way to avoid an obvious opportunity to check then they can have my season tickets back. What happened to standing up at the blue line, shit, it’s hockey 101. This is a conscious coaching decision. The blame lies with Torts. If you have any doubts have a good look at the last Stanley Cup, game after game of bone crushing hits AND blinding speed. Checking, fans love it, opponents change game plans to deal with it, and we all know if they make it to the playoffs it will be a major part of winning.
December 31st, 2006 at 11:37 pm
You know, while we are at it — if you wanna talk checking and bring up DiMaio and Freddie Mo… What about Artoo? I mean, the guy was demanding way too much money and it was going to screw up the Lightning’s payscale but remember LAST season? The Lightning had no life to them until Artoo was called up and started throwing hits through people.
Going back to the TBO post and some of the comments — the one that hit me the most was the complaint about Sarich not being a stick-figure D-man. He’s a hitter. One of the Flyer goals the other night went right past him — you can blame it on him having a poor shot blocking ability or perhaps just not being ready for a shot (in position) but having the defense playing against their nature is affecting things as much as anything else.
But back to your point — hitting is a key, I totally agree with you there that a lack of physical play is hurting the Bolts and limiting intensity…
December 31st, 2006 at 11:38 pm
oh, and Thanks for the kind words, Tiny
January 1st, 2007 at 3:07 pm
How could I forget. Artoo really lit up the forum when he stepped on the ice. Yeah, that’s some harsh crit on Sarich, I think his “out of position” play and high PIM’s is a reflection of the team not getting back and poor weak side help from the D. Boyle is going to get out of position too far up because they are using him in such an offensive manner, add to that his playing time is so huge it’s bound to happen a few times during a game. Again, a few checks in the offensive zone and it keeps the opposition from breaking out cleanly as a team.