I wasn’t aware until recently about how bad things had gotten over on the Sun Sports message forum. It was the place for high quality Lightning discussion among a group of fans that had been together for quite a while.

Sun Sports was planning to upgrade the forum software and closed down the bulk of the forum.

For those displaced by SunSports not getting their crap together in a short timeframe (much like their lackluster telecasts and abysmal coverage of the Bolts in High Definition) let me encourage you to visit FanHome’s Lightning forum where some of the SunSports regulars are appearing.

So the Stars have tweaked, the Lightning have tweaked… Which group will burn brighter on ice? Versus night in Tampa Bay!

Nikita Alexeev has been traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for DefensivemanLeft Wing Karl Stewart and a sixth round pick. Details to follow as well as linkage.

UPDATE #1: Stewart is another younger player (23) with only 50+ NHL games to his credit. He has 5 points and 45 PIM this season in 37 games with the Blackhawks. He’s an enforcer for sure with some scoring knack from his junior days but not a huge offensive threat. He is not a huge guy (5′11″, 185 Lbs) but he is willing to drop them and I assume throw his weight around.

…Unlike Alexeev.

Credited as one of Rick Dudley’s “Soft Euro” draft picks, Nikita has never utilized his size (6′5″, 227 Lbs) to his advantage to drive to the net. I always figured that was the role the Lightning anticipated Alexeev to grow into — sort of a Fredrik Modin with more.

But it didn’t work out that way. Though Alexeev has registered a career high in goals and assists this season (10 / 11) he hasn’t used his size to his advantage and that has hurt the Lightning at times.

2ND UPDATE Jason Ward has been acquired from the Los Angeles Kings for a fifth round pick. He’s a former first round pick from the Montreal Canadiens. I’m actually at a loss to figure this one out. Ward’s a right wing and I am unfamiliar with his career. He’s not a goal scorer (28 points is his career high), he’s not an enforcer. Someone please do me a favor and enlighten me on this move — why Ward?

3RD UPDATE: I get the Alexeev deal. I initially wrote some shocked remarks about the trade (because I was misreading TSN.CA’s draft tracker) but I understand this move. Alexeev is a big price to pay but a I said above, he never lived up to expectations. Stewart comes in with more NHL experience than minor league tough guys like Mitch Fritz. He is the gritty winger that Jay was after. He is also able to be a part of the organization for a while if he earns his keep.

That’s the one thing in the O’Brien and Stewart deals that makes me very happy — both additions are not going for veteran grit, veteran costs and what not. They were long term acquisitions. They’re technically still kids. While you see other teams adding veterans in a traditional push — we’re adding young role players to round out the veterans we already have.

It’s almost as if Jay Feaster read me loud and clear.

4th UPDATE: TSN.ca’s player profile for Ward sheds more light on why Feaster would have picked him up:

Assets Works hard every shift and knows how to take care of his own end. Doesn’t mind playing a crash-and-bang style. Is a quality teammate.

Flaws Doesn’t own top-end skating ability, which hurts his level of production. Has had trouble finding his niche in the NHL. Is too inconsistent.

Career potential Checking line forward.

Rob Dimaio anyone?

OK, so I am not liveblogging like the immaculate James Mirtle or the perpetually superior Lyle Richardson, but I did have to tip my hat to both of my fellow bloggers.

If you don’t know Lyle by name, you know him by reputation (perhaps). Spector’s Hockey anyone? This is your absolute source on reported (verified) news on trades and rumors and I highly recommend any NHL fan who wants to monitor the comings and goings today to check in with Lyle.

As mentioned above, James will be liveblogging for the Globe and Mail and while we are at it — let me give public props to Paul Kukla (who I gave private grief earlier in my career) and Kukla’s Korner as another source for up-to-the-minute media news reports from around the league. Paul’s site is another must-have for general NHL fans.

EDIT: Let’s not forget TSN.CA’s Draft tracker for all of you who are not in Canada and want to follow the very very latest.

If anyone wants to voice their opinion on a league deal, please use comments on this thread…

DEADLINE HAS PASSED Still waiting to hear if the Lightning have pulled off any last minute moves. I will be content if they didn’t.

You gotta love the Instigator…

You got a hockey game one night, you have a Justin Timberlake concert the next and another hockey game the next evening. Getting an NHL arena ready for it’s various functions is no small order and takes lots of manpower as well as lots of dedication.

I could talk up how big a job an arena conversion crew has all day… I’ll let the Toronto Star’s video of the Air Canada center being converted tell you everything though.

Unless you are actually attending an aternoon hockey game — or a midday game that pops onto the schedule with thanks to one holiday or another — I believe the concept of these matinee hockey games reeks. They are beautiful for the fans who attend, methinks, especially on a Saturday afternoon during the season…

But a Five PM start time in Tampa on a Sunday? WHat gives? Trying to beat the Oscar rush?

André Roy reminded the Lightning faithful why he doesn’t get more minutes of ice time at the end of the Bruins debacle the other night… And his three-game suspension is more proof of it. Jay Feaster called up RW Kyle Wanvig (who was acquired earlier this season from Atlanta) to take ROy’s place ont eh roster.

Is this a game where the Bolts get there groove back or do they get put in their place by the hottest team in hockey?

I’ve been taking a sabatical from the computer the last few days — startin gyesterday — and I’ve just become aware of Jay Feaster’s latest move:

The Lightning acquired Shane O’Brien and a 2008 3rd round draft choice in exchange for their 2007 1st round pick and Gerald Coleman….

My very first reaction to this is: “Say What?!” simply because I do not know O’Brien.

But seeing he is a 23 year old with a +5 in 62 games at the NHL, he is obviously a long range acquisition as to a short term fix. I like that aspect of the trade. I already noted a few days ago that the Lightning need to not only strengthen themselves for a playoff run but put themselves in a position to deal with pending free agency from Lightning defensivemen. I believe this move accomplishes that…

But it is certain to disappoint some fans who would like a name brought in — someone who is a polished veteran — not a up-and-comer.

It’s go time in Atlanta… First place in the SE at stake for both clubs.

Taking a little time to read the latest at Spector’s Hockey, I was left laughing out loud over Bruce Garrioch’s latest rumor involving the Bolts:

- The Buffalo Sabres could finally be ready to move goalie Martin Biron, but there’s some concern over how much cap space they’ll have. Garrioch suggests they may be on the verge of moving him to the Tampa Bay Lightning for forward Ruslan Fedotenko.

I said I was left laughing out loud over this. It wasn’t because of disrespecting Biron and what he is capable of… But I’m thinking of things from both team perspectives. if Ruslan Fedotenko was all it took to land Biron, it’d be a shock. Likewise, the Lightning going for Biron after paying a sum for Denis, having him outplayed by Johan Holmqvist as well as investing in Karri Ramo this off season just seems like a ruse. The Lightning’s concern right now is both at the forward position and at the blue line. Not in net. Yes, Denis isn’t all the hype he was made out to be by the team but he and Holmqvist have been a sight better than John Grahame and Sean Burke in the net last season.

Even in a more balanced deal, I don’t see this happening. The Sabres can get more for Biron and the Lightning aren’t in a position (financially) where they can pick up another goaltender in the higher end of the spectrum.