Time to face facts
The Lightning are plummeting in the standings (with the Washington Massacre being the latest evidence) and I think it’s time to face some very hard, difficult to swallow in some lights, and debatable facts.
The team is on the cusp of being shunned from the playoffs in a tight eastern conference race. Forget the Southeast title — the playoffs themselves are in question unless the Lightning starts playing at another level. To play better, the entire roster needs to contribute offensively and yet the only offensive output lately seems to be Vincent Lecavalier.
This is a one line team. Vinny and Marty, Marty and Vinny and whoever is on their wing. That’s not going to cut it.
We shouldn’t be shocked at the Lightning falling back to earth. They have been habitually on-and-off all season. They started ice cold, for instance, with Ryan Craig as the key cog on offense. They heated up and put themselves in the playoff hunt when it mattered the most (January) and Jay Feaster did the fans and the franchise a favor by trading for long term help instead of a final big-name for the playoff push.
One big name was never going to put the Lightning over the top, and yet gutting the roster (as Feaster threatened) wasn’t something that needed to be done either. The core is still there, but there does need to be changes to those around that core.
Those changes start with Vaclav Prospal and Cory Sarich leaving town. Maybe another team will enjoy seeing them on ice whenever an opponent scores?
Can the Lightning still make the playoffs? If the team finishes like last season - no way. It’s far too tight in the Eastern Conference for a half-hearted effort. Yet, even if they do turn things around and make the playoffs (and convincingly) the Bolts are still in trouble with opposing defenses attuned to Lecavalier as the Lightning’s offensive threat. Shut down Vinny and you shut down the Bolts… Oh, and the Lightning don’t have the shoot-out to help them along like they did during the regular season.
While I’m doom-and-gloom on the Lightning’s chances for the remainder of 2006-07 at this point, I’m not pessimistic about the Lightning’s chances in the future. They didn’t rob Peter to pay Paul at the deadline… They didn’t sell off their defensive prospects, or purge salary as was threatened. I want to see Mike Egener, Matt Smaby and Andy Rogers getting face time in Tampa next year (instead of Jay Feaster going out and spending on FA defensivemen to take the place of Sarich and others). But that’s next year — and the Lightning still have a shot at this year…
…or do they?
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March 20th, 2007 at 7:53 am
The next 9 games can be what dreams are made of or what nightmares are to real Bolts fans. If the Bolts fail to make the play-offs or don’t go deep in the play-offs you can expect drastic changes. Ron Cambell told Jay Feaster he is going to have to cut money out of his budget for next season. The Ottawa Sun reports the Lightning’s payroll in 2007-08 could be in the $37 million range. According to the paper, that’s led to speculation the Bolts will try and deal Vinny Lecavalier, who is having a career-season. If Feaster puts Lecavalier on the market, Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey is expected to be the first vulture in line. With Vinny gone–problem solved–$7million eliminated from the payroll. The Bolts will be left without its one true drafted superstar and the fans will vote with their feet and the orginaization will be in turmoil once again. If the lightning make it to the play-offs they had better play like its 2004 all over again, because anything less than the semi finals, I think you will find major changes looming. As far as FA players joining the Bolts for next season. I just don’t see it. With the budget being cut back, who could come in and make a difference anyway. The rookies may have to step up and provide the hope for the future. We shall see in two weeks what will become of the Bolts.
March 20th, 2007 at 8:31 am
The cure for the Bolts salary cap woes is probably dumping one of the big three, but I think its time for Richie, not Vinnie, to dust off the suitcases. I’m not a Richie basher, either; I proudly wear a #19 shirt to every home game. Trading Richie wouldn’t create as much of a PR nightmare. Without a winger who can bury the biscuit, Richie’s point totals will be far from impressive…and the Bolts can’t afford a decent winger. The Bolts (and Richie) dearly miss Freddie Mo this year, not only for his two-way play but his guaranteed 30 goals. Where would we be with those points? Hopefully after trading him Feaster has learned that we can’t afford to lose any more goal scoring on this club. If this is true, Vinnie will be here for a long time.
March 20th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Ahhh, the sad sounds of pessimism.
A weee bit of a slump. Lightning will turn on the jets, finish strong, and make the playoffs.
I’ll say it again, Torts is too juggle happy with the lines, the prospects, and now even the goalies as evidenced by the Holmy, Denis, Holmy shuffle in Washington the other night.
As for next year I see Feds, Janik, Sarich, Denis, Kaarlson, gone. Taylor and DiMaio retire of coarse. Feaster will work the farm system, look for a big name defenseman and lots of time for the prospects next year.