The Lightning are finally good enough

[Pokecheque]

They ain't gonna weather the loss of Kooch as well as they did last season. They were already a borderline-bad defensive team last season, they just happened to have the best goalie in the league bailing them out. This offseason they lost their entire third line, three of their best defensive forwards. AND they compounded that by foolishly thinking they could sneak Alex Barre-Boulet through waivers.

Methinks they might be in trouble this time. Anything's possible with Vasilevskiy in net, but I wouldn't be surprised, given how tough their division is, that they may stumble badly to start the year.

[E.L.]

Tampa REALLY liked deadline rental Nick Paul. He's gets a 7 year extension at 3.15M AAV.

[Pokecheque]

I’m the wake of their SCF loss the Bolts effectively swap coaches with Detroit. Derek Lalonde takes over as the head coach of the Red Wings, Jeff Blashill heads to Tampa as an assistant.

[E.L.]

Eight year deals for Sergachev, Cirelli, Cernak. Ride or die with this squad.

[E.L.]

Ian Cole suspended pending investigation as a tweet about him grooming and having sex with high schoolers spread like wildfire. These sorts of things are usually open secrets around the league, so if it's true, then his teammates were already well aware and no one's shocked it finally hit the light of day.

[E.L.]

Tampa has a pretty much perfect top 12 forward corps, and now they have Tanner Jeannot in the fold.

Hagel-Point-Kooch
Killorn-Cirelli-Stammer
Colton-Paul-Jeannot
Maroon-Bellemare-Perry
Namestnikov

[E.L.]

I thought Mikey Eyssimont looked speedy and plucky against the Habs the other day, so of course the Bolts got him for Namestnikov.

[Pokecheque]

Tampa has a pretty much perfect top 12 forward corps, and now they have Tanner Jeannot in the fold.

Hagel-Point-Kooch
Killorn-Cirelli-Stammer
Colton-Paul-Jeannot
Maroon-Bellemare-Perry
Namestnikov

But boy do they look bad right now. I would never bet against them but it's possible that the wear-and-tear and overall grind of three straight Finals appearances has finally caught up with them.

[E.L.]

Tampa's run looks like its winding down. Two Cups, another finals appearance.

[Fogghorn]

Tampa's run looks like its winding down. Two Cups, another finals appearance.

Probably, but then I've been saying that about Boston for years, so what do I know.

[E.L.]

Tampa's run looks like its winding down. Two Cups, another finals appearance.

Probably, but then I've been saying that about Boston for years, so what do I know.

Boston's season might end at the hands of the Panthers tonight, so their run might be over too!

[E.L.]

Weekes reports Vasilevskiy is out 8-10 weeks with back surgery. The Bolts don't have a real backup. This could get interesting.

[harmfuljays]

Dan Vladar or Jacob Markstrom to the rescue!

[Chris18]

Great, classy move by Austin Watson, blasting a slap shot into the ankle of Jeremy Lauzon in the dying seconds of a Preds 5-1 win over the Lightning. I look forward to them playing again. Wouldn't it be great if every team in the league fired shots at Watson the next time they play him? Teach fuckers like this a lesson.

[E.L.]

I didn't see what happened but Sergachev's body imploded and the Bolts are pretty much screwed.

[Fogghorn]

Yep, they've been struggling with injuries. There is rumour they have not been really negotiating with Stamkos either and he maybe an FA this year. Is it time for TB to consider selling and rebuilding?

I can't think of any organization that has contemplated a rebuild when they were still as strong as TB (or Pittsburgh for that matter). Older teams, a bit past their prime, where players and management hope that if they can stay healthy (more difficult when older) they may catch a bit of luck and go deep in the playoffs. Folks always want to believe in luck, rather than face hard reality.

Inevitably they don't succeed in doing this and just get older and their players less valuable until the bottom falls out and they have to rebuild the long and hard way (Chicago/Anaheim/San Jose) I wanted Vancouver to start their rebuild in 2012, I felt if they had committed to selling everyone but the twins they could have possibly turned it around in 3 years. The prices being offered are incredibly high for players as rentals (Washington is rumoured to want a 1st round pick for Jim Dowd). What would a Cosby, Stamkos, Hedman go for? If nothing else, it would be make for a far more dynamic NHL with major trades happening on a regular basis and teams moving up and down quickly. I really someday hope to see a team recognize they are in decline, and push the eject button early, just to see what happens. I do think it could work.

[Pokecheque]

And there go the Bolts. Sub-.900 postseason Sv.% for Vasilevskiy two years in a row. ZERO goals from this year’s Art Ross (and possibly Hart) winner.

And of course now we wait and see if Tampa keeps Stamkos or they move on.

[E.L.]

The Bolts are running it back: they re-acquire Ryan McDonagh from the Predators for picks. Hard to believe they'll bring back McDo only to let Stamkos walk, so I expect him to re-sign. Bolts have about 6M in cap space with a fairly full roster.

[Pokecheque]

Rumor has it they're going to flip Cirelli or a top four defender to make room for Stamkos.

[Pokecheque]

Wow, Bolts got busy.

Flipped both Sergachev and Jeannot to Utah and Los Angeles, respectively, then dealt a third rounder to Carolina for the rights to Jake Guentzel, signing him for 7 years and $63 million.

Also, they'll be in the market for a new captain because they failed to come to terms with Steven Stamkos.