Preface: Ok, so after needlessly berating and belittling the Atlanta Thrashers, we're moving on to higher and better things.
Um....well maybe not that much higher or better.
Then again, I guess if you spend enough money, you can win something eventually.
The Yankees tried it for a few years, and are still trying to make it work. The NHL has instituted a cap because of it. And it's what makes the Minnesota Vikings' defense so...well...damn expensive.
Who needs cap room and a balanced depth chart?
I'm not going to lie—I think I learned something during my Atlanta Thrashers preview.
The entire time, I needless talked smack about the Thrashers, and didn't really paint a pretty picture. Granted, the team itself doesn't paint a pretty picture—but you'd at least expect someone to stick up for the Thrash, right?
Wrong.
Maple Leafs fans used to rip anyone who would predict anything less than a Stanley Cup championship. I learned during my preview of the Northwest Division that it's impossible to keep every fan of every Western team happy.
What did I learn during my preview of the Thrashers? The Atlanta Thrashers have NO fans whatsoever. None. Or at least none that will vehemently defend their team.
Will things change in Tampa Bay? Probably. I mean they Lightning were last in the division last year, but it's not like they've been last every year. Right, Atlanta?
Roster Additions: Steven Stamkos-F (Draft), Ryan Malone-F (F.A.), Adam Hall-F (F.A.), Gary Roberts-F (F.A.), Mark Recchi-F (F.A.), Matt Carle-D (Trade), Olaf Kolzig-G (F.A.), Vaclav Prospal-F (F.A.), Radim Vrbata-F (F.A.), Brandon Bochenski-F (F.A.), Andrej Meszaros-D (Trade)
Roster Subtractions: Tim Taylor-F (Retirement), Andreas Karlsson-F (F.A.), Brian Rolston-F (F.A.), Andre Roy-F (F.A.), Dan Boyle-D (Trade), Brad Lukowich-D (Trade), Filip Kuba-D (Trade), Alexandre Picard-F (Trade)
How did 2007-08 go? 31-42-9, 71 points, 15th in Conference, last in Southeast Division.
2008-09 Goal: Don’t finish last.
Let's break 'er down...
There’s changing your roster, and then there’s spending so gratuitously that it may have actually hindered your team more than it helped. As we look out over the roster that the Tampa Bay Lightning—one of last season’s bottom feeders—are putting forth this year, there’s been a lot of cash thrown about, and a lot of lateral movement talent-wise.
Some teams try to mask mediocrity by throwing up the “Work in Progress” sign, and think that by making moves, they’ll give off the impression that they’re better.
Personally, I think this is the strategy being employed by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
8 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Pat Ferguson 10 months ago
I think Brian Rolston was mistakenly included in the roster subtractions...
good review though... maybe they lost part of the list of forwards when making their plans, then found it after trading for a few to fill out their 'vacancies'.
Not sure what the plan is there, but starting to build a new defense corps around meszaros and carle doesn't sound awful to me... if they can add 2 more quality d in the next 2 years and replace the old guys they've just signed up front with more prospects (which they should have thousands of by now) then they could be on the right track to making the playoffs for a few consecutive years in a bit... maybe
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Bryan Thiel 10 months ago
Rolston's rights were acquired, but he never signed...I wasn't sure what to do there haha.
Aside from that....I just didn't understand the forward signings...
BT
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Alan Bass 10 months ago
Wow fourth? Hmmmm you must be seeing something I don't, cause I see them finishing second to Washington in the southeast. We'll just have to see, though.
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philip bottfeld 10 months ago
Carolina is better than Tampa... Defensively, Goaltending and they have a very potent offense which is proven at the NHL level. Carolina was one of the best offenses in the league last year (250 goals) and that was without Brind'Amour and Justin Williams.
I am a Panthers fan and most people say we have the best Goaltender and Defense in our division which I won't disagree with but we are lacking forwards... which is not sexy... but I am not afraid at all of Tampa. SO they got good forwards... but they are gonna have to play defense all night. Ha Tampa looks sexy because they got all the hype forwards.... But how many first liners do they have?...2...how many second liners?3-4 and a million and a half 3-4 5th 6 liner. Yes they have the forwards but I could start on their defense.
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Junior Nelson 10 months ago
I'll bet TB could pry a defenceman from Vancouver. They also have a goalie that wants to be in Florida and new ownership.
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aaron brown 10 months ago
Wow, Bry, I hope you don't get paid to write this stuff. Oh wait, that would necessitate standards. And the lack of fan response? Your blog doesn't even show up on the radar.
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Ron Van Lew 10 months ago
Good article. I think the Bolts may shock some teams this year.
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Brian Strode 9 months ago
Barry Melrose slated Tampa to be last the year they won the Cup; considered working for the Lightning organization in a few years? Seriously, not only could I write a better review on this or any NHL team, and even leave it to a point where any and all readers did not need Prozac from all the negativity and pessimism, but I could also write it grammatically correct without consistantly mispelled words. To think I graduated college and make substantially less that your horrible journaling horse's ass.
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