If the New York Islanders are Bad, then what are the Lightning?

The Tampa Bay Lightning never cease to amaze me.

Their level of ineptitude this season is really astonishing, considering the level of offensive talent they have.

They have two of the top forwards in the game in Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis.

Yes, they made huge errors in trading Brad Richards and Danny Boyle—but shouldn't they have more points than the Islanders, who have not even won a game this month?

Tampa has seven wins. Seven.

That is after spending like a drunken teenager with her daddy's credit card in the offseason.

One would think that Boyle is laughing his ass off playing for the mighty San Jose Sharks who are topping the entire NHL at the moment. If Tampa Bay winds up with John Tavares, Gary Bettman should start an investigation.

On to the Islanders -

    The focus of this season has changed from a rebuilding year to a "rock-bottom" year. Injuries have again decimated the roster and voided any chance the team has to be competitive. Head coach Scott Gordon's system has come under fire in recent weeks and was even criticized by his own players.

If what we saw in Newsday with Witt was quoted, just imagine what is being said behind the scenes, out of Greg Logan's earshot.

When is the right time to sell of veterans to the highest bidder? I would say wait as long as you can, for two reasons. One is obvious—injury. Weight, Sillinger, Sutton, and Martnek are all out.

Two would be that teams will pay more when the trade deadline is near. If Doug Weight isn't hurt and has 55 points at the deadline, then he could net us a second-round pick. Same goes for Guerin.

Names that should go if and when they do go into sell mode—Mike Comrie, Mike Sillinger, Andy Sutton, Brendan Witt, Radek Martinek, Bill Guerin and Doug Weight.

Let me know what you think.  The fans must speak.

FCT