Tampas goaltending woes...

[lee92 2]

found this on TSN. seems tampa finally found a goalie...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170103&hubname=

[gp3r 0]

It's a good deal for Tampa. They had to get a solid goalie. Denis is very good.

It solves their most crucial problem. But I still think something has got to happen with either Lecavalier or St-Louis. Their's way to much money put on 3 guys.

Tampa has to get better on the blue line. Their defense is not reliable. If there's one thing we learned from this year is that to win big, your defense has to be stable. Look at Carolina, Buffalo, Edmonton, Detroit.

They have to put some money on their D, so that's why I think one of Lecavalier or St-Louis will get traded. More likely St-Louis.

[LoXish 0]

So, with the Pronger issue coming to head, would Tampa be a contender, pushing either Leclavalier or St. Louis out the door as the big name in a trade to Edmonton for Pronger, to establish a blue line?

[gp3r 0]

It may be a possibility, but it won't solve their money problem. Pronger earns 6.25 mils next year. Even if they do trade St-Louis or Lecavalier for Pronger, they still have to little money to get quality depth players. Guys like Cullen, Moreau, Fishcer, Whitney, Stillman, guys that cost between 1 and 2,5 mils.

Look at it this way: is it better to have 1 Brad Richards(7.8 mils) or to have 4 players like Cory Stillman (1.75 mils) on your team.

I'd rather have 4 Stillmans­.

In my mind, what they have to do is to clear some cap room via trade(trading one of their big players) in order to be able to sign depth forwards and d-men such as Brendan Witt, Aaron Ward, etc.

[Duder84 0]

where does this lead the jackets? who else do they have in net? i'm kinda surprised they let denis go, but i guess they feel leclaire is up for being no. 1

[Bane 1]

This leaves them with Pascal Leclaire and they got a finnish goalie prospect from Tampa. It will be interesteing to see if they go with Laclaire or if they seek a veteran starter to replace Denis, there are plenty available.

Denis was a very good pickup for Tampa.

[Guy Incognito 0]

It's one of those trades that worked out for both, I feel. I think Modin gives the CBJ a legit top 6 finally.

[Eazy_b97 1]

It may be a possibility, but it won't solve their money problem. Pronger earns 6.25 mils next year. Even if they do trade St-Louis or Lecavalier for Pronger, they still have to little money to get quality depth players. Guys like Cullen, Moreau, Fishcer, Whitney, Stillman, guys that cost between 1 and 2,5 mils.

Look at it this way: is it better to have 1 Brad Richards(7.8 mils) or to have 4 players like Cory Stillman (1.75 mils) on your team.

I'd rather have 4 Stillmans­.

In my mind, what they have to do is to clear some cap room via trade(trading one of their big players) in order to be able to sign depth forwards and d-men such as Brendan Witt, Aaron Ward, etc.

Keep in mind that Stillman is very underpaid for his worth and is still only a complimentary player. Without a Brind'Amour, Staal, Cole, Lecavalier, Richards, he isn't nearly as effective. You can't really wait for Stillmans to come at 1.75 all day long.

Getting Pronger would balance their roster much more. Right now they are a 2 lined team with poor defense and goaltending. With Pronger they lose some offense, but gain a steady blueline.

[TBLfan 25]

I'd be more than happy to send St Louis, Sydor and Kubina(maybe a sign and trade) for Pronger.

[gp3r 0]

Eazy_b97 Posted on Jun 30 2006, 03:27 PM

Stillman was only an example of a good depth player.

And yes I do agree with the fact that adding Pronger would balance their lineup, but it would be like trading one problem for another. Yes you would add some punch to your defense, but you would still have about hald your money spent only on 3 players. They could get Pronger, but after that, they would have to trade another big player to clear some cap room.

So I don't hink a Pronger deal would happen.

I think that if Tampa trades either St-Louis or Lecavalier, it will be for 1 or 2 d-men, a promising player, and and draft pick. They won't do a player for player deal.

[odp 0]

Maybe the Blue Jackets are eying Cloutier - good regular season numbers and 2.5 mil isn't bad.

[chippa13 1844]

I'd be more than happy to send St Louis, Sydor and Kubina(maybe a sign and trade) for Pronger.

That solves no money troubles and you leave TB with 2 roster spots to fill. Bad deal for TB.

[TBLfan 25]

I'd be more than happy to send St Louis, Sydor and Kubina(maybe a sign and trade) for Pronger.

That solves no money troubles and you leave TB with 2 roster spots to fill. Bad deal for TB.

St Louis is overpaid at 5+ mill, and Sydor is at 3+ mill and useless. We can't afford Kubina so he's gone anyway. We'd get rid of Sydor and gain some room in the cap.

Not that it would ever happen anyway. :(

[McCabe24 0]

Solid trade, Tampa gets a goalie but aren't that great either way and Columbus adds another forward. Plus, it's not like they are going to contend this year, they have some pieces in the youth, other prominent forwards, Foote, etc. and now Leclaire can really develop into a number one goalie. Watch out for them in a few years, especially if they can meet Detroit in the 7-10 playoff spot range in the next few years.