My poor Tampa Bay Lightning

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

When are you two gonna fuck?

b’fhéidir riamh, ni maith liom na buachailli, cailini is fearr liom

[chippa13 1844]

I prefer the fairer sex, as well.

[TBLfan 25]

In the 04 playoffs the Lightning beat the Islanders, Canadians, Flyers and Flames... all of which aren't SE division teams. Since the SE is soo worthless, man that sure makes a majority of the league worthless in past years as well.

[Eazy_b97 1]

No, it means the SE had a very good team in it, while the others were not so great compared to the rest of the league. You keep harping on the Cup point, but it means a single team was good, not the whole division.

[TBLfan 25]

Which would be that there was some quality in the divison, right?

I'm just glad the pick didn't go to Toronto, what a wasteless land of unsuccessfulness, they should never get any young talent, it will be a waste.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Some, but significantly less than other divisions, which is the entire discussion.

The second part isn't needed, think before you post. No need to get pissy because the SE has been the weak link of the league, as far as divisions go, for some time now and it is constantly mentioned by the talking heads.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

All of this bitching about the SE, but what about Detroit? Can't tell me that feasting on CHI/STL/CBJ hasn't helped them out...

[RadioGaGa 162]

All of this bitching about the SE, but what about Detroit? Can't tell me that feasting on CHI/STL/CBJ hasn't helped them out...

For the last few years, yes...but I think that feeding frenzy may be coming to an end in the next year or so with the strides that CHI/STL and to a lesser degree CBJ have made in the development of younger players.

[chippa13 1844]

All of this bitching about the SE, but what about Detroit? Can't tell me that feasting on CHI/STL/CBJ hasn't helped them out...

To an extent but then Detroit has pretty much been feasting on the rest of the league, too.

[Chadd 916]

The central has produced the worst team in the NHL at least as often as the SE over the last decade or so.

[kosydar 0]

All of this bitching about the SE, but what about Detroit? Can't tell me that feasting on CHI/STL/CBJ hasn't helped them out...

I guess the distinctions in my mind between the two are that A. Nashville has been consistently good the last four or five years and B. Chicago and St. Louis are traditional hockey markets who have been very good in the not to distant past. I'll be the first to admit that I can't get over the stigma of the SE actually having teams in the South (aka non-traditional hockey markets).

[chippa13 1844]

And over that same decade, 3-5 in the Central have had better records than 3-5 in the SE all but 2 seasons.

[TBLfan 25]

Some, but significantly less than other divisions, which is the entire discussion.

The second part isn't needed, think before you post. No need to get pissy because the SE has been the weak link of the league, as far as divisions go, for some time now and it is constantly mentioned by the talking heads.

What's different between me saying that and saying that the Southeast division is worthless? Toronto and many other teams could be considered just as worthless, considering the lack of success over the past years where Southeast division teams have been successful. In fact, if we measure success when it counts, the playoffs... Where does that put every Canadian team?

My arguement is NOT that the Lightning suck or don't suck. Not that the SE division isn't very good right now. It's argueing the ridiculously moronic point of the SE divison being "worthless."

[kosydar 0]

To be fair, you're the one who used the word worthless.

[TBLfan 25]

You said gross, I exaggerated, then you used worthless yourself.... whatever.

I'm bored with the arguement anyway.

[killthepoodle 0]

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/tam...-melrose-t.html

I'm not so sure about Melrose as the new coach........

Can we re title this thread 08-09 Lightning: A new Hope?

[Xi Retlah iX 0]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=239261&amp...s=secStory_main

I dont know anything about his coaching.. what is his style?

[Chadd 916]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=239261&amp...s=secStory_main

I dont know anything about his coaching.. what is his style?

Players coach, talk up the positives and motivate by encouragement. He can be a hard-ass when he has to, but doesn't make it personal like some coaches can. At least that's what one former player told me.

[gxc999 7]

I think Melrose would be a huge upgrade. I also think anyone would be a huge upgrade...

[JGraz15 53]

I hear the Jackets are interested in Lecavalier...wonder if there is any truth to it

[j86 0]

Lecavalier isn't going anywhere. The new ownership want him locked up long term before they buy the team.

[Chadd 916]

I hear the Jackets are interested in Lecavalier...wonder if there is any truth to it

Everyone in the league is interested in Lecavalier.

[JGraz15 53]

I hear the Jackets are interested in Lecavalier...wonder if there is any truth to it

Everyone in the league is interested in Lecavalier.

True, but the Jackets are one of the few teams that could put together a decent package (Zherdev, draft pickers, character players) and afford to keep him locked up for a long time. The Jackets freed up over $10M when they got rid of Foote and Fedorov's contracts (how ridiculous is that??)

[tdjb 0]

looks like it's official now: http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service...rticleid=365138

[supahdon 0]

True, but the Jackets are one of the few teams that could put together a decent package (Zherdev, draft pickers, character players) and afford to keep him locked up for a long time. The Jackets freed up over $10M when they got rid of Foote and Fedorov's contracts (how ridiculous is that??)

Foote/Fedorov's contracts were set to expire anyways. But Columbus did well to get Teddy Ruth and a first in return at the deadline.

Might be tough to convince a top tier player to sign with a team that hasn't been a playoff contender. LA's GM Dean Lombardi tried to explain to frustrated season ticket holders that signing players isn't as easy as offering huge dollars in that there's likely somebody else offering more while presenting a better situation--in this case, he was talking about his failed pursuit of Chris Drury.

I'd imagine Tampa signs (or at least attempts to sign) Lecavalier long term now they freed up the money tied to Brad Richards.

The rumor du jour is Columbus sending Nik Zherdev and the 6th overall pick to San Jose for Patrick Marleau and a mystery player (my guess is Matt Carle).