Lightning Acquire Rolston's Rights

[Johnny Diamonds 25]

WTF, Where did this come from???

The original post must have been removed, but it was in CA's quote.

I just realized it was a signature

Edited June 30, 2008 by Johnny Diamonds

[b.shanafan14 733]

So at this stage, at least considering TB trend in the off season this year, I'm interested to see what other people think, cause I myself am on the fence really. Does anyone think this is going to spell return in the upcoming season, or are these just the next team to go the way of the Rangers, throwing huge contracts at the flavor of the week, bulking up on offense just to flounder?

Either way, my gut says we're going to be hearing a lot about a team from Tampa, though I still don't see them doing much in the playoffs.

[lets go pavel 2]

yeah, these are pretty good moves ... i wouldn't say they are cup contenders, a little young and untested on the beck end, but it should definitely get them back into the playoffs this year and beyond, especially in the southeast ... atlanta and florida don't seem to be doing anything, washington may have some issues if huet and green leave, and carolina ... i don't know what carolina's problem is ...

[Opie 308]

Sure Tampa has the potential to have great offense, where in the hell is the Defense going to come from!

[egroen 384]

It's amazing to me. Two years in a row the unstoppable offensive teams from the East have been stifled by the defensive teams of the West in the SCF. How do teams in the East respond?

Signing more offense.

The one smart thing Tampa Bay is doing is taking the exact opposite approach most of the GMs with cap space are doing. Most other GMs, apparently Holland included, are waiting until the 1st to try and see if they can get one of the big names: Hossa or Sundin.... and then pick up the scraps if they can't sign one of those two.

The Lightning are beating everyone to the punch and signing the scraps, w/o bothering to go after the big names.

[lets go pavel 2]

It's amazing to me. Two years in a row the unstoppable offensive teams from the East have been stifled by the defensive teams of the West in the SCF. How do teams in the East respond?

Signing more offense.

i agree, but i don't think they're worried about beating the west just yet, they just want to get back to the playoffs, and in the southeast you don't need a perfect team for that ... make the playoffs the next few years, let their young d-men develop and get some experience, maybe pick up a veteran defenseman down the road, and in a couple years they could be contenders ... it sounds good on paper anyway

[up2here 41]

The Penguins had a good offense too last season, look what happened to them in the finals, you need good defense and goaltending, Tampa lacks both.

Mike Smith may be a good goalie. We'll see.

[VM1138 1,921]

i agree, but i don't think they're worried about beating the west just yet, they just want to get back to the playoffs, and in the southeast you don't need a perfect team for that ... make the playoffs the next few years, let their young d-men develop and get some experience, maybe pick up a veteran defenseman down the road, and in a couple years they could be contenders ... it sounds good on paper anyway

Yeah, you're not going to make a huge statement either way. They just need to compete with the SouthEast right now, and offense will help them. THey don't plan on winning the Cup this season. Then, at the trade deadline and next free agency expect them to tweak their defense and try to balance out their team. But you can only do so much in a single offseason.

I still hold out hope that Rolston won't want to go there. It just seems like Tampa is a place for young players who aren't concerned about winning juts yet. Established vets would seem to want to stay away from places like Tampa.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

3 words to describe my POV:

Defense. Wins. Championships.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

If they can sign him id be good:D

[kylee 727]

if they can sign him, thats another good move for them.

[FinRedWing 172]

They'll overpay.

Again.

[LeftWinger 5,153]

...this kinda sucks because Tampa has a ton of cash to throw at Rolston. Hopefully he like what Stanley looks like better than 5 or 6 million Washingtons.

[Glubki 17]

...this kinda sucks because Tampa has a ton of cash to throw at Rolston. Hopefully he like what Stanley looks like better than 5 or 6 million Washingtons.

Rolston was quoted as saying he intends to become a UFA regardless of the trade for his rights. He is apparently seeking a 3 year deal in the 4.5-5 million range so a one or two year deal with Detroit looks unlikely.

Edited June 30, 2008 by Glubki

[chrisdetroit 189]

Yeah, you're not going to make a huge statement either way. They just need to compete with the SouthEast right now, and offense will help them. THey don't plan on winning the Cup this season. Then, at the trade deadline and next free agency expect them to tweak their defense and try to balance out their team. But you can only do so much in a single offseason.

I still hold out hope that Rolston won't want to go there. It just seems like Tampa is a place for young players who aren't concerned about winning juts yet. Established vets would seem to want to stay away from places like Tampa.

I can't see anybody going from a team like Minnesota where they sell out every game and usually are in the playoffs to Tampa. Tampa was the worst team in the league and had pretty anemic attendance. Not alot of interest in hockey in Tampa compared to Minny.

If he goes there it will be a pretty good indicator of where his priorities are. And if that's the case, we don't want him anyway.

So what will it be - deal or no deal

[chrisdetroit 189]

It's amazing to me. Two years in a row the unstoppable offensive teams from the East have been stifled by the defensive teams of the West in the SCF. How do teams in the East respond?

Signing more offense.

The one smart thing Tampa Bay is doing is taking the exact opposite approach most of the GMs with cap space are doing. Most other GMs, apparently Holland included, are waiting until the 1st to try and see if they can get one of the big names: Hossa or Sundin.... and then pick up the scraps if they can't sign one of those two.

The Lightning are beating everyone to the punch and signing the scraps, w/o bothering to go after the big names.

And overpaying for them to boot

[LeftWinger 5,153]

Rolston was quoted as saying he intends to become a UFA regardless of the trade for his rights. He is apparently seeking a 3 year deal in the 4.5-5 million range so a one or two year deal with Detroit looks unlikely.

...yep, oh well. Would've liked to have him here, but more important to save money for Z and Franz. I guess it's a year for Sundin, Fedorov or Naslund...

...if Rolston was willing to take 3.5, Holland would have him sewed up for 3-4 years for sure! Maybe Holland will pull some incentive magic out of his hat!

[Superman54 91]

I guess the word "Defense" isn't in their vocabulary

[VM1138 1,921]

It's always amusing to see how players always want a long term contract, yet for virtually the same amount of money and a year or two less, they could have a better chance of winning a Cup. And then probably be re-signed for more money. Go figure.

[HenryMalredo 2]

It's always amusing to see how players always want a long term contract, yet for virtually the same amount of money and a year or two less, they could have a better chance of winning a Cup. And then probably be re-signed for more money. Go figure.

Players want security, they want to know that they won't suddenly be shipped off to some place like Buffalo or Edmonton in the middle of the year.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Rolston has informed the Tampa Bay Lightning that he will make his decision in the morning.

[Majsheppard 203]

I don't get this...

Are they seriously trying to win a cup this year????

They are collecting 35+ year olds in exchange for draft picks, when they were the worst team in the league last year.

Quality players for sure, but their backend sucks too much.

[Earthhuman 8]

I can't see anybody going from a team like Minnesota where they sell out every game and usually are in the playoffs to Tampa. Tampa was the worst team in the league and had pretty anemic attendance. Not alot of interest in hockey in Tampa compared to Minny.

If he goes there it will be a pretty good indicator of where his priorities are. And if that's the case, we don't want him anyway.

So what will it be - deal or no deal

Good post. Ended lamely.

I don't think Rolston will test the market. If he wants money, it's TB. If he wants a shot at the cup, it's Detroit.

[Kp-Wings 3]

I don't get this...

Are they seriously trying to win a cup this year????

They are collecting 35+ year olds in exchange for draft picks, when they were the worst team in the league last year.

Quality players for sure, but their backend sucks too much.

Bad teams can take one look at the Philadelphia Flyers, and say to themselves "well, it's possible". They've pretty much become a source of inspiration, salary cap problems notwithstanding.

The interesting thing about Tampa was that their problem really wasn't offense; it was and still is their no name defense and goaltending. Are they really trying to sell Filip Kuba as a top 2 defenseman, or Mike Smith and Karri Ramo as Stanley Cup goaltenders? Because, you know, their aim here with all these trades and signings seems to be that they want to compete for the Cup next year, yet still don't have the defense or goalie to do it.

This is what makes this time of year so interesting. You never what kind of rabbit an NHL GM will pull out of his hat next.

[Zion 93]

Actually, that whole post was fairly lame.

Tampa's attendance was excellent this year.