Vrbata to Tampa 3 million

[Kp-Wings 3]

I remember that, for the last couple of seasons, Vrbata couldn't buy a permanent spot in the NHL. And now, look at that, one good season later and he lands himself a nice 9-million dollar, 3-year contract.

Tampa is going to have some serious scoring punch, but with absolutley no defense or goaltender to speak of, I can't imagine that they'll be Cup contenders. Still, they might find themselves in a Montreal-type situation, with a good regular season record, relying mostly on their offense. Considering how bad most of the East is, the Lightning can make the playoffs with all that offense; they just won't get anywhere after that.

[agdomain 0]

Tampa will be fun to watch this season. As a Wings fan in Florida, I most closely support the Lightning (Panthers are closer, but I know more people from the Gulf coast and that makes watching them easier). Sure they don't have defense and Mike Smith is probably the biggest question mark on that team, but they won't lack offense and I think that will be huge down here. I refuse to call hockey fans down here 'uneducated', but it's alot harder for non-hockey fans to understand a great defensive team. The offense will provide some highlights, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about purchasing a half-season ticket plan (for a couple hundred bucks, no less).

And also, rumors from the Lightning message board have Tampa Bay putting the finishing touches on a deal with Olaf Kolzig

Edited July 1, 2008 by agdomain

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

i hated when tampa won the cup seriously that was just HORRIBLE for the nhl besides the ducks/hurricanes winning it, i didn't even watch any of those series. damn tampon bay!!!!

Disagree. I could care less if the team was from New Mexico, seeing Dave Andreychuk finally realize a dream was fantastic for the NHL.

This might work for Tampa, Vrbata played well for Phoenix last year.