Radim Vrbata Takes His Puck And Goes Home

[up2here 41]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=258958&amp...s=secStory_main

They also waived Chris Gratton,I'm sure he will be picked up.

Edited December 8, 2008 by UP2HERE

[Guest nutz2u]

Looks like Lawton is about as good of GM as he was player.

[StaticWithABeat 0]

I'd put Tampa Bay second only to the legendary NY Islanders in terms of poor post-salary cap team management...hey I know, let's sign every free agent on the market, bring in some goofy mullet-headed bastard who hasn't coached in 10 years to lead them, and just hope player chemistry, defense, and a team identity takes care of itself.

I also question keeping Stamkos in there so he can experience getting his ass kicked on a nightly basis...then again being rushed onto a crappy roster as an 18-year-old can do nothing but positive things for a player's development, right Brian Lawton?

[The Mule 0]

Vrbata had a wonderful season last year, and many thought that he would be great for the Lightning, but that franchise as a whole is in complete shambles. I can't blame him for wanting to go home and work out his problems, as opposed to sticking around and struggling to play for a bottom-feeder.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

If you look at Gratton's career stats, he's been one hell of a good hockey player, and his durability has been remarkable.

I find it rather odd that he's been moved around so much in his career.

[Opie 308]

Vrbata had a wonderful season last year, and many thought that he would be great for the Lightning, but that franchise as a whole is in complete shambles. I can't blame him for wanting to go home and work out his problems, as opposed to sticking around and struggling to play for a bottom-feeder.

Only to then return when the team is winning?

What a bunch of crap, as a teammate I would be like go and don't come back when things get good again.

They are two decent defensemen away from being a playoff contender.

Screw him, lose with the team win with the team. He signed the deal live up to it pansy or don't play in the league!

Want to get better, need to step away from the NHL, fine forgo your contract, all of it, and don't come back.

[stormboy 47]

i suppose i'll never really understand the nhl cba. how can they just say, "cool, don't worry about it," and not have to pay his salary? once a player clears waivers can they just be sent anywhere? and then as long as their not with their nhl club, the team doesn't have to pay their salary? i remember vrbata being good last year...didn't realize he was sucking it up so bad now.

[The Mule 0]

Only to then return when the team is winning?

What a bunch of crap, as a teammate I would be like go and don't come back when things get good again.

They are two decent defensemen away from being a playoff contender.

Screw him, lose with the team win with the team. He signed the deal live up to it pansy or don't play in the league!

Want to get better, need to step away from the NHL, fine forgo your contract, all of it, and don't come back.

Calm down. It sounds like Radim is battling personal issues more than anything, and it's likely he'll return by the start of next season, assuming he returns at all, and if you think Tampa Bay will be a winning franchise by next season, perhaps you need to screw your head on straight.

[Louisville 112]

If you look at Gratton's career stats, he's been one hell of a good hockey player, and his durability has been remarkable.

I find it rather odd that he's been moved around so much in his career.

I think it's strange too, I've always liked Gratton. I know we have no room to bring him in but he is a very good third line agitator.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Looks like Lawton is about as good of GM as he was player.

Vrbata was an ownership move, not a Lawton move.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I'd put Tampa Bay second only to the legendary NY Islanders in terms of poor post-salary cap team management...hey I know, let's sign every free agent on the market, bring in some goofy mullet-headed bastard who hasn't coached in 10 years to lead them, and just hope player chemistry, defense, and a team identity takes care of itself.

I also question keeping Stamkos in there so he can experience getting his ass kicked on a nightly basis...then again being rushed onto a crappy roster as an 18-year-old can do nothing but positive things for a player's development, right Brian Lawton?

Totally off topic, but is your avatar someone giving an arm-bar to Michelangelo's Hand of God??

Edited December 9, 2008 by haroldsnepsts

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

lol @ Vrbata. I would'nt mind getting Gratton, solid player, tough and can put the puck in the net. I'm sure he'll get picked up by someone.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Gratton cleared waivers.

[imisssergei 0]

Only to then return when the team is winning?

What a bunch of crap, as a teammate I would be like go and don't come back when things get good again.

They are two decent defensemen away from being a playoff contender.

Screw him, lose with the team win with the team. He signed the deal live up to it pansy or don't play in the league!

Want to get better, need to step away from the NHL, fine forgo your contract, all of it, and don't come back.

You are missing something here. This isn't a real team. They have no chemistry, and just play as individuals. There is no accountability to each other.

Also, I don't think you can blame Lawton for anything. He is clearly just a puppet for the ownership.

[mjlegend 155]

I can't name any very successful agent-turned-GM in the NHL, and there have been a few of them.