Category Archives: Tampa Bay Lightning
Bishop continues hit hot play
Ben Bishop continued his red-hot play with 19 saves Friday night for his fourth shutout of the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning won 2-0 over the Calgary Flames.
Here are three players who, some way, some how, might help Tampa skate through a tough spot.
Mike Cammalleri
With seven goals in 10 games this year, Cammalleri is off to a fantastic start after missing seven contests with a hand injury. A pending unrestricted free agent this summer, Cammalleri, at 31, doesn’t figure to stick around for the Flames’ rebuild, but will be a major bargaining chip if Calgary puts him in play. That means he won’t come cheap.
Could Tampa go afer Cammalleri?
Just wondering, would the Tampa Bay Lightning have interest in Cammalleri with Steven Stamkos on the shelf for a long time due to that broken leg? Cammalleri’s strong start, including eight goals in 11 games, could make him the sniper the Lightning may need to stay in the hunt for top spot in the Eastern Conference … C Roman Horak was the first player in the Ladislav Smid trade to play for a new team, and the now-former Flames centre scored in his debut with the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over the San Antonio Rampage … Really starting to believe Sharks C/W Patrick Marleau is playing his way onto Team Canada for the Winter Olympics.
http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/11/13/moral-victories-for-flames-getting-tiresome–wins-would-be-nice–stempniak-skating-but-still-in-walking-boot–cammy-to-bolts
Lightning will use compliance buyout on Vinny Lecavalier
The Lightning will use it’s compliance buyout on captain Vinny Lecavalier, ending a relationship with the player who has been an iconic community figure since he was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1998 draft.
The buyout price is $32.667 million over 14 years, or $1.76 million per year. That breaks down to two-thirds of the $37 million Lecavalier is owed on the final seven years of his contract ($24.667 million) plus the $8 million he still has remaining in signing bonuses.
"@PhillyPhlyr: is Vinny LeCav in danger of a buyout?" / Yes. If it doesn't happen this summer, it'll happen next summer.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 24, 2013
Yzerman said he doesn’t expect to move up from No. 3.
Yzerman said he doesn’t expect to move up from No. 3. Said he doesn’t have ammunition to pry No. 1 pick from Avs.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) May 30, 2013
Martin St. Louis isn’t on the block
Let’s put those Martin St. Louis trade rumors to bed.
For whatever reason, the star winger’s name has been bandied about in media speculation ahead of Wednesday’s trade deadline, most recently as a possible fit for Boston, but it won’t happen.
At least not according to the GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bolts getting calls on St. Louis
Whether or not Martin St. Louis would accept a trade out of Tampa Bay remains to be seen, but teams have expressed an interest in the Lightning star.
According to multiple sources, Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has received a few calls about St. Louis
St. Louis, 37, has two-years left on his current contract, beyond this season, at an annual salary cap hit of $5.625 million.
Source: B’s target other forwards besides Iginla
Because of all those factors and Iginla’s popularity in Calgary, its believed Feaster is seeking two prospects and a first-round pick for a player that’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. A source indicated to CSNNE.com that the Flames are enamored with Bruins 2012 first-round pick Malcolm Subban as an heir apparent to the aging Miikka Kiprusoff in Calgary.
Given that the Bruins were discussing Alex Khokhlachev with the Dallas Stars in exchange for Morrow, a package of Subban, Khokhlachev and a first-round pick is likely in the neighborhood of what Feaster is seeking for Iginla. That’s too rich for Boston’s blood for a rental that will play roughly 10 regular season games plus a playoff run, even if Iginla is a veteran superstar hungering for a Cup that could be exactly what the Bruins are looking for.
Are Salo, Brewer and Malone available?
Contrary to what many want to think or believe, I don’t see Marty St. Louis asking to be moved. He has two more years on his contract after this season, even if the Lightning are in the middle of a transitional phase for the franchise. And I have to believe he will retire as a member of the franchise he has been with for a decade and has a job in this organization for life should he want it.
Perhaps Ryan Malone would be somebody teams take a look at, but his left shoulder injury might prevent that from happening. Maybe veteran defenseman Sami Salo, who signed a two-year deal, but he was brought in for experience, something the blue line would be lacking next season if he was to be moved. Salo also has a modified no movement clause.
Early coaching picks for the Lightning
Figure top two early candidates for new coach is Lindy Ruff and Jon Cooper, with Ruff probably at the top of the list
— Erik Erlendsson (@erlendssonTBO) March 24, 2013
Lightning fires coach Guy Boucher
The Lightning Sunday morning announced it has fired coach Guy Boucher. The final straw, obviously, was Saturday’s 5-3 loss at Ottawa in which the team, facing a crucial weekend, showed little urgency in allowing four first-period goals.
Assistants Dan Lacroix and Marty Raymond are scheduled to work behind the bench tonight at Winnipeg.
Speculation will immediately begin that former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, who has ties to GM Steve Yzerman through Team Canada, will get the gig. AHL Syracuse coach Jon Cooper also could be a consideration, though it might be a stretch to believe Yzerman would go with another coach untested in the NHL.
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/lightning/lightning-fire-coach-guy-boucher/2110964
Would Marty St. Louis ever leave the Lightning?
Would Marty St. Louis ever leave the Lightning? Would Steve Yzerman consider trading him?
Tho notion might not be as far-fetched as you think, and as the April 3 trade deadline gets closer — and if Tampa Bay completely loses its grasp on the playoff race — expect St. Louis and the general manager to at least have a conversation about it.