Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has options to bolster defense
By now, there has to be some concern within the Lightning that Mattias Ohlund will not play this season, much less soon.
The defenseman has not skated in several weeks because of pain that has persisted in his knees despite Oct. 11 arthroscopic surgeries on both to clean out what the team called "loose bodies."
Ohlund is frustrated by the situation, the team is as well, and fans are wondering what GM Steve Yzerman is going to do.
He has several options.
Richards back with Bolts? Lots of things must happenIt was Super Bowl week in Dallas, early February, but there was hockey, too, and there was Dallas Stars star center Brad Richards (you might remember him) in his team's dressing room after a loss to Vancouver, talking about all his times in Tampa.
"Tampa is still where I won a championship," Richards said. "I'll be there, live there after I retire. And you never know, you never say never about going back and playing there. You never know."
We still don't, do we?
Sky is the limit for Stamkos Free agency begins July 1, and Tampa Bay superstar Steven Stamkos, a restricted free agent, remains unsigned.
If anyone wants to bid on the 21-year-old high-scoring wunderkind, it’s probably a moot point because the Lightning retain the right to match any offer (similar to the Phil Kessel situation a couple of years ago).
But, boy, could someone drive up the price on owner Jeffrey Vinik if general manager Steve Yzerman doesn’t get a deal done in the next two weeks.
Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman begins free agency prepFor Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman, the heavy lifting began Thursday, when he really got down to the business of signing Tampa Bay's free agents.
Yzerman said he is working off a list "because every contract I do is going to affect the next one."
No surprise, then, the list begins with the players who will command the most money: center Steven Stamkos and top-four defenseman Eric Brewer.
Steve Yzerman in interesting spot as trade deadline nears Steve Yzerman is in an interesting position heading into the Feb. 28 trade deadline.
Does the Lightning general manager play it safe and tinker around the edges to add depth to a team exceeding expectations?
Or with Tampa Bay challenging for the regular-season championship, does he add another bold move to the acquisition of goaltender Dwayne Roloson and make a serious run for the Stanley Cup?
Yzerman downplays Nabokov interest The moment word got out that Evgeni Nabokov is looking for an NHL job after leaving the KHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning were identified as a potential destination for the Russian goalie.
Neither Dan Ellis (8-5-4, 3.25 goals-against average and .876 save percentage) nor Mike Smith (8-5-0, 3.57, .872) has seized the Lightning starting job, and inconsistent goaltending has been one of the few things that hasn’t gone right early on in the Steve Yzerman regime.
Stamkos negotiating Is there a more compelling contract negotiation this season than Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning?
How much will it cost to sign a player that will challenge for the Hart, Art Ross and Rocket Richard trophies?
Gulp.
Finally Stability In TampaIts a new beginning for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The franchise, armed with a new, rich owner and a respected former player running the hockey department, is set to prove hockey can survive and thrive in the southern US.
The addition of Jeffrey Vinik, a billionaire owner, and Steve Yzerman, a hall of famer who is now a 1st time GM, gives the Lightning the most stability and respect is has probably ever had in the history of the team.
After a few years of struggle, pathetically run by inadequate ownership, the team now looks ahead to a very promising future. Immediate success remains to be seen, but for now, the franchise is certainly moving in the right direction.
