The Tampa Tribune

[Jets GM]

Lightning Strikes
Bolts clean house; little are spared

SUNRISE, FL - The Lightning ignited an off-season fire this week trading the core of there 2010 championship roster. Just 5 players remain for the Lightnings cup run two years ago, a team gutted with trades and misfortune. "Losing Vincent Lecavalier changed the complexion of this franchise forever, you simple cannot just go out and get a player of his caliber and leadership. The market does not exist." After losing four straight against Carolina to be eliminated in just five games, changes were expected. However, no Lightning fan expected such an extreme response to the Lightnings playoff failure.

"When your stuck in that indecision about where your organization is at and where its headed, its tough. Were all competitors, we want to win as much as possible." The Lightning paid a steep price to be considered top contenders the last two seasons, with a bare prospect pool and the departure of Norris winning Zdeno Chara to free agency GM Cote saw the writing on the wall. Change was on the horizon.

"I made the decision, I'll live with it. As an organization were going from a aging team with a closing window to be considered a dynasty, to a team that in three or four seasons will be able have a core of players ready to learn what it takes to win a Stanley Cup." When pressed further about whether the team had sacrificed to much short-term, should of looked to making trades or free agency to remain contenders Cote become testy. "That's not what this is about. Being a contender, who cares. This is about winning Cups. Rings. We want to be in it to win the whole thing, or not at all. Being a pretender is the worst thing in the world."

Little is known about the 2012 draft class, with five first round draft choices the Lightning franchise have put a lot of eggs into one draft class. Murmurs about a deeper draft then its predecessor 2011 are meaningless, a long season of scouting should paint a clearer picture as to how valuable these first round picks will become. A deep talent heavy class could mean striking gold for the Lightning, a busty heavy weak one? This could be looked back upon as epic failure of management with GM Cote holding the smoking gun.

Dark days ahead for the Lightning, is there a light at the end of the tunnel? We'll see....

[Jets GM]

Fun Fact: The Lightning have traded away 20.125 million dollars of salary in the last 72 hours.

[Jungle Cats]

You realize, of course, that in real life, the fans would have your head on a pike.

[Parker]

Yeah, cuz in real life those draft picks aren't guaranteed to produce quality players.

[Jets GM]

You realize, of course, that in real life, the fans would have your head on a pike.

Ya, I hear fans will do that to GMs who won a Stanley Cup and a President's trophy in two seasons.

Surely two seasons of dominance buy me a few of infertility?

[SharksGM]

Infertility?! Too much information, man.

[GM Office Q]

Join us.

[Jets GM]

Another one bites the dust
Brodeur traded; Vincent Lecavalier named assistant coach

SUNRISE, FL - Team officials for the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that Vincent Lecavalier has been named as a new assistant coach for this upcoming season. A tragic victim of an unfortunate career ending injury, the Lightning will look to Lecavalier to steer a young inexperienced Lightning squad through a tough rebuild with his experience and veteran leadership. Lecavalier retires with 794 points in 938 regular season games and two Stanley Cup championships.

The mass exodus from the Sunshine state continued as well Tuesday, as Bolts fans awoke to the news that last seasons Vezina trophy winner Martin Brodeur had been traded to the Winnipeg Jets. A third trade with the new Jets franchise this off-season, Brodeur was sent for a package including goaltender Cristobal Huet, 2010 1st round pick Jaden Schwartz and the Anaheim Ducks 2nd round draft choice in the 2012 entry draft. GM Cote commented on the trade “While we certainly weren’t jumping at the opportunity at improving Winnipeg, Jaden is a quality hockey player that shows a real awareness at both ends of the ice.”

Schwartz, selected 30th overall went one pick before Nick Bjugstad in last years entry draft who was moved to Winnipeg from Tampa earlier this off-season in exchange for the Jets 1st round draft pick in 2012. “If you look over the last few weeks, we’ve acquired two big pieces of the puzzle with Jarod (Tinordi) and Jaden along with possibly having seven of the first forty five draft choices in 2012. That's exciting.” While the Lightning have completed a restocking of there prospect pool, this reporter asks if its come at to great of a cost?

Lyle Mellross

[Penguin]

Bjugstad was drafted 34 and Schwartz 25. God damn Lyle Mellross.

It's ironic how Tom traded with me to move up in the draft to take Schwartz, I took Bjugstad with his pick and now he has Bjugstad and Schwartz is gone!

[Jets GM]

Bjugstad was drafted 34 and Schwartz 25. God damn Lyle Mellross.

It's ironic how Tom traded with me to move up in the draft to take Schwartz, I took Bjugstad with his pick and now he has Bjugstad and Schwartz is gone!

Oh I knew that, its that Lyle Mellross fellow. Obv on drugs.

[Jets GM]

ZACK ATTACK
Tampa deals star Brent Burns for Zack Kassian; prospects

SUNRISE, FL - After dealing Martin Brodeur, it appeared the Lightning were done gutting out there roster of veterans. Appearances can be deceiving. Versatile defensemen/forward Brent Burns along with Marc-Édouard Vlasic were packaged in a deal yesterday night to Buffalo in exchange for forwards Zack Kassian and Tim Connoly along with prospect Victor Rask. The Bolts also received two second round picks, while sending there own 3rd round selection in 2013 to the Sabres. It's a move that has shocked many, even with the sweeping changes twenty six year old Burns was thought to be a player the Lightning could build a team around.

"Brent's a all-star caliber player, great hands and a well rounded game. However, we had growing concerns with his ability to keep improving defensively" remarked GM Cote at a presser this morning. "Those concerns were enough to test the waters on the open market, as soon as we found out Kassian could be apart of a deal we had to jump on it." Kassian, one of the EHEC's most menacing prospects could rival any forwards defensive game in the years to come. When asked if Kassian's lack of consistency was a concern GM Cote responded "Yes and no, yes it's a concern but with his skill level even Zack's C game is going to be better then most opponents A game. On the nights he has his A game, which will be Vinny's job to get out of him.....he's going to be a dominant force."

The Lightning now must fill two spots on defense, along with a number two centerman for the upcoming season. GM Cote was questioned about whether he'd look to the Lightnings AHL affiliate the Norfolk Admirals or free agency to fill the void, he said "Most likely free agency, with this deal and the Jagr penalty were roughly 3-4 million below the floor so we have some spending to do." EHEC free agency starts tomorrow, so look for the Lightning to be buyers.

[Jets GM]

2011 Pre-Season Lightning Prospect Power Rankings

#1. Jani Hakanpaa D (3rd/73oa 2010)
2010/11 - JyP Jyväskylä (FIN) - [57GP] [22G] [38A] [+22]
Projected: Top 4 D-Men Likelihood: Definite
2011 Destination: Norfolk Admirals (AHL)

#2. Jonathan Huberdeau C (1st/5oa 2011)
2010/11 - Val d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL) - [77GP] [59G] [47A] [+38]
Projected: Top 6 Forward Likelihood: Possible
2011 Destination: Norfolk Admirals (AHL)

#3. Johan Larsson LW (3rd/71oa 2010)
2010/11 - Brynas IF Gävle (SWE) - [57GP] [32G] [27A] [+33]
Projected: Top 6 Forward Likelihood: Possible
2011 Destination: Norfolk Admirals (AHL)

#4. Jaden Schwartz C (1st/25oa 2010)
2010/11 - Colorado College (WCHA) - [29GP] [13G] [15A] [+25]
Projected: Top 6 Forward Likelihood: Possible
2011 Destination: Colorado College (WCHA)

#5. Carl Klingberg C (2nd/34oa 2009)
2010/11 - Frölunda Göteborg (SWE) - [58GP] [32G] [21A] [+33]
Projected: Bottom 6 Forward Likelihood: Definite
2011 Destination: Norfolk Admirals (AHL)

#6. Jarred Tinordi C (2nd/31oa 2010)
2010/11 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) - [72GP] [4G] [6A] [+7]
Projected: 3rd Pairing D-Men Likelihood: Definite
2011 Destination: Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

#7. Kent Simpson G (3rd/82oa 2010)
2010/11 - Norfolk Admirals (AHL) - [65GP] [32W] [1.88GAA] [.899SV%]
Projected: Starting Goalie Likelihood: Not Very
2011 Destination: Swift Current Broncos (OHL)

#8. Edward Pasquale G (4th/117oa 2009)
2010/11 - North Bay Centennials (WHL) - [45GP] [22W] [2.11GAA] [.920SV%]
Projected: Starting Goalie Likelihood: Not Very
2011 Destination: North Bay Centennials (OHL)

#9. Joakim Nordstrom C (4th/102oa 2010)
2010/11 - Norfolk Admirals (AHL) - [60GP] [7G] [13A] [-15]
Projected: Bottom 6 Forward Likelihood: Possible
2011 Destination: AIK Stockholm (SWE)

#10. Gustav Bjorklund C (4th/116oa 2011)
2010/11 - Brynas IF Gävle (SWE) - [55GP] [43G] [50A] [+39]
Projected: Top 6 Forward Likelihood: Not Very
2011 Destination: Brynas IF Gävle (SWE)

[Jets GM]

Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs?!
Turning heads in the preseason, players setting season goals high

SUNRISE, FL Labeled by some fans as a ‘demolition’ and ‘pillaging’, the 2011-12 Tampa Bay Lightning starting lineup will look a lot different opening night compared to last season. 6 players that were everyday regulars along with another 5 who appeared on the depth chart. However, a dominant pre-season by power forward Ryan Stoa coupled with solid goaltending by newly acquired Jake Allen has turned some heads.

“I think some assumed Jake was a throw in in the St. Louis deal, but we wanted him” says Vincent Lecavalier, who is rumoured to have played a major role in GM Cote’s off-season fire sale. “We identified him as a real good consistent goalie. Doesn’t have many bad games, put a good defense in front of him and he’s going to give you a chance to win most nights.”

The Lightning have slowly morphed into a cohesive unit, every player having a role and aware of what that role is. A solid yet unspectacular defensive core has a plentiful supply of puck moving defense-men. A quick first pass has limited time spent in the Lightning zone, paired with the play of Steven Stamkos and a 2nd grinding line of Ryan Stoa, Max Pacioretty and Michal Handzus has worked well for the Lightning.

“It’s in our best interest, were not bad enough to finish in the bottom five. If we do, we’ll take our ass whooping like men.” remarked head coach Rick Tocchet returning for his 3rd season with the Lightning. “We have a crazy amount of 1st round picks, I’d like to see us finish ahead of some of those teams. Imagine 2 or 3 picks in the top 15....maybe even top 10. The pressure is on all those teams, no one thinks two shits about us.”

The Bolts finish up the pre-season on Tuesday at home hosting Western conference finalists Columbus Blue Jackets.

[Jungle Cats]

I just noticed that through some fluke of media conglomeration, your newspaper and journalists have been camped out in Sunrise all summer... planning some sort of hostile takeover?

[Jets GM]

[Jets GM]

2012 TB DRAFT

The 2012 draft was supposed to be historic for the Tampa bay Lightning; however, it quickly turned into a nightmare. Weeks of negotiation for the 2nd overall draft choice came down to the final moments, the trade was incorrectly submitted to league office and the Lightning lost the chance to stand at the podium and select Ryan Murray. “Shit happens” responded TB GM when asked to comment on the recent criticism the team has received for a lack of professionalism. Murray, who is known as a fearless warrior, did end up a Bolt by day’s end. The Lightning had landed their next captain.

The deal saw Tyler Biggs, once regarded as a core piece of Tampa Bay’s future, head to OTT along with TB 1sts round pick in 2013 for the 2nd overall pick Ryan Murray. Murray is known as simple defensive minded defensemen. TB GM didn’t see it that way when asked about the criticism he’s received over the deal “He’s not simple, he’s the highest level guy out there. All he wants to do is win, he wants to win badly and he makes everyone around him want to win more. He’s all nuts and lungs, period.” Murray’s shutdown ability might come in handy in a top pairing role with Cam Fowler who has been all over the ice at Lightning prospect camp, look for Murray to see NHL ice time immediately.

The Lightning didn’t hold any other picks until the later rounds, defensemen Jesse Graham of the WHL and Thomas Dipauli of the QMJHL rounded out the 2012 TB draft class. Neither is expecting to see significant time in the NHL, however; with the Lightning’s huge push in free agency means cheap bottom six forwards/3rd pairing defensemen will be needed. Dipauli could possess enough defensive smarts to make it to the show in an injury replacement role; however, Jesse Graham doesn’t appear to possess the any special trait that could outshine his weak overall hockey sense.

[Jets GM]

2012 TB OFF-SEASON

Tampa Bay was a major player in the bidding for the off-season's biggest UFA Ales Hemsky. In what would of made him the highest paid player in Lightning history, the eight million dollar per year deal was not enough to get the job done. Hemsky returned to Montreal and TB was forced to go to plan B. Veterans Chris Drury and Daymond Langkow were brought in to fill the gaping holes still left by last off-seasons rebuild; in addition, Chris Vande Velde was brought in to add grit and toughness to their bottom six. Kris Letang was acquired in a minor deal to add depth to the back-end.

While most spots were locked up before the pre-season began, some battles for 4th line spots occurred between journeyman Brad Staubitz, the forgotten piece in the Malkin deal Kris Chucko and one of the few remaining original members of TB's inaugural roster Dana Tyrell. With the injury to Zach Budish, the battle will continue with only two of the three winning permanent roster spots. Tyrell will be in tough; a lack of a physical game which is what TB's 4th line requires could make him the odd man out.

Ryan Murray, who was acquired after some gross mis-management by TB GM, will look to have a stellar rookie campaign in a top 4 d-spot. He'll be paired with another rookie Colby Cohen, who was acquired for a late first round pick from the Capitals before draft day. The ability for these two to handle the learning pains that come with being a rookie NHL d-men will determine how successful the 2012-13 season will be for Tampa Bay.

Projected Finish: 1st in the East

[Jets GM]

Ryan Murray +5 LE
Ben Bishop +5 LE
Max Everson +5 LE