R2 is Back - maybe

[arty]

Of a contract, he said, without giving specifics, "It think it's doable and it should be done."

Good chance R2 is coming back

per sptimes (http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/04/lightning-artyu.html)

[CupChamps2004]

Misleading thread title if nothing else.

[astro]

"Well if Arty kept that same doofus agent/parasite, then he hasn't learned a thing and is still as stupid as ever."

Part of a comment from Casper. I thought that it was hilarious. :laugh:

[jaydeedub]

Misleading thread title if nothing else.

:dito:

See! My prediction for

Huselius/Lecavalier/St. Louis
Jokinen/Stamkos/Rolston
Ouellet/Halpern/Darche
Tarnasky/MacDonald/Craig (R2?)

is well on it's way! :p

[gwf82]

I called this one a while back if it happens. His playoff performance probably helped his cause a bit too :) Give Craig the boot and heck Tarnasky too. Arty can stay on his skates for more than 3 seconds at a time unlike Nick :) (waits for comments from Tarnasky's backers)

[RSchmitz]

Keep all of them

[CTLightning26]

Fine, sign R2. But let's not give him too much. (2 for 1.4-1.5). He's gotta earn it.
I would discard Tarnasky, because he could bring a 4 or 5, if we sign R2 and Craig. Tarno played well from like game 40-65, but before and after was VERY disappointing. Plus, his lack of passion in not going after Cooke late in that second-to-last game was atrocious. Yes, he was on the ice with him. He didn't even confront him.

[DrBolt]

Fine, sign R2. But let's not give him too much. (2 for 1.4-1.5). He's gotta earn it.
I would discard Tarnasky, because he could bring a 4 or 5, if we sign R2 and Craig. Tarno played well from like game 40-65, but before and after was VERY disappointing. Plus, his lack of passion in not going after Cooke late in that second-to-last game was atrocious. Yes, he was on the ice with him. He didn't even confront him.

Good point about Nasty's lack of, well, nastiness after the Cooke incident. Not sure I'd qualify as a full-fledged "Tarnasky backer," but I think I'd prefer him to Craig--who wasn't that consistent before his injury, IMHO. Nasty can bring the fire sometimes, and we need all of that we can get. As for falling down, Lukowich does that as much as Nasty, at least in the games I've watched.

[the_narrow_way]

Keep all of them
Agreed. Unless some other players materialize that bump them down the depth chart, then why dump them?

[Flycoon]

Fine, sign R2. But let's not give him too much. (2 for 1.4-1.5). He's gotta earn it.
I would discard Tarnasky, because he could bring a 4 or 5, if we sign R2 and Craig. Tarno played well from like game 40-65, but before and after was VERY disappointing. Plus, his lack of passion in not going after Cooke late in that second-to-last game was atrocious. Yes, he was on the ice with him. He didn't even confront him.

Make it a two way deal, no guarantee that he is NHL ready after the last two seasons.

[gwf82]

http://www.russiatoday.ru/sports/news/23629

Scored a goal on the Euro Tour which is generally the team that represents Russia in the World Championships. Looks like Arty made the national team barring superstars getting knocked out of the NHL playoffs and deciding to play (ala Ovechkin possibly)

[bassassin]

http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/04/artyukhin-propo.html

Seems like he wants to be back in the NHL

[Jester47]

Fine, sign R2. But let's not give him too much. (2 for 1.4-1.5). He's gotta earn it.
I would discard Tarnasky, because he could bring a 4 or 5, if we sign R2 and Craig. Tarno played well from like game 40-65, but before and after was VERY disappointing. Plus, his lack of passion in not going after Cooke late in that second-to-last game was atrocious. Yes, he was on the ice with him. He didn't even confront him.

I kind of have to wonder if the whole situation with Roy had him thinking twice???

I don't know, I like the idea of R2 coming back but if the refs are going to have him in the box for 2 mins for every hit he throws, it may not really be worth it.

Also, I can't let go of this fascination I have with Craig's potential (I know 3rd line at best but...), if he can just bloody well stay healthy, but we all know how that has gone the last couple of years. :mad:

[missK]

http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/04/artyukhin-propo.html

Seems like he wants to be back in the NHL

At $1M per year Gander is an ass. Two way for two years at NHL minimum is the most I would give him to come back. Anything more than that is a joke considering he's been away from the NHL from 2 years. And he hasn't done squat since he left. R2 needs to PROVE to the Lightning he's worth more than that by playing whereever and whenever they need him.

Old habits die hard and he will have picked up two years of bad habits as far as Torts is concerned in his time away from the team.

[chad]

That kid in the new 76 jersey that sits behind the TB bench must be ecstatic.

[Sotnos]

At $1M per year Gander is an ass. Two way for two years at NHL minimum is the most I would give him to come back. Anything more than that is a joke considering he's been away from the NHL from 2 years. And he hasn't done squat since he left. R2 needs to PROVE to the Lightning he's worth more than that by playing whereever and whenever they need him.

Old habits die hard and he will have picked up two years of bad habits as far as Torts is concerned in his time away from the team.
i agree. if that's a starting point for negotiations, fine. if that's what he wants, period...well he hasn't figured out that he's replaceable yet, i guess.

[Avery86]

That kid in the new 76 jersey that sits behind the TB bench must be ecstatic.

hahaha I'm glad someone else noticed that.

[Hoek]

Guh.. $1 million per year again? Earlier I would have been wholly disinterested in R2 coming back at any price, but after this bad season I felt willing to consider him once more. Hearing the same damn price tag again has me turning up my nose in disgust..

[CTLightning26]

At $1M per year Gander is an ass. Two way for two years at NHL minimum is the most I would give him to come back. Anything more than that is a joke considering he's been away from the NHL from 2 years. And he hasn't done squat since he left. R2 needs to PROVE to the Lightning he's worth more than that by playing whereever and whenever they need him.

Old habits die hard and he will have picked up two years of bad habits as far as Torts is concerned in his time away from the team.


Agreed, but wouldn't go minimum. 600-700,000 is fine.

[gwf82]

Guh.. $1 million per year again? Earlier I would have been wholly disinterested in R2 coming back at any price, but after this bad season I felt willing to consider him once more. Hearing the same damn price tag again has me turning up my nose in disgust..

You realize that is that idiot Cristodero's own made up numbers and he actually has no clue right?

[WaiverWire]

I just want to see R2 perfect coming down the right wing and cutting in on net while at the same time knocking down the defenseman like he did so many times. One day he is going to get that move down and be a scary sight to many goalies.

[jaydeedub]

You realize that is that idiot Cristodero's own made up numbers and he actually has no clue right?

This is what DC wrote:

Gandler would not go into specifics about the terms of the deal, but considering he and the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Artyukhin asked for $1-million previously, it seems a good bet they are asking for the same amount in each of the two seasons.

Don't see how it's a made up number. I'd think all agents would try to high ball the price to get the lower counter offer from the team which might be the true number they'd agree to. Say 2 years, 2-way deal at 750k.
I doubt JF can get him down to the min salary. It'd be nice, but just not happening. Maybe 600k at the lowest.

[Avery86]

Well now we know who one of the Cristodero haters is ..

[aapbolt]

Amazing, this guy asks for 1 million per year and then leaves for Russia where he does minimal. Was he a star over there? Did he score 20 goals in that Russian league? Why pay him that money when you need to go after two top 6 forwards? Crazy. R2 has some talent but he is a 4th/3rd liner who is a rock on skates, although I loved the using the opponents helmet to establish superiority. We have enough 3rd/4th guys, get the top 6 guys first, then look at a 2-way deal for R2 at the minimum.

[pete]

Bear in mind, the $1M is probably just the opening gambit. After two years of doing little in the Superleague and bouncing between three teams, R2's not in demand in Russia right now so Gandler might very well have to back off his demands.

I doubt very much he makes more than Ryan Craig ($850K last season). Feaster's already made clear he's not going to pay R2 more than #34. $800K is the number I have in my mind.

[gwf82]

This is what DC wrote:

Gandler would not go into specifics about the terms of the deal, but considering he and the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Artyukhin asked for $1-million previously, it seems a good bet they are asking for the same amount in each of the two seasons.

Don't see how it's a made up number. I'd think all agents would try to high ball the price to get the lower counter offer from the team which might be the true number they'd agree to. Say 2 years, 2-way deal at 750k.
I doubt JF can get him down to the min salary. It'd be nice, but just not happening. Maybe 600k at the lowest.

The bolded part is what I'm referring to. No one knows what he has asked for this time. May be 1 million, I doubt it when they know already it's been turned down. If so as a starting point possibly, but Cristodero acts as though he knows something about this time by using a number that was brought up a year ago and acting as though those are actual details to this story by inferring them himself when he doesnt know any more than you or I do.

[gwf82]

Well now we know who one of the Cristodero haters is ..

Haha, yes I find him to be lacking in comparison to EE but this would be the first time I've actually said anything about it anywhere.

[Avery86]

To be honest, Cristodero makes note of that by saying "it seems a good bet." He didn't say "FACT: this is how much they're asking for."

To me, he's just saying that he thinks the $1 million mark is the starting point of negotiations, which is speculation, and he basically says just that.

[gwf82]

To be honest, Cristodero makes note of that by saying "it seems a good bet." He didn't say "FACT: this is how much they're asking for."

To me, he's just saying that he thinks the $1 million mark is the starting point of negotiations, which is speculation, and he basically says just that.

But how many people have already read past that, taken Cristodero's conjectures as fact, and crabbed over the fact that Arty has again asked for 1 million? Thats my beef with it. I see no one agrees, so its all good, I'll drop it at that :) You win! I surrender! :)

[chad]

I wonder how much a 1-way vs. 2-way deal will play into negotiations. Maybe they agree to a lesser amount if it's a 1-way, more if it's a 2-way. He should make the Lightning, barring the meritocracy-monster rearing it's somewhat inconsistent head.

[Matt]

But how many people have already read past that, taken Cristodero's conjectures as fact, and crabbed over the fact that Arty has again asked for 1 million? Thats my beef with it.

That's more of a reading comprehension problem than the writer. I read it as speculation considering neither side is commenting, but others are taking it as fact. With Gandler, it wouldn't surprise me if DC's speculation is right.

[Hoek]

My bad. It is speculation, but I figured his mentioning of it meant there might be some meat to it. Again Gandler's reputation precedes him so strongly in such matters it was easy to jump on..

Like I said I'm open to the idea of R2's return, at a fair price. Yeah we have a lot of lower liners we can plug in and interchange, but any kind of energy or impact upgrade can't be sneezed at. Whatever will get Torts to actually ROLL those lines out is will be much appreciated. I know they're not supposed to be stars, but there's been far too many stretches the past few seasons where these guys just disappear from our conscience. We'll point out a good check or two once in a while, but it's amazing how utterly forgettable they've become compared to past Lightning teams (both better and worse ones).

[gphockey]

I am willing to gamble a sizable portion of Andre Roy's 1 million on the return of R2. I certainly would have incentive clauses in the contract so he will be properly motivated.
I guess its how much is Feaster willing to part with.

[pete]

R2 is not a legitimate enforcer though.

The role I want to see him used in, eventually, is as the third guy on the line with Ouellet and Halpern.

[CTLightning26]

If Artuykhin wants to be a top-9 forward and gets to a point where he is thinking the game better, he is definitely a top-9 forward.

[CupChamps2004]

I am willing to gamble a sizable portion of Andre Roy's 1 million on the return of R2.

We've only been paying half of that, right?

I certainly would have incentive clauses in the contract so he will be properly motivated.

Don't think that's allowed by the CBA.

[CTLightning26]

We've only been paying half of that, right?


.

Yup. and i wouldn't offer him a contract for much more than that - if at all.
Who the heck else would give him more?

[Jester47]

I don't know, it's kind of silly at this point to speculate on weather or not R2 will be back when we really don't even know if the coach or GM will be back. From allot of what I've read out in the space, Torts will be gone as soon as the sell is approved.

But I guess we have to have something to talk about this time of year...

[bassassin]

http://www.dobberhockey.com/content/view/1100/1/

Not sure how accurate this is, but it also suggests Gratton will be back.

[WaiverWire]

There is a key word in the article, "trying". He has not been signed, but they are trying to sign. This has been out for sometime now and seems to have died down until now.

[astro]

DC wrote this article last night.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article511023.ece

[nhljohnson]

DC wrote this article last night.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article511023.ece

Hope Koules really is pushing for R2's return. Wonder if he knows PSE/Feaster could have signed him for $660k on a 1-way after last season?

Anyhow, the article does not surprise me. With the Lightning's depleted forward ranks, it makes sense to stretch the negotiation process from Gandler's end. We'll see resolutions come near and post-draft.

Also...again, would rather see Kelly than Gratton, but am not opposed to the "crash line" concept.

[CupChamps2004]

Hope Koules really is pushing for R2's return.

Only thing he's ever done is whack a guy with his helmet & spend a lot of time in the box. Not worth more than league minimum, if that.

Also...again, would rather see Kelly than Gratton, but am not opposed to the "crash line" concept.

Pointless since Torts doesn't allow physical players to be physical.

[Bolthed]

I'd love to see Gratton in that fourth-line role with R2 and 'Nasty and no traditional enforcer. But it still begs the question of who centers the third line for the first half of the season?

[timothy]

I'd love to see Gratton in that fourth-line role with R2 and 'Nasty and no traditional enforcer. But it still begs the question of who centers the third line for the first half of the season?

Jarret Stoll??

[chad]

I wish, but he's too permanent, if there is such a thing.

I don't think they'd invest the assets in Stoll to use him for half a year then maybe move him to wing or line 4. If they have those assets to burn then a W for 4/91 will come back.

I would put money down that they re-sign Gratton for a year (maybe 2) and he takes that until Halpern is ready. Gratton drops down to line 4 and does FO and some wing work, much like Taylor was used late.

[timothy]

I don't think they'd invest the assets in Stoll to use him for half a year then maybe move him to wing or line 4. If they have those assets to burn then a W for 4/91 will come back.

I dunno. Special teams is so crucial, and his shot from the point on the power play for the whole season is almost enough in my book to make a run at him.

Using him as a 2nd/3rd line s-winger once Halpern returns is also no-brainer to me. I mean it's not like there isn't several glaring Top 9 forward holes on this team to fill. He won't be extra baggage if that's what you are worried about.

I expect Stamkos to be inconsistent over the first half of the year, and with Halpern being out, a guy like Stoll could be very useful. Then... assuming guys like Hossa, Rolston, and Malone are beyond what the TBL will be trying to land this summer, a utility guy like Stoll could be a good guy to have around. I mean, what Top 6 or 9 FA forwards are you expecting the TBL to legitimately make a run at?

By my count, we have Prospal, Richards, Halpern, and Modin's forward slots to fill AT A MINIMUM to be competive. Halpern fills his own slot when he comes back in February and we need to be in the division chase at that point. Stamkos sorta fills Richards' slot. So, we still have Prospal and Modin's slots to fill. And you're worried about Stoll being regulated to 4th line time when Halpern returns while guys like Darche and Ouellet and Jokinen bounce around the 2nd and 3rd lines?

[nhljohnson]

Only thing he's ever done is whack a guy with his helmet & spend a lot of time in the box. Not worth more than league minimum, if that.

Um...wrong. 17 points in 72 GP. 1 g in 5 playoff games. 90 PIM averaging almost 9 min/game.

Let the stats bear it out; you need some comparables:


03-04
Dingman - 6 points in 74 GP. 1 g, 1 a in 23 playoff games. 140 PIM averaging closer to 8 min/game.
Roy - 2 points in 33 GP. 1 g, 2 a in 21 playoff games. 78 PIM averaging nearly 8 min/game.

06-07
Tarnasky - 9 points in 77 GP. 0 points in 6 playoff games. 80 PIM averaging 6.5 min/game.

07-08
Roy - 7 points in 63 GP. 108 PIM averaging 5.5 min/game.
Tarnasky - 10 points in 80 games. 78 PIM averaging 8.25 min/game.

R2 is hardly the bumbling, ineffectual strong-arm you casually dismiss him as.



Pointless since Torts doesn't allow physical players to be physical.

He let R2 plaster opposing d-men all over the boards. Plus, there has been no indication either way whether Torts will remain coach.

[CTLightning26]

Stoll would be good in my book. Just wonder what Edmonton would take for him.
Maybe Phily's No. 2 next year and Kuba? We could throw in Ward, too. :D
Then, we'd have to sign the RFA. $2.5-3
Edmonton does need picks with all they gave up for Penner.

Unless you go O'Brien and pics for Stoll. I dunno. That'd be a tough decison even though Stoll is a better player.

[CTLightning26]

I ain't giving R2 $1 mil per year. No way, no how.
Try again Gandler

[timothy]

Stoll would be good in my book. Just wonder what Edmonton would take for him.
Maybe Phily's No. 2 next year and Kuba? We could throw in Ward, too. :D
Then, we'd have to sign the RFA. $2.5-3
Edmonton does need picks with all they gave up for Penner.

Unless you go O'Brien and pics for Stoll. I dunno. That'd be a tough decison even though Stoll is a better player.

Isn't Stoll a UFA or am I confused?

[CupChamps2004]

Um...wrong. 17 points in 72 GP. 1 g in 5 playoff games. 90 PIM averaging almost 9 min/game.

Not impressed for what he's asking. Hope our PK is up to snuff.

Let the stats bear it out; you need some comparables:

Tarnasky $500K
Roy $500K (we were paying)

R2 reportedly wants a 1-way deal for at least $1M. Not worth it..

He let R2 plaster opposing d-men all over the boards.

Who since?

[gwf82]

Who since?

Are you asking who has been allowed to play physical since then? Shouldnt the question be who here is capable of actually playing physical since then?

[CupChamps2004]

Are you asking who has been allowed to play physical since then? Shouldnt the question be who here is capable of actually playing physical since then?

O'Brien would hit before the neutering. Lukowich, too.

[aapbolt]

Picard and Smaby look like they like to hit and knock people down. I am not sure I want R2 back. We need to spend the money on two top 6 wingers, we have enough 3rd/4th line wingers.

[nhljohnson]

I ain't giving R2 $1 mil per year. No way, no how.
Try again Gandler

I think the compromise would be somewhere between 700-800k.

[WaiverWire]

Would be interesting to see R2 every once in awhile out banging on a line with Vinny and Marty which would open up some room for them to do their thing.

[CTLightning26]

Stoll is an RFA. He made 2.2 the last two years.
seeing edmonton would have to give him 2.5, to 3 to keep him, maybe they would take Kuba for a year.. I think it may be doable if we throw in a little something else

[CTLightning26]

I think the compromise would be somewhere between 700-800k.

2 for $1.5 is fine

[WaiverWire]

It is being reported that a 2 year deal has possibly been reached with R2 and could be done by Friday. However do to NHL rules the new contract can not be signed until July 1.



http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/05/artyukhin-light.html

[Sotnos]

please god don't let it be 2 years @ 2 mil :pray:

[RSchmitz]

I for one, am glad to see R2 back. Hopefully Feaster didn't reach too deep, but he is definitely one of my favorite players to watch.

[chad]

Feaster has always liked R2. I agree with TBFan, he's fun to watch.

The question is, after the disgust Torts had with him when R2 left "after [Torts/club] put all that time in with him," ... will Torts play him? Or will he rot on the bench and take his share of turns with the saltshaker like physical bottom liners before him?

[WaiverWire]

I do not think that this new owner will allow Tort's the option of having a player sit that he wants to see play. This is why Tort's was thinking about leaving......he will no longer have total control of his players. This owner will be a hands on owner, something Tort's has not had in his years under Davidson.

[bassassin]

If it is under 1 million a year and is over 1 year then it is a good deal, ideally something like 1.5 for 2 years. Even if it is a bit more still glad to have him back, will be interesting to see where he is in the lineup next year.

[WaiverWire]

SPTIMES is reporting the deal is done. It is for 2 years and will be signed on July 1 as that is the first day he can sign according to the rules.



http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/05/artyukhin-agree.html

[jaydeedub]

It was unclear how much Artyukhin will be paid, but the 6-foot-5, 254-pound wing had asked for $1-million a season. At one point Thursday, the sides were believed to be about $100,000 apart.




R2: "1 million."

JF: "750 thou."

R2: "900 thou."

JF: "825,999.99."

R2: "Otay. Deal. I c you July one."

Please tell me it's not at million a season! :begging:

[nhljohnson]

R2: "1 million."

JF: "750 thou."

R2: "900 thou."

JF: "825,999.99."

R2: "Otay. Deal. I c you July one."

Please tell me it's not at million a season! :begging:

That's probably pretty close to how it went down.

I'm 'cited. This is kewl nooz.

[astro]

I have a question about Artyukhin. I've been reading a lot of people's comments about Arty taking over Roy's role as an enforcer and protecting our players.

Is this the role that Artyukhin is expected to fill?

[pete]

God I hope not.

To me R2 is an agitator/energy guy who can create some havoc with his speed driving the net and with his size down low helping to cause goal mouth scrums.

If Halpern comes back 100%, I'd love to see R2 with Jeff and Ouellet. He'd give that extra dimension to that line that would make them the biggest pain in the ass in the league to play against. Other lines would certainly be more talented. But that line would have the work ethic, size, strength, and just enough skill to wear on peoples nerves and wear on them physically. Teams would HATE to play against that line. That's the kind of line that can break a team's will in a 7 game playoff series.

[WaiverWire]

That is also the type of line that could replace an enforcer by coming out and hitting in response to the other teams tactics. And if they have to fight they can do that also.

[astro]

God I hope not.

To me R2 is an agitator/energy guy who can create some havoc with his speed driving the net and with his size down low helping to cause goal mouth scrums.

If Halpern comes back 100%, I'd love to see R2 with Jeff and Ouellet. He'd give that extra dimension to that line that would make them the biggest pain in the ass in the league to play against. Other lines would certainly be more talented. But that line would have the work ethic, size, strength, and just enough skill to wear on peoples nerves and wear on them physically. Teams would HATE to play against that line. That's the kind of line that can break a team's will in a 7 game playoff series.

This is what I thinking as well, but I was reading a lot of comments about him being an enforcer. I wanted to get the "experts" opinion.

As I said before, I believe that enforcers are no longer necessary. What we need is someone who can deal with the Averys, Otts and Burrows of the league. These a-holes will never dance with an enforcer, but R2, Nasty and Gratton can take care of them.

[nhljohnson]

God I hope not.

To me R2 is an agitator/energy guy who can create some havoc with his speed driving the net and with his size down low helping to cause goal mouth scrums.

If Halpern comes back 100%, I'd love to see R2 with Jeff and Ouellet. He'd give that extra dimension to that line that would make them the biggest pain in the ass in the league to play against. Other lines would certainly be more talented. But that line would have the work ethic, size, strength, and just enough skill to wear on peoples nerves and wear on them physically. Teams would HATE to play against that line. That's the kind of line that can break a team's will in a 7 game playoff series.

And there is the voice of reason.

[MUDSHARK]

Sure hope this is not the July 1 big splash. Not impressed.

[aapbolt]

Well, Pete says he is a special blend of talent- Ok but he needs work in norfolk to bring out that talent unless he really learned a lot in Russia. i will wait and see on this project.

[pete]

How many players can you name who are 6'4" 254 lbs. of muscle who skate like the wind?

[RSchmitz]

Alexeev

[missK]

Alexeev never weight 254 in his life.

[pete]

I think the heaviest Alexeev ever got was about 220.

[RSchmitz]

I think he weighed 230 when the hawks released him. A year of serious weight training he would have been a clone, physically speaking. Once you get to the point where people accidentally fall over trying to check you, there isn't a huge need to grow more anyways

[nhljohnson]

Alexeev

Alexeev and Artyukhin have completely different mentalities while in possession of the puck.

[RSchmitz]

Alexeev and Artyukhin have completely different mentalities while in possession of the puck.

That wasn't the question though was it?

[nhljohnson]

That wasn't the question though was it?

You answered Pete's question, no doubt.

I just thought it worthwhile to chip in that any similarities between R2 and Alexeev (both Russian, around 6'5", and speedy skaters) are incidental. They are night and day on the ice.

[CupChamps2004]

You answered Pete's question, no doubt.

Answered but incorrectly. 20-30 lbs. difference in weight. Bigger difference in heart. (Takes stupid penalties, doesn't produce. May hurt us more than he helps but at least effort is there.)

[RSchmitz]

They both have a rare combination of size and speed, which was the point Pete was trying to make.

[CupChamps2004]

They both have a rare combination of size and speed, which was the point Pete was trying to make.

"How many players can you name who are 6'4" 254 lbs. of muscle who skate like the wind?"

Alexeev = skinny. Height nott the same as size.

[RSchmitz]

Lecavalier is 6-4 223 lbs. Would you call him skinny too? If you want to get nit picky, Alexeev was also taller and faster than R2. The one thing he was good at, was being fast and big. He was terrible at every aspect of the game, but I'll hold firm on that observation, you couldn't check him.


Arguing whether somebody is exactly 6-4 254lbs, isn't really a point of discussion.

[CupChamps2004]

Arguing whether somebody is exactly 6-4 254lbs, isn't really a point of discussion.

Wasn't exactly, I think 30 lbs. is a BIG difference.

Those two not in same physical cateogry.

[Netminder]

Combination of Size and Speed

With limited,to no SKILL, in the long Run don't mean much.

If being Big and Fast, was all that mattered ,the HOF would need a Bigger Building.

[CupChamps2004]

Combination of Size and Speed

With limited,to no SKILL, in the long Run don't mean much.



Both tall.

Both fast.

Neither does anything when he gets where he's going.

[pete]

250+ pounds of muscle is very different than 220-230 pounds of muscle.

In hockey terms, Artyukhin is a freak of nature. He's bigger than just about any forward in the league, sans of course the handful of giant enforcers in the NHL. And, unlike those enforcers, Artyukhin has game breaking speed once he gets in those first 2 or 3 strides.

Put it another way: Eric Lindros was arguably the original freak of nature in this league at 6'4" 245 pounds of muscle. In his prime, Lindros physically dominated people and R2 is almost 10 pounds heavier and is a faster skater than Lindros was in his prime, although obviously not as skilled.

He's a special athlete. He's a unique athletic specemin in much the same way a guy like Chara is, and that unique athleticism gives him an edge that no one else has and isn't always easy to quantify. But make no mistake about it, it's there, and it's a wise investment to try to develop Artyukhin as a player and cash in on that unique athleticism.

[WaiverWire]

Seems OK had a hand in this signing. Actual made a phone call to explain how he would be used and who he would be used with.

R2's agent gave Oren a little of credit in helping get the deal done.





http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/05/koules-likely-f.html

[timothy]

Any questions on Tort's future as head coach should be clear after this news with OK and Artykhin, IMO. There's no way that Torts is going to allow an owner tell who and how to play certain players. He's as good as gone.

..which means the Melrose rumors might have some legs to them...

[Jester47]

Damn, see what happens when you take a couple of days off from the boards... I totally missed this.

[Donnie D]

According to the St. Pete Times:

The co-agent for Russian freight train Evgeny Artyukhin said Tuesday that his client is in the process of signing a two-year, $1.9-million contract (NHL rules prevented him from doing that until Tuesday). But even if he signs the deal that will pay $900,000 next season, paperwork needed from Russia can hold up the process.

"If I get a copy of the contract tomorrow, then it will get done tomorrow," Gandler said. "If not, it will take another few days to get the note."

[chad]

Hi Tim.

:wave:

[timothy]

Hi Tim.

:wave:

:censored: :storm:

I hate it when I'm wrong.

[missK]

Sounds like smudged fax to me.....

[Donnie D]

According to the Times:

Mark Gandler, agent for big Russian Evgeny Artyukhin, said his client has signed a Lightning contract and sent Tampa Bay the document for it to be finalized. Gandler said he also has sent to the Lightning his client's expired contract from the Central Army team in Russia. Gandler has said the NHL, because it does not have a transfer agreement with Russia, needs the document to prove Artyukhin is not under contract in his homeland.