Lightning Sign Vrbata!!

[Maverick9911]

We got Vrbata!

$3 mil per, no length yet.

[Wrong Net Paulie]

Welcome to Tampa, Radim.

[aapbolt]

can you give us a link? Vrbata means no rolston but that is sweet!

[CTLightning26]

where'd u see that maverick?

[CupChamps2004]

I can't find it anywhere, either.

[SKuss]

Great!!

[Maverick9911]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/signings_2008/

Sorry...I did a refresh while playing GTA online and crashed off the pier when I saw it :)

[SKuss]

can you give us a link? Vrbata means no rolston but that is sweet!

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/07/01/vrbata_lightning/

[WaiverWire]

I like this move as he is younger and jumped at the chance to play here.

[Pepper]

This might actually be better than Rolston. Younger and cheaper. More room to move under the cap. Plus his legs for sure won't give out. Rolston's age scared me a little bit.

[nhljohnson]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/07/01/vrbata_lightning/

excellent. very excellent. wow. it's amazing to have a front office that actually THINKS along the same lines as us here on the message board.

it almost enough to make you feel somewhat savvy (although, with this year's UFA crop, it wasn't exactly rocket science to identify targets).

[CTLightning26]

I like this move as he is younger and jumped at the chance to play here.

That's a great point. while rolston is a better player overall right now, giving a 35-yr old four yrs is scarey. This guy is 27. hopefully for 3 mil they locked him up for 4 or 5

[Wrong Net Paulie]

This might actually be better than Rolston. Younger and cheaper. More room to move under the cap. Plus his legs for sure won't give out. Rolston's age scared me a little bit.

I was just looking at it from the cap hit, I like it more. Gives us a little cushion.

I like this signing, I think he could really blow up here.

[CTLightning26]

excellent. very excellent. wow. it's amazing to have a front office that actually THINKS along the same lines as us here on the message board.

it almost enough to make you feel somewhat savvy (although, with this year's UFA crop, it wasn't exactly rocket science to identify targets).

gotta be room for a few of us on the scouting staff.
:D

[Wrong Net Paulie]

That's a great point. while rolston is a better player overall right now, giving a 35-yr old four yrs is scarey. This guy is 27. hopefully for 3 mil they locked him up for 4 or 5

3 @ 9 mil total.

He could really grow with Steve and with Malone being the big goofy bastard in front of the net that second line could be killer! I like it.

[timothy]

$3M/yr. Length of contract TBA.

[Sean]

Already seeing those saying Radim won't sniff 25 goals playing on Tampa, yet he managed to score 27 with the fucking Yotes.

Excuse the language, but some of this stuff is just so over the top and insane it's hard to keep track of.

[Bolthed]

And we fire the first salvo in open free agency with a DANDY signing. Great price!

I friggin' LOVE this new ownership!!!!!

As far as I'm concerned, they can be done. I don't particularly love the idea of signing a Kolzig or Hedberg or Conklin. I'd prefer to platoon Smith and Ramo and see what happens. If neither emerges, THEN you go get a veteran option at the deadline ... but, on the other hand, I can see the logic of signing someone like Kolzig now. It's certainly easier to sign a free agent than it is to trade for a veteran goalie at the deadline. And even though Ramo would be getting the shaft being sent back to the AHL, at least they can smooth it over to him by explaining that he's young and will get to play a whole lot more. Plus, it's good for Norfolk and for once I'd like to see us actually compete in the A.

Either way, I'm thrilled with this offseason.

[Wrong Net Paulie]

Already seeing those saying Radim won't sniff 25 goals playing on Tampa, yet he managed to score 27 with the fucking Yotes.

Excuse the language, but some of this stuff is just so over the top and insane it's hard to keep track of.

Its fine, its just a bunch of spiteful people who are butt-hurt that their team didn't pick him up.

[Maverick9911]

Barrie: Vrbata is done

Lightning owner Len Barrie said the team signed left wing Radim Vrbata to a three-year, $9-million contract.

"It's great," he said, "and we're not done yet."


Oh boy.

[CTLightning26]

what's viktor saying?? LOL

[RSchmitz]

oh boy

Does this mean no Rolston?

[Wrong Net Paulie]

Hahahaha, Barrie is f'ing crazy. This is great.

[WaiverWire]

sportsnet says it is a 3 year deal

[timothy]

exactly

[timothy]

I believe this was Bolthed's original Plan B2.

Malone-Stamkos-Vrbata

[aapbolt]

Please cue jackie Gleason.... How SWEEET it is!

[Bolthed]

Yeah, Barrie is a freakin' pimp! "We're not done yet" might become our new team slogan. One has to truly wonder if signing an Olaf Kolzig is all that's left on the list. Maybe "We're not done yet" means they are going to trade for Pronger.

To quote Kevin Garnett: "Anything's possible!"

[sandwichestime]

Vrbata too? i'm so happy im not even going to make a "i'd like to buy a vowel" joke.

i am enjoying this NHL offseason/FA frenzy/tampering/summer

[Maverick9911]

That avatar has me singing the Toonces the Driving Cat song in my head, even though I know it isn't him lol

[RSchmitz]

I read that Vrbata's deal is backloaded

[timothy]

source?

[Maverick9911]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/fsublade99/koulbar.jpg

[CupChamps2004]

Somebody go read Cristodero's blog. I must be losing my mind if it says what I think it does.

[RSchmitz]

I may have misread, no source on the vrbata deal being backloaded yet

[CupChamps2004]

I may have misread, no source on the vrbata deal yet

Is the new entry about contacting Sundin gone?

[Maverick9911]

Mats Sundin? Oh, I don't wanna get too caught up in that...but wow, would that be unexpected.

[WaiverWire]

Somebody go read Cristodero's blog. I must be losing my mind if it says what I think it does.

Is he indicating that they could still sign Rolston?

[Maverick9911]

IF we managed to get Sundin, I think the ten Panthers fans in Sunrise would probably cry themselves to death. They seem to think that Wade Belak (yes, THE Wade Belak) is the key to bringing Mats to South Florida.

[sandwichestime]

terms of the sundin offer were not disclosed, but we can imagine it includes one of those funny umbrella hats to be safe in case he ventures outside down here

[Sotnos]

Is the new entry about contacting Sundin gone?
No, it's there. Ooooh, Sundiiiiiiiin :drool:

Will never happen (where in hell would we play all these guys?), but I hope no one lets their Leafs hate blind them to what a solid, steady contributor he is.

[Maverick9911]

Len Barrie must think this is NHL 08/Eastside Hockey Sim. :pcpunch:

[Maverick9911]

but I hope no one lets their Leafs hate blind them to what a solid, steady contributor he is.

I wonder how their fans would feel about taking one of "their" own, since we have already pilfered many of Canada's rightful stars.

[Netminder]

Good signing,Lightning now have 112 forwards(really 20) some Fan Fav's go to go away soon.

[aapbolt]

Kuba, Ward, Luk, Craig are all probably on the block. Gratts will not be back now that they signed Hall. Wow what a day!

[timothy]

Good signing,Lightning now have 112 forwards(really 20) some Fan Fav's go to go away soon.

Actually we have 12 forwards under contract with one of the 12 expected to be put on IR (Halpern). That leaves two open slots.

Two more roster forwards expected to be signed: Stamkos and Artyukhin.

Ryan Craig expected to be signed since he was qualified, and is likely destined for Norfolk. He was a Feaster guy, so perhaps the new ownership is not too keen on him. He has a lot to prove after 2 seasons of injuries.

Not looking good for UFA's like Gratton and Roy to be resigned.

UFA's like Darche and MacDonald might get two-way deals offered (like last season) and make up a great top line in Norfolk and be ready for injury call up.

I'd say that Andre Roy is the *only* fan favorite probably not coming back.

[Flycoon]

Good signing,Lightning now have 112 forwards(really 20) some Fan Fav's go to go away soon.

Did you find your anti-depressants?

[Netminder]

Did you find your anti-depressants?

Never was depress,But unlike Koule aid Drinkers, all that big talk dont impress me. Till he puts his money where his mouth is ,it is just Bullshit.

Unlike Many on the web sites, I dont get all giddy about bullshit.

Still not my pick, but he is taking a shot,Good,he just better not miss Cause all the Warm and Fuzzies,will be calling for his ass, if it blows up.

New coach, new team, everything new, but how many games they won?

[chad]

Till he puts his money where his mouth is ,it is just Bullshit.

Psst...

When they say 4.5 million after a contract, that's not beans, stalks of broccoli, or those little cotton balls in the top of pill bottles. It's dollars. Like money. The money he said he would spend. Out of his mouth.



Psst2...They haven't played any games in which to win.

[Sotnos]

Till he puts his money where his mouth is ,it is just Bullshit.Have you looked at projected payroll?

There are plenty of criticisms to be made, that is not a valid one whatsoever.

[aapbolt]

Chad is that money like in cash that you can spend? just checking for the definition in case net drank too much koule aid mixd with vitamin V.

[chad]

That's the rumor.

[timothy]

I think Netminder is saying that he was skeptical with all the pre-FA talk. But, now that Koules has delivered by putting his money where his mouth is, Netminder is less skeptical and more positive.

But... they still haven't played hockey yet... so, optimism is still to be guarded until we see results on the ice.

Netminder is a "believe it when I see kinda guy".

Is that basically what you were saying, Netminder?

[Hoek]

Love it. Best part is it was done with numbers you don't have to struggle to justify too much. Was worried we'd have to overpay for everyone. It's amazing how quick we've turned the corner on landing FA's now that players know we're serious and not just bargain bin shopping.

[Netminder]

I think Netminder is saying that he was skeptical with all the pre-FA talk. But, now that Koules has delivered by putting his money where his mouth is, Netminder is less skeptical and more positive.

But... they still haven't played hockey yet... so, optimism is still to be guarded until we see results on the ice.

Netminder is a "believe it when I see kinda guy".

Is that basically what you were saying, Netminder?

Till they Win, it is just a shot in the dark,I just don't see them going from worst to First, New coach, New Player, New " system", Same D.

And still got to get Chemistry going.
I got no problems with what they did other than wasting a pick on Rolo,Who told the world,he was Going on the market,why waste a pick,did they think he was lying?:noidea::noidea:

[Avery86]

You make the point about the wasted pick on Rolston, Netminder, by saying that he already said he would head to the market on July 1st ..

But if you recall Malone said the same thing, in fact he even put it more bluntly by saying that a team would be wasting their time trading for his rights. We know how that turned out.

Was worth a shot, obviously a bit wasted yes, but at least they did something. And we'll see if they have the intention of trying to get that 4th back some other way.

[WaiverWire]

And everything you said above is true. All we can do now is wait and see how the pieces fit. I do not think it can be done in one year. But they did take some huge steps over these past few days.

What I do like is the age of the players brought in. If Smith works out you have Ramo here next year behind him. If they both then excel you have some nice trade bait about the time contracts run out in 3 years. Now we will see how they are in tweaking, if needed, in order to get the rest of the way.

[Wrong Net Paulie]

Till they Win, it is just a shot in the dark,I just don't see them going from worst to First, New coach, New Player, New " system", Same D.

And still got to get Chemistry going.
I got no problems with what they did other than wasting a pick on Rolo,Who told the world,he was Going on the market,why waste a pick,did they think he was lying?:noidea::noidea:

Malone said the same thing.

[the_narrow_way]

Was worth a shot, obviously a bit wasted yes, but at least they did something. And we'll see if they have the intention of trying to get that 4th back some other way.
I'm not passing judgement until training camp opens, and I can look at the sum effect of all of these moves. Kolzig, Vrbata, Prospal, Malone, Hall, etc., for the coast of what? If it amounts to a handful of traded mid-level draft picks, then the plan was a success. Also, there's a bit of a log-jam of line 3 and 4 forwards, that can be cashed in for picks back to TB.

[chad]

I think the fact they knew they couldn't get Rolston - only found out after that exclusive period - enabled them to jump on Vrbata early, therefore making the dealt pick somewhat worth it.

[Patrick]

With Michael Ryder signing for 3/12 after the year he had Vrbata looks like a bargain.

[ThorBolt]

Chad following your reasoning that 4th got us Vrbata not Rolston.

And in a way you were right. I think they were able to see interest level and salary demands of Rolston. Then taking that information were able to have a viable structured deal for Vrbata waiting for him at 12 o'clock.

So if anyone asks that 4th got us Vrbata it just the Yotes didn't get the pick the Wild did.

[Flycoon]

Till they Win, it is just a shot in the dark,I just don't see them going from worst to First, New coach, New Player, New " system", Same D.

And still got to get Chemistry going.
I got no problems with what they did other than wasting a pick on Rolo,Who told the world,he was Going on the market,why waste a pick,did they think he was lying?:noidea::noidea:

Go away great gramps. Change/progress is warranted after last season.

Beyond goofy.

[WaiverWire]

I really like that way of thinking. By trading that pick it allowed us to see that Rolston did not have the interest that was needed to get him here. If we had waited until today to talk to him, Vrbata could have been gone.

Isn't everything a shot in the dark until we try it out? All that anyone can ask is that we collect sound data and use that data to make a sound dicision.......then cross your fingers and your toes and hope that you made the right move.

[Flycoon]

I think Netminder is saying that he was skeptical with all the pre-FA talk. But, now that Koules has delivered by putting his money where his mouth is, Netminder is less skeptical and more positive.

But... they still haven't played hockey yet... so, optimism is still to be guarded until we see results on the ice.

Netminder is a "believe it when I see kinda guy".

Is that basically what you were saying, Netminder?

When did you bercome fluent in Goof-speak, Tim?

[timothy]

I think the fact they knew they couldn't get Rolston - only found out after that exclusive period - enabled them to jump on Vrbata early, therefore making the dealt pick somewhat worth it.

Exactly. They had an offer in the Vrbata camp by 9am and the deal was cooked before 10am. That happened because they didn't have to wait all day to find out where Rolston decided to sign.

But that's lost on all but the sharpest of tools like Chad. And I mean that in the most backhanded way. ;)

[timothy]

When did you bercome fluent in Goof-speak, Tim?

Since I got into the business of running a message board. :rolleyes:

I read alot of fucking posts.

[chad]

Exactly. They had an offer in the Vrbata camp by 9am and the deal was cooked before 10am. That happened because they didn't have to wait all day to find out where Rolston decided to sign.

But that's lost on all but the sharpest of tools like Chad. And I mean that in the most backhanded way. ;)

Great, so now I'm a tool.

[Bolthed]

Yeah, but you're the sharpest of tools! :laugh:

Tim, I love how we can swear here without filters ... it's like being on HBO. :thankyou: :whocares:

[timothy]

In memory of George Carlin, I thought long and hard about submiting a post with just the 7 words. But...

it wouldn't do for the Admin to have a post reporting, and I do somewhat have to set an example. We don't have filters as long as folks don't start abusing it, and you know posting the 7 words probably do qualify as abuse...

[Maverick9911]

I was so distraught the day he died that whenever someone mentioned that bit in my presence, I rattled them all off without any regret. I know at least one person in public probably thought I had Tourettes.

What a genius that man was. :(

[Bolthed]

:threadjacked:

I've been wanting to use that emote! But here's a real serious question, Tim: Where is the line drawn for abusing profanity (if it's allowed to some degree)? :hmmmm:

[Sotnos]

I'm not Tim, but IMO just remember that the media & prospect's families read the boards. Use your good judgement, I think we all assume that everyone posting here has some.

[Puckhead]

In memory of George Carlin, I thought long and hard about submiting a post with just the 7 words. But...

it wouldn't do for the Admin to have a post reporting, and I do somewhat have to set an example. We don't have filters as long as folks don't start abusing it, and you know posting the 7 words probably do qualify as abuse...

You guys (all of you...) are doing such a great job....I sign on and see 20-30 people on and reading/looking/posting. I'm so glad I've come over from the dark side...:coolwink:

[timothy]

:threadjacked:

I've been wanting to use that emote! But here's a real serious question, Tim: Where is the line drawn for abusing profanity (if it's allowed to some degree)? :hmmmm:

Yeah, like sotnos, just trying to use good judgement. Considered on a case by case basis. Explicit sexual references or extreme language usually catches someone's attention. Trying to keep the rules to a minimum here. Our theory is that 99.7% of the time folks know how to behave themselves, make the right choices, and exercise good judgment.