10/18 GDT Dallas @ Tampa Bay

[ChaseSpace]

Dallas Stars(4-0-0) at Tampa Bay Lightning(3-1-0)
7:30PM

Dallas Stars
Goals Leader: 2 players tied with 4 goals a piece
Assists Leader: Brad Richards (7 Assists)
Points Leader: Brad Richards (9 Points)
GAA Leader: Kari Lehtonen 2.39
SV% Leader: Kari Lehtonen 93.2%

Goals For: 14
Goals Against: 10
PIM: 44
PP%: 13.3%
PK%: 70.0%

Starting Goalie: Kari Lehtonen (4-0-0)(confirmed via HFBoards)

Tampa Bay Lightning
Goals Leader: Steven Stamkos (4 Goals)
Assists Leader: 3 players tied with 3 assists a piece
Points Leader: Steven Stamkos (6 Points)
GAA Leader: Mike Smith 3.20
SV% Leader: Mike Smith 88.8%

Goals For: 12
Goals Against: 14
PIM: 45
PP%: 21.1%
PK%: 88.2%

Starting Goalie: Mike Smith (2-0-0)(confirmed via EE's twitter)

[WaiverWire]

Good chance Vinny is out

[ChaseSpace]

What happened to him?

[Bolts_26]

What happened to him?

He got hit in the knuckle with the puck. He threw his stick like 20 feet in the air. Ha.

[WaiverWire]

Looks like we are going to have a poor attendance tonight. You can now go to Ticketmaster and pick your own seats for our games. Sure looked like a lot of unsold seats.

[astro]

Looks like we are going to have a poor attendance tonight. You can now go to Ticketmaster and pick your own seats for our games. Sure looked like a lot of unsold seats.

I would go if I lived in the area. I will be there in March to attend two games.

[Donnie D]

Looks like we are going to have a poor attendance tonight. You can now go to Ticketmaster and pick your own seats for our games. Sure looked like a lot of unsold seats.

It is like a ghost town in here tonight. They could move us all into the 100s and still have that section half empty. But we always have a late arriving crowd.

I didnt see vinny out there for warm ups. I do see smaby.

[The Great Zo]

EE says Vinny's not out for warm ups too. Speculates one of Tyrell or Ritola gets the scratch.

[ChaseSpace]

I wish they would scratch Vernace

[ChaseSpace]

This game is reminding me of a beach and watching the water just go back and forth back and forth

[jason_haas]

Not impressed with the lacksadaiscal play that led to the SHG, but can't complain after a period like that. Hedman has a bomb, man that guy needs to shoot more. Too hot for Lehtonen, Stammer cleans up.

[Hoek]

Stamkos with another one of those one trick pony PP goals.. oh wait.. :p

That SHG was pretty dumb, but good job getting that one back on the same PP and then cashing in on another.

[RSchmitz]

Pretty boring period to be honest. And I'm not going to lie, Smith continues to scare the hell out of me as soon as he leaves the crease.

[RSchmitz]

blah how many of these goals have we seen from the opposite team?

[pete]

Randy Jones is a hot flipping mess.

[pete]

Purcell with the hard work and the eight foot long stick keeps the play alive for the third goal.

[RSchmitz]

Randy Jones is a hot flipping mess.

Yeah, what the heck was he doing

[Scobo_24]

ya randy jones has been nothing but below avg tonight.

strong strong defensive game for hedman/clark and some good forechecking by bergenheim and purcell.

[Hoek]

Purcell was amazing on that goal.

Shot advantage of 35-10. LOL.. reminds me of my NHL11 games..

[Scobo_24]

im liking moore....more and more and more lol *pun intended*

purcell gets another assisst. good night for our secondary lines

[Scobo_24]

what is wrong with smith.

our defense is playing a tough, grit style not giving up barely any shots and smith decides to go skating around the net and try and pokecheck their forwards. get your head in the game! its a shame that he is playing this sloppy still

[Avery86]

Secondary scoring? What the hell is that?

[Scobo_24]

Secondary scoring? What the hell is that?

aka not stamkos, lecavalier, st louis, malone... like what 90% of our goals were last year

[ChaseSpace]

Secondary scoring? What the hell is that?

It's this funny thing where players not named "Steven Stamkos" or "Martin St Louis" score goals. Don't worry it took me awhile to understand it too.

[Avery86]

aka not stamkos, lecavalier, st louis, malone... like what 90% of our goals were last year

I know, I was kidding. :coolwink:

[BurnTHalO]

what is wrong with smith.



Have you not seen Smith play since he got here? He plays very lazy, and does not square to the puck. He's not a starting NHL defenseman.

And Kubina, ugh, where to start. Yes, he has a point. But that only makes up for his horrid play that led to a goal earlier.

But with all my negativity out, is Stamkos the real deal or what? Boy oh boy. And the steal of trades may end up being Purcell. Dude has been lights out. And Moore has been great so far this season.

[Scobo_24]

what a joke of a call. seriously...if you dont see what happened then dont base the call off of just looking down. fortunately it didnt cost us the game

MVP:
Moore

LVP:
Smith/Jones its a tie

[BurnTHalO]

what a joke of a call. seriously...if you dont see what happened then dont base the call off of just looking down. fortunately it didnt cost us the game

MVP:
Moore

LVP:
Smith/Jones its a tie

Agreed. Kubina is there as well at LVP if not for his assist on the PP. But BS call. But, we got a BS call against the Habs as well. You have to respond against it, and we did. Good job.

[Hoek]

Shouldn't have ended that close. Oh well.

Our powerplay is friggin sick.

[Flycoon]

what is wrong with smith.

Nothing. Vintage Smith. Complete hammerhead.

I'd feel more confident with Desjardins.

[Scobo_24]

Our powerplay is friggin sick.

felt like our powerplay was a bit lucky tonight. they scored in the last couple seconds on two of em and the others started out a little shaky.

but then again when you play a tight defense and force turnovers, the momentum will carry you through

[pete]

They outshot Dallas 44-19. They deserved to win. I can't entirely blame Smitty for the mental lapses that allowed the Stars to hang around. A 3 goal third period lead should be a death sentence.

[KyleFreadrich43]

Nothing. Vintage Smith. Complete hammerhead.

I'd feel more confident with Desjardins.

I'd feel more confident with ERIC Desjardins.

[KyleFreadrich43]

They outshot Dallas 44-19. They deserved to win. I can't entirely blame Smitty for the mental lapses that allowed the Stars to hang around. A 3 goal third period lead should be a death sentence.

....and against the top teams it might be. Dallas has been a surprise so far. Isn't Lehtonen about due for his season ending injury?

[Donnie D]

Glad to see that Nate Thompson was recognized with a star tonight. His line really played well against the Richards line. Richards only got a point after the goalie was pulled. Hard to give a star for defense when you give up 4 goals, but he really deserved it.

I thought Purcell and Bergenheim could have easily been given a star for their play too.

Kind of funny, you score 5 goals and give up 4, but it was the defense, giving up only 10 shots in the first 2 periods that won the game for us.

I've been giving the Smith problem a lot of thought. I'm thinking that during the next road trip that we install one of those invisible dog fences in the ice and fit Smith with a collar that shocks him each time he crosses the fence. It will only work with home games, but perhaps like a puppy, he will learn boundries and not cross the line even when the fence isn't there. Other than that, I've got no idea how you change this guy at his age.

[Donnie D]

....and against the top teams it might be. Dallas has been a surprise so far. Isn't Lehtonen about due for his season ending injury?

You can take the goalie out of Atlanta, but you can't take the smirkin chicken out of the goalie.

[Donnie D]

They outshot Dallas 44-19. They deserved to win. I can't entirely blame Smitty for the mental lapses that allowed the Stars to hang around. A 3 goal third period lead should be a death sentence.

I can. The first 2 goals weren't Stamkos like lazers. The third goal was entirely his fault and let them back in the game. The 4th was with a 2 man advantage.

But that 3rd goal almost was a killer and anyway you cut it he gave up 4 goals on 19 shots.

[Sean]

This team could really tear things up with smart goaltending. If they come to play like they did tonight and they have a goalie that keeps his cool and doesn't give away any (or frequent) freebies (e.g. Smith) they have the firepower and pressure to score a bucket load of goals each night.

[RSchmitz]

The Stamkos, St.Louis, Downie line is the only line with a positive +/-

[CTLightning26]

I echo what someone said earlier....It's odd to say they played a really, really good defensive game and they gave up 4 goals -- but they did...they were all over Dallas...that goofy third goal changed everything...should have been a neat and clean 5-2 final..

Great to see Guy have confidence in the Hall-Thompson-Tyrell line to go against Richey's line and shut them down until the extra attacker goal..

I thought Victor was a monster tonight...He was decisive with the puck and made strong decisions, got the puck on net..

Stammer's on pace for about 145 pts...

[timothy]

I'd feel more confident with Desjardins.

It's called the 2011-12 season.

[Sotnos]

I echo what someone said earlier....It's odd to say they played a really, really good defensive game and they gave up 4 goals -- but they did...they were all over Dallas...that goofy third goal changed everything...should have been a neat and clean 5-2 final...
They took their collective foot off the gas in the 3rd and it came back to bite them. Thankfully they had gotten enough of a lead to hang on.

I didn't think the crowd was that bad, but I'm in 301 & can't see the whole side under me. I was guessing 16-17k.

It's called the 2011-12 season.
Yup. I think they just want to ride out the end of Smitty's contract and use one of the kids next year. No sense bringing in another contract when, for once, we have some real possibilities in the pipeline.

[Jester47]

It's called the 2011-12 season.

You mean, "Next Tomorrowseason" :D

[Top Shelf]

I'd like six large orders of Sean (Serge??) Bergenheim, please. MAN did that boy have a monster game last night. That level of puck hunger is contagious--see Purcell, Teddy.

Smith continues to scare the hell out of me as soon as he leaves the crease.
Complete hammerhead.
I'd feel more comfortable with Desjardins.
I'd feel more comfortable with ERIC Desjardins.
Hell, I'd feel more comfortable with GERRY Desjardins. (I'll let that one sink in for you oldtimers out there...


...hint...think first expansion...bright yellow and purple...so what if he's 66, strap 'em on & lace 'em up)

Look, two of the four goals against were directly the goalie's fault. Can we afford that? Apparently the answer is yes, because we're the '80s Oilers. Our game plan is to overwhelm the opposition with so much firepower, we don't have to care about letting in four or five at the other end, long as we win. That strategy worked for four Cups in five years, but then again there was that one guy who may have, you know, sort of made that happen. It's working for us right now, but it's not a recipe for success in the playoffs for this club.

I agree with the observation that SFY is probably not failing to notice the reality of the situation. OK we got the Stars' backup and the Predators' backup. Both are approximately equal parts horrible and brilliant. If only we could play them both at once. Ellis could cover the net while Oscar Meyer Smitty tries to out-stickhandle Alexander Kharitonov. So, now let's just kick back & see how far we can go, comfortably within the top eight, before adding the final piece. Can you imagine, getting 40-50 shots a game PLUS NHL-caliber goaltending? Zowzle!!

[the_narrow_way]

Smith continues to scare the hell out of me as soon as he leaves the crease.
Yeah, not impressed one bit.

what a joke of a call. seriously...if you dont see what happened then dont base the call off of just looking down.
Are you referring to the Malone call at the end of the game? The one where the ref had his back to the event, then turned and looked down and decided that Malone was guilty? Par for the course. The bad calls affected both teams, so I guess as long as it's equivalent, then it's not unfair.

That level of puck hunger is contagious--see Purcell, Teddy.
The Purcell play where he hassled the puck-carrier and somehow got his go-go-gadget hockey stick to reach the puck to start the scoring play was a real beauty.

Zowzle!!
Is that a combo of zowie and dazzle?

[Donnie D]

They took their collective foot off the gas in the 3rd and it came back to bite them. Thankfully they had gotten enough of a lead to hang on.

I didn't think the crowd was that bad, but I'm in 301 & can't see the whole side under me. I was guessing 16-17k.


Yup. I think they just want to ride out the end of Smitty's contract and use one of the kids next year. No sense bringing in another contract when, for once, we have some real possibilities in the pipeline.

It was a late arriving crowd but I don't think it was more than 12,000. Very vocal though.

We have too many pieces leaving to view this as a next year team. I think SFY is looking at a goalie near the deadline. This isnt a cup team but a couple of rounds is a potential 2-3 million in additional revenue. A goalie foe a third of a year could be a good investment.

[Top Shelf]

Is that a combo of zowie and dazzle?If you like...why not? :D

[Top Shelf]

Following PK's postgame interview w/ #16, I've arrived at two conclusions:

After hockey he could have a career in broadcasting; and

I've relented. I'm finally on board with calling him "PURSLE." He had a monster game, and then PK said "Pursle"--right in front of the guy--and he didn't reach over and belt him one for it. So that must really be the way he likes the name pronounced; and, by Jove, it's his name, if that's the way he likes it, that's good enough for me. Some tough pro hockey player wants his name to sound like "Percy" and "Purse", I'm damn sure not going to object. Pursle it is! :D

[BobG]

It's called the 2011-12 season.


PUHLEEZE keep Smith healthy!!

We here in Norfolk LOVE the goalie tandem we have.... but we know we're just one silly Smith injury away of losing DJ....
Seeing Smitty play last night makes me hope Guy waits for an injury....LOL

Tic looked shaky at times the other night, but maybe that was because DJ looked so darn good!!

Janus needs a least another year before he's even ready for the A.

[Sotnos]

It was a late arriving crowd but I don't think it was more than 12,000.
It must be very empty downstairs if that's the case, upstairs was probably 80%. Super late arriving, as usual.

[chad]

I said in the prediction thread that I thought a GT move would be made before the All-Star break... and right now I'm standing by that.

What I'd like to see is Ellis get the bulk of the starts and a few spot starts here and there for 5mith.

Smith needs bungee cords to keep him in the net, and a couple more to keep his feet out wide. He's the smallest big goalie I've ever seen. He did it last year, too. His wingless butterfly impression when he drops to his knees is going to be the other death of him.

He's just awful. Awful.

I think the new goalie coach probably threw up his popcorn watching him last night.

Offense inevitably dries up for small periods of time throughout the year and the team is going to need someone to be capable of stopping 80% of the shots against. Smith isn't it.

[PEIBolt]

Well, I hate watching Tampa and Dallas play, just hate it. A few observations, for what it's worth.....Stamkos, just wow......Nate Thompson really impressed me......Smith is an interesting specimen to watch in the Lightning net...St. Louis hasn't changed a bit, etc. I thought it was the worst game I've seen Brad play this year. He looked very nervous out there, made a lot of tentative passing decisions I'm not used to seeing him make. I don't mean to take anything away from the Lightning and how they played him. Full marks for shutting the Richards line down. How about that Stars PK, sheesh!!
I wasn't really cheering for either team. Watching the Lightning and Stars play is like watching an intra-squad game, for me.
Yzerman, if you're listening, free up $2 million in cap space by the trade deadline and bring Brad home. I guarantee he'll play for less in Tampa than he would in Dallas.

[the_narrow_way]

Yzerman, if you're listening, free up $2 million in cap space by the trade deadline and bring Brad home. I guarantee he'll play for less in Tampa than he would in Dallas.
/signed

[Sotnos]

Smith is an interesting specimen to watch in the Lightning net...
That's such a diplomatic way to put it! :D

[gphockey]

4th place in the East
Played 5 games
Are 4-1-0 with 8 points
17 goals for
18 goals against
2-0 at home and 2-1 on the road,

4 Tampa Bay 5 4-1-0 8 17 18 2-0-0 2-1-0

How is it possible we are 4-1-0 getting outscored 17-18?

[Goboltz56]

4th place in the East
Played 5 games
Are 4-1-0 with 8 points
17 goals for
18 goals against
2-0 at home and 2-1 on the road,

4 Tampa Bay 5 4-1-0 8 17 18 2-0-0 2-1-0

How is it possible we are 4-1-0 getting outscored 17-18?

Because we got thumped 6-0 by Florida.

[gphockey]

6-0.
Thanks for the reminder but this brings up a second question.

Per the article in the paper today, could this new system, with its aggressive style and pinching D men continue this trend of negative goals for vs goals against?

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/guy-bouchers-success-with-tampa-bay-lightning-no-secret-he-says/1128947

We have a winning record....have tons of shots on goal...and yet could we have more of these "off nights" which run up our negative goals?

Will there be a win vs lose big trend?

[Hoek]

Attendance was only 13,277 according to box score.

[chad]

6-0.
Thanks for the reminder but this brings up a second question.

Per the article in the paper today, could this new system, with its aggressive style and pinching D men continue this trend of negative goals for vs goals against?

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/guy-bouchers-success-with-tampa-bay-lightning-no-secret-he-says/1128947

We have a winning record....have tons of shots on goal...and yet could we have more of these "off nights" which run up our negative goals?

Will there be a win vs lose big trend?

It all depends on the goalies and their focus.

I think we've seen enough in 5 games to know what everything is supposed to look like. Last night was basically everything that's been described to us about the system, and we've seen it in spurts in the other 4 games. The Florida game was nothing close to it, for whatever reason. Those games will happen.

Outshooting an opponent by that much should equal sustainable success.

Out of Smith and Ellis, Ellis is by far the better option for what this team needs, and from what they've said the new GT is teaching. Kinda like Jeff Reese, simple/limited movements and positioning. Smith is the opposite of this. He's big enough to play it, but fancies himself an athletic risk-taker. That type of goalie can steal you some games, but unless you're Hasek, you're not going to get sustainable success.

Ellis' style lends itself to what TB (and most teams) need. This is why Neuvirth is doing so well in WSH to start. Small, simple, limited movement and positioning. Make the save, control the rebound (Smith struggled with rebounds last night, too). Make the great save occasionally and at key times.

I don't know that Ellis can do this over a full season, but I do know that Smith can't.

[RSchmitz]

I said in the prediction thread that I thought a GT move would be made before the All-Star break... and right now I'm standing by that.

Looks prophetic to this point. Its hard to tell with how crazy the standings look right now, but who out there do we think is going to be available?

[chad]

That's where my predicting stops. :)

The other issue is what is moved for a GT? We have an extra second in 2012, but that won't fetch too much, either on its own or a sweetener. We don't have expendable, valuable prospects considering Yzerman's patient approach to building the organization.

I think the most likely scenario, much to the chagrin of Norfolk fans, will be Desjardins getting a chance to claim half or all of the job at some point.

All I know is they're not going to sit around and let Mike Smith let in 4 of 19 shots. He could very well be waived and be playing in Norfolk by February.

Perhaps someone needing a non-rookie No.2 goaltender for the playoffs to fill water bottles will make a separate deal for him.

[CTLightning26]

Attendance was only 13,277 according to box score.

it was less than that.
it was very disappointing to me

[CTLightning26]

It must be very empty downstairs if that's the case, upstairs was probably 80%. Super late arriving, as usual.

HUH?

The corners and one end zone were pretty empty..

You had a bad view...

[BobG]

That's where my predicting stops. :)

All I know is they're not going to sit around and let Mike Smith let in 4 of 19 shots. He could very well be waived and be playing in Norfolk by February.




:bigcry: :bigcry:

[ChaseSpace]

I'm all for waiving Smith and bring CD up, AFTER October. Give him a month in the AHL in a similar system to ours to see how he plays and then I wouldn't be against a mid-November move.

Hey if we're lucky someone will claim Smith :ohmy:

[Beardfacé]

I'm all for waiving Smith and bring CD up, AFTER October. Give him a month in the AHL in a similar system to ours to see how he plays and then I wouldn't be against a mid-November move.

Hey if we're lucky someone will claim Smith :ohmy:

Currently CD is nursing an injury, so until he's 100% he won't be doing any back to back games here. That said, he pitched a shutout and, if I could assess someone on one single game, played better than I've ever seen another goaltender play while actually in attendance at the game. I don't know if I could handle Smith being down here. I am not even a Tampa fan, per se, and he makes me pull my hair out.

God, that "accidental" goal last night where he tried to keep playing the puck even though 3 of his teammates were there and then it ended up in the back of the net. Lord. Have. Mercy.

[Coldrice]

That's where my predicting stops. :)

The other issue is what is moved for a GT? We have an extra second in 2012, but that won't fetch too much, either on its own or a sweetener. We don't have expendable, valuable prospects considering Yzerman's patient approach to building the organization.



If we're in playoff contention, and say SFY fishes for a pending UFA this upcoming offseason to replace Smith for that stretch run, here's a link showing the summer 2011 UFA netminders.

2011 UFA Goalies (http://www.nhlnumbers.com/freeagents.php?team=none&pos=G&summer=2011&status=ufa&type=none)

Of those names, I can only see one or two that wouldn't require a steep price in order to make a playoff push and those that would require something steep, I don't see those teams parting with them... as no doubt they'd be in contention themselves. The rest would be a lateral move or worse, a downgrade. Somthing I can't see SFY doing anyway (lateral or otherwise).

The RFA pool looks much the same... and at that point are we even looking down that road? For an RFA I mean.

I guess that, although it's something that should be done, I'm already preparing myself for non-movement to replace Smith... we ride out his contract and possibly prepare for an Ellis/Desjardins duo next season (providing they re-up Cedrick, which is pretty safe to say they should).

Adding more pieces to the d-corp could actually make that tandem very doable. And there's room to do that IMO without mortaging too much.

Looking even further ahead in the future, the 2012 UFA crop looks worse (and very limited). That summer, both Tic's and Janus' contracts are up as well so I wonder if the evaluation process goes like this

Ellis/Desjardins - Tic/Janus - or even the x-factor Koshechkin

So what I'm saying is.. if Mr. Yzerman is going to do it, he'll have to swing for the fences and trade for someone with a 2+ year contract. Now you enter that realm that goes beyond coveted prospects or extra 2nd-rounders... and I care not to re-open the temporarily closed wound of speculation on who that may require. Basically, let the personnel make-up we have now play itself (or themselves) out and re-assess in the off-season.

Who knows, by then maybe Vokoun is looking to escape South Florida and SFY helps "facilitate" his escape ;).

/

[Beardfacé]

Interesting take. I wonder, though, how influential SY is since he managed to bring in Desjardins for Ramo. An out right robbery, if you ask me. He could potentially make a deal for a top UFA netminder trade at the deadline. Who knows.

[Hoek]

Hey we could get Brodeur in 2012.. :p

[WaiverWire]

OMG the guy iss 3-0 sso far and everyone is trying to move him out. :noidea:

Ride him out the season and see what happens. Then make your move, if a move is to be made.

Next you all will be saying "trade Vinny as we can win without him" :rolleyes:

[astro]

Next you all will be saying "trade Vinny as we can win without him" :rolleyes:

I think you're on to something. :p

I'm not jumping on the bandwagon to move Smith. Worst case scenario, he takes a back seat to Ellis. I'm really hoping that Smith returns to his old self. I wish he would just stay in the damn net. How much do we need to buy that tether for him?

[RSchmitz]

OMG the guy iss 3-0 sso far and everyone is trying to move him out. :noidea:

http://www.memedepot.com/uploads/0/207_not_sure_if_serious.jpg

I wonder if Wishart and Harju could be added to the trade pot.

[chad]

To be clear, I'm not saying get him out now, this month, next month, or whatever. I'm saying I wouldn't be surprised at all if he's out of here by the All-Star break.

Yes, he's 3-0. His numbers, however, are awful.

You have to look at sustainable success. TB has scored 5, 4, and 5 goals in his three games. And he's given up 4, 3, and 4 goals in those three one-goal wins.

To be a playoff team, we need a team GAA around 2.50 or 2.75 at worst. We should be good for 3-4 goals per game on offense on average. What about those 2-goal games? It's not like he's off to a slow start and we'll wait for him (Gagne, Lecavalier, etc). We know he's been a bad goalie and we've all hoped that his offseason would bring us the pre-concussion version of Smith. I think it's clear he's not a better goalie (yet?). How long do you wait? How many points are you willing to sacrifice when 1 point could mean you get in or don't?

Ellis' numbers, IMO, are a little flawed by the entire team's Panther debacle, but I'm not declaring him the answer either.

There comes a time when you just have to use your eyes. As Pete said after the first Ellis game, the difference between Smith and Ellis is huge. Look at 90% of the goalies in this league and they have a better approach to the game than Smith does.

And when the going gets rough... Smith gets more spastic when he should be going back to the limited basics. Goalies need to be ice man, not Shazam.

He's just not a good goalie and has shown little in the way of changing his style to fit what he COULD do best. Use his size and correct positioning to stop first shots. His angles are awful. He nearly always commits too far to one side. If Toby Freaking Peterson can easily take advantage of your bad angle, you've got issues.

Taking a backseat to Ellis is step one, and that could happen shortly.

[Sean]

OMG the guy iss 3-0 sso far and everyone is trying to move him out. :noidea:

Ride him out the season and see what happens. Then make your move, if a move is to be made.

Next you all will be saying "trade Vinny as we can win without him" :rolleyes:

Yeah, everyone should be totally confident in a goaltender that gives up 4 on 19.

Yes, Mike Smith is 3-0. Now that the good is out of the way:

His SV% has dropped in every game he's played in. 90% the first game, 79% in his most recent with two in the 80s sandwiched in.

He's directly given away 2 goals at LEAST by incredibly sloppy play or by losing track of a puck while trying to play it.

My problem with Smith is that no lead is safe. Tampa HAS to score 3+ a game or they're probably going to lose. Bottom line. Smith can not be relied on to keep his team in a game. He can hardly be relied on to keep his team in the game when they're up by 3.

Mike Smith is damaged goods who WILL cost this team points in the standings this year.

[RSchmitz]

There is always hope that Smith will begin go back to his 08-09 form. But are some of you all really satisfied with a goaltender with a .869 SV% and 3.5ish GAA? If you've been watching the games, its hard to defend Smith right now. Those numbers if anything aren't as bad as they should be.

[19brichards91]

I wasn't really cheering for either team. Watching the Lightning and Stars play is like watching an intra-squad game, for me.
Yzerman, if you're listening, free up $2 million in cap space by the trade deadline and bring Brad home. I guarantee he'll play for less in Tampa than he would in Dallas.

I was cheering for Richards to get a couple points to remain near the top in scoring, but was cheering for the Lightning to win. :) I hope he comes back to Tampa as a UFA!

I don't have a huge issue w/ Smith allowing 4 goals on 19 shots...but it's more the quality of goals he allows. Awful. Sure it's tough for a goalie to maintain his focus in a game where he faces a limited number of shots, but he has to be better than that. He allows goals that are so deflating and such momentum killers. :ohwell:

[the_narrow_way]

OMG the guy iss 3-0 sso far and everyone is trying to move him out. Ride him out the season and see what happens. Then make your move, if a move is to be made.
He's been getting worse each game. They're damned lucky that they scored some goals to counteract Smith's bad play. In four games, how many pucks have you seen go right through him? How many goals did he give away trying to play the puck himself? The Smith experiment is over.

[WaiverWire]

He let in 2 bad goals, numbers 2 and 3, last night. With the amount of money that we want to pay a goaltender, and remain under the cap, who else is out there? No one.

Everyone has got to remember we have a cap. Stamkos has not been resigned and with every goal he scores the price is going to go up. Gage would like to stay, and then there are those that would love to see Richards back.

Smith needs to to learn to stay put in net until he can learn to pick his spots better to "roam".

[RSchmitz]

He let in 2 bad goals, numbers 2 and 3, last night. With the amount of money that we want to pay a goaltender, and remain under the cap, who else is out there? No one.

Everyone has got to remember we have a cap. Stamkos has not been resigned and with every goal he scores the price is going to go up. Gage would like to stay, and then there are those that would love to see Richards back.

Smith needs to to learn to stay put in net until he can learn to pick his spots better to "roam".

I'm not expecting the world from Smith. At one point, I was expecting him to play like the #1 goaltender that we essentially traded Richards for, but then I was hoping for mediocrity. I think most of us still would settle for mediocrity, it isn't like the 2.4 million he is getting now is bare-bones for a goaltender. Luongo for instance has a 5.3 million cap hit, Brodeur is being paid 5.2 million.

[pete]

I wonder if Wishart and Harju could be added to the trade pot.

Don't trade Harju. Seriously. Don't.

I think Desjardins will get his shot, but I think we will find him to be lacking, too.

The two best scenarios I see are to try to pry Bernier or Quick out of LA or try to pry Schneider out of Vancouver. Beyond that, there's the sentimental option of re-acquiring Khabibulin, if the Oilers fall out of it. I'd really like to snag Schneider. He's never going to play behind Luongo and everyone knows it.

Also, I hope Dallas doesn't win another game between now and February so we can try to re-acquire Richards for a song.

[The Great Zo]

Who moves to wing if you get Richards?

[RSchmitz]

Who moves to wing if you get Richards?

Vinny or Stamkos :)

[jason_haas]

Vinny or Stamkos :)

I think it'd benefit Vinny more, maybe get him bumped a little more and fired up.

[ChaseSpace]

Don't trade Harju. Seriously. Don't.



I agree. He has the ability to be our Zetterberg. Late round draft pick that blooms into a hall of fame star.

[ChaseSpace]

I think it'd benefit Vinny more, maybe get him bumped a little more and fired up.

Vinny-Stamkos-MSL

I think I heard every other 29 NHL teams collectively crap themselves.

[Donnie D]

I think Desjardins will get his shot, but I think we will find him to be lacking, too.

Montreal needed a backup goalie and didn't keep Desjardins. They should know him as well as anyone. Clearly, teams make errors in evaluating players (see St. Louis, Marty) but Desjardins was, I believe, 25 when they let him go for a guy that may never again play in the NHL. If Ramo wasn't willing to compete with Smith for a starting job, why would he ever come over here and compete with Price?

[jason_haas]

Montreal needed a backup goalie and didn't keep Desjardins. They should know him as well as anyone. Clearly, teams make errors in evaluating players (see St. Louis, Marty) but Desjardins was, I believe, 25 when they let him go for a guy that may never again play in the NHL. If Ramo wasn't willing to compete with Smith for a starting job, why would he ever come over here and compete with Price?

Desjardins wanted a trade because he wasn't going to get a shot in MTL. I'm quite sure I heard that at some point, maybe even from Chad or Pete.

[pete]

Who moves to wing if you get Richards?

File that under, "Good problem to have."

[WaiverWire]

I don't think Richards would be able to come here unless he gives a huge hometown discount. He currently is making $7,800,000 a year an will command at least that much.

Gagne is making $5,250,000 with a nice point total. He also will command close to this amount in a new contract.

[pete]

I don't think Richards would be able to come here unless he gives a huge hometown discount.

He could come here at the deadline as a rental.

[Dman21]

To be clear, I'm not saying get him out now, this month, next month, or whatever. I'm saying I wouldn't be surprised at all if he's out of here by the All-Star break.

Yes, he's 3-0. His numbers, however, are awful.

You have to look at sustainable success. TB has scored 5, 4, and 5 goals in his three games. And he's given up 4, 3, and 4 goals in those three one-goal wins.

To be a playoff team, we need a team GAA around 2.50 or 2.75 at worst. We should be good for 3-4 goals per game on offense on average. What about those 2-goal games? It's not like he's off to a slow start and we'll wait for him (Gagne, Lecavalier, etc). We know he's been a bad goalie and we've all hoped that his offseason would bring us the pre-concussion version of Smith. I think it's clear he's not a better goalie (yet?). How long do you wait? How many points are you willing to sacrifice when 1 point could mean you get in or don't?

Ellis' numbers, IMO, are a little flawed by the entire team's Panther debacle, but I'm not declaring him the answer either.

There comes a time when you just have to use your eyes. As Pete said after the first Ellis game, the difference between Smith and Ellis is huge. Look at 90% of the goalies in this league and they have a better approach to the game than Smith does.

And when the going gets rough... Smith gets more spastic when he should be going back to the limited basics. Goalies need to be ice man, not Shazam.

He's just not a good goalie and has shown little in the way of changing his style to fit what he COULD do best. Use his size and correct positioning to stop first shots. His angles are awful. He nearly always commits too far to one side. If Toby Freaking Peterson can easily take advantage of your bad angle, you've got issues.

Taking a backseat to Ellis is step one, and that could happen shortly.

This. The most spot on observation and breakdown as to the flaws of Smith and the goaltending situation in general.

[weebs]

Vinny-Stamkos-MSL

I think I heard every other 29 NHL teams collectively crap themselves.

That's Boucher's M-16 line:

Boucher also has experimented with a line of Lecavalier, St. Louis and Stamkos.

"You know what it does, it sparks up things," Boucher said. "Once in a while, you see the game is going okay, it's not enough for me. It's like, 'Okay, let's get our M-16 out.' "

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/tampa-bay-lightning-ends-preseason-with-4-1-win-over-florida-panthers/1125738

[Top Shelf]

God, that "accidental" goal last night where he tried to keep playing the puck even though 3 of his teammates were there and then it ended up in the back of the net. Lord. Have. Mercy.
When we saw Smith play his first game and I remarked about his ridiculous hotdogging with the puck out by the blue line like a kid playing pickup, the retort was that's the great thing about his style, it's ballsy and we need another Dman out there. Then came the concussions, which he concealed from the club. When Smitty was still complaining about a cloud of black dots before his eyes about six weeks prior to the start of LAST season, my take was that the concussion symptoms are persisting with an intensity that does not suggest a resolution any time soon; we need a #1 goalie. That view was also roundly and soundly criticized, and not without a fair bit of pointed sarcasm. (The tamest reply went something like 'We can't give up Smith: we got him for RICHARDS.' The logic just soars.) Then came the season. Smitty couldn't do it; neither could Niitty. Here we are another year-plus down the road, Mike Smith still (miraculously) has his starting job, and he still is impressing Lightning fans with how lousy he is.

His judgment, timing, angles, reflexes, movements, everything that provides insight to neurological function is indicating persistent impairment. People have to bite their lip, swallow hard, and just admit it...he may never fully recover enough to play NHL hockey. Yes he's a nice guy, a hard worker, a great teammate, a fierce competitor, a tireless fighter for his club...just woefully inadequate to the task of carrying a 60-game load plus stellar performance in the playoffs behind a club whose style dictates it NEEDS strong netminding until the D learn how to be in two places at once.

Always it's nice to be on the same page as chad, who I again remind everyone still holds the record for prediction IMHO, in calling the lockout four years in advance. Spooky. Really though, the G situation requires neither his nor mine nor anyone else's prediction, because we have the secret weapon. The weapon is SFY, who can be counted on to watch game tape more than any of us, and presumably will not let minor-league netminding sink his carefully crafted success plan

[Top Shelf]

Gagne is making $5,250,000 with a nice point total. He also will command close to this amount in a new contract.Interesting timing to note Gagne's point total. He'll command nothing like $5 million if that doesn't wake up, get busy and go somewhere. So far he's the francophone winger for Vinny, this year's edition of Tanguay, the francophone winger for Vinny, who was the replacement for Veilleux, the francophone winger for Vinny

Zut alors

[BurnTHalO]

OMG the guy iss 3-0 sso far and everyone is trying to move him out. :noidea:

Ride him out the season and see what happens. Then make your move, if a move is to be made.

Next you all will be saying "trade Vinny as we can win without him" :rolleyes:

Have you not seen Smith play the last 2 seasons? The guy is a lazy goaltender. You can point out anything else you want, but when it comes down to it, the guy is lazy. He has goals scored on him because of giveaways by the dmen not because of great shots, but because he is not ready. Basically, our dman gets the puck and Smith goes to lala land, never considering that the puck may squirt free and he needs to be ready.

You ask who else can we put in there for the price we have Smith at, your answer is sitting on the bench right now. Ellis looked good the first game, and while I didn't get to see the Panthers game, I was told that he was basically hung out to dry by his defense (and my favorite whipping boy Kubina).

We may be winning with Smith, but it is not because of him, but in spite of him, and you can't expect your team to score 5+ goals every game (especially because we know what happens if we go to a shootout with him).

[WaiverWire]

ll I am saying is give the guy a few more games than 3 before you chop his head off.

[WaiverWire]

He could come here at the deadline as a rental.

Would be nice, but once the season is over where does the money come to resign him? And if Dallas is in a play-off race do you think they would really give him up?

Mr. Vinik has said that the amount he is spending is his cap. So who do we move to sign him? Let Gagne walk, trade Malone? What about the extension for Stamkos. Lundin is going to be up and at the rate he is playing is going to be commanding a bigger, longer contract.

[BurnTHalO]

ll I am saying is give the guy a few more games than 3 before you chop his head off.

But that's where I don't understand why. It's not like he all of a sudden started having these mistakes or playing badly. This is 40+ games of the same mistakes, the same laziness, the same positioning. At what point do you declare him the backup?

[the_narrow_way]

ll I am saying is give the guy a few more games than 3 before you chop his head off.
Hasn't he had years already? I like the guy and I have nothing against him personally, but for every great save, there's a bad rebound, a bad play behind the net, or a swan-dive poke-check that doesn't accomplish anything but opening up the net for the shooter.

When he first came over from DAL, while there were still some gaffes, he's just not been the same. His concussions have left him as damaged goods.

[Donnie D]

Desjardins wanted a trade because he wasn't going to get a shot in MTL. I'm quite sure I heard that at some point, maybe even from Chad or Pete.

And he had the shot in Montreal when they needed a backup for Price. Montreal decided he wasn't worthy of even being the backup. Now he is a number 1 here?

Stranger things have happened, but I'm with Pete, I don't think so.

[chad]

Is Desjardins the answer? Highly unlikely.

That's not the question, though. The question is, is he better than Smith?

If that's a yes, then you could see him. That's what I was saying.

If that doesn't work, or SFY decides we have a real shot at going far in the playoffs, he makes a bold move midseason for a goaltender. Quick makes the most sense in terms of realistic trade. LA won't let Bernier go, Schneider is unproven for a team that has big playoff dreams, and Quick could be on the outs and everyone knows it. I don't think Quick is a top-10 goalie by any means, but he's certainly an upgrade. If the price is affordable (I really don't want to give up a 1st), then you do it.

Step two is for Bernier to steal his job - quickly.

Step one is for Yzerman to definitively say Smith is out.

[PEIBolt]

The cap hit for Richards at the deadline, I believe, will be $2 million. I can't speak for Brad or his agent but I would be downright shocked if Brad didn't sign with Tampa for a lot less than he's making now. That said, I doubt Brad would give that same discount to Dallas and that is one of the many reasons why there is so much speculation about his future this year. Based on his numbers last year and so far this year, I think he could command a rather large contract, similar to the one he's on now......but that's on the open market. Tampa is a much different scenario. It's home for Brad, he didn't want to leave in the first place and he's always talked about going back, someday, if the opportunity to rejoin the Lightning presents itself.
But, there are so many factors to consider. Where is Dallas in the standings? Where is Tampa? Will Yzerman go looking to add a piece? Should his immediate priority (as Chad thinks it will be) to solve what some consider a weakness, in goal?
But, if you ask me, if Yzerman wants Brad, he gets him.
As for where he would play, Brad can play the wing. He's much better as a centre, in my opinion, but he can play the wing.

[RSchmitz]

But, if you ask me, if Yzerman wants Brad, he gets him.

You nailed it. I think that is the most important factor. Does Brad Richards fit into Bouchers system? The 04 cup run Brad Richards could, the perimeter finesse Brad wouldn't.

[Randy]

No doubt Richards would add to the already impressive firepower of the Bolts. But you have a really good top 6 right now and so how much icing on the cake do you want.

Now on the other hand, the weak link so far seems to be in net. And in my opinion, as methodical as Stevie Y is, should it become necessary, he would be shopping for a goalie at the deadline rather than loading up on more firepower.

The only wild card in all of this is what would the Bolt's trading partner be demanding? That will have the greatest impact on what might be done.

[jason_haas]

No doubt Richards would add to the already impressive firepower of the Bolts. But you have a really good top 6 right now and so how much icing on the cake do you want.

Now on the other hand, the weak link so far seems to be in net. And in my opinion, as methodical as Stevie Y is, should it become necessary, he would be shopping for a goalie at the deadline rather than loading up on more firepower.

The only wild card in all of this is what would the Bolt's trading partner be demanding? That will have the greatest impact on what might be done.

If you go after Quick/Bernier, it'd be a forward prospect for sure, if not a roster forward. LA has a gaggle of d-man prospects.

[Wrong Net Paulie]

Have you not seen Smith play the last 2 seasons? The guy is a lazy goaltender.
There is a VERY real difference between being lazy, and having two concussions and post concussion syndrome.
Is Desjardins the answer? Highly unlikely.

That's not the question, though. The question is, is he better than Smith?

If that's a yes, then you could see him. That's what I was saying.

If that doesn't work, or SFY decides we have a real shot at going far in the playoffs, he makes a bold move midseason for a goaltender. Quick makes the most sense in terms of realistic trade. LA won't let Bernier go, Schneider is unproven for a team that has big playoff dreams, and Quick could be on the outs and everyone knows it. I don't think Quick is a top-10 goalie by any means, but he's certainly an upgrade. If the price is affordable (I really don't want to give up a 1st), then you do it.

Step two is for Bernier to steal his job - quickly.

Step one is for Yzerman to definitively say Smith is out.
Quick would be an excellent upgrade and someone that I kind of imagined us targeting at some point, but Lombardi has a reluctance to move prospects at times. They're stacked on D at the moment, so yeah... i'd imagine them wanting a forward back. (please please please)
You nailed it. I think that is the most important factor. Does Brad Richards fit into Bouchers system? The 04 cup run Brad Richards could, the perimeter finesse Brad wouldn't.
Having Brad back would be great too, but we still have to think about raises for Stamkos and Hedman. It'd suck to get ourselves stuck with no flexibility again. Shortly after Stamkos also comes Purcell, Downie (again), choices on Thompson/Hall/Bergenheim/etc. I just really worry about the cap and getting ourselves into a Philly-type situation, although I don't think Yzerman is anywhere near as uh... blind to the salary cap.
If you go after Quick/Bernier, it'd be a forward prospect for sure, if not a roster forward. LA has a gaggle of d-man prospects.
I can't think of too many others to target, either. Harding is on LTIR. Schneider for reasons stated above. Vokouns cap hit is tough to swallow and would be silly to move prospects for, in the division, as a rental.

Chad brought up something I mentioned to someone a few days ago. I'd love to see someone else in Smiths place, but I imagine the most we'll see for movement in that department is Desjardins to Tampa. Not sure Stevie would want to move assets for a year that we're... well, not expected to make the playoffs (but I certainly hope we do).

[BurnTHalO]

There is a VERY real difference between being lazy, and having two concussions and post concussion syndrome.


Sure there is. However, I have yet to see ANYWHERE where he has tested positive for any sort of a PCS in the last year and a half. If you told me that was the case in the 08-09 season, ok, I would give it to you. In fact, you told me that in the begining of the 09-10 season, fine, I'll even let you say the doctors don't know what they are talking about. But with all the tests and precautions now taken, you can't convince me that a year and a half later he still has PCS.. Not to mention, he was lazy before that concussion as well, he just got more help then.

[Avery86]

No doubt Richards would add to the already impressive firepower of the Bolts. But you have a really good top 6 right now and so how much icing on the cake do you want.

I want more. I want the most icing on the cake. Like, pounds of it.

[Sotnos]

Sure there is. However, I have yet to see ANYWHERE where he has tested positive for any sort of a PCS in the last year and a half. If you told me that was the case in the 08-09 season, ok, I would give it to you. In fact, you told me that in the begining of the 09-10 season, fine, I'll even let you say the doctors don't know what they are talking about. But with all the tests and precautions now taken, you can't convince me that a year and a half later he still has PCS.. Not to mention, he was lazy before that concussion as well, he just got more help then.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2528&hubname=nhl-lightning

That listing of him missing time with a concussion, they were lying?

[BurnTHalO]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2528&hubname=nhl-lightning

That listing of him missing time with a concussion, they were lying?


No, they are correct, he missed from Feb of 2009 through April 2009 with PCS. That is a year and a half ago (or there abouts). Like I said, you use that as an excuse in the start of 2009-2010 season (for some reason I thought he came back at the end of the 08-09 season, which I guess he didn't), ok, I'll give it to you (though like I said, with the testings they do now, I highly doubt he had PCS then). However, that is no longer an excuse for lazy play, and certainly not an excuse for the lazy play prior to his concussion.

[Wrong Net Paulie]

No, they are correct, he missed from Feb of 2009 through April 2009 with PCS. That is a year and a half ago (or there abouts). Like I said, you use that as an excuse in the start of 2009-2010 season (for some reason I thought he came back at the end of the 08-09 season, which I guess he didn't), ok, I'll give it to you (though like I said, with the testings they do now, I highly doubt he had PCS then). However, that is no longer an excuse for lazy play, and certainly not an excuse for the lazy play prior to his concussion.

We're not talking about a sprained knee or anything, we're talking neurological damage. This stuff, in some cases, never goes away.

[Beardfacé]

I don't think Desjardins is getting quite a fair enough chance in this discussion. He may not be a #1 initially, but if Smith keeps playing like he is, I wouldn't be surprised to see CD brought up as Ellis' backup.

As I said before, and my experience is limited to a single game against a team that only managed two goals in two nights on the Ads, but CD's play was the best I've ever seen a goalie play while at a live game.

It was amazing to watch and he's certainly the best goaltender (again based on a single outing) that I've seen at Scope in my history with it.

CD may not be the answer to a long term netminding problem, but there are certainly many instances where someone comes in late in their career and does wonders (Tim Thomes--a dude, now 35, that didn't get a fair shake in the NHL until he was 30/31 as a #1)

[Sotnos]

No, they are correct, he missed from Feb of 2009 through April 2009 with PCS. That is a year and a half ago (or there abouts). Like I said, you use that as an excuse in the start of 2009-2010 season (for some reason I thought he came back at the end of the 08-09 season, which I guess he didn't), ok, I'll give it to you (though like I said, with the testings they do now, I highly doubt he had PCS then). However, that is no longer an excuse for lazy play, and certainly not an excuse for the lazy play prior to his concussion.Again, why do you think he didn't have PCS when the team says he did? Like most are trying to point out, Smitty was fine in net (though always a risk taker) before he went out with the concussion, so it's not unreasonable to assume that has something to do with his performances since then. Maybe you just need to define "lazy".

[chad]

I don't think Desjardins is getting quite a fair enough chance in this discussion. He may not be a #1 initially, but if Smith keeps playing like he is, I wouldn't be surprised to see CD brought up as Ellis' backup.

As I said before, and my experience is limited to a single game against a team that only managed two goals in two nights on the Ads, but CD's play was the best I've ever seen a goalie play while at a live game.

It was amazing to watch and he's certainly the best goaltender (again based on a single outing) that I've seen at Scope in my history with it.

CD may not be the answer to a long term netminding problem, but there are certainly many instances where someone comes in late in their career and does wonders (Tim Thomes--a dude, now 35, that didn't get a fair shake in the NHL until he was 30/31 as a #1)

As an aside... if nothing else, watching CD rise to stardom with Tampa would be fun to watch just to see Habs-fan cry in his "le cornflakes."

[Wrong Net Paulie]

As an aside... if nothing else, watching CD rise to stardom with Tampa would be fun to watch just to see Habs-fan cry in his "le cornflakes."

:coolwink: Deal with it, Montreal.

[BurnTHalO]

We're not talking about a sprained knee or anything, we're talking neurological damage. This stuff, in some cases, never goes away.

I'm not arguing that. But when doctors say you do not show the signs anymore, I'm going to stick with the facts that doctors say he is fine and he plays a lazy game as opposed to the doctors are wrong and poor Mike.


Again, why do you think he didn't have PCS when the team says he did? Like most are trying to point out, Smitty was fine in net (though always a risk taker) before he went out with the concussion, so it's not unreasonable to assume that has something to do with his performances since then. Maybe you just need to define "lazy".

The team did not say he had PCS in 09-10, and certainly not this year. He was cleared to play. If you are cleared to play, you can not show any signs of PCS, and have to pass tests to ensure this. Oh wait, maybe you are taking what I'm saying wrong. I'm not saying he did not have it in 2009 at all. I'm saying the 09-10 season, which started in September/October of 2009.

As for defining lazy, lazy is sitting back when your team has the puck even though it is still in your zone. The prototypical play is the play where Smith went to get the puck behind his net. Any other goalie rushes back into the crease and flies around when things break down like that. He takes his sweet time moving back towards the crease, and it cost us a goal there. This is something he has did the entire 08-09 campaign, both before and after his injury.

[Hoek]

Desjardins wasn't amazing in preseason, but he did play like a normal goalie and made most of the saves you'd expect to be made. Should be an upgrade at backup as a stopgap at least.

Dreaming about Brad is fun, but goalie is far more important to address and we can't mortgage the future only to have to deal him off again.

[pete]

Is Schneider really that much less playoff tested than Quick? I don't believe so, and Schneider has first round pedigree. I also think Vancouver would be in a weaker position than LA, so you might be able to get more for less. LA was so stacked with youth they could let a good prospect like Purcell go for practically squat. The Canucks aren't nearly that well off.

[chad]

True... but, Vancouver, I believe doesn't have cap room, so any deal with them would involve upper level prospects and/or a very high pick.

LA does have cap room, and is rumored to be in on any Brad Richards discussions (per Spector today). So they'd be willing to take a package that didn't involve Yzerman's future, which I don't think he'll mortgage anyway.

[goldenbolt]

Desjardins wasn't amazing in preseason, but he did play like a normal goalie and made most of the saves you'd expect to be made. Should be an upgrade at backup as a stopgap at least.

Dreaming about Brad is fun, but goalie is far more important to address and we can't mortgage the future only to have to deal him off again.


Amen - goalie is the position with a HUGE hole. I'd like to see Ellis get a couple more games under his belt before final judgement. He was left out to dry Sunday in Turd land and I don't think that is indicative of his game.
Smitty - I call the Flopper - His positioning is always a question looks like an event for the Ice Capades doing the flip flop across the ice with bullwinkel. . He has no discipline to stay in the net. Someone mentioned the Electric collar I'd love to see that on him during a game. The coach gets to hold the trigger.
Yes we do have the fire power to win many a 6 - 2, 6-4 5-3 type games but against the tougher teams that have goal tending we will be smoked time and again. He will always give up 3/4 goals a game. Rangers, Buffalo, Florida, Jersey (even with 15 players), Boston all have shut down "D" and tremendous goal tending. We will not lite them up for 5-6 goals a game to get a win.
I've no doubt Stevie and staff are already looking. Maybe Dejardins, Tic is to young let him ferment for another year or two.
Remember Smitty's is a 2.5 million contract and not easy to unload unless Vinik is willing to eat a bunch by sending him south for the year.

Let's see how we do against the Islanders and Toronto will be coming up soon they look to be tough and the "D" for them is good along with the goal keepers.
It's already stated - Not sure Richards would fit without squeezing the cap. Only if he signs for 2/3 mil :happydance: would it be worth the effort.

[chad]

Ellis starting vs. Islanders, per @TBLightning.

[Top Shelf]

Montreal decided he wasn't worthy of even being the backup.
And he's a francophone goaltender, no less. They cherish those usually.

Speaking of backups I'd just like to have a bona fide NHL #1 starter on this team for once, after five seasons of this I don't care what language he speaks on the :onthephone:

[RSchmitz]

Montreal decided he wasn't worthy of even being the backup. Now he is a number 1 here?

I'm surprised you would say something like this Donnie, considering our cast of misfits that helped us win the 04 cup.

[pete]

True... but, Vancouver, I believe doesn't have cap room

But we do, so we could take the contract of someone back. It all depends on what Vancouver perceives is their need, I suppose. They have a pretty good looking roster.

[RSchmitz]

But we do, so we could take the contract of someone back. It all depends on what Vancouver perceives is their need, I suppose. They have a pretty good looking roster.

Bieksa