Tampa Bay @ Boston Bruins

[ChaseSpace]

Tampa Bay Lightning (14-8-3) AT Boston Bruins (13-8-2)
7:00PM Start Time
SunSports

Tampa Bay Lightning
Goals Leader: Steven Stamkos (21)
Assists Leader: Martin St Louis (21)
Points Leader: Steven Stamkos (40)
GAA Leader: Dan Ellis 2.86
SV% Leader: Dan Ellis 89.4%

Goals For: 77
Goals Against: 80
PP%: 23.3%
PK%: 87.0%

Boston Bruins
Goals Leader: Milan Lucic (11)
Assists Leader: 2 players tied with 11 assists a piece
Points Leader: Milan Lucic (20)
GAA Leader: Tim Thomas 1.46
SV% Leader: Tim Thomas 95.5% :ohmy:

Goals For: 62
Goals Against: 44
PP%: 16.7%
PK%: 86.9%

[Pepper]

Thanks for the time and tv feed.

[WaiverWire]

Smith in net.

[Bolts_26]

Smith in net.

Oh God...

Hoping for the best, though.

[WaiverWire]

hmmmmmmmm, Smaby is playing.

[jason_haas]

I don't know what HH Gregg sells, but I'm never buying it. They don't need to put their obnoxious HD graphic in the middle of the damn screen while the play is going on.

[gatsby]

I have these dreams where Smith actually stops those shots from the slot but then I wake up.

Thomas looking ridiculous as usual.

[RSchmitz]

Smith :duh:

[The Great Zo]

Mike Smith is done.

[jason_haas]

Get this guy off of my fucking team, SFY.

[gatsby]

OMG Smith What the hell was that you idiot?

Boucher should send out Ellis in the 2nd for that garbage play

Seidenberg still had the puck when Smith went to play it behind the night. That was absurd and embarassing. He won't recover from that if we keep him in.

[Acehawk74]

That was horrid. Complete mental breakdown by Smith on goal #2.

This game should be tied at the intermission. Total tale of two netminders in this game. We had much better chances, hustled the heck out of our skates, had some great saves made by Thomas (who by luck alone probably should've allowed one, but he found ways to keep it out of the net).

Conversely, Smith gives up a weak shortside goal which goes through him like swiss cheese, and he literally breaks himself up mentally with his biggest "blooper reel" goal of his career.

Frickin terrible.

[TexasBolt]

Can you put someone on waivers in the middle of a game?

[hfgreg]

Lol comical. Other than the goaltending we looked good the first period. Nice pressure. Could easily be 2-0 us.

[RSchmitz]

Boucher did not look happy going into the dressing room. If that is at the team and not Smith, I don't know what to say.

[RSchmitz]

The play of Smith has to have a negative mental impact on the team. Knowing that you have to go out and have a perfect game and bust your ass for every goal because you have a tard giving up softies.

[ChaseSpace]

Am I still gonna get attacked for saying we should bring up Cedric after Smith's performance so far?

[jason_haas]

Am I still gonna get attacked for saying we should bring up Cedric after Smith's performance so far?

Cedric hasn't earned it. Benching Smith for Ellis would be smarter at this point.

[dannybolt]

The first goal seemed to be a combo softie/awkward half fall by Moore(?). Obviously the second goal was horrific. No excuse. Either way, Smith has to be done, right? He makes the same bad mistakes, both mental and in his positioning, over and over.

I trust SFY and Boucher, but enough is enough. Please end the Smith experiment. He's not an NHL goalie.

[WaiverWire]

Funny, I don't think I saw so many negative posts after that 2nd goal but don't remember seeing anything when Ellis went behind the net and let one in during the Toronto game.

[RSchmitz]

Getting sick of the interference on Boston, this pre-lockout crap needs to stop being allowed.

[jason_haas]

Funny, I don't think I saw so many negative posts after that 2nd goal but don't remember seeing anything when Ellis went behind the net and let one in during the Toronto game.

Randy Jones ran into him on the way back and Ellis was still closer to making a save than Smith was there.

[Acehawk74]

Funny, I don't think I saw so many negative posts after that 2nd goal but don't remember seeing anything when Ellis went behind the net and let one in during the Toronto game.

That's because Ellis hasn't been doing stupid crap like that for over 2 seasons. Are you seriously going to say that Ellis is doing just as bad as Smith is? Ellis isn't doing very well overall either...neither goalie is, but Smith's mistakes are of the fundamentally basic mentally stupid stuff. He's not learning from any mistakes.

Ellis is more consistent, and his "lows" aren't nearly as low (or as often as Smith). We need to keep looking for an answer, but right now, Ellis gives us a better chance of winning on some sort of a consistent basis than Smith does, and it's not even close. That's how bad Smith is mentally. I don't trust him over a stretch of 3 games.

[RSchmitz]

Funny, I don't think I saw so many negative posts after that 2nd goal but don't remember seeing anything when Ellis went behind the net and let one in during the Toronto game.

That goal had a lot to do with an awful bounce, 2nd goal tonight was Smith being a trad.

[WaiverWire]

That's because Ellis hasn't been doing stupid crap like that for over 2 seasons. Are you seriously going to say that Ellis is doing just as bad as Smith is? Ellis isn't doing very well overall either...neither goalie is, but Smith's mistakes are of the fundamentally basic mentally stupid stuff. He's not learning from any mistakes.

Ellis is more consistent, and his "lows" aren't nearly as low (or as often as Smith). We need to keep looking for an answer, but right now, Ellis gives us a better chance of winning on some sort of a consistent basis than Smith does, and it's not even close. That's how bad Smith is mentally. I don't trust him over a stretch of 3 games.

We all want Smith gone or replaced but the constant bitching is getting old.

[gatsby]

Funny, I don't think I saw so many negative posts after that 2nd goal but don't remember seeing anything when Ellis went behind the net and let one in during the Toronto game.

At least that puck hit a stanchion and popped out awkwardly, this was just Smith being an idiot and moving before the puck was even shot. And it's not like this is his first idiotic goaltending gaffe

[Acehawk74]

We all want Smith gone or replaced but the constant bitching is getting old.

It's deserved. The same mental mistakes are getting more than old.

[Hoek]

*deep sigh*

[gatsby]

We all want Smith gone or replaced but the constant bitching is getting old.

The bitching won't and shouldn't stop until Smith is gone. That's what message boards are for. Why wouldn't we keep talking about it?

[RSchmitz]

OK, why are they allowed to come in super late and blow Malone up and slash him w/o a penalty?

[19brichards91]

OK, why are they allowed to come in super late and blow Malone up and slash him w/o a penalty?

Because they have Gregory Campbell, lol.

[WaiverWire]

The bitching won't and shouldn't stop until Smith is gone. That's what message boards are for. Why wouldn't we keep talking about it?

And if SY doens't move him then what? You go after SY?

The guy will be gone by the end of the season or replaced. But who will take him? You going to have 3 goalies on the roster? You going to send him down and thus displace someone in training?

[RSchmitz]

These non penalties on Boston are getting stupid

[Acehawk74]

And if SY doens't move him then what? You go after SY?

The guy will be gone by the end of the season or replaced. But who will take him? You going to have 3 goalies on the roster? You going to send him down and thus displace someone in training?

Nah, we'll just sit here and be satisfied with our team giving good (or at least workable) efforts in front of our goalies, and watch them lose because of boneheaded plays, and smile since it's over in a year.

We'll debate, because it's debatable. Complain because it's warranted. I see your point man, but it's fair to complain about something that is holding your team back. I mean no disrespect by saying this, but you really don't have to participate in the complaints, and can simply chose to ignore them as well. You know they won't go away, and if they truly bother you to a level where it's a discomfort, then just choose to not engage in that discussion, and place your input in there accordingly.

I think it's a shame, especially with Smith, because I know he's in fact a very good guy, and he had such potential. I do think injuries completely screwed him up, and I feel for him so much there...but the bottom line, he's just not an NHL starter by any stretch of the imagination anymore.

I hope he shuts every one of us up, and proves us all wrong, but the mistakes are so commonplace with him, that it's easy to get very sick of it at this point.

I am sorry that it's bothering you. That's certainly not any intention, to upset anyone.

Victor Hedman Scores!!!! WOOT! Nice pinch there :happydance:

[RSchmitz]

And if SY doens't move him then what? You go after SY?

The guy will be gone by the end of the season or replaced. But who will take him? You going to have 3 goalies on the roster? You going to send him down and thus displace someone in training?

Not sure how you come to the conclusions that you do. Fans want to see the NHL team given the best chance to win. Doesn't that make sense?

[RSchmitz]

Omg
omg
omg
omg
omg

[Acehawk74]

What


the



******

[The Great Zo]

Hahahahahhaahhaahhaahah

[Scobo_24]

alright i got a question.

i like to say i know a lot about hockey and i think i do when it comes to the game of hockey. but no expert when it comes to waiver wire, ufa, rfa..point is i know a lot about the game but not the business logistics. now the question.... why cant we bring up one of these "top" goaltenders that we have in norfolk. hedman entered the league at 19, stamkos at 18 and if anything i think skaters would need more development time (time in minors) than a goalie would just because of the physical aspect alone. yea desjardins is not going to enter as the best goalie in the league but why not bring him up?

[gatsby]

And if SY doens't move him then what? You go after SY?

The guy will be gone by the end of the season or replaced. But who will take him? You going to have 3 goalies on the roster? You going to send him down and thus displace someone in training?

Why not? Getting this goaltending and doing nothing about it is akin to saying well this year is a wash let's wait until next year. As a fan, that doesn't cut it for me. Why not make a move and see how CD/Tic might respond, see if Ellis responds to the competition instead of just sitting behind his buddy for half the games, see if Smith can get a confidence boost for his career? Obviously a move isn't going to be made this month realistically, but I'd rather see a move eventually instead of playing out the string and being told to wait for next year when all we need is a competent Goalie to do some damage in the playoffs, which is the ultimate goal anyway. We are not the Trash or Panturds.

[Acehawk74]

alright i got a question.

i like to say i know a lot about hockey and i think i do when it comes to the game of hockey. but no expert when it comes to waiver wire, ufa, rfa..point is i know a lot about the game but not the business logistics. now the question.... why cant we bring up one of these "top" goaltenders that we have in norfolk. hedman entered the league at 19, stamkos at 18 and if anything i think skaters would need more development time (time in minors) than a goalie would just because of the physical aspect alone. yea desjardins is not going to enter as the best goalie in the league but why not bring him up?

It comes down to development. Typically with a younger goalie, development tends to be more important than results. At the AHL level (or lower, depending), they see the type of play they need to properly develop thier skills without putting unnecessary mental strains on thier performance, or too intense of pressure, too early for them to handle. If you throw them to the wolves...some will do alright, some will strive, and others will flame out. Basically, the very large majority of goalies would fit that latter result. It's just the way it works. Mental game especially is tough to develop, and it can take time. Adjusting to the speed, etc... are all components.
That's a summary of the risk you could face by bringing one of the young guys up. Think of putting cheap tires on a drag racing car. They might do the job, but more than likely, they'll fail, and become a shell of what could've been.

For what it's worth...I feel that risk is worth taking with Dejardains...at least at this point in time, in the short term.

[Hoek]

2 absolute howlers and another goal questionably soft. I hope there's only another month of this at the very least. This needs to be sorted out before our long home stretch where we should be capitalizing and raking in the points.

[19brichards91]

Aaah, this game should be 2-1 at most!!:mad: You would think he would have learned not to leave his net for the remainder of this game, at least...I guess the concussion resulted in loss of memory...
Going to take a lot to come back.

Hahaha, nice avatar Hoek. :thumb:

[nhljohnson]

The play of Smith has to have a negative mental impact on the team. Knowing that you have to go out and have a perfect game and bust your ass for every goal because you have a tard giving up softies.

This.

[CTLightning26]

We all want Smith gone or replaced but the constant bitching is getting old.

This.

[TexasBolt]

On the bright side, Feaster only gave up Brad Richards for Smith. :hurt:

[nhljohnson]

Funny, I don't think I saw so many negative posts after that 2nd goal but don't remember seeing anything when Ellis went behind the net and let one in during the Toronto game.

That one at least took a funny bounce off the boards. Yeah, Ellis cheated a bit but it wasn't egregious.

[CTLightning26]

Because they have Gregory Campbell, lol.

yeppers

[nhljohnson]

We all want Smith gone or replaced but the constant bitching is getting old.

We have to watch this guy. We're gonna bitch until we don't.

[ChaseSpace]

Good God.

[The Great Zo]

Ellis in after the fifth goal.

[Hoek]

LOL not even a minute in..

[Hoek]

I would say send him down for CD but Norfolk doesn't deserve that.. Well.. not that CD is that hot either.

[Scobo_24]

It comes down to development. Typically with a younger goalie, development tends to be more important than results. At the AHL level (or lower, depending), they see the type of play they need to properly develop thier skills without putting unnecessary mental strains on thier performance, or too intense of pressure, too early for them to handle. If you throw them to the wolves...some will do alright, some will strive, and others will flame out. Basically, the very large majority of goalies would fit that latter result. It's just the way it works. Mental game especially is tough to develop, and it can take time. Adjusting to the speed, etc... are all components.
That's a summary of the risk you could face by bringing one of the young guys up. Think of putting cheap tires on a drag racing car. They might do the job, but more than likely, they'll fail, and become a shell of what could've been.

For what it's worth...I feel that risk is worth taking with Dejardains...at least at this point in time, in the short term.


he is 25 years old? that makes at least 6 years of development...no? idk, i just perturbed with how our good we could be with a good goalie

[hfgreg]

Oh well still worth watching to see if Stammer gets one. Crosby has another hat trick tonight and is now tied with Stamkos at 21. 6-1 as I type this.

[ChaseSpace]

Nice avvy Hoek :p

I'm done for the night. I won't have a tv much longer if I keep watching.

[The Great Zo]

Ryder with six on an awful Hedman turnover.

[gatsby]

When it rains, it pours. Which has been often. Weird to think we were 6-1-1 in our last 8.

[Hoek]

Can't say the Bolts don't lose in style. No false hope being nursed here. They're saving folks a lot of time. :p

[Bolts_26]

Night guys.

[The Great Zo]

Recchi for 7.

Why is it usually the games in which it can't be used as a valid excuse that the refereeing is completely atrocious?

[Acehawk74]

This team has got to make thier low points much more competitive. Our "lows" are way too low.

[19brichards91]

Well...at least 5mith looks depressed on the bench.

[Hoek]

Damn.. Stamkos couldn't pot that one.

[The Great Zo]

Snowman for Blake Wheeler.

Ellis looks like he's not even paying attention.

[Hoek]

Boston was averaging 2 goals a game at home before this.. :doh:

[aapbolt]

just ugly, call up a goalie...this is atrocious.

[TexasBolt]

http://triangulations.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/mushroom-cloud.jpg

And of course this is happening in Boston where the Lightning have lost approximately 700,000 games.

[19brichards91]

I know they've won something like 4 games in Boston, all time, but losing like this is just...:faceslap:

Oh well...hope they can bounce back @ home Saturday.

[Hoek]

Should have just gone with an empty net after the 5th goal. At least we might score more goals that way and end up with a closer result. :p

[RSchmitz]

The people who think we can just skim by without doing SOMETHING in net need to watch this game again

[redlightning595]

Marty and Stammer logging 20 minutes in an 8 -1 blowout. I don't like playing short one forward.

[WaiverWire]

The people who think we can just skim by without doing SOMETHING in net need to watch this game again

Send an email to SY, or better yet call him. It does not matter what any of us think, it is about what he is going to do.....if anything.

[BurnTHalO]

It's deserved. The same mental mistakes are getting more than old.

Exactly. More than the same bitching getting old, the same mistakes are REALLY getting old. If the team (or player) makes the same mistake, it's going to get the same complaints. I mean, if I get pulled over for speeding for the 15th time, I can't get upset at the cops for pulling me over and lecturing me for the same thing.

[Bolts_26]

:doh::noidea:

[WaiverWire]

Well at least Smith had a SAV% of 77.3 tonight.....Ellis was 70%........

:omg: these two should be taken out back and :whipped:

[gatsby]

Send an email to SY, or better yet call him. It does not matter what any of us think, it is about what he is going to do.....if anything.

I might be wrong but I think his point is more for the people that come on to the messageboards and say we need to stay with Smellis because they don't want anyone brought up or a trade to happen yet. Anything we talk about here could be "well we don't run the team or we're not part of the coaching staff so just be quiet" schtick.

Anyway, updated Save% stats from NHL.com are: out of 42 goalies listed Smith 42 of 42 and Ellis 39 of 42. Awesome

[njbolt12]

I just got home and turned on the TV. The first thing I see on NHL Network, midway through showing the highlights of the game, was the last goal Smith allowed. I've never changed a channel so fast in my life.

What an ending to a shitty day. Ugh.

[Avery86]

As TexasBolt already said .. I half expected to see Smith on waivers after the first period and Ellis in goal.

This has to be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Has to be. I wince every time a shot is taken at Smith because I know odds are, it's going in. Now I have to wince any time the puck moves in the direction of Smith since he's shown remarkable ineptitude at dealing with any type of offensive pressure.

I don't think he would be a starter in the AHL at this point.

[Bolthed]

:deadhorse:

If there was a circus emote, I would have used it instead because that's what this is. Unbelievable.

Yzerman needs to waive Smith. There's no saving the guy. There's no trading or demoting him. Just get rid of him. You're fired.

Cripes, it's like every game is more of a joke in net than the previous one. And BOTH goalies suck right now. I've never seen such ineptitude in a tandem.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but Brian Boucher would be an upgrade!

[ChaseSpace]

Future tandems:

Tampa Bay: Ellis/Cedric
Norfolk: Tic/Janus
Florida: Smith

[RSchmitz]

Send an email to SY, or better yet call him. It does not matter what any of us think, it is about what he is going to do.....if anything.


It doesn't matter what kind of contract we think Stamkos signs for it only matters what SY signs him for.

It doesn't matter when we think Gagne comes back it only matters when Boucher says he is healthy enough to return

It doesn't matter why we think Lecavalier is struggling, since he is the only one who can do anything about it.

It doesn't matter where we think the Lightning finish in the standings, it only matters how they actually fare.

I just applied your logic to some basic message board discussions.

[Sotnos]

Did anyone actually watch this? It was 5-1 by the time I got home so I found a better use of my time. What's this about Downie having a broken ankle? What happened?

I don't care about the bitching so much as the silly nicknames, that's my $.02. Smith has been given every chance to get his act back together, it's apparently not going to happen. This is not exactly prime time for picking up a goalie, but I wouldn't object if SFY traded for someone right now to put it mildly.

[the_narrow_way]

Boucher should send out Ellis in the 2nd for that garbage play
I was calling for Smith to get pulled after the 2nd goal. I wish it would have happened.

Getting sick of the interference on Boston, this pre-lockout crap needs to stop being allowed.
It was pissing me off too. The rules are different every night it seems.

OK, why are they allowed to come in super late and blow Malone up and slash him w/o a penalty?
:noidea: The head-scratcher of the night was giving only Kubina a penalty towards the end of the 3rd, for holding ?Thornton? against the boards. Meanwhile, Thornton has dropped his gloves and stick trying to fight. How in the f'ing world is that only a penalty for Kubina?

What's this about Downie having a broken ankle? What happened?
I don't think his injury was caught on camera. All I saw was him wincing on the bench.

[Sotnos]

I don't think his injury was caught on camera. All I saw was him wincing on the bench.
Thanks! Losing him is about the last thing we need right now.

Re: penalties - I heard a lot of Mishkin for this game, he was complaining about Chara getting away with murder (not that this is anything new).

[chad]

I haven't read through the thread yet, but wow, Smith was bad again tonight.

Seriously, how many goals has his ability to play the puck helped us score as opposed to how many goals it's brought against him? My guess is it's not even close.

His lack of focus/ability to follow the puck is absolutely alarming. On the 3 on 2 goal, it wasn't that he had much of a chance to stop it, it was that he gave himself practically ZERO chance to stop it. He could not follow the puck deflecting off a player in the circles go across him. He simply cannot focus on the puck when it makes sudden movements. Aside from a game here or there, when his focus has been great, this has been the case. I don't know if it's as a result of his concussion or what.

And I have never seen a big goalie get beat to the short or far side as much as he does. This, obviously, means his positioning is extremely poor. At least Ellis got beat over the shoulder on a great shot.

As Chief mentioned, getting beat by a righty shot from the right circle to the short side is nearly unheard of. And Smith routinely gets beat by righties going far side, too.

Here's a rhetorical question for you... If Smith's name were Jarsolav Janus and he was 22 and just coming up to the NHL, what would the thought on him be? Likely, wow, this kid has no business being up here yet, and even further, does he show enough promise to make a priority?

SFY will continue to be slow to make moves, but the question is when the light went off or him to start the process. Late November? October? When?

I said in the preseason predictions thread that a goalie would be acquired by midsesason. I expected Smith's friendly contract (year wise) to be gone in a trade. He could be in Norfolk soon after passing through waivers.

The only plus from last night is maybe SFY and company get a sense of urgency to make a move sooner rather than later.

[WaiverWire]

It doesn't matter what kind of contract we think Stamkos signs for it only matters what SY signs him for.

It doesn't matter when we think Gagne comes back it only matters when Boucher says he is healthy enough to return

It doesn't matter why we think Lecavalier is struggling, since he is the only one who can do anything about it.

It doesn't matter where we think the Lightning finish in the standings, it only matters how they actually fare.

I just applied your logic to some basic message board discussions.

We, the fan, can only respond to tickets sales. Either you buy in support, or you stay away.

[bender]

Fan base is being way too hard on smith. He needs ice time to figure out his problems. He should start the next ten games not matter how bad he plays.

So what is the story on Downie and how long will he be out?

[CTLightning26]

"These are two good guys," general manager Steve Yzerman said. "But we need them to play better. I believe they have the ability to do that."


What it comes down to is that we are 14-9-3, fifth in the East and eight points ahead of the ninth place team...

SY is aware of the problem, no doubt. But he doesn't want to panic...I
think he'll try to stretch it out a bit before making a move.....

The first move might be just to bring Desjardins up and give him a start or two...

I thought I'd never say this, but.......
Downie's injury may give SY a chance to go out and make a minor deal to bring in a fighter....No. not a Koci, Fritz type that can't play...Maybe like a Zach Stortini, Cam Janssen type who can skate with the guys and be there when a team starts to run around.
In the Washington game and this Boston game, it would have been nice to have a disposable guy to take on Thornton or Ference or another Bruin after they ran around a bit..
Maybe they can start with a guy like Durno...Not an imposing guy at all....but he is willing...
.
Teams are starting to have a little too much success being physical with us....

[BurnTHalO]

Fan base is being way too hard on smith. He needs ice time to figure out his problems. He should start the next ten games not matter how bad he plays.


I really hope you are joking.

[bender]

I really hope you are joking.

NOT at all! Smith will solve his mental problems or he will open up like a pinata.

After watching the highlights from the game i am having ramo flashbacks.

[Sotnos]

Wow

[BurnTHalO]

NOT at all! Smith will solve his mental problems or he will open up like a pinata.

After watching the highlights from the game i am having ramo flashbacks.

So you are of the opinion that 2 seasons isn't quite a long enough time, Smith deserves another few years to work this out? William Clay Ford, is that you?

[the_narrow_way]

Fan base is being way too hard on smith. He needs ice time to figure out his problems. He should start the next ten games not matter how bad he plays.
lolwut?

NOT at all! Smith will solve his mental problems or he will open up like a pinata.
Welcome to two years ago.

:rubeyes: :suspicious: :screwy:

[TBFan]

Fan base is being way too hard on smith. He needs ice time to figure out his problems. He should start the next ten games not matter how bad he plays.


This has to be the funniest thing I heard all week. So you are willing to risk losing the whole team to let Smith "figure out his problems"? Ok.

[Avery86]

We, the fan, can only respond to tickets sales. Either you buy in support, or you stay away.

Man. You're right. Let's just close this message board down since it's just totally pointless.

Last one out, please hit the lights.

[Scobo_24]

he can figure it out in norfolk for all i care. give him every start and when he brings his gaa below 2.5ish, then we will talk.

meanwhile, yzerman needs to call his detroit buddies and tell em we need to borrow a goalie and datsyuk just for the time being. I am a problem solver.

[jason_haas]

WW, I respect your view that the constant bitching is not literally going to cause a change to happen. But at the same time, c'mon man. We're here to talk Lightning hockey, if every debate just gets rubber stamped as pointless then we may as well shut down the board.

[Hoek]

We already gave Smith multiple starts when he was actually a bit of a hot hand a while ago. Still fell apart.

[chad]

he can figure it out in norfolk for all i care. give him every start and when he brings his gaa below 2.5ish, then we will talk.



Hey now, we value our relationship with Norfolk fans here. Let's not wish this harm upon them.

[chad]

Fan base is being way too hard on smith. He needs ice time to figure out his problems. He should start the next ten games not matter how bad he plays.



Welcome to the board, Mrs. Smith. Your impression of the Iraqi Minister of Information ... or Gary Bettman ... is spot on.

[WaiverWire]

WW, I respect your view that the constant bitching is not literally going to cause a change to happen. But at the same time, c'mon man. We're here to talk Lightning hockey, if every debate just gets rubber stamped as pointless then we may as well shut down the board.

My point is the Smith, who has been bad :yuck:, is not the only one that has stunk it up. Just look at this thread, almost every post is anti Smith. Fact is Ellis is almost as bad :yuck: and he had a worse save percentage last night then Smith. How many posts do you see about Ellis? Both equally suck.

But at this point what can be done with out giving up something major? Everyone knows they suck and I do not think that another goalie can be found at a cheap price. I am just not willing to give up the farm to fix this problem when we are still in the top 8. I would wait until someone else has to unload salary or unload a player they know they can's get resigned for next year.

Instead we hear ideas for a Thomas deal and some others that make me wonder who is :smokin: what.

Can one be placed on IR for some mental problem and someone for the "A" be brought up? I think not as the kids are no further along and this very well could hurt them. I just think that the best we can hope for is a trade dead line deal, a deal that would not include one of our goaltenders.....who would want them:mad:

[Avery86]

My point is the Smith, who has been bad, is not the only one that has stunk it up. Just look at this thread, almost every post is anti Smith. Fact is Ellis is almost as bad and he had a worse save percentage last night then Smith. How many posts do you see about Ellis? Both equally suck.

I think the point most of us are trying to make, though, is that Ellis has visible potential to be a decent 1B option.

Smith, on the other hand, has given no indications that he's capable of being a backup goaltender in the AHL. His positioning is extremely poor, his decision making is suspect and his mental game completely unravels (and VERY visibly, at that) after giving up a goal. He's damaged goods.

Ellis is guilty of giving up bad goals at times, too, but I wouldn't put him anywhere near the level of Smith at this point. The bad goals Ellis gives up versus the bad goals Smith gives up are worlds apart.

[jason_haas]

My point is the Smith, who has been bad :yuck:, is not the only one that has stunk it up. Just look at this thread, almost every post is anti Smith. Fact is Ellis is almost as bad :yuck: and he had a worse save percentage last night then Smith. How many posts do you see about Ellis? Both equally suck.

But at this point what can be done with out giving up something major? Everyone knows they suck and I do not think that another goalie can be found at a cheap price. I am just not willing to give up the farm to fix this problem when we are still in the top 8. I would wait until someone else has to unload salary or unload a player they know they can's get resigned for next year.

Instead we hear ideas for a Thomas deal and some others that make me wonder who is :smokin: what.

Can one be placed on IR for some mental problem and someone for the "A" be brought up? I think not as the kids are no further along and this very well could hurt them. I just think that the best we can hope for is a trade dead line deal, a deal that would not include one of our goaltenders.....who would want them:mad:

The only way one of Ellis/Smith gets traded is if we're getting a big salary goalie in return. None of the kids have earned a call-up, but I'd bring Tokarski up for three games, even if he doesn't play. Have both Ellis and Smith take a turn in the press box as a wake-up call.

[WaiverWire]

The only way one of Ellis/Smith gets traded is if we're getting a big salary goalie in return. None of the kids have earned a call-up, but I'd bring Tokarski up for three games, even if he doesn't play. Have both Ellis and Smith take a turn in the press box as a wake-up call.

and this we agree on.

But when I first mentioned to hold out for Phoenix it was like I was going to be shot. I do think this is our best option for a play-off run and for the future of this team.

[bender]

This has to be the funniest thing I heard all week. So you are willing to risk losing the whole team to let Smith "figure out his problems"? Ok.

Damn skippy!
Or you can bring this guy back on a one-way deal. Just make sure he stays in TB.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Karri-Ramo-gives-up-terrible-rink-length-?urn=nhl-275650

[Bolts_26]

Damn skippy!
Or you can bring this guy back on a one-way deal. Just make sure he stays in TB.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Karri-Ramo-gives-up-terrible-rink-length-?urn=nhl-275650

At least Ramo went into butterfly, he just forgot the moving part, no big deal. :D

[RSchmitz]

We, the fan, can only respond to tickets sales. Either you buy in support, or you stay away.

What are you talking about? This is a message board.

[CTLightning26]

and this we agree on.

But when I first mentioned to hold out for Phoenix it was like I was going to be shot. I do think this is our best option for a play-off run and for the future of this team.

Phoenix?

Bryzgalov?

[WaiverWire]

Phoenix?

Bryzgalov?

He will be a UFA at the end of the season and maybe avalible at the trade deadline if not resigned.

30yoa with good numbers. Could be signed to a multi year deal allowing the kids more time. When Ellis is gone you bring one up to back stop and learn.

[Bolts_26]

At least Smith knows he suck...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqusqzcvHYA&feature=player_embedded

[Sotnos]

That was sad, he's a stand up guy & never tries to avoid taking responsibility. Really makes you wish he'd do better, but we can't keep waiting for the switch to flip.

[Bolts_26]

That was sad, he's a stand up guy & never tries to avoid taking responsibility. Really makes you wish he'd do better, but we can't keep waiting for the switch to flip.

Exactly. I actually like Smith a lot. He's always nice when I get the chance to meet him and he's very "strait up" guy with the media. He can also be very fun to watch when he's hot, but enough is enough.

[gatsby]

We, the fan, can only respond to tickets sales. Either you buy in support, or you stay away.

LOL come on now.....

Fan base is being way too hard on smith. He needs ice time to figure out his problems. He should start the next ten games not matter how bad he plays.

Stop trolling. Mike Smith is that you?

Teams are starting to have a little too much success being physical with us....

We've been susceptible to physical play all year. Some nights we can get by with drawing penalties and scoring goals. Some nights we just lose the puck races, don't play well along the boards, create loads of turnovers. It's a crap shoot really.

[RSchmitz]

We've been susceptible to physical play all year. Some nights we can get by with drawing penalties and scoring goals. Some nights we just lose the puck races, don't play well along the boards, create loads of turnovers. It's a crap shoot really.

When the refs let things go, the edge goes to the other team. We can dominate teams with our speed, but as soon as the opposing team is allowed to interfere and use their physicality unabated, we have to play an uphill game.

[gatsby]

Agreed.

[Bolthed]

When the refs let things go, the edge goes to the other team. We can dominate teams with our speed, but as soon as the opposing team is allowed to interfere and use their physicality unabated, we have to play an uphill game.

That's why we could use another guy like Downie and Malone, someone who can dish it right back and draw penalties with some sandpaper and hitting.

[timothy]

He will be a UFA at the end of the season and maybe avalible at the trade deadline if not resigned.

30yoa with good numbers. Could be signed to a multi year deal allowing the kids more time. When Ellis is gone you bring one up to back stop and learn.

Last I looked PHX is in the thick of their division race. Why would they trade Bryz if they have a shot going deep in the playoffs? The more likely scenario is Bryz gets extended.

[ChaseSpace]

Giggy, Khabbi, Broduer, Biron, and Roloson are the best bets right now.

[astro]

Brodeur?

:lol:

[bender]

i watch the west more than the east. there is no way the desert dogs give up Bryzgalov. He has been keeping them in games and winning games for them. I am with timothy on this he will get resigned by the yotes.

[WaiverWire]

Last I looked PHX is in the thick of their division race. Why would they trade Bryz if they have a shot going deep in the playoffs? The more likely scenario is Bryz gets extended.

It is only December. Chances are they will be in the race in February or they may not. But we do not know until that time comes.

If he remains unsigned he would be at the top of my wish list this summer.

The Yotes as still under the control and owned by the NHL. The current bid holder,Chicago investor Matt Hulsizer and group, have until December 31st to push the sale through or the NHL will seek to transfer the franchise to another city.

Things could get ugly in Phoenix and who knows maybe a fire sale will take place. We shall know in 4 weeks.

From The Sporting News dated 12/02/2010:



Also at issue for any potential buyer, in addition to purchasing the team from the NHL: negotiating a lease on city-owned Jobing.com Arena. The NHL gave Glendale a deadline of Dec. 31 to find such a bidder.

The league's other option, in lieu of a deal between the City of Glendale and an Arizona-based bid, is selling the team to True North, a group that would move the team back to Manitoba, where it existed as the Winnipeg Jets until 1996.



Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/feed/2010-08/desert-deals/story/chicago-based-financier-is-coyotes-mystery-buyer#ixzz176jFpROd


Would you rather play in Manitoba or Tampa?

[ChaseSpace]

Would you rather play in Manitoba or Tampa?

Something tells me after playing in the desert Florida seems like heaven.

[RSchmitz]

That's why we could use another guy like Downie and Malone, someone who can dish it right back and draw penalties with some sandpaper and hitting.

I would love to get my hands on a Ryan Clowe. Wish those types were available.