Jeff Halpern

[the_narrow_way]

Great news. Halpern's a hard-worker, and a real class act.

[Bolthed]

Originally Posted by KyleFreadrich43

As I mentioned, i was only going off what I had read on Cristodero's blog, and since there was no other news out there, I simply mentioned what I had heard.

I am glad to hear he's doing better, but I feel unless he comes back early, his spot will be lost by the time he returns in February.

Not necessarily. He'd be like a perfect trade acquisition for a stretch run. Guy's a scrapper. I don't see any reason why he wouldn't take his rightly spot on the third line. If Gratton's there, he slides down to the fourth line. If someone else is there, they can slide to a wing position or the pressbox.

[bassassin]

Originally Posted by astro

This is Vinny's team. He should be getting the 'C' and Halpern should be getting the 'A'

Yeah that is why I said one of them, as in if Vinny didnt get it then him and Marty are next on the list.

[KyleFreadrich43]

Originally Posted by Bolthed

Not necessarily. He'd be like a perfect trade acquisition for a stretch run. Guy's a scrapper. I don't see any reason why he wouldn't take his rightly spot on the third line. If Gratton's there, he slides down to the fourth line. If someone else is there, they can slide to a wing position or the pressbox.

The relevancy of his ability is moot, the fact is, IF this team plays to expectations, there simply won't be room for him that late in the season.

[Avery86]

If Halpern can come back and play as well as he did last season for as bad of a team as Tampa was, you gotta make room for a player like that. A healthy Halpern makes some of the other third/fourth line guys expendable, IMO.

[Bolthed]

Seriously. Who's gonna block him, Fready? Nick Tarnasky? Ryan Craig? Adam Hall? I think we're all under the reasonable assumption that one or both of Jussi Jokinen and Michel Oullet isn't going to make it to Lightning training camp. But even if they both did, only Jokinen plays center. And Halpern is a FAR better center than any of the aforementioned options.

Don't you worry, there WILL be room for a playoff-tested veteran center. I'm looking forward to his return. Should be a real kick in the pants when he comes back.

[Hoek]

Thanks for sharing that wonderful bit of news! I forgot to bring up that bit about Halpern during the town hall. I'm feeling much better now that it's been addressed.

[KyleFreadrich43]

Originally Posted by Bolthed

Seriously. Who's gonna block him, Fready? Nick Tarnasky? Ryan Craig? Adam Hall? I think we're all under the reasonable assumption that one or both of Jussi Jokinen and Michel Oullet isn't going to make it to Lightning training camp. But even if they both did, only Jokinen plays center. And Halpern is a FAR better center than any of the aforementioned options.

Don't you worry, there WILL be room for a playoff-tested veteran center. I'm looking forward to his return. Should be a real kick in the pants when he comes back.

Even IF you trade Ouellet and Jokinen, that still leaves Recchi, Roberts, Gratton, Artyukhin, Hall, and Craig, assuming Tarnasky-Hall/Craig-Artyukhin were already the 4th line, and of course assuming there are no more additions and nobody from camp shines enough to make the team.

Since you can't guarantee Halpern will be the same when he comes back anymore than I can guarantee any of the guys I named will play worth a crap to keep him out of the line-up, I simply offered it up as a possibility the team may face if all things go well.

[RSchmitz]

Hall and Craig are certainly fodder if it means Halpern can come back. I don't think OK/LB would have any qualms with trading them if it means bringing in an upgrade.

[aapbolt]

that is great information and a big Thanks bolts37205! halpern is a quality center who works very hard and we were a much better team with him in the lineup than without him. He makes that 3rd line very effective and a potent scoring threat. Pair him with Oullett and Jussi and you have a great 3rd line that can take quality minutes, play great D and score some goals. Halpern can also play on the PP and PK- he is a quality player and person. you might be able to play Recchi on the 3rd from time to time but none of the other forwards are truly, in my estimation, 3rd line guys. R2, and Tarns have to prove they can handle those minutes and Craig needs to stay healthy. Gratton can play those minutes and could play wing, but he really is not a winger but is a center but is better playing 4th line. Roberts and Hall are 4th liners, Smith belongs in NF.
Wow that makes us a very dangerous 3 line team with a great 4th crash and tear up line. that does make some guys liable to go at about that time, when Halpern comes back.