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"Covering Bolts Hockey "
" • Canada • 26 Years Old • Male
It’s game day for the Lightning as the Calgary Flames come to town for the only meeting of the year between these two teams. When I look at both teams, I see disasters. Neither team is playing well right now. That being said, at least the Lightning have a future. We have young, talented players who should be able to carry this team for a really long time. In Calgary, not so much. Regardless of what the standings tell you, the Tampa Bay Lightning are a much better team than the Calgary Flames.

When I look at the two rosters, it’s almost like each team is looking for an identity. Are the Lightning going to be that run and gun offense we all want to see, or are they going to play the structured, defensive hockey that Guy Boucher preaches. I think you have to take a look at Vancouver a couple years ago. The Canucks played really tight defensive hockey and relied heavily upon Roberto Luongo for a couple years. Then, after struggling for a good streak, Alain Vigneault opened up his style. The Canucks haven’t looked back since.

This streak has made me wonder whether or not Boucher needs to have a change in heart. While he has a proven track record of being a great coach in every league he has coached in, I don’t know that he’s established himself as NHL elite yet. The mark of a good coach is the ability to adapt. Boucher needs to show us that he can adapt. Instead of coaching this team not to lose, coach to win. Then, any only then, will things begin to look up for this team.

This game against the Flames is the perfect opportunity to show fans that this is a team with that killer instinct necessary to win. Say what you want about the Flames, but you can’t deny that they are terrible offensively. They don’t boast any threats that make you really cringe other than one Jarome Iginla. Man, would I love to see him on a line with Stamkos and St. Louis. So this game is right there for the taking.

Early indications are the Garon will be getting the start in net and I have no doubt in my mind that this is the right choice. He has been the better of the two goaltenders and it’s high time that Yzerman calls up Tokarski to give him a real NHL shot. I’m tired of seeing the team continually go back to Roloson based on his past. News flash, this league is about winning hockey games. Right now, Roloson can’t win hockey games. Heck, he let in 6 goals against Toronto on the 22nd of November and only has 6 wins on the season. Anyone else see a little problem with this?

The Lighting come in to tonight’s game with Steven Stamkos still rather hot. He scored his way out of his little slump with two goals in the last game. Even while not scoring, he was a consistent offensive threat with assists chalked up in nearly every game. This is good news for the Lightning as they will undoubtedly need his continued contributions as they attempt to salvage this season.

Interestingly enough, the Calgary Flames are attempting to salvage their season. Despite putting up a decent record in the last ten games (6-3-1), the Flames are not doing well this season. The inconsistency that has plagued them since their cup run against us is continuing to dominate the headlines this season. One has got to think that Brent Sutter is feeling a little heat on his seat as the Flames continue to struggle. One of my favorite things to say about the Calgary Flames in regards to the post-lockout era is that they are good enough to finish 9th but not bad enough to finish last and get that great draft pick that could really help the franchise. I know that a lot of frustrated Flame fans share that mentality.

So with that, here’s where we switch from my little cynical game preview to a different “what if” sort of topic. If the Lightning get into the New Year and around all-star time it becomes incredibly apparent that they are not going to make the playoffs, would you be alright with the team tanking to get that top-3 draft pick? There’s a lot of top end talent for those who get to pick in the top-5. Ryan Murray is a defenseman that would look really good wearing a Bolts jersey. Even better, how would you like to see Yakupov lining up beside Stamkos for years to come? A fan can dream.

In all seriousness, I ask you, if the playoffs are out of the question, is tanking the right option moving forward?

Thanks for reading, enjoy the game and have a great day.

Follow me on Twitter: @michaelstuart93
Filed Under:   tampa   bay   lightning   calgary   flames   draft   yakupov  
December 15, 2011 12:50 AM ET | Delete
I am not comfortable with Russian players. That have a sense of entitlement to them. Namestnikov is different, he grew up in Michigan. I have no issue with tanking when the playoffs are out of the picture, but as far as drafting I wound go Defense and Left wing because we are weak in prospects for those 2 spots
December 15, 2011 1:05 AM ET | Delete
I think Yakupov could be different too just based on him playing his junior hockey in North America rather than Russia where he could be in the KHL getting paid. That being said, defense is probably the biggest weakness that needs to be addressed.
December 15, 2011 6:26 AM ET | Delete
December 15, 2011 10:56 AM ET | Delete
Seeing as we are doing "what if's" here's my two cents (the only cents I have)If we have a amnesty buyout time in the new CBAIf we can swing a dealIf the Lightning are willing to anger there fan base for the short termI would love the following team to take the ice in Blue and White;Malone Stamkos St. LouisConnolly Brassard PurcellConacher Johnson AshtonTyrell Thompson Hall (or Jones)Brewer HedmanCommodore GilroyBallard BergeronGudas
December 15, 2011 10:57 AM ET | Delete
Garon and Turco
December 15, 2011 12:29 PM ET | Delete
December 15, 2011 2:22 PM ET | Delete
Do you think the players would ever go for a buyout situation like that? I mean, what's Vinny going to get on the open market right now? Nowhere close to the money he's making at this moment. What would your offer be for Brassard? I'd like to see Tampa acquire Ballard. To me, Turco is a short term fit right now as well. Definitely not long term.
December 15, 2011 2:37 PM ET | Delete
Not sure I agree with the better team comment, calgary has more 20 goal scorers last season, a better goalie, comparable defence. St Louis is injured...
December 15, 2011 2:39 PM ET | Delete
p.s. FYI Calgary has the leading ppg prospect in all of the CHL, Beartschi. Had two invites to the junior team and has three rookie defencemen playing well, especially Brodie. Winningest ahl goalie for two season with the most SO's in Irving. Research instead of just being told Calgary has no prospects.
December 15, 2011 6:38 PM ET | Delete
Sane, I just don't buy what Calgary is sell. No more than I buy what Tampa is selling right now. Both teams have a few solid pieces but depth is an issue. I just believe that Tampa's pieces are stronger than Calgary's. Your defense is better than ours, our offense is better (when healthy). Goaltending isn't friendly to us right now.
December 15, 2011 6:42 PM ET | Delete
No doubt that Beartschi is talented; but he is one guy. One player doesn't make a team. You can't honestly tell me that you believe the Flames' future is bright right now? I'm not willing to say that Tampa's is shining brighter than the sun, but I am willing to say we have a better, long-term future than the Flames.
December 15, 2011 6:45 PM ET | Delete
I share the mentality that Cloutier has. The Flames are in need of a re-build. The 2004 coffee just doesn't fly with me anymore. Get as much as you can for Iginla now, give him a chance to win the cup and move on. Build a winner.
December 15, 2011 6:47 PM ET | Delete
As for Irving, let's wait for him to play in this league before we make judgements. Jon Bernier in LA hasn't exactly lit up the league after being a star in the AHL.
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Blog Archive

01 Lightning News and Notes to Start December
02 Why Bolts Must Get Into Bobby Ryan Trade Discussions
02 Breaking News: Lightning Make Minor Trade with Panthers
03 10 Bold Predictions for Rangers vs. Lightning Game
04 Lightning Lose to Rangers: My Prediction Round Up
06 Simply Embarassing: Lightning Drop 5th Straight to Islanders
08 Lightning Beat Rangers to End Losing Streak - Mixed Bag
10 The 1-3-1 Returns: Flyers Take on Bolts at Wells Fargo
11 Lightning Fall to Flyers: The Slot Looks Like a Drive-Thru
12 From Bad to Worse + Lightning Sign Miettinen
14 Lightning Talk: Defensemen to Target in Free Agent Frenzy
14 Scenario
15 Bolts Squeeze By Flames Thanks to Dominant Second Period
17 Lightning Should Make a Push for Shea Weber
18 Bolts Down Blue Jackets + Rumor Round-Up
20 Why the Lightning WILL make the Playoffs This Season
22 Lightning Embarrassed by Sharks in San Jose: U-G-L-Y
22 Tampa Bay Lightning: I Want Your Opinions
23 Bolts vs. Avalanche: A Long-Winded Game Preview
24 Bolts Lose to Avalanche in Goalie Battle + Rumor Round-Up
25 Risky Business: Victor Hedman and Other Top-5 D-Men
26 Flyers vs. Bolts Shaping Up to be a Great Game -- Preview
27 Next 6 Games Vital for Lightning + My Predictions
27 Bryzgalov Shaky as Lightning Beat Up on Flyers
29 A Tale of Two Underperforming Teams: Bolts vs. Canadiens
29 A V for Vinny, a V for Victory: Bolts Down Habs 4-3
30 Bolts/Canes Preview + HB Hotstove Response + Rumor Update
31 Lightning Defeat 'Canes 5-2 on Phil Esposito Night