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| 29 August 2008
Andrej Meszaros (AP/Getty Images)
Grab your ankles Lightning fans the owners screwed you again. Rumors have been circulating last 2 days that Tampa Bay made an offer to Andrei Meszaros, reported to be about $5 million dollars a year. That is right $5 million. I am scratching my head too. The only problem (other than the amount) was that Tampa did not have the draft picks to put forth for compensation. So they did something that was completely asinine they made a trade. Now not that I am against Tampa making a trade to acquire the talented young defenseman, especially when you take into account the lack of depth the Lightning has on the blue line. That being said, how in the hell do you trade 2 defensemen and a 1st rd draft pick for such a player??
To break it down Tampa Bay has re-tooled all off-season to build a forward heavy roster basically ignoring their defense. They traded their best defenseman Dan Boyle along with Brad Luckowich for a young Matt Carle and a first. Leaving them with one real veteran defenseman, Kuba, everyone knew a move would have to be made to add a bit on the blue line before the season started. They do this by subtracting Picard one of the better up and comers in the own end and Kuba the only veteran defender they have. How does it help a team looking for defensive depth to move 2 NHL quality defensemen? It doesn’t. Instead it leaves them with the veteran experience of an expansion team on the blue line. Only Andrew Hutchinson a journeyman defender at best is over 25. How can a responsible management allow this to happen? I understand that they bolster the offense by bringing in eight new forwards, but you cannot win without defense. I would hate to be Mike Smith or Olaf Kolzig this season. They will be peppered all season and have little support. As of right now there are 6 defensemen on Tampa’s Roster:
Matt Carle 23
Shane O’Brien 24
Paul Ranger 23
Mike Lundin 23
Andrew Hutchinson 28
Andrei Meszaros 22
Matt Smaby is under contract as well, but he will be hard press to make the team.
This is hardly the type of defense that will bring a team to the playoffs. In three years I would be really excited. Ranger, Carle and Meszaros all have incredible upside, but they have not even touched the surface.
I have never been one to say contract a team, but with this new ownership I am starting to question whether it would be a good idea. They are once again making a mockery of the NHL with moves like this. They can brainwash the fans of Tampa all they want about this being good for the team. It’s not. It’s bad for the team, bad for the league and bad for the fans. No wonder Feaster quit. Although I am not a fan of his, he would have done a much better job in putting this team together than a bunch of businessmen looking to make money. It has become blatantly obvious instead of building a team, they are constructing a circus. Don’t be surprised if on opening night Barry Melrose is wearing a top hat and a cape because it will take a magician to turn this sideshow into a hockey team. I know the owner Oren Koules made the Saw movies, that does not give him the right to make a real life horror movie out of the Lightning and their fans. It is funny all it takes is a few years to go from hoisting Lord Stanley to grabbing your ankles.
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