Lightning strike!

[yave1964]

My take on the 2013-14 Tampa Bay Lightning.

What a dreadful organization. Wow are they in trouble.

Steve Yzerman, the iconic captain of the Red Wings took over the club and high expections abounded as Guy Boucher seemed like the perfect hire as a coach and they made the playoffs and made noise, sweeping the Capitals and the sky looked like the limit.

Then the roof caved in.

Rolosen finally looked his age. trade for Lindback didn't work out. Lecavalier who has been with the organization since the days of Esposito was bought out, old veteran blue liners were brought in who get injured signing the contract and/or played listless collecting one last big paycheck hockey. These guys are in trouble.

Positives: Stamkos is one big superstar, probably the least talked about superstar in the game. The man can shoot like nobodies business. Drouin was a brilliant pick. These guys can score as well as any team in the game, Boucher held them back to defend the horrible blue line, they now play wide open and can really fire the puck.

Ben Bishop is a big boy in net, Lindback wont have the pressure on him that he faced last year.

Negatives, Defense is putrid other than Hedman not a lot here.

Filpulla signed for the same money as they are paying Vinnie to play in Philadelphia. Ugh.

Lots of D or low C prospects but no real solid up and comers other than Drouin.

Yzerman has disappointed me as a judge of talent, looks like he is not the next Kenny Holland. Most superstars don't turn out to be super judges of regular players, Gretzky, Yzerman come to mind. Mario Lemieux has the good sense to hire people to make him look smart. This is a team with a lot of holes and too many players playing out the string. Not a contender.