Speculation: 2024-2025 General Discussion III

[bov]

Realistic and likely ufa targets that will help the team if acquired include:
Palmieri
Boeser
Evans
Armia
Donato
Kunin
Gourde (maybe)
Players with term or rfa
Evangelista
Zetterlund
Foerster
Laughton
Bjorkstrand
McCann
Rakell
There are a few other names in there, but the above list comprises the most likely targets imo that JBB might be inquiring on and that will help the team on not only a run this season, but hopefully for several years to come in this window.

The question is, who is going to get you by Florida and Toronto? Just because someone makes the team better (on paper anyway), it doesn't make it a worthwhile addition. Which players will actually advance this team further in the playoffs? Even though the majority of those guys are decent in their own right, are they helping TB take the extra step? I don't see it at all. Bjorkstrand or Palmieri might help us get to 6 or 7 games instead of 4 or 5, big deal.

I like Foerster from this list as a Hagel type trade, but Philly has no reason to deal him. And that move would be somewhat with the future in mind as opposed to winning it all right now. Kunin is a really good fit, but by himself I'm not sure it's enough. I won't go down the same road again regarding size, but palin and simple its a glaring issue and the Bolts cant get by without an impact player who can use their body to their advantage.

These are just examples but Tuch, Schenn, O'Reilly (I know he's not a big physical guy but still)...those guys will help you win rounds. I don't see JBB settling for average, skill oriented deadline middle sixers.

 

[Stammertime91]

Brad Marchand and Chris Simon are the two players I've most despised in my life.

That said, I'd buy a Marchand jersey in an instant if we got him.

You don't have morals. Nothing new, Benedict Jovel.

 

[bigdaddio]

Marchand afaik has seriously toned down the asshole factor. I haven't heard of him doing marchandy things in several years. Would be a tough pill to swallow cheering for him but that would make it easier.

The question is, who is going to get you by Florida and Toronto? Just because someone makes the team better (on paper anyway), it doesn't make it a worthwhile addition. Which players will actually advance this team further in the playoffs? Even though the majority of those guys are decent in their own right, are they helping TB take the extra step? I don't see it at all. Bjorkstrand or Palmieri might help us get to 6 or 7 games instead of 4 or 5, big deal.

I like Foerster from this list as a Hagel type trade, but Philly has no reason to deal him. And that move would be somewhat with the future in mind as opposed to winning it all right now. Kunin is a really good fit, but by himself I'm not sure it's enough. I won't go down the same road again regarding size, but palin and simple its a glaring issue and the Bolts cant get by without an impact player who can use their body to their advantage.

These are just examples but Tuch, Schenn, O'Reilly (I know he's not a big physical guy but still)...those guys will help you win rounds. I don't see JBB settling for average, skill oriented deadline middle sixers.

I agree here. After watching Chafee getting disabused of the puck over and over again I think guys who can win puck battles and not be a turnover machine would be more helpful than a 4th line guy who scores a tad bit more than our 4th line guys.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

Seravalli: Canucks offered Brock Boeser five years at $8 million annually

f*** that noise.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Seravalli: Canucks offered Brock Boeser five years at $8 million annually

f*** that noise.

You mean for us to get involved? You don't have to convince me any longer

 

[JTBF81]

The question is, who is going to get you by Florida and Toronto? Just because someone makes the team better (on paper anyway), it doesn't make it a worthwhile addition. Which players will actually advance this team further in the playoffs? Even though the majority of those guys are decent in their own right, are they helping TB take the extra step? I don't see it at all. Bjorkstrand or Palmieri might help us get to 6 or 7 games instead of 4 or 5, big deal.

I like Foerster from this list as a Hagel type trade, but Philly has no reason to deal him. And that move would be somewhat with the future in mind as opposed to winning it all right now. Kunin is a really good fit, but by himself I'm not sure it's enough. I won't go down the same road again regarding size, but palin and simple its a glaring issue and the Bolts cant get by without an impact player who can use their body to their advantage.

These are just examples but Tuch, Schenn, O'Reilly (I know he's not a big physical guy but still)...those guys will help you win rounds. I don't see JBB settling for average, skill oriented deadline middle sixers.

Many, if not all, will help advance Tampa. In your opinion, maybe they won't, but that's not my view.

 

[JTBF81]

The question is, who is going to get you by Florida and Toronto? Just because someone makes the team better (on paper anyway), it doesn't make it a worthwhile addition. Which players will actually advance this team further in the playoffs? Even though the majority of those guys are decent in their own right, are they helping TB take the extra step? I don't see it at all. Bjorkstrand or Palmieri might help us get to 6 or 7 games instead of 4 or 5, big deal.

I like Foerster from this list as a Hagel type trade, but Philly has no reason to deal him. And that move would be somewhat with the future in mind as opposed to winning it all right now. Kunin is a really good fit, but by himself I'm not sure it's enough. I won't go down the same road again regarding size, but palin and simple its a glaring issue and the Bolts cant get by without an impact player who can use their body to their advantage.

These are just examples but Tuch, Schenn, O'Reilly (I know he's not a big physical guy but still)...those guys will help you win rounds. I don't see JBB settling for average, skill oriented deadline middle sixers.

In your opinion, guys like Tuch and the rest will help. Tampa, imo, won't be adding any of them, as the cost to get Tuch and ROR will be too high, and Schenn likely as well. I've put forth plenty of names that will help imo, in a range of players who will cost a bit less and some that will cost quite a bit. I'm.not discussing this with you again, as nothing of value occurs. Im not changing your mind, and you sure aren't changing mine.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

You mean for us to get involved? You don't have to convince me any longer

I'm just saying in general, if he's turning down that contract for more term, whomever bites is going to have a bad time with that deal.

 

[bov]

Many, if not all, will help advance Tampa. In your opinion, maybe they won't, but that's not my view.

A lot of those names, I see being more like Duclair for us. Did he make the team better and put up some points? Sure. But it didn't end up being enough, and he wasn't the type of player we ultimately needed. I was on board with the move too, for the record.

I really hope you are proven right. That's a big list so I like some more than others, but I think we need 2 forwards with one being a true impact player.

On a separate note, Utah is a team I'd be looking at as a trade partner. Crouse or McBain would fit nicely on this team, although I don't see either being likely trade candidates.

 

[Sky04]

A lot of those names, I see being more like Duclair for us. Did he make the team better and put up some points? Sure. But it didn't end up being enough, and he wasn't the type of player we ultimately needed. I was on board with the move too, for the record.

I really hope you are proven right. That's a big list so I like some more than others, but I think we need 2 forwards with one being a true impact player.

On a separate note, Utah is a team I'd be looking at as a trade partner. Crouse or McBain would fit nicely on this team, although I don't see either being likely trade candidates.

Why are we focusing so much on last year? There wasn't a single player we could've added that would've changed the outcome last year with the question marks on defense and goaltending.

Are we just going to ignore that we're significantly better this year in both areas? Duclair was a great add at the wrong time. Not sure why we wasted assets last year with so many question marks on the back end, it's not nearly the case this year.

We're severely missing someone who goes hard to the net, give me another Duclair or Palmieri type player in that regards.

 

[Stammertime91]

A lot of those names, I see being more like Duclair for us. Did he make the team better and put up some points? Sure. But it didn't end up being enough, and he wasn't the type of player we ultimately needed. I was on board with the move too, for the record.

I really hope you are proven right. That's a big list so I like some more than others, but I think we need 2 forwards with one being a true impact player.

On a separate note, Utah is a team I'd be looking at as a trade partner. Crouse or McBain would fit nicely on this team, although I don't see either being likely trade candidates.

Man Duclair soured quickly. Did nothing in those games against Florida and rode the bench.

 

[JTBF81]

I'm just saying in general, if he's turning down that contract for more term, whomever bites is going to have a bad time with that deal.

Yeah, if Boeser wants more term or aav than that, Tampa should probably drop out of that race. I'd hope they wouldn't pay 1st+ for what could likely just be a rental.

 

[Master P]

Wish there was a way we could get Ryan O'Reilly and Stammer (50% retained) in a trade.

 

[Stammertime91]

Wish there was a way we could get Ryan O'Reilly and Stammer (50% retained) in a trade.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Wish there was a way we could get Ryan O'Reilly and Stammer (50% retained) in a trade.

Stamkos is completely f***ed at even strength but he'd at least make our PP better and ROR would be a nightmare matchup.

Depending on the ask, I actually hope we do it

 

[bov]

Why are we focusing so much on last year? There wasn't a single player we could've added that would've changed the outcome last year with the question marks on defense and goaltending.

Are we just going to ignore that we're significantly better this year in both areas? Duclair was a great add at the wrong time. Not sure why we wasted assets last year with so many question marks on the back end, it's not nearly the case this year.

We're severely missing someone who goes hard to the net, give me another Duclair or Palmieri type player in that regards.

I'm not fixating on last year at all, just using Duclair as an example. At first glance, he made the team better and provided some offense, but ultimately didn't help our chances at all. I have the same concern about players I've seen mentioned in this thread, from Boeser to Bjorkstrand to Palmieri etc . Varying degrees of course, but I think the "fit" aspect is being overlooked in favor of other things. Even the guys being mentioned with some tenacity and two way ability are either smaller, unproven, old or some combination of that.

Duclair would do absolutely nothing for this team now besides fool people with points in the regular season and make you believe we're in great shape. One of the worst players away from the puck I have seen in recent memory. Didn't utilize his tools, terrible defensively, soft on the forecheck despite his speed etc. I feel bad even saying that because he is a likeable player but you can see why he has bounced all over the league. He is the absolute last player this team needs.

Yes it would have been tough to go all the way last season regardless of any trade but we lost to the eventual cup winner, Vasy was actually pretty damn good when he needed to be, and we warmed up over the course of that series. Not to mention getting screwed on 2 goals in game 5 when it was looking like they could make it a real series. They weren't as far off as it seemed.

 

[Sky04]

Stamkos is completely f***ed at even strength but he'd at least make our PP better and ROR would be a nightmare matchup.

Depending on the ask, I actually hope we do it

Should be fired on the spot if he traded for Stamkos when he could've had him for free.......

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Should be fired on the spot if he traded for Stamkos when he could've had him for free.......

I honestly think it was always more about improving the defense first. I mean. Would we rather have Moser or Stamkos right now? If you said Stamkos you'd be crazy. So, Stamkos was handed the like $1.3 million (or whatever it was) in leftovers and was told "sign here" no differently than all the other guys JBB had given the cold shoulder to. That's how I saw it. Or maybe we really did tell him "screw you" because I think we'd have gotten quite a lot for Cirelli. But hey. I'm also the guy who didn't see the writing on the wall with Stamkos for like 3 years too....

But regardless, I think everyone's known for years that cap space was going to go up by a lot. And if McDonagh didn't care that we traded and asked to come back, it's possible Stamkos could too

 

[Sky04]

I honestly think it was always more about improving the defense first. I mean. Would we rather have Moser or Stamkos right now? If you said Stamkos you'd be crazy. So, Stamkos was handed the like $1.3 million (or whatever it was) in leftovers and was told "sign here" no differently than all the other guys JBB had given the cold shoulder to. That's how I saw it. Or maybe we really did tell him "screw you" because I think we'd have gotten quite a lot for Cirelli.

But regardless, I think everyone's known for years that cap space was going to go up by a lot. And if McDonagh didn't care that we traded and asked to come back, it's possible Stamkos could too

McDonagh asked to be traded back and he was still an excellent player which why it made sense.

Stamkos is worthless even at 4M, what does he bring that we lack? Nothing. Biggest weaknesses last year? ES scoring and defense, Stamkos makes both of those worse and our PP is already top-5, take out the beginning of year adjustment and it's a top-3 PP in the league, why would we trade for a guy with no points in 11 straight games AND take his contract for 3 more years? Make it make sense.

 

[JTBF81]

Stamkos is completely f***ed at even strength but he'd at least make our PP better and ROR would be a nightmare matchup.

Depending on the ask, I actually hope we do it

Way too much cap space coming back. Nashville would never retain for that long on Stamkos, and they will almost certainly want high level assets for ROR. Neither is likely at all to be wearing a Tampa jersey this season imo.

 

[Point21]

Looks like Buffalo might be moving JJ Peterka, Would be another guy i would love to have in the top 6, although hes a lefty.

 

[bov]

In your opinion, guys like Tuch and the rest will help. Tampa, imo, won't be adding any of them, as the cost to get Tuch and ROR will be too high, and Schenn likely as well. I've put forth plenty of names that will help imo, in a range of players who will cost a bit less and some that will cost quite a bit. I'm.not discussing this with you again, as nothing of value occurs. Im not changing your mind, and you sure aren't changing mine.

It's true that those guys aren't overly likely. Nobody is trying to change your mind, stop taking things personally, I don't see anyone else being so defensive. We're all Lightning fans here. I will be the first one to eat crow with a bad take, had plenty of 'em and it won't be the last. Like I said, I would be perfectly happy if you are right about these players. If JBB adds one and they vault TB further, that'd be great.

 

[JTBF81]

It's true that those guys aren't overly likely. Nobody is trying to change your mind, stop taking things personally, I don't see anyone else being so defensive. We're all Lightning fans here. I will be the first one to eat crow with a bad take, had plenty of 'em and it won't be the last. Like I said, I would be perfectly happy if you are right about these players. If JBB adds one and they vault TB further, that'd be great.

We've already gone a few rounds before. It's fine that we have clear different opinions of who they should go after. You chose to once again reply to my posts, so I again stated my position in defense.