Speculation: 2024-2025 General Lightning Discussion IV

[bov]

The loss of Eyssimont is really showing itself this series imo.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

The loss of Eyssimont is really showing itself this series imo.

I haven't noticed he was even gone. Guy was like 150 games of nothingburger. Chaffee was and is better

 

[bov]

I haven't noticed he was even gone. Guy was like 150 games of nothingburger. Chaffee was and is better

He was pretty damn good the season prior. Wasn't quite the same this season but picked it up late, not even talking about Chaffee. One of the only guys who tries to bring energy with his play. This team is missing that, and he would have fit in perfectly this series instead of Geekie or a 7th D.

 

[Crunchrulz]

Martin (unless he retires), Athanasiou, Kunin, Frederic, Pezzetta, Sabourin, Aston-Reese , Perry, Jeannot. All are free agents and would add some sandpaper.

Many of the same Lightning fans who are complaining about the lack of contribution from the current fourth line literally ran both Jeannot and Perry out of Tampa so those two should not be under consideration.
Martin, Frederic, and Sabourin are all interesting options with the only real question being the contract.

 

[Webster]

Any team that relies on Lilleberg to be its "muscle" deserves each and every butt kicking and dirty hit it gets. To put a young player like him in such a situation is an absolute joke. He is not, and never has been, a player whose job is to intimidate others. He is capable of defending himself but to expect him to be your team bodyguard is asking too much.

This is just a lot of nonsense. First of all he's 24, certainly not too young for such a role. He has a ton of PIM's, 7th in the league this season. At least half of it from fights and hits. And yes he does intimidate others, that's easy to see.

I think you should read this article, it should give you an idea on how the team looks at him.

‘It means a lot’: Lilleberg’s first NHL goal placed him among Norway’s best | Tampa Bay Lightning

Emil Lilleberg's first NHL goal becomes a milestone moment for Norway's growing hockey legacy

www.nhl.com

 

[The Gongshow]

Lol at people complaining about the 4th line when Kucherov hasn't scored a goal in 13 playoff games. Our PP has gone cold 2 playoffs in a row as well. Our top 6 isn't doing much at all, besides Guentzel.

Our guys got their cups and grew complacent. There's 0 hunger or drive.

People were quick to move on from Stammer (while still putting up points) why does everyone all of a sudden wanna hold on and run it back for a 4th time after 3 rd.1 bounces.

 

[Flat Ronnie]

I will say, the vets on this team don't seem to have the same "run through a brick wall" mentality that they did 4-5 years ago. They seem to be settled into the "we've been here before, and we won't panic" mindset. Which is fine, but it does seem to show up in the margins. Ex: Kuch not taking the game into his own hands and putting the puck into the net. Ex: Point floating all over the ice.

 

[Crunchrulz]

This is just a lot of nonsense. First of all he's 24, certainly not too young for such a role. He has a ton of PIM's, 7th in the league this season. At least half of it from fights and hits. And yes he does intimidate others, that's easy to see.

I think you should read this article, it should give you an idea on how the team looks at him.

‘It means a lot’: Lilleberg’s first NHL goal placed him among Norway’s best | Tampa Bay Lightning

Emil Lilleberg's first NHL goal becomes a milestone moment for Norway's growing hockey legacy

www.nhl.com

Read the article previously. No mention of him being groomed as the next deterrent.

Having watched him since he first came to Syracuse, he is NOT an enforcer. If he is the best that Tampa Bay and fans like yourself assume they have, this franchise is in far worse shape than anyone could have imagined.
Closest thing the Lightning have to a potential deterrent is Roman Schmidt in Syracuse. That being typed, he needs at least a full season of dressing regularly at the AHL level to prove he can play at that level before he should be considered for an NHL chance.

 

[Todd1a]

Trade Nick Paul for Stamkos and that at least fixes the power play next year !

Then replace perbix for a vet D man who knows how to cover his man in front of the net !

 

[JTBF81]

Lol at people complaining about the 4th line when Kucherov hasn't scored a goal in 13 playoff games. Our PP has gone cold 2 playoffs in a row as well. Our top 6 isn't doing much at all, besides Guentzel.

Our guys got their cups and grew complacent. There's 0 hunger or drive.

People were quick to move on from Stammer (while still putting up points) why does everyone all of a sudden wanna hold on and run it back for a 4th time after 3 rd.1 bounces.

The talent is there among the top 6 to 9 forwards, most are on good value contracts given the team's cap sitiation, and the main guys all have trade protection that makes any return likely a bad one. At least for the next couple of seasons, JBB can make some moves to add to the fringes and support the defense some more, but it's up to the main core to find that drive again when it matters.

 

[HanTykje]

Player like Hathaway should fit in the future in what the team needs?

 

[Felonious Python]

Player like Hathaway should fit in the future in what the team needs?

I'd prefer younger players.

 

[HanTykje]

I'd prefer younger players.

I agree, what are the options?

 

[Todd1a]

Not sure if he would leave the oilers but I’d definitely sign Connor brown from the oilers and I’d resign gourde if the price is under 3 million per year that would help our bottom 6

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Mods make it f***ing stop!!!! It's even happening while I post for f***s sake

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

It literally happened again when I tried to post

 

[Felonious Python]

It literally happened again when I tried to post

View attachment 1025852

HF repeatedly showing you a shredder should have been a signal.

HFB has a sponsor program that removes the ads. $12 for a whole year.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

HF repeatedly showing you a shredder should have been a signal.

HFB has a sponsor program that removes the ads. $12 for a whole year.

Tipping culture is out of control. This place literally wants me to give it money for showing up

 

[Stammertime91]

Tipping culture is out of control. This place literally wants me to give it money for showing up

Forreal. I've clicked on so many ads the last 48hrs. It just shows up everywhere when ypu try to scroll. Did a cross eyed inbred Panther fan create this site?

 

[creg]

Player like Hathaway should fit in the future in what the team needs?

I'd take Hathaway in an instant if he became available. One of the few big hitters who isn't completely useless, very solid defensively & on the pk. A 4th line of Brazaeu/Girgensons/Hathaway would work for me.

 

[creg]

On another note one absolute need is a 2RW, preferably a big body like Tuch, Tippett, or Nichushkin. Hagel/Cirelli carrying a random as their linemate works in the regular season but it's pretty clear that it isn't going to fly in the post season, and like we've seen in this panthers series the second that one of Hagel or Cirelli goes down or is playing hurt we suddenly don't have a 2nd line any more.

If I had a dream off-season it would be to move Howard for a big, young, defense first 3LD like Ethan del Mastro from Chicago, sign or trade for a solid 2RW that adds some size to the top 6, and get two physical, defensively reliable 4th liners. I hope JBB operates under the assumption that Geekie will be playing with the Crunch, I think he'll look a lot better with a full off-season of training but I do think that he's still a bit away.

 

[Power Surge]

Forreal. I've clicked on so many ads the last 48hrs. It just shows up everywhere when ypu try to scroll. Did a cross eyed inbred Panther fan create this site?

I googled cross eyed Panthers fan. It's a actual real thing. No wonder they can't see.

 

[Stammertime91]

Kucherov has 1 goal in his last 15 playoff games.
Point has not scored more than 2 goals in a playoff run since 2021.
Hedman has 1 goal in his last 14 playoff games, -1 in that span.
Vasy hasn't hit over 89.7% SV since 2022, 4-11 in that span.

We live and die by how these four perform. This is dire. Like five alarm fire time. Two guys underperforming, one aging, and one reclaiming his performance but still losing. (FWIW - I'm not blaming Vasy here).

Yikes.

 

[Stelio Kontos]

On another note one absolute need is a 2RW, preferably a big body like Tuch, Tippett, or Nichushkin. Hagel/Cirelli carrying a random as their linemate works in the regular season but it's pretty clear that it isn't going to fly in the post season, and like we've seen in this panthers series the second that one of Hagel or Cirelli goes down or is playing hurt we suddenly don't have a 2nd line any more.

Love all the names you mentioned and would be thrilled if we landed them. Imagine if we got two of those 3.. But what was the trade for bjorkstrand than?? We traded two firsts 2nd + eyssimont for what exactly? Is bjorkstrand a top 6er or is he just like another nick Paul. Was really uninspired watching him looked like a worse teddy purcell fr

 

[Sky04]

Kucherov has 1 goal in his last 15 playoff games.
Point has not scored more than 2 goals in a playoff run since 2021.
Hedman has 1 goal in his last 14 playoff games, -1 in that span.
Vasy hasn't hit over 89.7% SV since 2022, 4-11 in that span.

We live and die by how these four perform. This is dire. Like five alarm fire time. Two guys underperforming, one aging, and one reclaiming his performance but still losing. (FWIW - I'm not blaming Vasy here).

Yikes.

The answer is obvious, change the bottom 6