Speculation: 2025-2026 Offseason Thread 2: it's not about the size but how you use it edition

[creg]

Rakell would be a great add but you'd need to get Pitt to retain and I'm not sure we have the assets they want outside of Howard (who I doubt is enough) he'd also be like the perfect fit for the Stamkos spot on the PP

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

All I know is that if we go to game 1 of next year with Guentzel-Point-Kucherov as the top line i'm gonna be pissed. You are not winning a cup with that shit.

You will if you split them up. The second we split them up we started giving the Panthers all the trouble they could handle. And we did it rarely getting out of 1st gear because it was more important to play the Cooper shell for the first 48 minutes.

Bob was primed to give up like 5 goals a game had the game plan consisted of actually shooting at him

 

[RSchmitz PhD]

Rakell would be a great add but you'd need to get Pitt to retain and I'm not sure we have the assets they want outside of Howard (who I doubt is enough) he'd also be like the perfect fit for the Stamkos spot on the PP

Another perimeter forward, 19 points in 48 NHL postseason games. I mean righthanded shot is nice, but it's not an electric howitzer either. He's not the answer.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Another perimeter forward, 19 points in 48 NHL postseason games. I mean righthanded shot is nice, but it's not an electric howitzer either. He's not the answer.

Nah this ain't about scoring goals. We're sending Rakell into the corners to win a puck battle against 2 defenders. I'll debate semantics from 1 full moon to the next with DFC but I agree on Rakell. We would fix almost all of our playoff scoring issues by not running the Cooper Shell as our baseline forecheck for 85% of the game.

Down 2 goals? Send out Girgensons and have only 1 visible forechecker on our offensive side of the ice

 

[bov]

All I know is that if we go to game 1 of next year with Guentzel-Point-Kucherov as the top line i'm gonna be pissed. You are not winning a cup with that shit.

Yeah, who would want arguably the best line in hockey?

 

[Sky04]

Yeah, who would want arguably the best line in hockey?

According to all of 1 person in the world.

 

[ccman68]

Yeah, who would want arguably the best line in hockey?

Best line at the all star game. As far as actual hockey goes they aren’t top 10

 

[Felonious Python]

Out of 197 ballots distributed, five selected voters did not return a ballot in the allotted time: Jim McBride (Boston Globe), Erik Erlendsson (Lightning Insider), Marty Klinkenberg (Globe and Mail), Tim Booth (Seattle Times), Michael Traikos (The Hockey News). As per PHWA policy, those members have lost future voting privileges.

oof

 

[LightningStrikes]

oof

lol EE what’s up?

 

[RSchmitz PhD]

EE with egg on his face

 

[Stelio Kontos]

Another perimeter forward, 19 points in 48 NHL postseason games. I mean righthanded shot is nice, but it's not an electric howitzer either. He's not the answer.

So that means JBB will trade for him right

 

[Stelio Kontos]

Yeah, who would want arguably the best line in hockey?

I want more than 1 line that can score in the playoffs..

 

[Stammertime91]

I would've returned the ballot on time. Stupid EE.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

I want more than 1 line that can score in the playoffs..

No! You'll get 1 scoring line, a line designated for a shutdown role that should probably be out scoring goals instead, 2 lines that do jack shit and Cooper Shell from the puck drop

 

[RSchmitz PhD]

I would've returned the ballot on time. Stupid EE.

Yeah, he's gonna catch some flack for that unless he has a reeeeeally good excuse. He's complained in the past about the voters, and not fulfilling your obligations is a bad look. I'm sure he'll reply soon about it.

 

[Stammertime91]

Yeah, he's gonna catch some flack for that unless he has a reeeeeally good excuse. He's complained in the past about the voters, and not fulfilling your obligations is a bad look. I'm sure he'll reply soon about it.

Blame the dog ... its still a viable and reasonable excuse

 

[Felonious Python]

Yeah, he's gonna catch some flack for that unless he has a reeeeeally good excuse. He's complained in the past about the voters, and not fulfilling your obligations is a bad look. I'm sure he'll reply soon about it.

There's a non-zero chance that the PHWA dues just weren't worth it. EE is established in TB and with TBL, so outside of award voting, what's really the benefit?

edit: yeah, of the 5 people that didn't vote, only EE is actually removed from the website.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Trade is coming soon, JBB won't wait after the draft. Let's go

They said the same thing about Drouin when he sat himself out. You have to trade him now. Yzerman didn’t like the offers, and held tight. Now only was the relationship salvaged, but he ended up getting the deal he wanted for a young blue chip dman.

I wouldn’t mind a pto but I wouldn’t lock him in until we see him play

 

[Felonious Python]

They said the same thing about Drouin when he sat himself out. You have to trade him now. Yzerman didn’t like the offers, and held tight. Now only was the relationship salvaged, but he ended up getting the deal he wanted for a young blue chip dman.

Howard can go UFA in a year. Drouin could be kept RFA for years.

I wouldn’t mind a pto but I wouldn’t lock him in until we see him play

Toews is going to make his decision before the draft. He has too much interest.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

EDIT: Originally thought about a Howard swap but I don’t think Spence is a fit. He’s not exactly getting rave reviews from western conference fans.

 

[RSchmitz PhD]

I can say with 100% certainty that the Lightning will not sign/trade for any defenseman who is under 6'

 

[Felonious Python]

EDIT: Originally thought about a Howard swap but I don’t think Spence is a fit. He’s not exactly getting rave reviews from western conference fans.

Ken Holland was the influence on Yzerman to keep players in the AHL until they're overripe.

If Howard can bend a bit on the AHL, the Kings affiliate is in Ontario, CA. He'd still be in Southern California.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Ken Holland was the influence on Yzerman to keep players in the AHL until they're overripe.

If Howard can bend a bit on the AHL, the Kings affiliate is in Ontario, CA. He'd still be in Southern California.

I feel like if he’s conceding to play in the AHL he might as well stay. I think the NCAA will be a big threat moving forward, it’s about to get an injection of CHL talent this year and could explode in popularity. I would have a hard time resisting that.

 

[Felonious Python]

I feel like if he’s conceding to play in the AHL he might as well stay. I think the NCAA will be a big threat moving forward, it’s about to get an injection of CHL talent this year and could explode in popularity. I would have a hard time resisting that.

There's also a lot of risk. Lots of new talented players to steal the spotlight. Another year to risk injury, etc.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Howard can go UFA in a year. Drouin could be kept RFA for years.

Yep, I just don't think the draft has to be the deadline.

I do think if anybody does want him, the summer is their best bet so they can get him to camp and have him compete for a roster spot. I don't believe Howard wants to go back to Mighigan State either if he can land in a spot that will take him right away to the NHL.