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7/12 12:07 AM Prospal's agent says he has agreed to terms with another team
Vinny Prospal's stay in Tampa appears over. His agent Rich Winter had some sad news for Lightning fans Friday.
``He has agreed to terms with another NHL team,'' Winter said Friday. ``We need to get some scheduling worked out, but it will be announced in a few days.''
That team is currently unknown at this time. The Bolts have already prepared for his departure by trading their 2nd round pick at June's draft for Cory Stillman. Not only does Stillman match Prospal's goal-scoring numbers, but he is more of a factor infront of the net, something the Lightning lack.
Note: This is certainly sad news for Lightning fans. Prospal apparently signs with another team for roughly a half-million difference per season. It's crazy if you ask me, but it's the way the NHL and other sports have become these days. Stillman is no-doubt capable of replacing Prospal. The bad part of this is, Greg de Vries, whom the Lightning are interested in, has apparently agreed to sign with the New York Rangers on Monday. The Lightning had to wait to see if Prospal would resign before going after other players, due to money, which came back to bite the Lightning in the ass. There are still a few decent defensemen out there. Ken Klee and Oleg Tverdovsky among others. Let's pray the Lightning can get one or both of those
7/11 10:28 PM Lightning may have lost out on de Vries Sweep-stakes
** Sportsnet.ca is reporting the New York Rangers will sign UFA defenseman Greg de Vries on Monday. More Details as they become available. **
7/10 3:41 PM Lightning sign prospects Holmqvist, Craig
Finally, after weeks of contract negotiations, the Lightning have signed their top defensive prospect Andreas Holmqvist. Also signed was forward Ryan Craig, who has spent all of his career with Brandon of the WHL.
Holmqvist, 21, was the Bolts second round pick in the 2001 NHL entry draft. He is an offensive defenseman who has spent the last 3 seasons in the Swedish Elite League. At 6'4" he has a nice frame, but he needs to gain about 20 pounds to be a big physical presence, as his weight is currently at 190 pounds.
Holmqvist had this to say about the new deal:
"I'm just so glad to sign this deal," Holmqvist said. "I want to thank Tampa for believing in me. The NHL is every young player's dream. I'm excited to come over (to the U.S.) and start training with (Lightning strength and conditioning coach) Eric Lawson to get ready for training camp."
General Manager Jay Feaster, who made it one of his top priorities to sign Holmqvist, had this to say about the signing, as well as the signing of forward Ryan Craig:
"We are very pleased to welcome both players to our organization and we look forward to having them start their professional careers. Holmqvist is a skilled defenseman who skates very well and has excellent hands and vision. With his skating ability and skills, if he works hard and prepares himself properly for Training Camp, he can compete for a spot on our roster this season."
"Ryan Craig is a true heart-and-soul player who quite simply helps a team win," Feaster said. "He is a real team player and a leader as well. We drafted him because of his intensity, passion, commitment to the team concept and his leadership abilities, and we are confident that he is on the road to becoming a contributor in Tampa in the near future."
Note: Holmqvist will be at camp in Brandon. Look for him to either make the team ( most likely ) or be optioned off to Hersey of the AHL and eventually be called up later this season. As for Craig, he will most likely join the Bolts ECHL affiliate, the Pensacola Ice Pilots.
7/8 12:04 PM Lightning yet to make free-agent signing
So far all is quiet on the Lightning free-agent front. That is, signings. General Manager Jay Feaster is actively working his phones, but has yet to make a signing. In fact, the majority of NHL teams have yet to make signings. Other than the Avalanche signings of Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne, Detroit signing Derian Hatcher, and today's news that Dominik Hasek would return to play for the Red Wings in 2003-2004, the market is quiet.
Reports link Feaster to numerous UFA defensemen, including former Avalanche Greg de Vries, and former Cap Ken Klee, among others.
One of the Bolts' main rival, the Carolina Hurricanes have made nice improvements. After drafting highly touted Eric Staal with the second overall pick in the draft, they traded defenseman David Tanabe and a prospect to the Phoenix Coyotes for Danny Markov, a great deal for the Canes in my opinion. The Canes have also been linked to defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky, who, although had a down year and minimum playing time last season with New Jersey, is still an underrated guy who can produce good numbers on the power-play.
Note: Let's go Jay! I know many teams are worried about the possible lockout following this season, but Feaster should take advantage of this and get some signings in. Reports say the Anaheim Mighty Ducks may be close to signing Vaclav Prospal, but that has yet to happen. The Toronto Maple Leafs were widely thought of as the top choice to sign de Vries, but apparently they will not be big spenders this off-season, which takes one big spending team off the list. Expect a Lightning signing within the next 10 days.
7/4 12:30 PM Lightning contact de Vries
According to the Lightning's Chris Dingman, former Avalanche and current UFA defenseman Greg de Vries inquired last weekend "if (Tampa) was a good place to play." The topic generated in Rochester, Minnesota during the Shjon Podein Children's Foundation golf fundraiser.
Dingman also voiced his opinion of de Vries, saying he could fight.
"He had a fight with Donald Brashear three or four years ago and went toe-to-toe with him for about a minute. Not many guys can do that," Dingman said.
Not only can he fight, but Dingman liked what a potential fit with the Lightning would look like.
"Definitely," Dingman said. "Especially the way he's developed the last couple of years. My first year in Denver (1999-2000), he was a pretty good defenseman. The next year, when we won the Cup, he took a step to the next level. He's very strong defensively and he can play on the power play. He's one of the most well-rounded defensemen.
"He wouldn't hurt us by any stretch of the imagination. He can pretty much play in any situation. When the opportunity is there to get a guy like that, you do it."
Note: While it's good to know that de Vries has the Lightning under his radar, and that the Lightning have apparently and almost surely contacted his agent Pat Morris, it still gives no indication as to if the Bolts are making a serious run at him. The conversation occured last weekend, meaning a number of things could have happened since then, he may be close to signing, or may have been turned away. We will have to stay tuned, but it's good to know the Lightning are atleast interested.
7/3 4:33 PM Bolts making offer to Klee?
GM Jay Feaster has made it known the Lightning will be a player in this year's free-agent market. It's also no secret the Lightning needs defensive help. Affordable defensive help, that is. Derian Hatcher signed with the Red Wings today and got a 5 year deal worth $6 million per season. The Lightning won't offer that type of money, but are probably looking to spend about half that on one player.
Anton Thun, Klee's agent, says his client has approximately a dozen teams interested in him, but a formal offer has yet to be issued. Klee is believed to be seeking about $3 million per season, but it wouldn't surprise me for him to only get about $2.5 million per season, which is certainly within the Lightning's budget.
Klee is also the type of defenseman the Bolts need. He's for the most part a stay-at-home guy, one who could significantly help a pretty weak defensive core. Outside of Jassen Cullimore, and the ever-growing, but often inconsistant Cory Sarich, the Lightning have no other rock on the blue-line. Klee would be a significant upgrade to the defense, as well as a strong veteran presence that would greatly help guys like Sarich and Pavel Kubina.
One thing is for sure, Jay Feaster is almost surely talking to Klee's agent about coming to the Lightning. Whether or not he signs is a different story, but I do know that after Greg de Vries he is the best defender available, and for a lesser price, may even be a better bargain.
7/2 10:31 AM Tortorella anxious to get contract extension
Lightning Coach John Tortorella has become a bit anxious to get his contract extended, though he said Tuesday he will not discuss an extension until after next season is finished. Tortorella had asked Feaster to extend the contracts of himself, and his coaching staff ( Assistant coach Craig Ramsey and goaltending coach Jeff Reese), which Feaster refused to do.
"It's not looking for a big raise or to hit a home run. It's to be treated with a little decency and respect," Tortorella said. "Add a year or two on the contracts and not always work on one-year deals. It is my job as head coach to look out for my staff, and that was the whole vein of going to speak to Jay. I didn't think that was unreasonable, but we were told no. I don't agree with it. At some point, we have to stand up and say this is wrong."
"It's unfortunate the decision was made by John to deal with this in this fashion," Feaster said. "At the same time, it's not the first issue I've dealt with with John and not the first personnel issue I've dealt with with John. That's John's personality."
Tortorella, who is worried about Vaclav Prospal being resigned, spoke with him 3 times Monday. He says the club must stay together, in order to continue growing.
"I'm worried about losing the club," he said. "It's not so much about me and the staff. It's about commitment."
Note: I think Tortorella seems to have forgotten about the other needs of the hockey club. The Bolts have many RFA that need to be signed, as well as look into signing UFA defensemen. At the same time, I think Torts deserves an extension, of say, 2 additional years following this season. Feaster would do a good thing by signing Torts up before training camp begins, but the players should be first in this situation.
7/1 12:05 PM Prospal to persue options, agent says he will give the Lightning a chance to match any offer
Rich Winter, the agent of Vaclav Prospal, says his client feels the Bolts gave him an unfair offer and plans to persue other options. He may find, however, those options to be pretty slim.
"Vinny made the decision he's going to pursue his options," Winter said. "That doesn't close the door on Tampa. We're going to keep the dialogue open."
"If the situation happens and I have to go play somewhere else, it's reality," Prospal said from his native Czech Republic. "I'll take it as a business."
Already teams are showing interest in the Lightning's point leader. Detroit has chosen not to resign Sergei Federov, the Ducks passed on Adam Oates and Paul Kariya, and the Rangers are always looking to sign free agents. The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking for a center for sophomore Rick Nash.
General Manager Jay Feaster says the club will wait to see what Prospal does before investing the funds elsewhere.
"I've known Vinny Prospal since he was 18 years old," Feaster said. "I like Vinny Prospal the person and Vinny Prospal the player. That we have made him a five-year offer shows that respect. ... I don't want to lose him, but I'm not prepared to write a blank check. "
Lightning sign defenseman Gerard Dicaire
Dicaire, 20 is an offensive-minded defenseman with nice size ( 6'2 214 lbs ) who has been recently playing in the WHL after being drafted by the Lightning in 2002. Dicaire participated in the 2000 Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects game. Dicaire will head to Traverse City and participate in rookie camp and has a shot at going to main camp in Brandon. GM Jay Feaster said this about the signing:
"Gerard is a skilled puck mover and a very smart offensive defenseman. If he continues to work on developing his quickness and explosiveness as a skater, he has a real opportunity to get on the fast track to the NHL "
6/30 10:44 PM Vaclav Prospal now officially a free agent, Feaster unable to contact Prospal's agent Monday
Unable to contact Prospal's agent Rich Winter on Monday, Vaclav Prospal is officially free to sign with any team. General Manager Jay Feaster said the agent did not return any phone calls on Monday, and that the team had bent over about as much as they are willing to.
``I think it's incumbent upon us to determine who our core guys are,'' Feaster said. ``I would hope that the offer we made to him would show he is one of those guys. In the end, we believe the five-year term might be enough. But if it's not accepted, we will have to allocate the funds elsewhere.''
Feaster must now try to figure out where those funds will go. A defenseman is an obvious choice, and there are a few out there. Greg de Vries, Ken Klee and Jason Woolley appear to be the top choices. The Lightning have been trying to acquire Roman Hamrlik from the Islanders, the former Bolt, but an offer of Fredrik Modin and Sheldon Keefe was rejected.
Prospal may be in high demand, but he shouldn't expect a much bigger offer elsewhere as teams are trying to cut salary due to a possible lockout following next season. Detroit, New York Isles, Columbus and Anaheim ( who allowed Adam Oates and Paul Kariya to go unrestricted ) among other have expressed interest in Prospal.
Keep it with the Lightning Ledger for more Lightning news as the first day of free agency rolls on.
Lightning do not extend qualifying offers to Defenseman Pratt, Neckar
The Lightning have decided not to extend qualifying offers to defensemen Nolan Pratt, Stan Neckar and little-used Darren Rumble. In 67 games last season Pratt collected 1 goal, 7 assists to go with 35 PIM and a -6. He was a member of the 2000 Stanley Cup Colorado Avalanche team. Neckar, 27, had 5 points in 70 games last season, with 43 PIM and a -6.
Note: I wouldn't be surprised to see Pratt signed back for a lower price later in the summer. He was effective when he played and would be a cheap option as he is a good 6th or 7th guy to have around.
The Latest on the Lightning's top defensive prospect Andreas Holmqvist
With Nolan Pratt and Stan Neckar not being offered a qualifying offer, it potentially opens up a roster spot for top prospect Andreas Holmqvist. The Swedish defender is currently unsigned, and reportedly is seeking a significantly large signing bonus.
Holmqvist was the Lightning's 2nd round draft choice in the 2001 entry draft. He is currently in Sweden where he has played the last 4 seasons in the Swedish Elite league. General Manager Jay Feaster said recently he hopes to sign Holmqvist by training camp. Look for Holmqvist to come in and compete for a spot on the top 6 defense. If Holmqvist does not make the club, look for him to go to Hersey of the AHL.
Lightning agree to part affiliation with the Hersey Bears of the AHL
Finally, after a long search, the Lightning has come to terms with Hersey of the AHL. The Lightning will share Hersey, as they did with Springfield, this time with the Colorado Avalanche. The Lightning will be able to send up to six players to Hersey at one time.
General Manager Jay Feaster had this to say about the new deal:
" Our players will develop in a quality environment, they will have state-of-the-art training tools at their disposal, and they will be immersed in Hersheys history and tradition of Calder Cup Championships. The fact our Director of Player Personnel, Bill Barber, is based less than two hours away and will be able to see our players and work with them on a regular basis is yet another real plus for us, and both Bill and I look forward to being a part of the Hershey family again. "
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