More, More, More!
July 9th, 2008 by Jason ChenAs if it still wasn’t enough, the Bolts announced the signing of forwards Brandon Bochenski, Zenon Konopka, Wyatt Smith, Mark Recchi and Evgeny Artyukhin this afternoon. While Bochenski, Konopka, and Smith are expected to start the season in Norfolk, Recchi and Artyukhin are expected to be lineup regulars, but with 15 regular forwards signed, you really have to wonder how Barry Melrose is going to handle this situation. Lost in all this flurry of movement up front overshadowed the fact that the Bolts have also signed defenseman Andrew Hutchinson today. However, I would hope that Hutchinson is not Jay Feaster’s answer to their shallow defensive corps, but it is a step in the right direction. Jason Smith signed with Ottawa today as well, and so the free agent pool begins to really dry up. However, it’s rumoured that the Canes will be trying to move either Frantisek Kaberle or Niclas Wallin, and Tampa could be a potential destination should the Canes wish to bolster their offensive depth by taking either Michel Ouellet or Jussi Jokinen, both of whom are being shopped around. However, Wallin does have a no-trade clause and I would think Jim Rutherford would be thinking twice before dealing with a team in his own division, even though that in itself may not necessarily be a bad thing.
Another potential trading partner are the Coyotes, who are looking to add more offense (no thanks to Tampa). With a legitimate first line in Olli Jokinen and Shane Doan, Don Maloney will be looking for players to provide some secondary scoring. The Coyotes have a plethora of young centres to move around, but they’re reportedly looking for a potential second line left winger, although they don’t have any extra defensemen to spare. Maloney has said that he will no longer be dipping into the free agent market, but he wasn’t particularly active on July 1st anyway.
The Devils, despite having 8 defensemen under contract, are also looking to bolster their defense. The Devils’ defense doesn’t boast a marquee defenseman, but with the system they play and with Martin Brodeur in net it’s not a necessity either. Colin White and Paul Martin (the only two defensemen on the roster drafted by the Devils) will still headline the defensive corps. Rumours are circulating that the Flames wish to bolster their offense still and are interested in Brian Gionta. The Flames have some pieces to play with, after not buying out Rhett Warrener or Anders Eriksson despite them being placed on waivers.
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2 Responses to “More, More, More!”
By Troy on Jul 9, 2008
That’s right Jason. Apparently, Tampa Bay management loves their forwards.
Honestly, it’s a bit ridiculous. I don’t care if Ouellet or Jokinen are being shopped around, there are, by far, too many forwards who can play on a night-to-night basis. Mark Recchi? I’d love this signing… if it was the early 90s version of Recchi. As is, he’s washed up and a 4th liner at best. Artyhukin? He ran away to Russia and deserted the Bolts years back. Why do the Bolts want him back?
Jason, I hope your aware that, with the Bolts surplus of forwards, that you’ll definitely have more posts in the future where the Bolts are going to be a primary topic. It’s all but guarenteed with these forward-centric signings.
By Jason C on Jul 9, 2008
Well, Troy, it looks like there’ll be more posts for you to comment on. Consider this section of the website the “Tampa Bay Lightning” section for the time being.