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He occasionally played a few games at wing for Vermont but for the most part was on D. Was a healthy scratch against some of the faster teams, most likely based on his skating. By far the biggest thing for him right now is to stay healthy.

He was already moved to wing in college wasn't he?

From the sound of the announcement he is expected to be the Lynx enforcer (and typically teams play their enforcers at a forward position) so I hope he doesn't have too much of a problem dropping the gloves. Parros is extremely smart off the ice as well, but he knew what it would take to advance his pro-hockey career.

I am sure Femenella won't have a problem doing the job. I just hope he can shake the rust off pretty quickly. Can't say for certain, but it has probably been a few years since he has fought on the ice.

He can't skate worth beans, so they'll need to move him to wing, IMO. He's got a wicked snap shot and he's actually one of the smarter kids off the ice I've ever met as far as our draft picks go. He's so smart, in fact, that he doesn't necessarily relish droppiong the gloves all the time. But, when he does, he's so big and so strong he won't lose. Mihalik's taller, and Artyukhin weighs about as much as Art does, but Art is ALL muscle, or at least he was when he was younger.

I wouldn't fight him, that's for damned sure.

Interesting. Glad to see Femenella get his pro career going. I would like to know if this signing was made because of input from the Lightning, but seeing as how there are no contacts left with the organization that knew Femenella, I don't see that being the case.

Now, if Art can just keep himself healthy he should easily establish himself as one of the top 2 or 3 guys in the ECHL. Hopefully, in a year or two he will get picked up by Norfolk.

A.) Yes he's that big.

B.) It's all muscle.

C.) When he wants to fight, he doesn't lose.

I don't believe you can classify the Malone and Vrbata deals as good yet. I think that they each have one good season in the NHL to their credit, but neither has the full body of work that you look at and say, "That guy is a bona fide scoring line NHLer." Can they become that kind of player? Sure. But will they? That's the question, although, as a whole, I suspect the Lightning will score enough goals to be competitive this season. The only way they won't is if Stamkos is a bust, and I just don't see that happening.

As for Kolzig, I don't mind the move, but understand this is a goaltender in his late 30's who had a poor season last year. I like that he's here for veteran mentorship. I believe he can probably step in for a month or so if Smith struggles or gets hurt. But, if it comes down to having to count on Olaf Kolzig starting 50-60 games here and being the man, this team is probably screwed. And, like I said, I still have a sneaking suspicion Karri Ramo is better than both of these guys, or at least would have been by February or March had he stayed at the NHL level.

I'm not pessimistic about the coming season, but I am realistic about it. 1/2 of the core of the team that made 4 straight playoff appearances, won 2 division titles, and 1 Stanley Cup is gone, and they've been replaced with Steven Stamkos and a handful of players that have had some success in the NHL (Malone, Vrbata, Carle) but don't have a sustained track record and aren't established top-flight players yet.

Are the Lightning deeper? Yes. Better? Probably, but not necessarily to the degree some people think. People tend not to understand just how big the drop off is from a player of Boyle's caliber to a player like Carle, or from a player like Richards to a player like Malone or Vrbata.

If I had to guess, because the division is so bad on paper, I'd say the Lightning are probably looking at a season where they'll stay in position to challenge for the division title all year, but if they miss it they'll probably be scraping for every last point to try to sneak in as a 7 or 8 seed.

I agree that the Boyle trade might have been a mistake, but signing Malone and Vrbata (especially Malone) were really good deals. I agree that Malone might be overpaid a tad, but if he would have hit the open market the Rangers would have outbid the Bolts. It's better that we overpaid by a million than not get him at all (it's not like he's making 7 million). Vrbata is a bit of gamble but he's been on bad teams most of his career and not given enough ice time until last year. I think Vrbata and Malone will get at least 20 goals each, and add that to Stamkos getting 20+ goals and we should have a second line for the first time in years!

I also think that signing Kolzig was a good move to help mentor Smith. Smith is better than a lot of people give him credit, and he was definitely better than any goalie we've had the past few years. I remember games like the game against Minnesota where he stopped Gaborik on 2 or 3 breakaways, and also the game he had a shutout and almost scored an empty netter at the end.

Something just feels different about the team this year, no more bargain bin moves. Add a veteran D-man and I feel this team can compete with anyone, most of the teams from last year have gotten worse (Pittsburgh). The East is wide open this year.

I don't understand why they haven't signed Klinkhammer. There was a report in the Lethbridge papers that he's sitting by the phone waiting for an offer. They can give him an AHL deal and he'll take it. Everyone in the Ads organization last year was very high on Klink last season and I don't understand why he hasn't gotten re-upped. No offense to Rosehill, but he's not a better NHL prospect than Klink.

Welcome to BP, FC. If you're up for it, come on over to the BP messages boards at http://boltprospects.com/forum and join us for some hockey talk. We have forums for specifically talking about the Lightning farm system.

You'll need to re-register over there on the message boards, however.

There's a rumor going around the Lightning have signed Mike McKenna, so McKenna or Riku Helenius would presumably be Augusta's goaltender to start the year.

There's quite a bit of depth on defense in Norfolk, so someone's going to get pushed down. Quick, Rosehill, or Daryl Boyle could get pushed down. Justin Fletcher was qualified and still hasn't been signed. I suppose he could get pushed down too.

Maybe one or two forwards.

Trust me the Lynx fans are thrilled to be associated with such a quality organization. I have a question?

Can you take a guess at what prospects the Lynx may receive from the Big club?

I understand its early and I wont hold you to it. Thanks

It would be a HUGE mistake to keep kolzig beyond this year. When you have Karri Ramo waiting in the minors, you don't extend a 40+ year old goalie.

This is huge, one of Tampa Bays first round draft choices coming back to play as checking line center and a roll player. If things work out, he could be on the best third line in hockey. If he plays with Evgeny Artyukin and Nick Tarnasky as predicted, there won't be many in the league that will want to line up against this mix of tough guys. This will give the Lightning a leg up on grit and it also gives them some protection and blow for the two scoring lines. I for one am glad to see Chris back in black.

Good luck to you and your family Jay and thanks for all your hard work for the team and the community and for not trading Vinny.

From the St. Pete Times blog:

But Barrie said Feaster's job, per se, will not be filled and he believes Kurvers and Loiselle will keep their current titles.

"We're going to do it as a group," Barrie said.

Who is the frontrunner for the GM spot now?

All very well said, simple & to the point.

He has 3 NHL seasons under his belt and he is a -11, big whoop.

In his first 3 NHL seasons, Zdeno Chara was a -34.

He's a minus player for his career.

The st pete T***s paper today did an article on Kolzig at the end they quoted that

Forwards Andre Roy and Chris Gratton will not be with the team. ''It's pretty disappointing," Roy said. "I love the city and fans.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article683612.ece

He hits, he fights, he plays good defense, and he can contribute offensively.

What else does he have to do?

Being a guy who fights doesn't make you a solid stay-at-home thumper.

Which Bieksa have you been watching?

He is about as gritty as they come. Mean and always in ill humor. Kevin would be awesome on the Tampa blueline. Not only can he play the game, but because he hits, fights, and just doesn't take any you-know-what! Sounds exactly like the type of player a bunch of Western Canadian owners would like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfjrHD0Dgfg&feature=related

Andy Delmore was AHL Defenseman of the Year in 2005-2006 and earned a 1-way contract with the Lightning and no one touched him when the Lightning sent him down to Springfield to start the season. Remember, anyone who gets taken off of waivers is full price and has to be carried on the NHL roster. Teams don't necessarily like to throw away money for one-dimensional defensemen.

Hutchinson led the AHL in points by a defenceman last year. Any team that wants a strong offensive defenceman with NHL experience would take him in an instant (which is almost anybody)