TBL Free Agency and Trade Talk

[nhljohnson]

Originally Posted by ChaseSpace

I don't get it, a good amount of people on this forum seem to like Mikkleson (from what I can gather) but most Tampa fans on HFB hate Mikk.

I thought he played great and was a steal after the deal was made

The apparent distaste for Mikkelson is irrational, IMO. These are probably fans looking at his basic statline and reconciling that data with selective memories of him being on the ice for goals against and surmising that he sucks.

The advanced stats show that, like Gervais, he was protected--he typically played against weaker opposition and started in the offensive zone the majority of time--but he did well (thrived is too strong of a word here) with this usage.

He's a fine choice as a low-cost, bottom-pairing option next season.

[nhljohnson]

Originally Posted by ChaseSpace

If Tampa does land Brunner then I don't think they would really need to chase any forward UFA's. You'd have Brunner, Brown, Conacher, Killorn, Connolly, Labrie, and possibly Johnson fighting for about 3 spots.

Yzerman's own comments (WDAE 620 interview with the new morning crew) suggest the contrary. I would very much expect a veteran FA or two to be added, especially, as suggested by Chad, a 3rd line C.

[nhljohnson]

Originally Posted by ChaseSpace

I believe that mod actually works for the organization. They started the rumor churning with "Heard around the front office" so I'm guessing they overheard a conversation that was going on.

Yes, the person in question has made it clear in the past that he is an employee.

[aapbolt]

Mikkleson,Aulie and Lee form the bottom troika, what we need is the 2nd pairing after Hedman and Brewer. Hopefully we draft someonevreadynto play and/or sign one or two Dmen for that middle pairing.

[chad]

Originally Posted by ChaseSpace

I believe that mod actually works for the organization. They started the rumor churning with "Heard around the front office" so I'm guessing they overheard a conversation that was going on.

I'm surprised TB would let an employee be involved like that. That doesn't seem like TBL's style.

[chad]

Report says Suter's list of teams are all Western Conf teams.

[Sotnos]

Originally Posted by chad

I'm surprised TB would let an employee be involved like that. That doesn't seem like TBL's style.

I would assume they don't know, and that person is very much risking their job.

[ChaseSpace]

Originally Posted by chad

Report says Suter's list of teams are all Western Conf teams.

Well Tampa is the western most Florida team, does that count?

[ChaseSpace]

Originally Posted by Sotnos

I would assume they don't know, and that person is very much risking their job.

This most likely. I wonder if someone in the front office comes across that forum and begins a search for the leak?

[Bolts_26]

Originally Posted by nhljohnson

Yzerman's own comments (WDAE 620 interview with the new morning crew) suggest the contrary. I would very much expect a veteran FA or two to be added, especially, as suggested by Chad, a 3rd line C.

Yep. The young guys fighting for the bottom few spots in intriguing, but I feel like you NEED to have that vet on the third line, like D. Moore.

I was really high on Chris Kelly as a potential signing for the third line, but Boston resigned him.