Rutta is out tonight, Rob Zettler says. As a precaution. Cernak, Sergachev, everyone else in.

— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) April 26, 2022

Cernak was so good in the bubble playoffs. So good he decided to take a puck to the face and is probably gonna start this playoffs in a bubble.

Ha

Lightning have just TRANSFORMED over the past week. From Stammer to Kuch to Hedman to Paul-seems like EVERYONE'S on FIRE. It's just unreal. They look more like their old selves than they have at any point this year. Vasi also looks SO comfortable again, which is terrific to see.

Oh, and there's this.

For the first time in his career, Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) has reached the 100-point plateau! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/s01NEATo0F

— NHL (@NHL) April 27, 2022

I hope the NHL appreciates Steven Stamkos as much as Tampa does.A broken leg, torn meniscus, blood clot and core injuries kept him from being the top 5 goal scorer he was going to be.The captain didn’t care and became an elite playmaker instead. Hockey Hall of Fame one day.

— Andrew Weiss (@WeissHockeyTalk) April 27, 2022

There's still time for time to really turn it on but I'm pretty sure Hagel had matched Raddysh's production with the bolts since the trade.

Which is only frustrating because Raddysh has matched Hagels production with the Hawks since the trade.

At least we got 2 4ths out of the trade

I'm just randomly going to post where I'm at (on AAV) if we decide to keep all 3 of Cernak, Cirelli, and Sergachev.
We usually extend big RFAs a year out, so we're closer than I think we realize to deals being signed.

Sergachev isn't worth much more than what Pulock got:
I have $6,500,000 x 8 years
(Sergy's potential is so much more, he just still makes mistakes you'd expect him to make 2-3 years ago)

Cirelli is just Joel Eriksson Ek:
I have $5,500,000 x 8 years

Cernak comparable is Carlo:
I have $4,250,000 x 6 years

Cernak seems to be the safest of the bunch to not be moved, because we have no sure things in the prospect pool at RHD for now.
Stamkos isn't going to play center (or hockey) forever, so cannot foresee Cirelli being traded.
Sergachev looks like the most likely to be moved, but I feel like we'd only do it if we got a great offer.
Keeping Sergy is probably the writing on the wall for Colton, who's probably around $4,000,000 AAV when he's due a new deal.

Agreed-Cernak and Cirelli need to be extended. Sergachev is expendable for the right deal.

I think the great thing about $6,500,000 AAV is that it wouldn't scare off the trade market. So, we could still sign him now but trade him next season if we get an offer we're looking for.

Devil's Advocate
The moving McDonagh argument would come into play as well.
Bishop vs Vasilevskiy. Hedman and Mac arent getting younger either. Sergachev has a good bunch of years to reach his prime.

Id keep mac. But if we keep hemorrhaging younger guys to keep the core together we're going to end up with a team of Tyler Johnson's.

But if we have a transition plan in place we could look more like the Detorit Redwings that won a boat load of cups with effectively 3 different cores.(Yzerman-Russian 5-Datstromberg)

The Athletic had a great article this week on identifying the top shutdown defensemen in the NHL, and right in the middle of the top tier was McDonagh.
He also ranks 4th in GA/60 among defensemen with over 1,000 minutes played this season.
Sergy would be more of a replacement for Hedman (one day) than for McDonagh.
I'd ride the McDonagh era to the end since he shows no signs of slowing down.

And not wanting to become bare bones on talent is why I wouldn't trade Sergy except for the right package.
I'd rather skimp on forwards than defense.

Regardless, I would be looking to add a LD with our 1st round pick this season.
Day, Semykin, and Carlile doesn't cut it for prospects.

You a need over "best player available" guy?

I never have any idea on the draft. I only really started looking at them these past couple season. (Wanted to somehow trade for the Matt Boldy pick but knew it would never happen)

The only one I had any real thoughts on prior was the Seth Jones over Drouin pick.

Depends. I'm not going out of my way to draft someone well out of position.

I've seen multiple draft rankings put several LDs in the 20-30 area of the draft. Good chance we'll be able to nab one.

Oliver Bjorkstrand (he, Martin Necas, Huberdeau, and a couple of others LOVE playing the Lightning) seals the deal. 4-1 Jackets. Bruins are leading the Sabres 4-0 in the 3rd, so tomorrow Bolts will need to beat the Islanders or have the Leafs beat the Bruins in order to play the Leafs (not the Canes) in the 1st round.

They playing possum?

Late night researching. LD Lian Bichsel has caught my eye.

So I heard Andersen may miss first few games of round 1.

What about we rest Vasy tonight against Isles and cheer for Bruins to defeat Leafs? Just saying...

I'll admit it crossed my mind, but the Canes always give the Lightning a tough time, Andersen is on track to return (at worst) in the middle of the series (plus Raanta/Kochetkov haven't looked half-bad in their few games), and the Leafs have a notorious playoff reputation. Lightning might very well have to play the Canes at some point, but I'd rather they play Toronto first.

Looks like the Bruins want no part of Toronto in the first round. No matter, lets just end the regular season with a win tonight.

Pointer rests, Rutta returns

No Brayden Point for #GoBolts tonight, Jan Rutta returns, back to 11-7 formation in regular season finale, Vasilevskiy in net for #TBLightning

— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) April 29, 2022

Is Foote auditioning for a forward spot tonight?

You all want to keep the playoff discussion here or start a new thread?

New one.

Impressive that we made it 43 pages

#1 team community on CapFriendly!

Yeah. That's why I say we start a new one. Would hate to get halfway through the playoffs and have a mod lock it on us :-P