Tampa is Melrose Place

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by LyleG

Vinny is one of if not the best all around players in the NHL.

He led them in scoring, fights, penalty minutes and is a true leader. Him and Iginla are the best captains in the league imo. Vinny is worth every penny they pay him.

His problem is that he's good when HE wants to be good. He's not a team player. His little hissy fits with Tort dragged the whole team down.

Talent? Loads.
Leadership? Minimal.

[LyleG]

Originally Posted by Eracer

His problem is that he's good when HE wants to be good. He's not a team player. His little hissy fits with Tort dragged the whole team down.

Talent? Loads.
Leadership? Minimal.

I think he is beyond that now. Tort use to get on Vinny a lot more than he should have. He expected Vinny to make that team win when it had no chance. Tort has and always was a shitty coach imo. He didnt know how to develop a player anywhere near as much as he thought. He was better at ruining players than making them great imo.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by LyleG

I think he is beyond that now. Tort use to get on Vinny a lot more than he should have. He expected Vinny to make that team win when it had no chance. Tort has and always was a shitty coach imo. He didnt know how to develop a player anywhere near as much as he thought. He was better at ruining players than making them great imo.

I think that's a bit harsh, but I won't argue that Tort was a "willful" coach who concentrated more on winning through natural talent than developing skills.

The Lightning did well under Tortorella up to 2004, and he was probably the type of coach they needed at the time. I think he stuck around too long, and Vinnie did suffer for it.

But when you are the star player, you need to act like a star player, and assume the responsibility for playing at a level that helps your team. All I'm saying is that Vinnie doesn't do that enough. He's not a natural leader, and he never will be.

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by LyleG

Vinny is one of if not the best all around players in the NHL.

He led them in scoring, fights, penalty minutes and is a true leader. Him and Iginla are the best captains in the league imo. Vinny is worth every penny they pay him.

And Jerome did nothing even with a good goalie.

Teams win cups, not single players.

R35

[LyleG]

Originally Posted by Rockford35

And Jerome did nothing even with a good goalie.

Teams win cups, not single players.

R35

I agree teams win cups and both Jerome and Vinny are hung out to dry in that regard. Both led their team in almost every statistical category. What more can they do? Calgary takes too many boneheaded penalties and have far to many floaters. Tampa is bad at almost everything. I feel sorry for the two captains in all honesty as it must get frustrating busting your balls every night while the supporting cast does nothing to help out.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by LyleG

I agree teams win cups and both Jerome and Vinny are hung out to dry in that regard. Both led their team in almost every statistical category. What more can they do? Calgary takes too many boneheaded penalties and have far to many floaters. Tampa is bad at almost everything. I feel sorry for the two captains in all honesty as it must get frustrating busting your balls every night while the supporting cast does nothing to help out.

How many Lightning games have you watched?

Martin St. Louis was #14 in total points last year.

Brad Richards and Vinnie Prospal are both quality players who left for other teams. Each had up and down stretches, and have been better since leaving the Lightning.

Dan Boyle was injured for much of the season. He's a quality defenseman.

Paul Ranger is developing quite nicely, and is a hustler.

Philip Kuba shows potential at times (and sucks ass at times...)

They have some decent players. They don't have team chemistry. Part of that is because of Tortorella. Part of it is because they don't have somebody like Dave Andreychuk around anymore. Someone who didn't demand big bucks; rather, he did it because he loved the game, and wanted his team to win.

Maybe Melrose can spark the team into paying attention to the talent they do have.

[VtDivot]

Originally Posted by LyleG

Vinny is one of if not the best all around players in the NHL.

He led them in scoring, fights, penalty minutes and is a true leader. Him and Iginla are the best captains in the league imo. Vinny is worth every penny they pay him.

100% correct. I think he's the best player on the planet.

I am upset he resigned a long term deal. I was hoping we'd land him as a UFA next year

[ualtim]

The biggest problem the Lightning have is in between the pipes. Losing Kahbibulin was a big blow and a void that they have not adequately replaced.

[DrivetheGreen66]

just remember the Pens are the best in the East.
and if a certain someone would have take 7.1 million for 5 years they would have two of the greatest centers in the league along with a excellent two way winger