What T-Bay should do…
According to a source on www.hockeybuzz.com,
The team is slowly dying and getting fed up with John Torterella. Being a one line hockey club doesn’t exactly develop team work an a winning attitude. Jay Feaster may have to make some changes…
Tampa Bay sits in last in the Eastern conference. Fingers can be pointed at many people but truth is they are far from the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2004.
John Torterella shouldn’t be coaching the club. I don’t know why he still is, probably due to the hole ownership thing going on they are stalling to make any significant moves.
The team has one scoring line.
St.Louis – Lecavalier – Prospal
They are average over 25 minutes per game and generate over 60% of the teams goals. Apparently players are unhappy with John Torterella for not giving them the opportunity/ice time. But who can blame John Torterella….look what he has to work with besides those three players.
Tampa Bay’s Defence & Goaltending is horible.
Obviously missing Dan Boyle was a huge hit to them and their goalie’s averaging over 4 goals allowed per game doesn’t help.
What should they do?
Brad Richards is a whopping -24 (league leading) and on pace for 68 points….not to mention the $7.8 Million he’s getting paid.
He is playing with 3rd line players at best so that’s why he has the worst +/- in the league & Power play points don’t count against the +/-
Brad Richards needs to be moved to bring to bring some balance to Tampa Bay. He would obviously have to agree because of his NTC.
He can be trading for prospects, picks, goalies….whatever, some balance and stability needs to be brought to this hockey club if they are ever going to be successful again. The team was dismantled after winning the cup and during the lock-out. Players retiring, players leaving as UFAs or being traded.
If they would move anyone but Richards I don’t think it would help. Richards needs to be a #1 center with two snipers on his wings. I don’t think moving St.Louis or Prospal would help all that much because Richards is the one with the hefty salary. If they trade St.Louis or Prospal they would need to get some decent prospects or some experience on the blue-line.
Another option would be to move Lecavalier but why would they? Unless he wants to be traded or has no intention of re-signing next year.
Jay Feaster is the GM not myself but Tampa Bay will rebuild after this season. They are probably the best example of how the salary cap can affect a team.