Season ticket holder. Was there at UBS last night. The Hagens disappointment notwithstanding, I really liked the energy in the place. Whatever one thinks of the Lou years, things had really become stale recently, with the roster, and in the archaic atmospherics (facial hair, no announcers on the charter, etc.) around the team too. A reset, an infusion of new players into the prospect pool, and fresh thinking at the top was sorely needed in my view. I don't think fans need to see a Stanley Cup immediately, but we DO need to see a plan, a path and a strategy to make us a serious, regular contender. Even with the growing pains that are surely ahead, I am more hopeful than I've been in quite a while about the future.
Thank you for sharing, Adam. I, too, believe the fanbase is ready to be patient and are more than willing to sign off on a new plan and course from the franchise on and off the ice.
...Gabe Perrault's Center....gotta love Brooks. Thanks for putting that in there to ruin my breakfast...should have avoided reading it seeing Brooks name ....
Thanks for this, Joe. Wondering, especially with 3 1st rounders in the fold, if Darche tries to package pick 42 and maybe something else for Isaac Howard’s rights. Tampa took him in the 1st round in 2022, he won the Hobey Baker last season, and he’s told the Lightning he’s not signing there. Darche would know him and can offer him a spot in the lineup, which Tampa couldn’t. I know he’s said he’s going back to college this year, but that could change if he went to a team that he’d sign with. Thoughts?
I've seen that thrown out on social media as well. Perhaps there's more chatter around it because of Darche's familiarity with him from the Tampa organization. Still, you would think several teams would have an interest in trading a 2nd round pick (if that is what it would take to get his rights). He becomes a UFA in August 2026, so the Lightning don't have to do this now and we know next season is considered a deeper draft.
It’s true. They also get a 2nd in 2027 as compensation if he doesn’t sign. Maybe Colorado’s 1st from next year is necessary to do it, but I’d imagine Howard would have to tell them which teams he’d go to
Season ticket holder. Was there at UBS last night. The Hagens disappointment notwithstanding, I really liked the energy in the place. Whatever one thinks of the Lou years, things had really become stale recently, with the roster, and in the archaic atmospherics (facial hair, no announcers on the charter, etc.) around the team too. A reset, an infusion of new players into the prospect pool, and fresh thinking at the top was sorely needed in my view. I don't think fans need to see a Stanley Cup immediately, but we DO need to see a plan, a path and a strategy to make us a serious, regular contender. Even with the growing pains that are surely ahead, I am more hopeful than I've been in quite a while about the future.
Thank you for sharing, Adam. I, too, believe the fanbase is ready to be patient and are more than willing to sign off on a new plan and course from the franchise on and off the ice.
...Gabe Perrault's Center....gotta love Brooks. Thanks for putting that in there to ruin my breakfast...should have avoided reading it seeing Brooks name ....
Thanks for this, Joe. Wondering, especially with 3 1st rounders in the fold, if Darche tries to package pick 42 and maybe something else for Isaac Howard’s rights. Tampa took him in the 1st round in 2022, he won the Hobey Baker last season, and he’s told the Lightning he’s not signing there. Darche would know him and can offer him a spot in the lineup, which Tampa couldn’t. I know he’s said he’s going back to college this year, but that could change if he went to a team that he’d sign with. Thoughts?
I've seen that thrown out on social media as well. Perhaps there's more chatter around it because of Darche's familiarity with him from the Tampa organization. Still, you would think several teams would have an interest in trading a 2nd round pick (if that is what it would take to get his rights). He becomes a UFA in August 2026, so the Lightning don't have to do this now and we know next season is considered a deeper draft.
It’s true. They also get a 2nd in 2027 as compensation if he doesn’t sign. Maybe Colorado’s 1st from next year is necessary to do it, but I’d imagine Howard would have to tell them which teams he’d go to