St. Louis Traded to Rangers

[NoleMoreTears]

TB gets Callahan and also a 1st-rounder next year.

Interesting deal, had to be some bad blood and backroom politics with this one. Both guys must have been unhappy to an extent.

Marty is a heck of a player and I'm sure the fans and teammates will miss him. Callahan won't put up similar numbers but he gives you a lot of positives.

 

[SeaPA]

Crapola. It's hard seeing Vinnie in a different uniform, not sure I'll be able to stand seeing Marty in something different.

 

[1nole2]

Originally posted by NoleMoreTears:
TB gets Callahan and also a 1st-rounder next year.

Interesting deal, had to be some bad blood and backroom politics with this one. Both guys must have been unhappy to an extent.

Marty is a heck of a player and I'm sure the fans and teammates will miss him. Callahan won't put up similar numbers but he gives you a lot of positives.

St Louis reportedly asked to be moved after he felt he was "snubbed" on the Canadien olympic roster by Yzerman (he was added after an injury). Others report he has been unhappy for much longer than that.

 

[SeaPA]

It's tough being a sports fan in Tampa. The Lightning trade the guy who's been the best player in franchise history, the Bucs are considering trading their best player (Reavis), and the Rays will probably trade Price next off-season (or prior to the trade deadline this year if they are not in the playoff hunt).

The headline player for each team, going or gone. Sucks, from a fan viewpoint.

That said, I think St Louis handled this very poorly. I understand he was unhappy with Yzerman over the Canadian team, but that doesn't make it ok to walk out on your teammates & the fans who've supported you throughout your career.

 

[Cribbs]

@SeaPA, you think MSL was better than Vinny?
Posted from wireless.rivals.com[/URL]

 

[SeaPA]

Originally posted by Cribbs:
@SeaPA, you think MSL was better than Vinny?

Posted from wireless.rivals.com

Overall, I'd say they were comparable, though very different. You could certainly make a case that Vinny was a better all-around player - but you can also make an equally solid case that Marty was.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

You also have to factor Vinnie came to the league/team very young and the #1 overall pick. A lot of pressure and he struggled with leadership for a good time.

St. Louis went to Tampa at age 25 having already been a leader in college, so 2 very different sets of expectations.

At this point Stamkos is better than either of them.

 

[hatsbo]

Wow, the end of an era, gonna be hard looking at him in a Ranger uni, kinda like looking at Vinny in a Flyers uni.

 

[nolealum99]

I have always been a MSL fan and my season ticket member jersey that I wear to games is a MSL jersey. That said, I lost all respect very quickly for this guy. He got butthurt over not being appointed to the Canadian team, and took it out on the Bolts. I am sure it was not solely an Yzerman call, yet he took it out on his teammates and fans of the Lightning. Screw this guy. His only comments were that he did it for his family. What? So you moving to NYC is for your family?!?!?!? Bull Shit!!! Like someone said above, it has now come out that he has been wanting out for two years. A friend who works for the Bolts said this, "I was just on the road with the team - he was last off the plane, refused to walk with the rest of the team, would not sign autographs for my clients, etc. He completely checked out." This was between the Olympic break and the trade. You don't treat a team who made you and fans who loved you this way. At least Vinny was business and I think most understood that. This is just a guy being a whiny little bitch and taking his ball and going home.

 

[timbo37059]

I understand why the bolts fans are upset about Marty. I don't understand why he checked out. But the guy plays with heart and a chip on his shoulder. He brought you a Stanley cup, who would have thought a cup in Tampa. I have followed Marty since his days playing at UVM with Eric Perron and Tim Thomas. He is a amazing player don't judge him for 2 weeks of a great career from the guy. That being said in the long term you made out on the deal big time Callahan is a great player and the two draft picks. Don't throw away those St Louis jerseys yet!

 

[SeaPA]

I'm sure that, eventually, I'll forgive MSL & remember only the good times, but for now my feelings are much the same as Alum99. I've lost a lot of respect for him over the way he acted/reacted.

I also agree that, in the long run, the trade could be very good for the Lightning - but only if they're able to re-sign Callahan. He's not the scorer that MSL is, but he's a very good player who does some things that the Bolts lacked. He's also a whole lot younger, and MSL's at the tail end of his great career.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

I think until you know the facts behind why he checked out, this is just sour grapes.

I understand it but won't agree with it. You don't know that major things may have been going on for some time. Even the most ardent professionals can check out if they're not being treated professionally. I've seen it happen with some very classy players. I'm not saying I know that's the case - I'm saying until you get both sides it's a bad idea to judge on half the facts.

TB got lucky to make out this well...good for them.

 

[nolealum99]

I too will probably forgive someday, probably when his sweater is hoisted to the rafters (Vinik is a much bigger man than MSL and will do that someday). But for now, he is dead to me. He was literally my favorite player to ever play for the Bolts, but I have lost respect and when that is gone, there is nothing. I do know much of the situation and more is coming out every day. And most of it, makes MSL look like a douche who wanted to be the center of attention and he was not.

I will say, and this is the honest truth, that I have been talking about Marty for most of the season and how little effort he was giving. He has never been much for playing D, but he was really giving up early on a lot of plays this year and doing a lot of cherry picking at the blue line. The reason he had a lot of breakaways is because he was hanging out waiting for someone else to steal a puck and get it to him. He has done this somewhat his entire career, but it was really obvious this year how much he was just an offensive weapon only.

 

[nolealum99]

So far so good for Callahan in TB. I really like what he is bringing to the table. He fills that role for the person who is willing to get a little dirty and go where not many people do. He is willing to be in front, and he is willing to go in the corner and dig one out. At the game on Monday that I went to, he had a great diving play to keep the puck alive for the Bolts. The puck was handed off and passed to the front for a goal. He got the 2nd assist. I hope the Bolts can sign him and then it will really make it all worthwhile. Marty on the other hand has found the going pretty tough. He has been invisible in most of the games and has only 3 pts (and no goals) in his first 8 in NY.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

Originally posted by nolealum99:
I too will probably forgive someday, probably when his sweater is hoisted to the rafters (Vinik is a much bigger man than MSL and will do that someday). But for now, he is dead to me. He was literally my favorite player to ever play for the Bolts, but I have lost respect and when that is gone, there is nothing. I do know much of the situation and more is coming out every day. And most of it, makes MSL look like a douche who wanted to be the center of attention and he was not.

I will say, and this is the honest truth, that I have been talking about Marty for most of the season and how little effort he was giving. He has never been much for playing D, but he was really giving up early on a lot of plays this year and doing a lot of cherry picking at the blue line. The reason he had a lot of breakaways is because he was hanging out waiting for someone else to steal a puck and get it to him. He has done this somewhat his entire career, but it was really obvious this year how much he was just an offensive weapon only.

Here's my problem: you go off about feeling "disrespected" by the Bolts being put in a certain division, yet expect others to man up and not show discontent when they feel their entire career resume' is disrespected.

I'm not saying you're a bad person or anything - I don't know you but you're probably a really sharp and good dude. What I'm saying is we need to be consistent in what we expect of our athletes and ourselves. Otherwise, it just sounds like sour grapes.

 

[nolealum99]

Originally posted by NoleMoreTears:

Originally posted by nolealum99:
I too will probably forgive someday, probably when his sweater is hoisted to the rafters (Vinik is a much bigger man than MSL and will do that someday). But for now, he is dead to me. He was literally my favorite player to ever play for the Bolts, but I have lost respect and when that is gone, there is nothing. I do know much of the situation and more is coming out every day. And most of it, makes MSL look like a douche who wanted to be the center of attention and he was not.

I will say, and this is the honest truth, that I have been talking about Marty for most of the season and how little effort he was giving. He has never been much for playing D, but he was really giving up early on a lot of plays this year and doing a lot of cherry picking at the blue line. The reason he had a lot of breakaways is because he was hanging out waiting for someone else to steal a puck and get it to him. He has done this somewhat his entire career, but it was really obvious this year how much he was just an offensive weapon only.

Here's my problem: you go off about feeling "disrespected" by the Bolts being put in a certain division, yet expect others to man up and not show discontent when they feel their entire career resume' is disrespected.

I'm not saying you're a bad person or anything - I don't know you but you're probably a really sharp and good dude. What I'm saying is we need to be consistent in what we expect of our athletes and ourselves. Otherwise, it just sounds like sour grapes.

I usually respect your opinions about hockey, as you are obivously more involved than I am, but these comments are so far off base, its comical.

99% of my rant about the Bolts being in the wrong division was about geographic locales and the NHL making zero sense. Only a slight bit was about the Bolts being disrespected and that was mostly because I felt travel was very unfair.

When was Marty ever disrespected?!?!?! The guy was treated like a god here in Tampa and everyone loved him. Was it not getting picked for a team when he was a 38 year old player and the GM felt that there were players who fit better and would help the team win?? Obviously Babcock agreed with the assesment as there were only 2 guys who played less than MSL (35:22 in 5 games) in the olympics, in Subban (1 game played) and Hamhuis (20:11 in 5 games). Olympic selection is not/should not be a lifetime achievement award, otherwise Gretzky would still be playing for team Canada. Being a GM is hard, and he had to make the extra hard decision to leave one of his own players of the roster for the betterment of team Canada. Marty became a whiny little brat who didn't get invited to the popular kids birthday party. For that he decided he wanted to take his ball and go to NYC. And so far that is working out a hell of a lot better for the Bolts than the Rangers as MSL still has no goals, and only 1 assist in last 5 games. Bolts ran off a string of wins and are 2nd in the division.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

Sorry if I was not clear: I'm talking about a person feeling disrespected, regardless of how legit it is or not.

As you can see, it's rarely about the facts in these cases, which is exactly why it's self-contradictory. It's unfair to act one way when you feel dissed and expect another grown man to "man up" when he feels his whole career has been undervalued. Not excusing either side.

 

[nolealum99]

Good Point!! I just think the guy has been a great player and has a little bit of little man syndrome. It just really sucks as a fan for your favorite player to go out that way. Almost to a person, most in Tampa feel the same way. Everyone is pissed at him and those wounds may not heal for fans, I don't know. I know I personally will get over it, its a sport for christ sake, but you all know as well as any how much we all love our sports. In the mean time, until I get my new season ticket member #91 jersey, I will keep wearing my #26 jersey with Duct tape over the "St. Louis" and all the #26's on the back and sleeves. What is really an interesting piece in my house in my signed and framed jerseys and picture of MSL and Vinny. Both guys are no longer here. Maybe someday both their numbers will be in our rafters. I know #4 will be, not sure about #26.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

I definitely understand. I remember being so upset when Wade Boggs left the Sox and won in NYY.

You could do a hell of a lot worse than rooting for Stamkos - he's the best they've ever had IMHO.

 

[nolealum99]

Originally posted by NoleMoreTears:


You could do a hell of a lot worse than rooting for Stamkos - he's the best they've ever had IMHO.

I completely agree. I love seeing the C on his chest already. The future definitely looks bright for the Bolts with names like Drouin, Namestnikov, Koekkoek, Erne, Sustr, and Korobov. Lets not forget Bishop is only 27 and Lindback is 25 (although I wish there was a way to get him some more ice time, he has just not had the expereince and needs to have some game experience). And don't forget goalies like Gudlevskis, Desjardins, and Vasilevsky. The future is bright. Let's hope these prospects pan out like they are supposed to. Last but not least, the ownership is UNBELIEVABLE. Vinik is awesome and he is doing a great job of endearing himself to the fans and the community as a whole. I see this franchise having some good years ahead.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

Drouin is ridiculous - reminds me of Alexei Kovalev.

I've met a couple people in ownership and was impressed. Not sure what happened with Marty but I never judge those things because there's almost always 2 sides to each story (unless you're Barry Bonds). In the end they upgraded on grit, draft picks, and got younger - not many teams with a disgruntled player can pull that off.

 

[nolealum99]

Marty finally got a goal last night!! But the Bolts beat the Habs and clinched a playoff spot after Dallas beat the Ove-chicken and Devils lost. Speaking of the Ove-chicken I heard an amazing stat yesterday. In the month of March he had NOT ONE EVEN STRENGTH POINT. He is what is wrong with Washington and more than likely Russia in the olympics. He is like the Allen Iverson of hockey. Leads league in goals, but also shot and is 861st in +/- which has to be last in the league, at -36. What a waste of talent. Couldn't happen to a nicer team than the Caps! I wonder how long it will take the NHL to phase out using him as one of the faces of the league.

 

[nolealum99]

Bolts really playing well in absence of Bishop and one win away from securing home ice for first round, and Ryan Malone has to go out and get arrested. DUI and cocaine possession.
Posted from wireless.rivals.com[/URL]

 

[pdubb09]

Originally posted by SeaPA:

It's tough being a sports fan in Tampa. The Lightning trade the guy who's been the best player in franchise history, the Bucs are considering trading their best player (Reavis), and the Rays will probably trade Price next off-season (or prior to the trade deadline this year if they are not in the playoff hunt).

The headline player for each team, going or gone. Sucks, from a fan viewpoint.

That said, I think St Louis handled this very poorly. I understand he was unhappy with Yzerman over the Canadian team, but that doesn't make it ok to walk out on your teammates & the fans who've supported you throughout your career.

Go to more games
Posted from wireless.rivals.com[/URL]

 

[SeaPA]

Originally posted by pdubb09:

Originally posted by SeaPA:

It's tough being a sports fan in Tampa. The Lightning trade the guy who's been the best player in franchise history, the Bucs are considering trading their best player (Reavis), and the Rays will probably trade Price next off-season (or prior to the trade deadline this year if they are not in the playoff hunt).

The headline player for each team, going or gone. Sucks, from a fan viewpoint.

That said, I think St Louis handled this very poorly. I understand he was unhappy with Yzerman over the Canadian team, but that doesn't make it ok to walk out on your teammates & the fans who've supported you throughout your career.

Go to more games

Posted from wireless.rivals.com

Huh? The only one of those that relates at all to that is Price. Reavis was dealt because he team sucks & had no need for a luxury-position player, and St Louis asked for the trade because his panties got knotted up over not making the Canadian olypmic team.