Notice the quotes?
The new ownership in Tampa Bay is in a rebuild, which is more of a reload, mode. Rebuilds consist of teams trading away and dumping players who are older and building through the draft and through trades with youth. Instead, Tampa has reloaded as they've signed underachievers Ryan Malone, Brandon Bochenski, and Radim Vrbata, older vets Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, and goalie Olaf Kolzig. They traded away a valuable 3rd round pick in a very deep draft for the rights to Malone and Roberts, something a rebuilding team shouldn't do. They also traded a pick for the rights to Vaclav Prospal before he went to Free Agency as well. Then, they forced Danny Boyle to waive his 'No Trade Clause,' which he just signed in his new deal, so they could trade he and Brad Lukowich to San Jose for Carle, Wishart, a 1st, a 4th, and an unknown prospect. Add to that their signings of Adam Hall, Zenon Konopka, David Koci, and bringing back Evgeni Artyukhin, that's a whole lot of forwards and only a few defensemen.
Forgive me for not being overly optomistic with Tampa Bay's "reload." They're trying to turn things around like Philly did after being in last place the season before last and being a playoff bound team in the Conference Finals this season. However, Philidelphia signed a lot of hard working player, not guys who are all but retired and career underachievers.
Anyway, it should be fun to watch Tampa this season...lol. At least they have Stamkos, he'll be brilliant.
Also, GM Jay Feaster has resigned today, saying that it's obvious his services are no longer needed. Well, seeing as how he sat on the sidelines as the new ownership made all these deals, I'd have to say it's very obvious he's no longer needed.
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