The Lightning have had there fair share of troubles whether it be the misfortune of injuries, a tough road schedule... a goalie that was... and now definitely isn't. You name it and it has happened to the Bolts so far in the 2011-2012 campaign. A lot of negativity and a general feeling of, was this the team that played in May last year, have filled the St. Pete and now Tampa Bay Times Forum throughout the first half of the season. There have been many "must win" games so far this season, but none of the games up until this point mean as much as these next three homes games. I told everyone who has inquired about the Lightning, if the Lightning are able to come out of January at .500, there is no reason they wouldn't be able to make a run at the playoffs, quite simply due to the number of home games remaining, and the number of games left to play the teams that stand directly between the Lightning and a spot in the NHL playoffs. We get into detail of what this week means to the Lightning after the jump.

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Defensemen Marc Andre-Bergeron has agreed to a 1 year deal with your Tampa Bay Lightning. This suddenly puts a hush on all of the "three ring circus", goalie talk. For a lot of people who don't know Bergeron let me break him down for you.

Think of a Danny Boyle style of defensemen who loves to carry the puck up and bury in the net but with a point shot to boot. Not saying DFB(Dan Boyle), didn't have a shot from the point but Bergeron picks his spots very well. What are the bets, think we will see Bergeron by Saturday and Sunday?

Marc Andre-Bergeron Wiki below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc-Andr%C3%A9_Bergeron

I never thought there would be a video but my oh my, my life is complete. When word broke on this grueling 2 plus hour practice I knew the team needed this, but the fans most definitely needed this as well. Tampa Bay Lightning, "Strip Shootout!" All the players were done as Stamkos finishes his turn by scoring at the end but our little guy has a little bit of a problem... Which turns into a fashion problem as well... Time to shed the threads Marty!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI8C3b0AuwI

I was reading on TBO.com and double E posted tonight's line up and it looks like it could be the finalized roster... unfortunately.

Preliminary lineup on Thursday in Winnipeg:

Tanguay-Lecavalier-Downie

Malone-Stamkos-St.Louis

Wright-Halpern-Veilleux

Fedoruk-Sczcechura-Miller

Ohlund
Hedman
Krajicek
Meszaros
Foster
Walker

Goaltenders

Smith (whole game)
Helenius

To me, that looks like an opening night roster right there. Except for the fact that Lukas Krajicek should be replaced with Mike Lundin, and Matt Walker replaced with Matt Smaby. Un-expletive-believable, you have young talent in Matt Smaby and Mike Lundin and you don't use them. Get rid of Lukas Krajicek and his 1.25 million contract and invest in you're future with Matt Smaby and Mike Lundin. As far as from what I have seen personally, Mike Lundin was the best defensemen hands down no questions asked in our only "home home" game last Friday, and Matt Smaby has consistently over the past two year proved himself to be a guy you can count on to play a top pair minutes at first to second pair quality.

As far as the rest of the lineup I like it, I think Radek Smolenak could probably earn a spot away from Todd Fedoruk though. He played well last year when he was up, a bit surprising why he isn't getting his chance. Then again it could be because Tocchet has ties to Todd Fedoruk or wants someone who will go there get his face beat in in a fight.....

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Also tonights game is going to be on TSN-HD and NHLN-US, if anyone can find a live streaming feed online post it as a comment cause I can't find any live streaming feeds from either but I really want to see this one.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced a resigning today of Martins Karsums, one of the many players they have left to resign. Brian Lawton announced the resigning deal as a one year contract .

I frequently call the 5-foot-10, 198 pound winger butterball because of his form and playing ability to bowl into players against the boards. He was acquired through a trade along with Matt Lashoff in exchange for veteran winger Mark Recchi last season. He posted a goal and five assists last season playing on the third and fourth line. Over the summer he played with his native team Latvia putting up one goal and three assists.

Although there have been no financial terms disclosed I would be under the impression this was a cheap resigning for the Lightning keeping a clear path to sign one more top six forward. Karsums should posess the ability to score on the third or fourth line althought I would have much rather seen Brandon Segal back in a Lightning uniform.

vs.

That's right, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing their minor league affiliate the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL which is considered the next best tier of hockey below the NHL. This will be an exhibition, preseason game that will take place on September 25th at 7:00PM EST at the Norfolk Scope Arena. This is a pretty unique event that will give the community and hockey fans of Norfolk Virginia a chance to experience a franchise playing against each other. Although there will be a winner and loser at the end of the game wouldn't it be something else if the Norfolk Admirals some how put one up on their NHL affiliate the Tampa Bay Lightning, not that we need to be the laughing stock of the hockey world news any more than we have been over the past year.

As a huge fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning and putting on a such a special event that is really an in house game of hockey, this will really give every player in the organization from top to bottom to go out there and prove a point and make a statement if they deserve to play for the Lightning and how much they want it. I'd imagine the scouts will be watching closely to see who is out there to make a lasting impression.

Not to judge this event too early and it seemingly it being a great idea, I would love to see this match up here in Tampa next year and potentially making it a staple in the Lightning's franchise as the Winter Classic has become in the NHL. If the new owners and management of the team wants to really reach out to the community as they have shown lately, they could give the fans an extra chance to learn about the team and the players that could be the future of the team as some of the players were last year and the previous few years coming up from Norfolk and making a name for themselves such as the following.

• #32 - Defense - Matt Smaby

•  #39 - Defense - Mike Lundin

• #34 - Center - Ryan Craig

• #38 - Center - Paul Szczechura
  

The Admirals vice president Joe Gregory said this about bringing this one of a kind match up to Norfolk this year,

We are thrilled to be able to bring the Lightning to Scope for an exhibition game. It's been a long time since an NHL club has played an exhibition game in Norfolk. This game will be a terrific way to break in the ice at Scope. We appreciate the efforts of the Lightning in making this possible.

General manager Brian Lawton of the Lightning spoke of the event as well saying this,

We'd like to thank Ken Young and the Admirals for all they have done for the Tampa Bay Lightning and for granting us the opportunity to come play a game at Scope. The Admirals and their fans have established a deep hockey tradition and the Lightning are excited to further develop that by bringing NHL hockey to the Norfolk community with this preseason game.

Nothing is left to be said except three magic words... Let's! Play! Hockeeey!!!

(promoted from the FanPosts -- jpf )

It's no secret that the Tampa Bay Lightning organization have a very high interest in signing free agent winger Alex Tanguay to play along side center Vincent Lecavalier at least for one year at a cheaper price to some what re-prove himself to the league of his true worth. A big tool in signing Tanguay would be to say, you get to play with arguably the best or one of the best centers active in hockey. On the same card Tanguay does want the big pay day, and it is believe he is guaging his bids from Minnesota and Tampa Bay to see what he can pull. He wont make as much as last year that is for sure because no one will pay him what Montreal offered up for the French native winger.

Having said what we already know. What are the Lightning's options if Tanguay doesn't pan out, who can they go get knowing they will definitely need one more proven player to play along side Lecavalier with the buy out of Vinny Prospal's contract. Lets go over some current, potential options.

Maxim Afinogenov

Maxim Afinogenov is a skilled, speedy player. He was injury plagued last year and has been for most of his career and has yet to play a full 82 games in the NHL. With a potentialy reduced price tag Afinogenov may be an attractive canditate to play along side Lecavalier. The biggest question mark for Afinogenov is would the Lightning organization want him there, is he big enough, does he have enough grit and better yet does Vinny

Viktor Kozlov

A second look would to be to another Russian in Viktor Kozlov, he has proven his worth with the Capitals over the past couple of years and slotted with the right players such as Lecavalier could explode at any moment. He immediately brings the size to the table which is what the the organization is all about and most definitely has top six forward potential. The only question for him is the question for all of the free agents that remain is the price tag.

Petr Sykora

Petr Syorka is much like Afinogenov as far as size goes but with a much more controlled and concentrated game. As was reported earlier in the beginning of the 2009 free agency, the Lightning were rumored to be seeking a deal with Sykora to be a top six forward for the Lightning in the 2009, 2010 campaign. As far as inking Sykora to any deal I haven't seen any talks besides the Tanguay chatter. Sykora would make a good experienced fit but if I had to bet money on it I think the organization might like to if they can, go a few years younger.

Taylor Pyatt

Taylor Pyatt brings the size to the table like Kozlov but has been shy to use it to his advantage. Over his tour with Vancouver he has put up decent numbers, nothing to throw a big deal at which is probably why he is still available. Pyatt would be a great oppurtunity for the Lightning to make a move without breaking the bank and possibly finding a hidden gem. Pyatt should get a deal in comparison to what Jason Williams got with his return to Detroit and possibly less.

If any of these players are available or even resigned, the Lightning do have a chance to splash and score a top six forward with potential trade value. It would only seem Lukas Krajicek, a stable good skating defense men will need to be moved simply due to a truck load of new defense men that the organization seem to want to go forward with. There of some bottom six forwards or picks who could possibly go with him to pull in that top six winger. The Lightning have there options and it should be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks leading up to training camp.