Yes, he's there. I see him. Stamkos has been coming around as of late, with 4 goals and 2 assists it does feel like better production that he had late in the regular season. But being 47th in the playoff points race doesn't seem so great either considering much of the regular season he lead in goals and total points.

Yeah, he's playing slightly better defensively, I get it.

Yeah, he's a newbie when it comes to NHL playoffs, I get it.

Yeah, I remember when he banged his head on the ice in February and he hasn't been the same since, I get that.

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Why aren't more people calling for the Lightning to trade for a goalie before its too late. Is there any way that Tampa will make the playoffs with their goalies giving up 3.2 goals per game for the remainder of the season, I don't know. The Bolts are a -17 of 5on5 play which ranks 29th which means their special teams have kept them alive in the standings.

And then there is the other Florida team, the Panthers and Tomas Vokoun.

Special teams have been a disaster for the kitty kats with a 8.3% power play percentage which is 30th in the league its obvious they need help. But they are a +6 on 5on5 play mainly because of Vokoun. This is a team that their leading scorer Michael Frolik has 4 goals and 9 assists in 21 games. That means their top scorer is on pace for 48 points on the season!

Its well known that they are rebuilding and when a team rebuilds they need to start young. Vokoun is 34 and only has this year and next left on his contract so why not trade him while hes still worth something in case of injury and give yourself an opportunity to work for next year. On the other hand Vokoun has consistently put up good numbers despite not having much offensive help. With a .923 save percentage hes good for 13th in the league and a GAA of 2.44 good for 11th all the while not having what you would call an all star defense in front of him.

But not only do the panthers have young defense coming up getting better in Dmitry Kulikov, Eric Gudbranson, Keaton Ellerby and Alexander Petrovic but they have one of the best young goalie prospects that is nearly ready for the NHL in Jacob Markstrom. So the team will be better in the near future. And while I'm not singing their praise in any sense you have to think rationally and say they're probably better off trading Vokoun while he has value. And what they need in return is more offense.

So lets say they do a deal with the devil then the question is what would the Lightning give up? well lets think

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With the 20 game mark coming up in the season, there is some talking around the league about moves coming up and already players have been waived, acquired, and a coach fired.

So, how comfortable is Steve Yzerman with the way his team is thus far? I know certain players haven't been healthy, but injury proneness and bad luck sometimes can be a reason for your dismissal. And no, I'm not talking about Simon Gagne just yet.  Check back before the trade deadline.

As you may know already, rumors have come around this week about the Lightning (per Mike Corcoran and some French reports that I couldn't read).   Marc-Andre Bergeron is expected to finish his rehab from knee surgery and take tests next week, and is expected to sign with a team thereafter if he passes. Sources tell Corcoran that Bergeron expects that to be the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bergeron played 60 games last year with the Canadians scoring 34 points in that span and is known to be more of an offensive type defense man but has the reputation to be soft in his own zone.

Before this year began, head coach Guy Boucher had said that he likes the idea of having a power play specialist and he hasn't had a definite one of those so far. We've seen Pavel Kubina play most of the minutes while not producing very much, same with Victor Hedman.  Lately, Mattias Ohlund has gotten a shot at it and had little success.  Brett Clark has contributed on some levels, but he's probably more valuable to the team being used as a shut-down defensiveman rather than logging all those power play minutes.

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Even though Brian Lawton drafted Hedman and did what he could to accomidate him by signing fellow Swede Matias Ohlund in order to make Hedman's transition to the U.S. smoother its Yzerman who will help Victor the most.

With Ohlund last year its hard to determine whether he made a significant impact off the ice with Hedman because Victor came to America very prepared. He spoke english very well, he already lived with his girl friend at 17, he had been playing against men already so he knew what he was getting into as far as physicality is concerned for the most part. So the Ohlund signing doesn't really make sense to me(especially for 6 years). Even this time last year it seemed that Hedman was adjusting quite rapidly and all the hype was warranted.

Hedman ended up having an okay rookie season but the results weren't as high as the expectations. In fact you kind of got the feeling the weight on his shoulders started to bother him. Hockey great Peter Forsberg's comment before his draft day when he said "he is the best defense man to come on of Sweden since Niklas Lidstrom" surely added some pressure. And with the team's finish the previous season being 29th and with the start of the 09 year ahead most of the media were predicting Tampa to squeeze into the playoffs. you could imagine the pressure on a 18 year old rookie who steps into a top 2 defensive role.

Yzerman played along side Lidstrom for years and he knows what impact a yound D man can have on a team because Lidstrom's rookie season he had 60 points and was a calder trophy finalist for rookie of the year.

This year will be different for Victor. With Pavel Kubina returning to the lightning and stepping in as the team's power play quarterback it should take a lot of pressure off of Hedman. And with Brett Clark and Randy Jones and Mike Lundin they surely can be depended upon more than that of Meszarous, Foster, and Walker last year. Allowing him to eventually fully regain that confidence we saw early in the year before things started to unravel.

Nobody has questioned the work effort of #77 but a lightened work load this year could be just what the doctor(GM) ordered. Although new head coach Guy Boucher has said he doesn't like his players getting into their comfort zones and for the most part I agree with him but in Hedman's situation I think he would be better off if the felt more comfortable. Seeing as how he once again is the youngest on the team and really didn't have the kind of season he was expected too last year  I'd be spending a little more of my time working with him just to be sure nothing gets in the way of him playing to the best of his ability. Which could end up being the biggest reward of the season because Hedman has a very big upside. Now I'm not predicting a Norris torphy for this year but a point total in the 45-55 range shouldn't be unreasonable. Which should put him up there around the top 10 in the league in scoring for defenseman. And thats the kind of thing that could put the lightning in the playoffs.

I'd like your opinions on what you people think is the most important thing the lightning need for success(on the ice). I've made a small poll but feel free to add your own ideas/opinions....

The idea is to look at last year and decide what you would like to see change. Obviously new players(and coaches/GMs) have replaced old and haven't proven themselves to be better yet(technically speaking) seeing how the season hasn't started.

This prospect camp should be an interesting one...and this is a big reason why.

Yzerman has created lots of competition for roster spots on the lightning and at the same time he hasn't. Reason being hes known for saying that he wants to have a methodical approach and he wants to let the prospects develop until they are ready to make the big team.

On the other side of things you have Guy Boucher. A former major junior coach and an AHL coach who has been coaching mostly younger players for the past 4 years and has had lots of success in doing it. So who is to say he wouldn't be confident in one or two of the younger guys that he could mold into the NHL on the fly.

So come time for the end of training camp it will be interesting to see if there are some younger players that they both don't agree on that should have longer looks in preseason or even a few games to start the season because remember players can play up to 9 games and still be sent down to juniors. Say guys like  Ashton, Connolly, Hutchings, and Panik. Ashton looks like the only one who would logically make the jump because he has already been signed a contract with the lightning this time last year, and all the others would have to be signed.

Yes 9 games isn't a lot but it would be fun to see what these kids are made of and what the future holds.

Let's take another look at the defense.

I think we can all agree that the offense is set for the top 6 once steve downie is resigned the bottom two lines will jar around with camp and who knows there might be more signings (probably not).

Now to the defense....

It's probably wrong to expect Pavel Kubina to have a poor season, given that he's a power play specialist and he joins an offense that should tear up the PP this season, his stats should look good as far as points are concerned. But the fact that +/- isn't included with PP and PK points after the season is over, at first glance, he may seem over valued, but I predict that won't be true.

Mattias Ohlund, if he gets healthy again, can't have a worse year offensively than he did last year, but nobody expects him to lead the defensemen in points. So if he stays on the + side (or close to it) 5-on-5, he will remain in the top 2 pairings (which he should)....

Victor Hedman - If he has a breakout year, expect the lightning in the playoffs plain and simple. With a strong defense and offense, and mediocre goaltending, this team will be just fine.

Mike Lundin is underrated defensively. He played great last season at times against the leagues best offensive players. He even put up a few points for the first time in his career.

Brett Clark is one of the leagues best shot blockers and this team desperately needs a shot blocker....last year there were countless amounts of shots on goal that should have been blocked, and for a team that had a hard time getting out of the zone, shot blocking is key.

Matt Smaby needs to be more physical and needs to get nasty. That would be his best attribute because he's not the best passer and I'm not sure if I've ever seen him shoot the puck.

I'm gonna go off the wall and say that big Vladimir Mihalik gets an occasional job as the 7th defense man as a PK specialist, seeing as how he's got one of the longest reaches in the league. I think he could be invaluable to break up other team's power plays with poke checks and blocked shots. If his skating and passing are weaknesses, he wouldn't have to skate or pass much to be on the penalty kill...

Out of the other D in the system, the other spots to go in and out of the line up will most likely come up to camp, but I'll go on record saying that the top 6 will be the first guys i talked about. Mihalik is more of a hope, ha.

1. Washington Capitals - The president trophy winners didn't change their roster too much. There is no reason for me to believe they won't be #1 again lead by their offense doing all the work....and Mike Green.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins - By adding and subtracting on the blue line I predict them to have a very good season.

3. Philadelphia Flyers -Besides goal tending they arguably have to best all round game in the league.

4. Boston Bruins - If they stay healthy this could be your cup winner, a team built for the playoffs with talent, toughness, experience and poise(unless they play the Flyers).

5. New Jersey Devils - NJ has been taking some hits as of late with the Kovy situation. But assuming they don't give up much to resign Kovy(again) maybe Marty Brodeur has some gas left in his tank to carry this team to the playoffs one more time.

6. Buffalo Sabres - Another team which the goalie holds it together. Ryan Miller looked like he was over worked last year with their early playoff exit. But with good health this team coached by Lindy Ruff is all around solid and a good choice to win the NE division.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning - Without one or two of the top 6 forwards this team would have a very difficult time staying out of the bottom 5 -10 of the league, unless of course a surprising year of the goalie by the bay. Also I expect the defense to not be as big of issue as in the past. And realistically don't expect Stamkos to get 24 power play goals, teams started to wise up a little to his nearly unstoppable one timer.

8. Ottawa Senators - Questionable in goal at times but the "defence" and surprisingly good penalty kill will carry some of the load.

9. Toronto Maple Leafs - A breakout year for a team struggling as of late but will miss the playoffs once more. Or maybe its just because I dislike leaf fans and TSN.

10. Atlanta Thrashers - Head coach Craig Ramsay will have a hard time with half of his team having a Stanley Cup hangover.

11. New York Rangers - Offense won't be as big of an issue for Tort's squad. But expect a lot of locker room rumblings and maybe even some management/coaching changes.

12. Montreal Canadiens - Is the Price right Bob? And will the Habs surprise again two years in a row? I think Cinderella sailed on this one and she headed down the Mississippi to St..Louis.

13. New York Islanders - Slow and steady is the development of this young team with JT and his knack for the net improving a little more this year.

14. Carolina Hurricanes - Did Carolina's GM take a vacation this summer after the draft a team that needs to improve didn't do that much. But with a healthy Cam Ward this year I could be wrong.

15. Florida Panthers - Draft picks need some time but Hawks GM Stan Bowman will step in right on time to pick up a Stanley Cup in about eh 5-6 years.

    Ever since Steve Yzerman said that former Lightning forward Zenon Konopka "wasn't apart of the Lightnings plans" there has been a lot of talk lately about the Lightning needing to sign a free agent forward who plays a "tough guy" role. Arron Asham's name has been thrown around a little bit mostly because he fits the role but also has an offensive upside. Other names have been named but that's not my point.

    My point is that I'd rather see the team we have play their skill game, but learn to stick up for themselves a little more as a whole. I know what you're going to say. Certain people(ex: Marty St.Louis) aren't meant to be out there throwing fists. And it raises the risk for injury with your star players. And the other teams in the league have got to know that they can't bully the Lightning around.

    During last season there were many complaints from the great "Bobby the Chief Taylor" that the defense was not physical enough. From not clearing the front of their net to not standing up the opposing offenders at the blue line. Learning team toughness was an attempt of ex coach Rick Tocchet but it only stuck with a certain few people.  Other times the Lightning forwards appear to try to be "too fancy with the puck" and make one too many passes. If they all had a tougher side to their game being "too fancy" wouldn't be an issue.

    Steve Yzerman comes from a long tenure with Detroit. Now Detroit is not known for being a bunch of tough guys. Last season Detroit had the least amount of fighting majors in the league with 19 and they usually are around this figure on a year to year basis. But the Redwings success of the past 10-15 years suggests they know what they're doing. The Washington Capitals had 20 fights last season and they won the presidents trophy. Tampa bay had 74 fighting majors and finished 26th. This isn't a direct reason of course but there has got to be something behind having an all skill roster and not being put in the box for a 5 minute breather.

    So if there isn't anyone playing that "tough guy" role taking on all the fights and retaliating to all the problems of his teammates then the teammates themselves would have no choice than to stick up for one another because if its not set in stone who is going to do it then somebody has got to do it. In other words it would get kind of personal. This would obviously create more frustration towards the other team. With discipline and right direction would create that drive, and passion that sometimes gets lost in an 82 game schedule.

    Remember Steven Stamkos's first NHL fight from his rookie season when he fought Nikolai Zherdev. The comments made by New York's MSG t.v. broadcasters after were that Stamkos was sending a message that he doesn't want to be pushed around. This happened Nov 26, 2008 about 20 or so games into his rookie season right about the time after Barry Melrose was fired and had said that Stamkos was too small for the NHL. And there once was a time where team captain Vinny Lecavalier was a every now and again fighter and we remember that game 6 fight between him and Iginla in 2004.

    Of course there is entertainment in having a fight or two each game but the more entertaining thing is seeing the team win and I believe that if the players have the heart to stand up for themselves and one another then they should be better off and more motivated to do the more important thing and that is to win.

Mattias Ohlund - is entering the 2nd year of a long term contract with the lightning. To my knowledge he has never been mentioned in the plans of Steve Yzerman. Does this give fans any reason to believe he won't have any trade value comes time for the deadline and teams looking for experience on defense? And are his services needed in Tampa now that there are two other, slightly younger, shorter termed vets in the lineup. But with a big contract and a limited no trade clause even Steve Yzerman would have a hard time moving his contract if he really wanted too.

Pavel Kubina - Pavel is rejoining the Lightning this season and calls Tampa his home away from home so going into the season we can all believe hes excited and going to be giving coach Boucher and company everything he's got in his 33 year old tank.

Victor Hedman - Victor is coming off what seemed to be a reverse rookie season to that of newly named super star Steven Stamkos. It started off pretty well for the kid, but after a hard hit from Ottawa's Chris Neal the big swede started to get a little shaky towards the end of the season. It has been said though that he should continue to develop and continue to get used to the smaller ice surface without too much trouble.

Mike Lundin - One of only a few Lightning defense man in the system left from the Tortarella era. Lundin has crawled through the ranks earning prime time minutes for Rick Tocchet's team in the end of the 09 season. Lets hope he continues to be that shut down defense man this year and continues to excel expectations.

Brett Clark - Clark is a free agent pickup signing who is a veteran who lost his playing time in Colorado at the middle of last year. But Yzerman has faith that he can keep his spot in the Tampa lineup.

Mathieu Roy - Roy was recently signed by Steve Yzerman to provide depth to both the Lightning and Admirals. Is also considered a hard hitter, limited offensively, and will stick up for his teammates.

Matt Smaby - Smaby was drafted in 2003, and he is still on the bubble to get a spot in the roster. After 7 years of development the Lightning have to figure out what exactly Smaby will be doing with his future. Lets hope he impresses the new coaches.

Vladimir Mihalik - The BIG Czech(6'08" 243lbs) is the lightning's 3rd longest tenured defense man in the system(unless you include Paul Ranger) and since being drafted in 2005 has shown signs of staying with the big club but needs to work on being more mobile and consistent.

Matt Lashoff - A token from the Mark Recci trade to the bruins in 2008. Lashoff's more recent memory in a lightning uniform include being ejected after one shift, in his first game of the year, for boarding former lightning hero Ruslan Fedotenko in a meaningless game at the end of the 09 season. That move didn't look "world class" but I'm sure it wasn't intentionally meant to hurt him.

Scott Jackson - After having pretty solid numbers throughout his junior career Jackson's progression has slowed considerably since leaving the WHL.

Michael Vernace - Vernace must of done himself some good in the last 30 or so games with his then new team in Hamilton with Boucher because a few months later he earned himself a contract from Mr.Yzerman.

Ty Wishart - One of the last memories of Dan Boyle is that of Ty Wishart. Lightning hopefuls will be crossing their fingers that someday Wishart shows some more value at an NHL level so #22 wasn't completely wasted.

Kevin Quick - Bolt's prospects has a very interesting bio and scouting report of quick from a few years back. Located here http://www.boltprospects.com/kevin-quick .

Mark Barberio - During this years campaign in Moncton, Barberio was partnered with this years #13 pick in the the NHL Entry Draft Brandon Gormley. Which makes you think they both will have a bright futures in the NHL given their success as the teams top defensive pair who went on to help win the QMJHL championship in 2010 and finish 4th place in the Memorial cup.

And finally

Paul Ranger - Is a RFA this off season and has said he is not ready to make a decision whether or not he is willing to return to the organization. There are plenty of ideas to why or where Paulie is but unless you're on the short list of people who know whats going on all you can do is speculate. Which is what us fans do best, right?