The Tampa Bay Lightning came into the NHL as an expansion team the year I was born in 1992.  Since I was born in the same place as the bolts, naturally I became a fan. Now Florida has never been known as a so called "Hockey Market", but from seeing videos of the team in the early years and getting a chance to go to a game as a little tike at Expo Hall, you got a sense this team deserved to be here. I don't really remember the game obviously because I was young but the fact that the lightning even got a team when the guys got dressed outside, sometimes next to a lake is pretty ridiculous. Now the NHL makes you have to have a rink already in place before you're even considered for a team.

Since the team is only 19 years old, a lot of talk as been made about the lightning not really having any traditions or specific things only the bolts do (sea of red, etc...), and honestly the critics are probably right. The bolts never took that approach to the fans, it was more of put a good hockey team on the ice and the fans will come (example this year...) but one thing I thought the bolts kind of stole from the Red Wing's "Hockeytown" but I liked was the cup year or the year after using "HockeyBay USA" as our team slogan. We need to bring back some of our past accomplishments to add to our bright future.

The Vinik-is the-Yzerman era has begun in the Bay and I think its time we combine the past with our future. The bolts will always have their ups and downs as we can see by the 12 games this year letting in 5 goals or more (roughly 1/4th of the games we have played), but Tampa Bay Lightning fans will always stay Lightning fans. We may not have the history as the Canadiens or Rangers or Red Wings, but we will get there eventually.

I had a few ideas for the bolts (no they aren't ridiculous like the jazz band they had for one season a few years ago) that might go a long way to helping establish the Lightning as a top franchise in the league...

1.) A retro jersey. Now everyone don't freak out, I know we just got a 3rd jersey not too long ago but a retro jersey could help bring back the old days.... Our original logo I thought was fine and our new one is a little odd and miss-shaped. I think a new jersey with a mix of a lot of royal blue, black, and silver would look really sharp. with a large bolts logo on the front... possibly even a big version of the shoulder patches with the florida outline and bolt. (EDIT: With new information out now about the team getting new jerseys for next year this option could be put on hold for a few years since they aren't getting rid of the BOLTS jerseys just yet)

2.) Thunderstix. These were a huge hit the cup year and need to be brought back NOW! The forum was insanely loud in the playoffs with these things and I would rather have thunder than waving towels.

3.) Weekend Blackouts/Whiteouts. This could be a seller for our weekend games or like Whiteout Weds. Getting the fans involved to help boost the bolts, especially on this homestand. 

4.) Shirt off your back. Game worn jerseys... They did this at a game I went to possibly the cup year I can't remember, but they picked a bunch of random seats and the fans got to go down and meet the players on the ice and get their jersey off their back after the game.

5.) A Chant. I said this awhile back.  "B-O-LTS" after we score a goal or the start of a period or both. Theme song (or team song/goal song) as well. I know individual players have a theme song like louie louie and hammer time but a team song that they play after they score a goal for example the Chicago Blackhawks who have "Chelsea Dager by The Fratellis as their song that the whole fan base now knows and sings along with clapping every time they score a goal (unbelievably annoying for any visiting team or fan). More ways to get the fans involved.

Feel free to vote on which you would like best or comment with an idea you have.

(EDIT: Edited my post here with some corrections. Trying to put a better product out there for you guys!) GO BOLTS!

Who is Andy Sutton? Well he's only a 6ft 6in 245lb D man who provides a lot of physical play and brings more size to our back end. A solid 4-5th D man for the bolts, Andy would bring that physical presence we all have hoped Smaby or Mihalik are going to be.

He's another Vet presence in the locker room, has been in the NHL since 98', four 20+ point seasons, and has racked up over 1000 PIM.

totals

GP 585

G 35

A 101

PTS 136

PIM 1018

here's some videos of what Andy brings to the table.

He's a guy that could put some energy into our club like Konopka did last year and is always willing to drop the gloves.

Yes I know he's another L hand shot but I think he would be worth the investment for the right price.

Do we have anyone who would drop the gloves on our roster right now? I think we need to keep Downie on the ice more as we have turned him into more of an offensive player.

What do you guys think?

I'm sure you all know there are still plenty of UFAs out there still, but who do you want for the bolts?

Centers:

John Madden
Mike Modano
Jeff Halpern
Doug Weight
Eric Belanger
Jason Williams

LW:

Ilya Kovalchuk
Paul Kariya
Alexander Frolov
Vlad Kozlov
Freddy Modin
Raffi Torres
Alex Ponikarovsky
Darcy Tucker
Ruslan Fedotenko
Jere Lehtinen

RW:

Lee Stempniak
Owen Nolan
Fernando Pisani
Scott Walker
Marek Svatos
Bill Guerin
Teemu Selanne
Petr Sykora

D:

Kim Johnsson
Willie Mitchell
Mike Rathje
Andy Sutton
Mike Van Ryn
Ruslan Salei
Adam Foote

Now I'm basing these off of what the list is on this site:

http://www.sportscity.com/nhl/2010-nhl-unrestricted-free-agents-by-position/

***if you don't like any of these options pick from lower down on the list from that site above, these are just the top guys listed***

so if I put anyone on here that has already been signed then please disregard those players. Please pick one player from each list you would like to add to the bolts roster this year. Take into account salary, where that guy would play and with who, and what he would bring to the team; also why would this player help the bolts now or in the future. If you don't want any of these guys then tell us a trade you would make and for what players.

Become Stevie Y for a day and pick your ideal bolts roster for this upcoming season(within reason guys)