Question

Does anyone have a complete list of the draftees we need to sign before june 1st or whatever the date is so that we don't lose their rights?

Any NA based non-college player from the 2002 draft is elligible.

Henrich
Ranger
Reid

In addition, because he graduated, Packard has to be signed.

I believe that's technically it, although they will definitely need to try to sign Egener and O'Brien as well.

-Pete Choquette

Any NA based non-college player from the 2002 draft is elligible.

Henrich
Ranger
Reid

In addition, because he graduated, Packard has to be signed.

I believe that's technically it, although they will definitely need to try to sign Egener and O'Brien as well.

-Pete Choquette

Thanks.

What are the chances that Henrich is in a bolt uniform next year?

What are the chances that Henrich is in a bolt uniform next year?

In September? Very likely.

In October? Highly, highly unlikely. He'll be in a Falcons uniform.

In April? Highly unlikely.

He's probably two years of minor leage seasoning away from being an NHL regular. I'm not as high on him as I once was. I think he'll have to change a lot of his game to be an NHL regular top-6 guy.

There's a better chance of monkeys flying out of my ***.

-Pete Choquette

If Henrich needs to change alot of his game then why bother even signing him...please educate us as to what needs to be changed.

It's not so much Henrich's fault as it is the fact the Lightning are now a team with a lot of depth built up in their system.

That and he needs to prove to the Lightning he's not as soft as he played in his last season in Brampton. He's useless in the NHL if he doesn't use his size effectively.

-Pete Choquette

I think he is going to need to learn more than one move with the puck in order to carry it up the ice in the NHL (and probably AHL too).

Exactly. Nothing else for me to say.

I would invite Henrich to look at Afanasenkov, Dmitry for guidance.

Chad the Afanasenkov fan :blush:

:handclap: :handclap: :handclap:

Your driving the Affy bandwagon, I'm merely a vocal passenger.

:blush:

The Lightning shouldn't let Reid get away, they have a good one there.

The Lightning shouldn't let Reid get away, they have a good one there.

I agree 100%.

Anyone heard or seen anything about this? Time's running out. I'd imagine the first place it would be mentioned would be the official message board, but I see nothing.

Anyone heard or seen anything about this? Time's running out. I'd imagine the first place it would be mentioned would be the official message board, but I see nothing.

Haven't seen or heard a peep from anyone in the Lightning organization. Not really a good sign considering they have something like 1 day left.

I sent an email off to Feaster, which I probably should have done a few days ago. He's usually quick about answering, but I'd imagine he's a bit busier than he normally would be at this time of year. :D I'll post if I get any info.

Per today's TBO.com article:

PROSPECT DEADLINE: The Lightning are expected to announce today that junior prospects D Paul Ranger, RW Adam Henrich and RW Darren Reid have been signed to entry-level contracts.

Monday was the deadline for 2002 draft picks still playing in juniors to be signed to a deal or re-enter the draft. Ranger, Henrich and Reid are the only three players who need to be signed. All three are expected to attend training camp in September and if they fail to make the roster, they likely will play for Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate in Springfield. :yo: :handclap:

Yup, I was told they are waiting to announce them all together, because one of them is dragging his feet and is not actually signed yet. Look for an announcement later this evening.

Packard does not need to be signed, apparently.

I believe they only had to tender Packard an offer to hold his rights for a while, which they apparently did.

-Pete Choquette

I had an Email in also, but haven't heard anything yet.

I was under the impression Egener and O'Brien could be signed. Both are ready to make the jump to pro hockey.

I'd like to see what O'Brien could do next year in SF. I think he'll be a good 2-way pro. He won't put up great numbers, but a poor man's Sydor.

They need to be signed or they can go UFA this time next season as overaged draftees.

-Pete Choquette

In case anyone hasn't heard, we signed all 3 that needed to be signed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/transactions