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Lightning signs Meszaros

Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 3:46 PM EST 02/09/08

A day after being traded from Ottawa, restricted free-agent defenceman signed a six-year deal with Tampa Bay on Saturday ...Read the full article

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  1. Howard Young from Canada writes: "The acquisition and signing of Andrej is a strong statement to our players and our fans that the Lightning ownership group is committed to putting the best product on the ice now and for years to come," said executive vice-president of hockey operations Brian Lawton in a statement.

    Isn't this the same management that traded Boyle?
  2. Fester Boyle from Barbados writes: "...and with the Lightning threatening to sign Meszaros to a multi-year offer sheet..." Sounds like a lot of CP propaganda. TB didn't have the 3 draft picks with which to make the offer sheet so they went the trade route and Murray took advantage. I wonder if Feaster would have bit.
  3. Stephen Dedalus from Canada writes: If I'd ony listened to my dad, who suggested that I play in the NHL, I'd be rich by now. But no, I followed my heart, and became a loser. Ah, well. There's always reincarnation.
  4. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Murray simply couldn't justify making Meszaros the team's highest-paid defenceman, with a salary higher than his shutdown pair of Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov. Meszaros, the Senators' top pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, had a strong rookie year but Murray felt "his last two (seasons) left something to be desired." Instead, the Senators added a solid veteran in the 31-year-old Kuba, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound native of Ostrava, Czech Republic, who scored 31 points — including six goals — in his second season with Tampa Bay after earlier stints with the Florida Panthers and Minnesota Wild. Murray called Picard, 22, "a local, high-end prospect" with the potential to have the same impact as Brian Lee, the Senators' top selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, who's expected to land a full-time role in Ottawa this season. The deal also gives the Senators two first-round picks in what is believed to be a talent-rich 2009 draft. More importantly for the present, Murray believes the Senators have a much deeper blue-line corps, with two key veterans brought into the fold in Kuba and Jason Smith, a former captain in Edmonton and Philadelphia who was signed as a free agent in July. Good move Brian Murray - even though Mazeros will blossom in Tampa, Ottawa should still come out ahead by the 2009 draft.
  5. d nicholls from kingston, Canada writes: $5 million a year? Wild. Still, Ottawa needs a bonafide puck-carrying defenceman if they're going to make it deep into the playoffs...
  6. Emilio Garazgos from Kanata, Canada writes: So, now that Mez gets paid an obscene salary of more than 5x what he was making even though his performance has been mediocre to poor, what's his incentive to improve his level of play ?

    A young man from Eastern Europe, in sunny Florida with millions in his pocket and lots more opportunity to play (with the girls, other millionare boys etc.) than in Ottawa in winter. Uh huh. Great recipe for success ?
  7. Arron D from Kanata, Canada writes: d nichols says Ottawa needs a puck moving D-man. he's right, but we need one who doesn't take stupid penalties, who doesn't blow basic defensive plays in his own end and who isn't afraid to use the body when required. Mez was a miss on all of those.
    TB deserves him, if they are dense enough to pay him that much. As someone else commented, they pay through the nose for Mezzaros, but they throw away Boyle? qu'est que F**k?
    Ottawa is building in the right way, although I woulda liked to have seen the team pick up some more front end scoring.
  8. d nicholls from Kingston, Canada writes: Who's available? Anybody worth speculating on? Is Bouwmeester out of the realm of possibility? Would FLA take our two 1st rounders and a talent package for him & Weiss (or Horton)? Crazy talk, I know, I know...
  9. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: The one player left out there that I think could help the Sens would be Shanahan.

    Cheers
  10. Super Bad from Ottawa, Canada writes: Actually Glen Murray would be an awesome pick up for the Sens. Would give them a strong(er) 2nd line forward.

    Any thoughts?
  11. Howard Young from Canada writes: I would prefer Parrish over Murray.
  12. Allan Martel from Canada writes:
    Shanahan might not be a bad idea for Ottawa, but as I keep saying, Forsberg is the target.

    Tampa overpaid for Mazeros and now Brian Murray has to cash in to generate value from this deal.

    Look for a Blackhawks - Sens deal over the next few days.
  13. George Ruetters from Looniesville, Canada writes: Well it looks like Ottawa is looking to the year 2012 or so for another run at the cup. The way Murray is going Spezza, Alfredson and Heatley will have grey hair by the time his rebuilding is done. Oh but we have a good group of core guys.
  14. Charles @ from ottawa, Canada writes: murray won't make any deals anytime soon.. and why would he ever want to sign glen murray, parrish, or shanahan..
  15. Sandy T. from Canada writes: Six years at 23mil. Not exactly the outrageous numbers that were being tossed about yesterday. 3.8 per annum may even turn out to be a very reasonable number before the contract expires. Ottawa may yet wind up kicking themselves over letting him go. Remember one Z. Chara?
  16. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Charles @ from ottawa, Canada writes: murray won't make any deals anytime soon.. and why would he ever want to sign glen murray, parrish, or shanahan
    ------------

    Because Charles they are currently a one line team and in need of secondary scoring.

    Cheers
  17. Howard Young from Canada writes: Sandy T, Meszaros is no Chara. The big difference is when they lost Chara (who wanted to test free agency), he was already a superstar. Meszaros has only had a few glimmers.
  18. Howard Young from Canada writes: I think Parrish would be the safe choice over Murray or Shanahan.
  19. Howard Young from Canada writes: I've looking around he web to find about Meszaros contract. It's often mentioned that it's a 6 year contract, but I have yet to see the dollar amount.
  20. Howard Young from Canada writes: I spoke to soon, I just found this information, not sure if it is legit.

    Tampa Bay, which traded Friday night for the 22-year-old blue-liner and gave up defensemen Filip Kuba, Alex Picard, and a 2009 first-round draft pick, signed Meszaros Saturday to a six-year, $24-million deal He will make $2.5-million next season; $3.25-million in 2009-10; $4-million in 2010-11 and 2011-12; $4.75-million in 2012-13; and $5.5-million in 2013-14.
  21. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Certainly too early to tell who gets the better of the transaction, but Ottawa is now without the puck moving defenseman so necessary in today's game. Kuba is solid, however Picard still needs time to develop and a draft pick is a future. Meszaros will give the Lightning more power on the attack coming from the back end. Can't wait to see these two teams battling for the same playoff spot. IMO Murray would have been better off shipping Meszaros to the West, i.e. Chicago as part of a deal for Khabby.
  22. Howard Young from Canada writes: Scouting report on Kuba

    Has terrific size and mobility from the back end. Displays both decent offensive instincts and a hard shot from the point.

    At 6-3, 205 pounds, he needs to make better use of his imposing frame. Is still lacking in consistency and needs to raise his game to the next level.

    Has potential to be a top 4 defenseman.

    Based on this, he is capable of filling Meszaros' role.
  23. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Allan Martel from Canada writes:

    Look for a Blackhawks - Sens deal over the next few days.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To maintain complete and total secrecy, my question is in 3M Code language (pig latin) so as not to be understood by any of the C of U spies on this thread:

    Habibulin-Kay?

    Cheers
  24. Allan Martel from Canada writes: R. Miller writes in 3M secret code revealing to those who know, the secret deal in the offing.

    Suffice it to say that R. Miller has not erred; that is he is unlikely to be wrong; or in other words, his veracity level knows no bounds.

    The name's Bound - James Bound - Her Majesty's secret service kangaroo - like my pouch baby?
  25. Sandy T. from Canada writes:
    Howard Young from Canada writes:

    "Sandy T, Meszaros is no Chara."

    And Dan Quayle was no JFK. :) That wasn't my point Howard. I wasn't comparing the players' abilities, I was referring to the situation. Ottawa management chose to pay the big bucks to the wrong defenseman when Chara left; and it may be they'll be sorry they didn't keep this one for what seems like a reasonable salary over a decent length of contract.
  26. Howard Young from Canada writes: Sandy, I guess that is where you and I disagree. An average salary of $4 million a year for a guy who has yet to truly prove himself is not reasonable. If you're paying him that kind of money on the basis of potential, it should be a short-term contract. I have a problem paying him $4MM and making him the highest paid D-man on the team.

    As for Ottawa choosing to pay Redden big bucks, they we're pressured into that situation. Chara insisted on testing free agency and would not sign a deal prior to the window for free agency opening. When that happened, Muckler was afraid that if Redden went to free agency, they would lose him as well. As result, Muckler overpaid to get him to sign prior to free agency. I will give Muckler credit for only giving Redden a two year contract extension. If he had been signed to a long-term deal like Meszaros or McCabe, we would be living a nightmare.
  27. Arron D from Canada writes: I side with you Howard. Mez was good at moving the puck, but like McCabe, didn't know how to play defense.
    For all the talk of ' the new league and the new D-men who move the puck', give me a solid D-man like Phillips or Volchenkov anyday.

    ' You can't win if you can't score' goes both way.

    Also Lee could be a natural to step up. I saw him play, and he looks as comfortable, or more comfortable than Mez ever did. Of course Mez was playing with Redden, so he was handicapped some.
  28. Montgomery C. Burns from Springfield, Canada writes: I'd like to see Bulin Wall and Rene Bourque go to LA for Dustin Brown. LA gets goaltending, Chicago gets a good left winger for a win-win.
  29. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Can't wait to see these two teams fighting for the same playoff spot.
  30. Neil No more last name from Canada writes: Montgomery C. Burns from Springfield, Canada writes: I'd like to see Bulin Wall and Rene Bourque go to LA for Dustin Brown. LA gets goaltending, Chicago gets a good left winger for a win-win.

    I think Rene Bourque is in Calgary right now.

    Tampa gave up too much, good for Ottawa for swindling TB.

    Now, to bring the Bulin wall over - What are the Sens offering?
  31. Neil No more last name from Canada writes: Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Can't wait to see these two teams fighting for the same playoff spot.

    Which "spot" is the consensus?

    4th, 5th, 8th, 1st?
  32. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Meszaros is not worth what Tampa has just signed him to. These moves that Tampa is making just get more and more confusing.

    Kuba will be a good addition, and it seems that Ottawa might have one of the most punishing Ds in the league next year. However, they might find themselves unable to get the puck out of their own end. Frustrating to watch as a fan. If Brian Lee can step up, then great - but he has very limited NHL experience.

    The team has lost a lot of its puck movers from the back end in the past couple of years and has replaced them with tougher guys.

    They still need a puck mover.

    Although I must say, they got a pretty good return for...Andrej Meszaros. Thanks, Tampa!
  33. Neil No more last name from Canada writes: great return for Mez

    Kuba, Picard and 1st rounder.

    Hope McCabe fetches as much (Leafs talk on a Sens thread - it begins!!!)
  34. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Neil, as neither TB nor Ottawa have top shelf goaltending, the battle for 8th could be bloody. If either one acquires a proven netminder or surprises with their current stoppers, maybe 7th...maybe 6th. Don't forget Ottawa backed into the post season last year and then tanked. They have mediocre goalies, no secondary scoring and no puck moving D man. Tampa has questions on D and in net, with firepower equal to the Sens.
  35. Neil No more last name from Canada writes: DTR - Sounds about right

    TB and OTT will be playing who-has-the-better-offer for the Bulin wall's services?
  36. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: DTR - I agree that Ottawa needs secondary scoring and a puck mover, although I don't think things are as grey as some may think. Highly doubt they'll be fighting for 7th or 8th this year, but I'm a Sens fan...

    Gerber is not as bad as his reputation would suggest. He was in nets during their blistering start last year, and was one of the few bright spots on their west coast swing and in the playoffs. Basically, I think Gerber crashed when the rest of the team did. With a capable backup who won't cause the same problems as Emery did, I'm one of the few who think that Gerber could actually be decent this season.

    We'll see if Murray will pick up another top 6, though, and Fisher needs to start putting up more points. I would like to see the top line get split up, too. If Fisher could be put on a line with a sniper, I think he'd put up numbers that would help justify his salary.
  37. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Neil - by the way, as painful as this season might be for the Leafs, I think Fletcher is doing the right thing in getting rid of so much dead weight from last year. Who knew the blowing up this offseason would be so extreme?

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