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Tampa Bay Lightning's pursuit of Alex Tanguay seems stalled but not over, and other updates
What is the latest on the Tampa Bay Lightning's pursuit of Alex Tanguay? Though Tampa Bay GM Brian Lawton still will not confirm by name that the team is after the scoring wing, it is clear the Lightning would love Tanguay to play on a line with center Vinny Lecavalier, especially if you buy into the idea Marty St. Louis will start the season with center Steven Stamkos.
What Lawton did say, speaking generally, is, "We're still interested. We have an offer out there. ... It takes time. People want to evaluate all their options, and they should. You want to make the right decision. I understand that."
The scuttlebutt is the competition is between the Lightning and Wild, and Tanguay's agent did not respond to a text message. Lawton did confirm, though, that barring another player move that would cut payroll, it does not appear the Lightning will increase its offer.
"There won't be any increases on offers unless we move existing players," Lawton said. ... Read more
Report: Alex Tanguay agrees to join Tampa Bay Lightning
RDS in Canada is reporting Alex Tanguay has agreed to terms with the Lightning pending a physical. As discussed previously on the blog, the Lightning had been hoping the opportunity to play alongside Vinny Lecavalier would lure Tanguay to Tampa Bay. Here's the item from today's Times. There could be more on Tanguay to come today at Fan Fest.
Agent: Alex Tanguay will sign with Tampa Bay Lightning Monday or Tuesday after a physical
The business manager for free-agent wing Alex Tanguay said his client will sign a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning after he passes a physical that will occur in Tampa on Monday or Tuesday.
"We have an agreement in principal," said David Ettedgui, who works in the office of Tanguay's agent Steve Kotlowitz. "We're pretty happy he is with the Lightning and he's looking forward to giving his best."
Tanguay, 29, has been a sought-after asset, and it is believed the Wild, and perhaps even the Islanders, were in competition with Tampa Bay. Ettedgui admitted the Lightning did not offer the largest contract, though he declined to get into specifics. But Ettedgui added, "Sometimes money is not as important for us. It was very important we find (Tanguay) the best fit possible." ... Read more
Jacques Demers says the Tampa Bay Lightning is a "threat to make the playoffs"
Okay, so maybe he is a little biased; Jacques Demers is, after all, a former Lightning coach and general manager. But he also is a television analyst for Canada's RDS, and Demers said he is going to say on his show the Lightning is the "most improved team in the East" and "a threat to make the playoffs."
Added TSN analyst Pierre McGuire, a former NHL coach: "If everybody stays healthy, they have a legitimate chance. They have to have a real good start so it doesn't steamroll, but they're going to be good." ... Read more
Alex Tanguay's shoulders (surgically repaired and otherwise) will be scrutinized by the Lightning
Alex Tanguay said he probably came back from his left shoulder injury too quickly last season. You remember that, don't you? Tanguay, then a member of the Canadiens sustained a separated left shoulder from a hit by then-Lightning forward Evgeny Artyukhin. The hit was so big, it shattered some glass at the St. Pete Times Forum.
Tanguay missed 32 regular-season games and two of Montreal's four playoff games. While that injury healed on its own, Tanguay also had arthoscopic surgery on his right shoulder in April to ensure his readiness for next season. He said the doctor found a partially torn labrum.
The shoulders will be the Tampa Bay Lightning's main focus on Tuesday during Tanguay's physical. If all is found in order, the Lightning will sign the left wing to a one-year contract.
"I saw the doctor four weeks ago in Colorado, so I expect everything is normal," Tanguay said. "We'll see (Tuesday) what the doctor says, but I'm not expecting anything. I've got myself ready to go."
Tanguay, who was in town Monday looking for houses (I guess everyone is sure he's going to pass this physical) also said he is "hungry" to start next season.
"I have a lot to prove, for sure," he said. "That's why I took this opportunity. It's a very good opportunity for me to get back to the level I'm capable of." ... Read more
With shoulders deemed fine, Alex Tanguay signs with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Alex Tanguay will wear No. 13 when he suits up for the Lightning. The left wing said his number is 18, but that already is taken by wing Adam Hall. Tanguay also wore 13 last season with the Canadiens.
Tanguay, who on Tuesday signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract after a physical deemed his shoulders sound, said, "I'm here to work. It was just finding a good fit and picking the right place."
General manager Brian Lawton, who previously said he would not raise his offer unless some trades were made to free up some payroll, acknowledged he did ultimately come up in price to get Tanguay signed.
"We did. We absolutely did," Lawton said. "We restructured some things and we did increase our offer. We did it because we really felt that Alex was the best opportunity for us. I wouldn't say it was a significant move, but it certainly was one of those conciliatory gestures that gets a deal done." ... Read more
Lightning coach Rick Tocchet: it's up to Vinny Lecavalier and Alex Tanguay to break slumps
The scoring slumps of Vinny Lecavalier and Alex Tanguay are growing to concerning proportions.
Lecavalier has zero goals in six games this season and none in 13 straight games going back to last season. Tanguay has zero goals this season as well and none in nine games going back to last season. At least Lecavalier has five assists and 24 shots on goal. Tanguay has just one assist and six shots.
After Tampa Bay's 7-1 loss to the Senators, Tanguay said, "I (stink) right now." ... Read more
Guess Vinny Lecavalier and Alex Tanguay will get (occasional) help breaking their slumps after all
Here's an interesting note as we head into Saturday's game with the Penguins: Marty St. Louis is starting on right wing with -- Vinny Lecavalier and Alex Tanguay. ... Read more
Big line changes for Tampa Bay Lightning: Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis back together
Guess Saturday night was just a tease because it looks like Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis will be playing together for the short-term anyway. The move was one of several made by coach Rick Tocchet after an 0-2 road trip in which the Lightning was outscored 11-2 and actually regressed a bit from the promise it showed earlier in the season.
Another significant move, Alex Tanguay was taken off Lecavalier's line. Neither Tanguay nor Lecavalier has a goal this season. Lecavalier hasn't scored in 14 games going back to last season. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet: Vinny Lecavalier and Alex Tanguay have to get "uglier"
No practice for the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday, just an off-ice workout. But coach Rick Tocchet hit a few subjects while talking before the Lightning held its annual Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the St. Pete Times Forum.
The most interesting, perhaps, was his critique of the games of center Vinny Lecavalier and left wing Alex Tanguay. So far, the pairing has not clicked and Tanguay on Sunday was bumped down to a third line with center Jeff Halpern and wing Drew Miller. Lecavalier was paired with right wing Marty St. Louis and rookie James Wright.
Asked why Lecavalier and Tanguay did not click, Tocchet went big picture: ... Read more
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