Detours: a country in search of direction
On the eve of the election, a reporter and photographer set out for Washington, via America. We tell stories from seven towns, touching on seven issues from politics and real life.
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
Game show themes
These themes are probably going to make some of you have flashbacks to wasted mornings or afternoons spent sprawled in front of the TV.
ATLANTA — If the Lightning wins Monday's draft lottery, the only way it trades the No. 1 pick is if someone backs up a truck to the St. Pete Times Forum.
Otherwise, it almost certainly will choose Steve Stamkos from Sarnia of the Ontario Hockey League.
"We believe the impact player we can get will be just that, an impact player," general manager Jay Feaster said. "You never say never, but … "
But the Lightning needs scoring forwards, and Stamkos, a 6-foot, 170-pound center, fits the job description as the draft's most highly regarded prospect with 58 goals, 105 points and 88 penalty minutes this season in 61 games.
If Tampa Bay finishes the regular season last in the 30-team league, and a loss tonight against the Thrashers guarantees that, it will have a 48.2 percent chance of gaining the top pick.
But as Feaster said, "With the kind of luck we've had this year … I wouldn't want to make book on the fact we're going to hold the pick."
As it stands, the Lightning can finish no better than 29th, good for the second pick. Under the lottery formula, in which teams can move up a maximum of four spots and down only one, the worst it will pick is No. 3.
In that case, Feaster said, trading down becomes more of an option.
"That, to me, is the beauty of having the pick in the top three," said Feaster, adding that if teams are "willing to give up significant assets and if those assets help us improve that much faster, you always have to listen."
[Last modified: Apr 07, 2008 12:13 PM]
Comments on this article
by Mike
Apr 7, 2008 12:13 PM
get Stamkos this kid is going 2 be a star
by Jay
Apr 7, 2008 12:13 PM
Everyone knows who the frist pick will be. What you should be asking is what if Tampa ends up with the 2nd pick, who will they pick?
by Matt
Apr 7, 2008 12:13 PM
As long as Feaster and Tortorella go, I don't care what they do with that #1 pick. Nothing Feaster has done with draft picks makes me think anything good can come of it with him in charge!!!
by chris
Apr 7, 2008 12:12 PM
Heres a thought, whatever feast says to do in the draft do the opposite. can't hurt
by Natasha
Apr 7, 2008 12:12 PM
Oh no Feaster don't trade a top 3 pick for some player like Feds or someone who will be gone and not what we wanted. The draft is a good one this year, well worth choosing and building our farm team. Stamkos to Tampa!!!!!
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