Bolts Blueline Gets Worse

by J.P. on Oct 6, 2008 5:31 PM EDT

Just when you thought Tampa had the worst group of defensemen you'd ever seen, they go out and get worse by basically (from an on-ice standpoint) trading Shane O'Brien to Vancouver for Lukas Krajicek. O'Brien, who played 77 games for the Bolts last season, was benched for yesterday's game and shipped out today.

So how much of a downgrade is Krajicek? Well, last season he had a worse plus/minus (LK/SO), played against weaker competition (LK/SO) and was on the ice for more goals against per sixty minutes of ice time (LK/SO) while playing on a team that gave up far fewer goals on the year. He's far less physical than O'Brien, registering fewer hits (LK/SO) and PIMs per game (LK/SO), and had just slightly more points per game than O'Brien (LK/SO).

Of course, Krajicek does have "upside," but the move seems a bit risky for a team that has given Jamie Heward more than 40 minutes of ice time through two games. Oh well - at least SO'B got some killer frequent flyer miles for the Prague trip.

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Comments

So how long until Olie starts throwing fits and temper tantrums in net?

by CapsKremlin on Oct 6, 2008 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

Wasn't Krajicek Florida's throw-in in the Luongo deal, much like Kucera was the Penguins' throw-in in the Jagr deal? I'm not sure getting dumped by the Panthers is the best resume a guy could have.

by norske on Oct 6, 2008 5:50 PM EDT reply actions

Isn't this all trivial? I thought TB already claimed the first place?

by VT Caps Fan on Oct 6, 2008 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

Hey, we're available...

Signed,
Ivan M.
Bryan M.
Joe R.

by The Peerless on Oct 7, 2008 6:11 AM EDT reply actions

This team is a joke....

And Melrose is already ripping his stars...after two games

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/06/na-melrose-blasts-offense/

by Ryan on Oct 7, 2008 7:21 AM EDT reply actions

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Southeast Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Florida Litter Box Cats	53	25	17	11	61
Washington Japers' Rink	54	28	21	5	61
Winnipeg Arctic Ice Hockey	56	26	24	6	58
Tampa Bay Raw Charge	53	23	24	6	52
Carolina Canes Country	56	20	25	11	51