Early NHL Draft Thoughts and Comedy

      This will be one of the most intriguing NHL Drafts in recent years.

       What sets it apart is how closely-rated the top players are after consensus No. 1 pick Nail Yakupov. I think if you looked at the boards for all 30 teams right now, you’d likely see that players ranked second and third by one team might be 12 and 13 by another.

       North American defensemen and European forwards will dominate the first dozen picks or more. There are a couple goalies that could go high as well.

       The Tampa Bay Lightning own six or seven of the top 71 picks. That may change with trades, but the Bolts have a good chance to enhance their prospect pool.

       Lightning Director of Amateur Scouting Al Murray said there are 12 top prospects available and plenty of players under that group that he and his staff like. Picking 10^th and 19^th allows the Bolts to grab one of those and possibly two if a player slips or they trade up.

       Who will be available when the Lightning picks is a big mystery. They are in a good spot because they can get a player they like by staying at No. 10. The question is, will the Bolts consider moving up if their top target is still sitting there at six or seven? They have the ammunition to do it with the extra picks.

       How I would love to be sitting in the corner, listening to the Lightning staff discussing and adjusting their draft board. Guys, really, I wouldn’t say anything. Please?

      Instead, we are all left to speculate by reading and watching some highlights. The first 10-15 picks are awful hard to predict this year. There are endless scenarios, but I will take an early look – exactly a month draft day.

      Edmonton selects first and, even though the Oilers need a defense prospect badly, it is impossible to pass up Yakupov. The Russian, who plays for Sarnia in the Ontario Hockey League, would join Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sam Gagner and other young forwards on a team that could be ready to emerge. Well, if they can improve their defense.

      Could the Oilers add a player and/or a bundle of picks by moving down a few spots? Yes. But that’s quite a risk to take when a player like Yakupov is sitting there.

      Columbus picks next and, assuming Yakupov is gone, they have a chance at the top defenseman or another potential standout at forward. Some think Everett’s Ryan Murray is the best defenseman, but others have him rated below about four or five others. TSN scout Craig Button, a former GM with Calgary, said Russian Mikhail Grigorenko may not be a pure No. 1 center. But, for the Blue Jackets, he could slot in behind Ryan Johansen and they would have a very strong one-two punch for years. Maybe 1-2-3 with Derick Brassard. It’s about fit. The Jackets could use another young defenseman and they could take Wisconsin-born Russian Alex Galchenyuk or Swedish wing Filip Forsberg as well.

      That brings up the Montreal Canadiens, who have used their top pick to select a defenseman or a goalie (Carey Price) five of the last seven years, may have the most difficult choice of all. They could definitely use a center like Grigorenko or Galchneyuk, or a big forward like Forsberg. If Patrick Roy gets the head coaching job, he will have his chance at Grigorenko who he coached with the Quebec Remparts this season.

      Let’s just take a guess that Yakupov goes first, Columbus takes Forsberg and the Habs select Grigorenko.

      That leads us to the Islanders. Trying to figure out what Garth Snow’ is going to do is not easy. The logical tact for Snow would be to add another defenseman to the stable after adding forwards Nino Niederreitter, Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome to the organization the last two years. Snow could just grab Galchenyuk, who may have the best upside, if Grigorenko and Forsberg are gone. But it would make sense to grab a defenseman like Murray, Morgan Rielly, Griffin Reinhart or Mathew Dumba. I’m gonna guess Snow takes Murray.

       Toronto is next and you know what Brian Burke is looking for. Of course, he wants truculence. The forwards that are likely to be left don’t really provide that, except maybe Forsberg. Everyone seems to be predicting the Leafs are going to take a forward. But after trading Keith Aulie to the Bolts for Carter Ashton, they may just pick a defenseman. To me, the most exciting defenseman they could take would be Dumba. He seems to be the wrecking-ball type of player Burke prefers. That would be disappointing, because my initial thought is that he is the best of many fits for the Lightning. I just don’t think he’ll last. But if he or perhaps Rielly is sitting there at No. 6 or 7, maybe Steve Yzerman makes a deal to move up. We’ll see. Burke could also like defenseman Jacob Trouba’s truculence.

       So, with Toronto picking Dumba that leads us to Anaheim at No. 6. The Ducks could grab Galchenyuk or Grigorenko if they are there to slot behind Getzlaf at center when Saku Koivu retires. Perhaps small, quick forward Teuvo Teravainen gives them another scorer up front. But I’m thinking they will take a two-way defenseman like Reinhart, who has good size and offensive ability. Or, if they like Swede Hampus Lindholm better, maybe they go in that direction. It would not be crazy to see the Ducks drop down. Yzerman may be able to move up to six and take Rielly, Reinhart, or maybe Dumba if they are available. Could they do it for No. 10 and 37? Or, maybe add a 4^th this year or next? Hard to say. Let’s give Reinhart to the Ducks.

      The Wild, in my opinion, still need offense. Yes, Mikael Granlund is on the way. But Galchenyuk may be hard to pass up. They could also go with Teravainen to join fellow Fins Granlund and Mikko Koivu. You could see them saying to themselves, we can get Teravainen at 10 and trade down. They could like big Czech center Radek Faksa as well. This is a tough one, but when it comes down to it they take the best player and hope – Galchenyuk.

      Carolina is next and GM Jim Rutherford has taken defensemen Ryan Murphy, Brian Dumoulin, Justin Faulk, Mark Alt and Keegan Lowe high lately. You have to think they look at forwards. Faksa could look good at center for the Canes, even if they do get Jordan Staal. Teravainen would fit as well and I think that’s where they go. They have offensive defensemen, perhaps they may take a pain in the neck to play against like Trouba.

       Unless they really love a forward that has slipped down, you have to think Winnipeg will pick a defenseman. If they are scared off by Rielly’s torn ACL (he’s back playing though), they could go with Trouba, Lindholm or Cody Ceci. But I’m thinking Rielly is the kind of heady offensive defenseman they need for the future.

      If it goes like my scenario, Faksa, Trouba, Lindholm and Ceci would be left for the Bolts at No. 10. Perhaps Guelph defenseman Matt Finn, Swede defenseman Sebastian Collberg or goalie Malcolm Subban as well.

     Faksa’s potential and size are interesting, but you would think they would nab one of the defensemen. Anything can happen this year. The Bolts are in a good spot. The key to whether they move up is how much better they like the players rated 4-8 on their list than 9-12.

     One month to go.

    

     Lots of laughs: They just don’t make comedies like they used to. In my opinion, it’s been a while since there has been a really great comedic movie released. The Hangover certainly came close. Sorry, Borat and Forgetting Sarah Marshall were vastly over rated.

      I won’t include Garden State, Swingers, Bull Durham, High Fidelity and Four Weddings and a Funeral on my list because, although they could be classified as comedies, they were more of a combo. Here’s my top 20:

      20. Pirate Radio -- Funny British comedy with a great ending.
      18. Wedding Crashers/Dodgeball – A Vince Vaughn double. Didn’t want to leave one of them out.

      17. Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back – Kevin Smith’s wacky duo is crude, but funny.

      16. Anchorman – Ron Burgundy grows on you. He’s tweeting now. Really.

      15. Major League – Jusssssst a bit outside the top 10. The Indians win the pennant!

      14. Sixteen Candles – Everyone forgets Molly Ringwald’s birthday.
      13. Fletch -- Chevy Chase uncovers the crime and the Underhills pay for it.

      12. The Hangover – Still haven’t figured out what the chicken is doing in the room.

      11.  Better Off Dead – John Cusack as Lane Meyer, a young man that knows how to ski….Two dollars!!!!
      10.  Airplane! -- Hilarious spoof with plenty of lines we still use.

        9.  Spaceballs – Just a laugh a minute from Mel Brooks.

        8.  Best in Show – Wacky cast takes their pets to a big dog show. Fred Willard steals the movie as a dog show announcer.

        7.  Mallrats – Jason Lee as a really bad boyfriend who wants to win back Shannen Doherty from Ben Afleck. I don’t see the sailboat either.

        6.  Clerks – Kevin Smith’s offbeat, crazy film about a Jersey Shore Quick Stop.
        5.  Slap Shot -- Paul Newman and the Hanson Brothers show their truculence on the ice. 

        4.  Animal House – John Belushi and others turn Faber College into a madhouse of fun.

        3.  Office Space – Can watch this movie over and over. Come on, you’ve all have a boss like Lumberg.

        2.  CaddyShack – It’s 32 years and it holds up just as good. How about a Fresca?

        1.  Stripes – Arrrrrrmy training sir!!  Like No. 2, my generation can use a line from this movie just about every day. That's the fact Jack.

-      Mark Pukalo

Goalies, Horses, Birdies and Guilt

     We have reached the final four in the NHL playoffs and one thing is clear. You better have dependable or hot goaltending to win a cup.

       I’m not breaking any new ground here. You might be able to get away with Antti Niemi if you are playing against a duo of Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher or if your team is much the best. But you better have a guy that is on his game.

      No matter how many goals the Philadelphia Flyers were going to score, Ilya Bryzgalov was not going to get it done for them this time around. It looked as though they were trying to protect him more against the Devils in the second round and lost their flow offensively. So, why did the Flyers trade for Pavel Kubina?

      Jonathan Quick is 9-1 in the playoffs for the Kings. Little did I know that when I watched him play his first high school game for Hamden High in the 2001-02 season he would be playing for a Cup a little over a decade later. He just kept getting better and better at Avon Old Farms and UMass. Quick was the first of three NHL players AOF produced in four years. Nick Bonino of the Ducks and Cam Atkinson of the Jackets are the others.

      King Henrik Lundqvist may be the best goalie on the planet right now and could seal that if he brings the Rangers to the Cup. Marty Brodeur is definitely in the conversation as the best of all time and wants one more for the Devils. That series could be great.

      Then there’s Mike Smith. I remember Jeff Halpern saying, a couple times, in the Lightning locker room that Smith was one of the best in the league. Halpern had seen him come into the NHL in Dallas and witnessed his potential. It is just so difficult to be patient with a goaltender in this league. Sometimes goalies just play to their potential in a different environment, with a different defense in front of them. Perhaps that is partly what has happened with Smitty in Phoenix.

      It would have been a bold move for Lightning GM Steve Yzerman to say goodbye to Dwayne Roloson after he had nearly won a Cup for the Bolts and go with Smith and Garon this season. But Smith had not shown what he did this season on a consistent basis in a Lightning uniform. The Bolts wanted Smith back to play alongside Roloson, but Smith chose the No. 1 job and more money in Phoenix.

     Now, the Lightning is in search of a No. 1 and the next month might provide the answer. Will they go after Kings’ backup Jonathan Bernier or another young goalie? Will they go for a one-season, veteran stopgap to give Dustin Tokarski and Jaroslav Janus another year of development or to allow another goalie of the future to emerge?

     Many have asked me, why don’t the Bolts just give the job to Tokarski?

     Honestly, I’m not against it. I just get the impression the Lightning brass would like to see him get one more year, or a half year, of development. He would not have to go through waivers next season. As I’ve said before, Lightning fans might enjoy having a well-seasoned, young duo of Bernier-Tokarski in 2013-14. They just may have to wait.

     But this is all conjecture at this point. There’s no news leaking out about the Lightning’s plan. Bernier and others may not even be on the market. This will be an interesting two months on and off the ice.

     I’ll have more on the draft later in the week.

      Derby review: You can look at my picks for the Kentucky Derby two ways. After trimming the field from 20 to six, four of those six made the top five. Or, you can say I picked  I’ll Have Another fifth or sixth.

       But I would not change anything. More times than not, a first-time Derby jockey will not get the kind of trip Mario Gutierrez did. He had very little traffic trouble, but give the horse credit. The son of Flower Alley seems to have the ability to use his speed in the middle of the race to get to a position and then relax. If he can win the Preakness, who knows? Union Rags and Dullahan will be waiting, most likely, in the Belmont though.

     My pick Creative Cause had no excuses, although he was pinched unnecessarily early and had to go a little too wide from the middle of the backstretch on. But CC was a half length behind I’ll Have Another in the middle of the stretch. If he was good enough, he would have bulled his way past him.

     Preakness picks later in the week.

    

      TPC: Koooooooch!!

      Ok, sorry, just had to say it. Hopefully, with Rickie Fowler’s win the week before at the Wells Fargo and Kuchar’s popular victory at the Players Championship, the PGA Tour is starting to build a group of future stars with personality.

      Add those two to Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy – 1-2-3 in the Fed-Ex standings – and there is a solid group of young players making an impact who are fun to watch. You can throw Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson into that mix as well. Hopefully, that will draw people to the course and to the TV screen to watch even if Tiger Woods or Phil Mikkelson is not in the hunt.

      I’ve never really understood that though. It really shouldn’t matter who is in it if you like watching a big tournament.

      You wonder if Woods will ever win a major again. It is amazing. Johnny Miller, love him or hate him, said something interesting about Tiger this weekend. He said he’d like to see him having more fun out there. Tiger has always been a serious, focused player on the course. But, as many have said this year, he seems joyless. Someday, he will stop making changes in his swing, too. Maybe that’s when he will turn things around.

      Movies, movies, movies: The next list that I have put together is the films that I am somewhat embarrassed to say I liked a lot. Whether they were predictable, had an unrealistic plot, could be considered a dreaded “chick flick,” or got bad reviews, it didn’t stop me from making them “Guilty Pleasures.”

      Armageddon – Yeah, ok, you really can’t land a ship on an asteroid, or do a lot of things the crew did. But, who cares, it was fun and “Hey, Harry, You Da Man.”

      Bend it Like Beckham – Some of the dialogue and acting is a little lacking, but it is a nice little story. Keira Knightley plays some pretty good soccer and her mom is hilarious.

      Bulworth – Maybe this should be more in the under-rated category, but Warren Beatty is great as a senator who has a death wish. His newfound rapping talent and Halle Berry makes him change his mind. The story line about politicians stands up today.

      Definitely, Maybe – Ok, I admit I cried at the end. Ryan Reynolds takes his daughter Abigail Breslin through the story about the three women who he dated before he settled on one to be her mother.

      Dreamer – Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell nurse an injured race horse back to life, with popsicles.

      The Holiday – It is definitely predictable, but an all-star cast including Cameron Diaz, the great Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black makes it work somehow.

      Howard the Duck – Howard rocks and so does Leah Thompson in this extremely quirky flick.

      Independence Day – Randy Quaid, or is that Pete DeBoer, helps bring down the aliens along with Will Smith, Bill Pulliman and Jeff Goldblum.

      Magnolia – Paul Thomas Anderson’s multi-story epic is filled with amazing acting performances, bad language and great Aimee Mann music. “We might be done with the past. But the past is not done with us.” Probably Tom Cruise’s crudest, but best, performance ever.

      Mystery Alaska – Yeah, the NHLPA would let the New York Rangers go play an exhibition game outdoors in Alaska against a club team. LOL. Sure. Doesn't matter. It’s about a small town coming together and Russell Crowe and Burt Reynolds are very believable in their roles.

      Notting Hill – American actress Julia Roberts and London bookstore owner Hugh Grant meet by chance and form a complicated relationship.

      The Replacements – The great Keanu Reeves brings a rag-tag group together as the fat-cat NFLers sit out on strike. Gorgeous Brooke Langton and coach Gene Hackman also play big roles.

      Saved!! – A satirical look at how a group of diverse kids deal with their problems at a Christian school. Jena Malone, McCauley Calkin, Mandy Moore, Mary-Louise Parker and Patrick Fugit star.

      V for Vendetta – It’s a kind of a weird film, but I enjoyed the intrigue. Many people misinterpreted this film when it came out and said it promoted terrorism. That is so stupid. It’s about Revolution.

      Varsity Blues – Certainly not a great film, but even though it is a little over the top it is a decent look at a small town where high school football is king. Ali Larter’s whipped-cream bikini doesn’t hurt either. Sorry.

      The Wedding Singer – Adam Sandler’s best performance, narrowly beating his turn in Happy Gilmore. Billy Idol has one of the best cameos in a movie ever.

      While you were sleeping – Sandra Bullock saves a man she thinks she loves then falls for his brother. Very predictable, but harmless.

      10 Things I Hate About You – Some great lines from Larry Miller, with solid acting by Julia Stiles, the late Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon Levitt. Love this smart comedy.

-      Mark Pukalo

"Creative" picks for the Derby

      There is no horse race that is more difficult to predict than the Kentucky Derby. Let’s start there.

       Few, if any, have run a race at 1 ¼ miles before. With as many as 20 horses on the track it is hard to figure out who will get a good enough trip, find the proper room, and save enough energy to explode down the long stretch. Luck can be a huge factor.

       It’s also difficult because trainers build the best of the contenders up through the first four months of the year. It's tough to tell which of the capable horses are ready for their absolute top effort after all the screws are tightened. Some need a lot of time off, some need to be pushed harder. You can’t interview the horses, even though some of them have twitter accounts. You can only see the workouts, which can give you some answers but not everything.

      You can handicap for a week, pick the right horse, then it rains and it changes everything. In my opinion, no way Super Saver wins two years ago on a dry surface.

      Aside from those issues, much like the Breeder’s Cup races, they are all talented and there are usually 12-15 thoroughbreds you can make a case for. Heck, no one could have really thought Mine That Bird would win in 2009, so anything can happen. By the way, Mine That Bird was 0-for-9 after the Derby.

       I remember watching the Derby and the other Triple Crown races as a kid. Like everyone, I marveled at the great Secretariat. I had a special interest in Affirmed -- a doe-eyed, gentle horse who had the heart of a lion and would not be denied the Triple Crown.

       But I didn’t really get into betting the Derby until 2000, when there was a lot of hype for a monster named Fusiachi Pegasus. I decided to go down and make a few bets at the small simulcast center for the old Hartford Jai Lai Fronton, which had been closed. I cashed the exacta for $33.00 and narrowly missed the trifecta. I was hooked. My bank account would never be the same.

       I am far from an expert. I do the best I can and combine hunches with numbers and information. I haven’t made a big score in the Derby. Funny Cide provided a nice day for me in 2003, but I can’t say that he was a strong No. 1 choice for me. I just didn't like favorite Empire Maker. I have been close a few times, like last year with Nehro. I thought I did some great handicapping in 2010 and Awesome Act finished second to last. But, at least, I could blame the weather for that one.

       Many are saying this is going to be one of the most competitive Derbys in recent memory and they are right. That makes it even tougher, but I will take a swing at it.

       Narrowing it down. In such a big field, you have to start tossing horses to get it down to six, seven or eight that can win. I don’t like playing speed horses, especially in the Derby, but you always have to keep the best one on top in a few bets. Unless I am forgetting something, only War Emblem has gone gate to wire in the last 12 years. But, in that race, many of the jockeys had brain spasms.

       I’m going to toss seven on first look.

       Don’t think Illinois Derby winner Done Talking has the talent to run with this group and Bob Baffert’s Liaison has looked awful in his races this year. Tampa Bay Derby winner Prospective, D. Wayne Lukas’ Optimizer and Delta Jackpot champion Sabercat  -- who have all been closers -- could bound home for third or fourth if the race totally falls apart, but I can’t envision them winning. Trinniberg has never run more than seven furlongs. He might have the lead for a while, but come on. His inclusion does make me happy though, because it will likely force Bodemeister and Hansen to run harder. The last toss is a tough one – El Padrino. The horse has decent numbers, but looking back at his Risen Star and Florida Derby runs I just wasn’t thrilled. Trainer Todd Pletcher will have him ready though. If also-eligible My Adonis gets in, he will be an early toss as well. Just not good enough.

       We’re down to 13 and I’ll chop four more out.

       You are always worried that a horse from Europe or the UAE Derby like Daddy Long Legs is going to win one of these someday, but that last time he ran doesn’t look so good and he was 12^th out of 13 in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs last November. Plus, he drew the dreaded No. 1 post Wednesday. His half brother Daddy Nose Best looked pretty good winning the Sunland Derby, but think he is jumping up in competition level big time. Regardless, their father Scat Daddy will be proud to see them run in a race where his career ended with an injury in 2007. I’m also tossing Hansen. Even if he is able to rate like he did in the Gotham, I can’t see him having enough steam to hold off everyone in the stretch. I may regret this one. Closer Rousing Sermon is the last of my second cuts, although he is definitely a horse that I will have at the bottom of some of my trifecta and superfectas. His move in the Cash Call Futurity last year was impressive. I might even throw $1-2 to win on him just in case. He is 50-1 morning line.

      Tossing the next three gets me down to six.

      I’m not a big Calvin Borel fan, but it’s not easy to look past him on a capable horse like Florida Derby winner Take Charge Indy. This horse has some great bloodlines and Borrail will probably have him down on the fence ready to get first jump past the speed like he did with Super Saver, who did not finish in the money in his last three races after winning the Derby. Indy may sneak in front in the stretch, but I think he will be passed before the line. There’s no doubt Alpha is capable and you can easily have him in your top three, but when you get to this point you have to make tough choices. Went the Day Well looked good in winning the Spiral, the race last year’s Derby winner Animal Kingdom won, but he did not race at age 2. The last horse to win a Derby without a race as a two-year old was Apollo in 1882. However, I like that John Velasquez will climb aboard.

      Bodemeister has the same problem as Went the Day Well. The only reason I give him a chance is he looked like an absolute freak in the Arkansas Derby. If any of the speed horses are going to do it, he may be the one. Is he Sidney’s Candy, who looked fast enough to go all the way to many (not me) and finished 17^th two years ago? Or is the horse named after trainer Bob Baffert’s son Bode special? The scenario is this. Everyone lets Trinniberg go, knowing that he is likely cheap speed and will stop. The horses in behind him run a reasonable pace and Bode gets the jump at the top of the stretch.

      I have to keep I’ll Have Another in my top five, because he beat the horse I am picking in his last race – the Santa Anita Derby -- with a really good time. Plus, I've said "I'll Have Another" an awful lot in my life. Even though Stewart Elliott won the Derby, I can’t depend on untested jockey Mario Gutierrez to win this big a race. Gemologist is 5-for-5 and certainly could stay unbeaten, but just think the top three may be a little more talented. Gem did win the Kentucky Jockey Club as a two-year old at Churchill Downs. Keep that in mind when you disregard my selections.

      That brings us down to Dullahan, Union Rags and Creative Cause. Certainly any of them can win. Heck, I think ultimately 11 have a chance to win this one. I envision Trinniberg going to the lead and dragging along Bodemeister and Hansen, who will try to rate but steam along a little faster than they want. One or both will go by Trinniberg as they approach the top of the stretch, but not explode. I then see Borel sliding Take Charge Indy up the rail to get a brief lead as they head for home. Daddy Long Legs being in the No. 1 hole may force Borel to use his horse a little more early though.

      It is then that the athletic Creative Cause will be making his move as well and Union Rags will have to find room quickly. If Creative Cause gets the jump, he may be able to hold off the talented, big, but sometimes robotic-running Union Rags. Rags could not run down Hansen in the Churchill stretch at the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile or Take Charge Indy in the Florida Derby. I also like jockey Joel Rosario over Julien Leparoux, although the Frenchman has been really hot of late. Dullahan will come later and has a chance to run by everyone like Animal Kingdom. But I think he just gets third this time. After the draw Wednesday, I think Rags was hurt the most. Leparoux will have to be sharp to avoid checking in the first couple furlongs. My hope is that Rosario can settle Creative Cause in behind the speed somewhere around fifth, sixth, seventh just two wide on the back stretch. Apparently he does not like to be crowded too much, which scares me a bit, but if he can just find a nice spot outside he should be fine. What horse likes to be crowded anyway?

1.  Creative Cause, 2. Union Rags, 3. Dullahan.

      Remember what I said. I am no expert. Make your own picks with your own system, whatever that may be. I just have liked the big gray horse from California since I first saw him. Creative Cause’s daddy Giant’s Causeway won the Breeder’s Cup Classic. Hopefully, his son is ready for a big race.
     Tip: Go to KentuckyDerby.com, click on Derby Horses and there is video of past races and past performances for all the horses.

       My past Derby picks, (finish), winner and what it paid to win -- the last dozen years:

       2000: Aptitude (2^nd), Fusiachi Pegasus, $6.60.

       2001: AP Valentine (7^th), Monarchos, $23.00.

       2002: Perfect Drift (3^rd), War Emblem, $43.00.

       2003: Funny Cide (1^st), same, $27.60.

       2004: The Cliff’s Edge (5^th), Smarty Jones, $10.20.

       2005: Wilko (6^th), Giacomo, $102.60.

       2006: Bluegrass Cat (2^nd), Barbaro, $14.20.

       2007: Any Given Saturday (8^th), Street Sense, $11.80.

       2008: Adriano (19^th), Big Brown, $6.80.

       2009: General Quarters (10^th), Mine that Bird, $103.20.

       2010: Awesome Act (19^th), Super Saver, $18.00.

       2011: Nehro (2^nd), Animal Kingdom, $43.80.

       2012: Creative Cause, ??

       Mark Pukalo

Looking Back at The 2011-12 Bolts

      You could see the disappointment on the faces of the players as they met one more time Monday before the early offseason began. Nate Thompson said it will get worse when they begin to watch playoff games.

       Such is life for a team that came within one victory over the Stanley Cup finals in 2010-11 and missed the playoffs by eight points this season.

       None of the players, coaches or management are making excuses or blaming anyone else. They are just trying to find definitive answers on why things just didn’t click as well this time around.

      As I have said many times this season, it was not one problem. The Lightning did not deal with the obstacles put in front of them as well in 2011-12 on the ice, whether it was a tough road stretch or injuries. They battled and Norfolk call ups were outstanding, but they did not play well enough on the road, they were last in the league in goals-against and their special teams went from the top third of the league to the bottom fifth. 

      “It’s easy to be here and say coulda, shoulda, woulda,” Martin St. Louis said. “The bottom line is we didn’t get the job done.”

      There were several times during the season you thought maybe the Bolts were back on track, but they were not consistent enough in almost all areas of their game to keep it going.

       I think the biggest period of the season was just as 2012 started. The Bolts were 5-1-1 to finish the 2011 portion of the schedule and were six points behind a three-way tie for sixth in the East.

       Instead of continuing the good run, the Lightning gave up 42 shots and seven goals in Toronto. Two days later, they outshot Ottawa 27-15 the first two periods and trailed 2-0 en route to a 4-1 loss.

       Just think, if the Bolts go 2-2 against Ottawa and 1-2-1 vs. Toronto (they were 0-7-1 overall against the two), they could be playing the Rangers tonight.

       Ok. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.

       The Lightning finished ninth in the league in goals per game, despite a below-average power play. They just seemed to give up goals too easily some nights and it wasn’t all goaltending.

       Dwayne Roloson was the biggest reason why the Lightning reached the Eastern Conference finals a year ago, but I was concerned at the beginning of the season that the workload he had gone through would wear on him. No matter how much of a warrior and a pro he is, father time is unrelenting. But you can’t blame GM Steve Yzerman for trying to squeeze one more year out of him, especially with the lack of real options out there.

      Still, Roloson was 5-4-1 in mid November with two shutouts and two games in which he allowed one goal. The Lightning was one point out of first place in the Southeast Division at the time.

      It was then that problems with goals-against and the man advantage became more prominent.

      The Bolts were 11-9-2 just after Thanksgiving, coming off a sweep of Florida, but lost seven of the next eight while giving up 32 goals and going 3 for 26 on the power play.

      In the 0-6-1 slump to start 2012, they allowed 33 goals and went 2 for 20 with the man advantage.

      From that low point -- on my birthday Jan. 15 -- the Lightning went 21-13-4.

      The critical numbers are these. Just one team (Columbus) had less than Tampa Bay’s 13 road victories. The Lightning was sixth on the power play in 2010-11 at 20.5 and third in the playoffs (25.4). This season, they were 25^th at 15.2 -- 13.9 on the road (22^nd). They were also second in the league in shorthanded goals against (12).

      Why the problems on the power play? Captain Vincent Lecavalier shook his head when asked about it. It was hard for him to put his finger on the main reason. It just never took off.

     In my opinion, it was mostly about their entries into the zone. They lacked assertiveness in setting up and retrieving the puck. Drop passes near the blue line were too often telegraphed. There were just too many fancy passes which ended up in easy clears. When they set up, they have as dangerous a power play as there is in the league.

     The penalty-killing numbers don’t concern me. Here’s a look at the goaltenders for the top 11 penalty-killing teams in the league – Brodeur, Price, Fleury, Quick, Lundqvist, Luongo, Halak/Elliott, Smith, Kiprusoff, Rinne and Thomas. Improve in the net and your penalty-killing percentage goes up.

     Like St. Louis said, it was a season where they never truly could feel good about themselves. Even after they went 6-0-1 in late January and early February they were merely battling back to .500. When they crept within two points in eighth place in early March, they were battling with four teams within three points for one spot.

     “Last year, we were on a run where everything fell into place,” Steven Stamkos said. “This year, it seemed like we were always losing or missing a piece of the puzzle that was glued in the year before.”

       Enough with the bad news.

       In my opinion, the good news is that with a few key moves the Lightning can jump right back into the mix with the top teams in the conference. There were lessons learned this season, from players to coaches to management. Everyone said it Monday and I agree. They are not far away.

      When healthy, they have a solid group of top-six forwards who all scored 20 goals or more in Stamkos, St. Louis, Lecavalier, Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone. The question is whether J.T. Brown, Brett Connolly, Alex Killorn, Cory Conacher, Richard Panik or a veteran via trade or free agency will become the sixth in that mix.

      There are plenty of outstanding role players under contract to call on as well, led by Thompson and Tom Pyatt.

      Defenseman Victor Hedman also raised his game in his third season. There were some nights when he was dominant. The big Swede just needs to keep working to refine his game, stay healthy, and he'll be traveling to the all-star game with Stamkos every year.

      There is no secret where improvements need to be made. Even with the potential of Keith Aulie, Brian Lee’s solid last 20 games and the possible return of Mattias Ohlund, they could use a top-four defenseman. Even though Dustin Tokarski is improving, they need a No. 1 goalie.

       GM Steve Yzerman may have to be more creative than he has ever been.

       But his work at the deadline has put the organization in a better position to attack the roster’s few deficiencies. The pain of this season may be forgotten very soon. I certainly will write more about this as time goes on. The second half of June should be mighty interesting.

       One thing that you can be sure of when 2012-13 begins – hopefully on time – is they will be hungry.

       “To see the guys and remember how it felt to be a part of [the playoffs],” Thompson said. “That should be motivation for everybody to never let this happen again.”

       

      Mark Pukalo

Best of Both Worlds for the Bolts

      

       Timing seemed like it might be everything for the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline.

       I wrote a few weeks before Feb. 27 that it would be beneficial for general manager Steve Yzerman to have a clearer view of where the Bolts stood before the shopping could begin.

       It was difficult to say that moment didn’t come after a dispiriting 4-0 loss to Ottawa at home on Feb. 14. At the time, the Lightning were eight points out of eighth place and 11 behind Florida in the Southeast Division. Not only that, Tampa Bay was one point from the Eastern Conference cellar.

      Yzerman did the prudent thing. He listened. When he heard something he liked from desperate teams, he moved. In all, he made eight trades. Most of them should help beyond this season.

      A funny thing has happened on the way to next season. This season didn’t end.

      Not only did Yzerman add to his collection of high draft picks the next few seasons (13 in the first four rounds in 2012 and 2013), the Lightning have responded with seven wins in the last nine games and stand just two points out of a playoff spot.

      Amazing.

      Some have suggested that maybe now they should have kept guys like Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie for a possible playoff run. But, even though those three guys are warriors and will always be missed as players and people, who knows if the status quo would have worked out like this?

      There is something about the against-all-odds spirit they have now that is helping.

      You keep everyone, you battle to the end and you finish ninth or 10th. What good would that do? 

      Yzerman had to make the moves. He had players that could step up into bigger roles. It would be a big test for guys like Brendan Mikkelson, JT Wyman, Brett Connolly, Tom Pyatt, Bruno Gervais and others.

      The freshness of the group and the fighting mindset has helped keep them in the race. That, of course, along with some heroic hockey from Steven Stamkos, Teddy Purcell, Mathieu Garon and Marty St. Louis – even Victor Hedman before he was injured.

      Still, it looked like the Lightning was one loss from falling out of sight before the game against the Devils last Sunday. St. Louis’ hat trick kept the Bolts ticker, well, ticking into trade deadline day.

      It was then that Yzerman struck again with two big deals. Both could be considered daring, but make plenty of sense.

      He sent power forward Carter Ashton to Toronto for 6-foot-6 defenseman Keith Aulie. Toronto needs young forwards and the Lightning has plenty of forwards in the pipeline. The Bolts needed another young defenseman. It fit for both teams.

       It’s always risky to trade a young, promising player like Ashton. Power forwards who can score and skate are in short supply. But with Alex Killorn, Richard Panik and Cory Conacher coming, among others, it was worth the chance. As I told someone the day after the deal, if Aulie becomes a solid, physical top-four defenseman for the Bolts, Ashton can score all the goals he wants for the Leafs.

      The second surprise deal involved two different types of defensemen. Unrestricted free agent Matt Gilroy went to Ottawa for restricted free agent Brian Lee. Around midseason, when Gilroy was on a really good run, I mentioned that maybe Yzerman should lock him up now. I’m not sure that would have been a bad move. But, although he showed flashes of brilliance, Gilroy’s play was a bit up and down. I really expected him to be a power-play guy, too, but he never really caught on. Gilroy is a good hockey player and he will find a place in this league, but at times it seemed he didn’t fit in this lineup.

      Lee is a guy that was drafted out of high school, ninth overall by the Senators, in 2005. He played two years at North Dakota and joined the Senators, never really grabbing hold of a full-time position. All defensemen take time to develop and perhaps the Lightning will catch him as he is starting to find his game. He is more of a two-way defenseman that leans toward the defensive end, but he has some offensive instincts. His nifty pass to Stamkos for a goal showed that..

      The acquisition of Lee gives the Lightning another of what they are looking for – defensemen with size that are mobile. With Aulie, Lee, Mikkelson and Hedman you have four guys that are young, big and can skate. Radko Gudas and Mark Barberio continue to make strides on the Norfolk blue line. They may need one more year of seasoning and third-round pick Adam Janosik could join the defense next season in the AHL. Don’t forget Evan Oberg either. How about his games against New Jersey and Montreal? He was outstanding and he is only 24.

       Then, there’s goaltending. I saw a lot of fans ask, why the Bolts didn’t go after a goaltender like Ben Bishop? Or, why won’t they just give the job to Dustin Tokarski next season? The best answer I had for people is the cliché, “you can’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Yzerman might have traded a fourth-round pick for Bishop, who will be a UFA, to give him a look. But a second-round pick was not worth it. Plus, if you jump at Bishop now and sign him for next season – no matter how cheap he comes – you go into the season with Bishop and Garon. That could be good. But, if you wait, you could get a guy more proven like Cory Schneider or Jonathan Bernier.

       Schneider and Bernier, who have been talked about for more than a year, may not turn into superstars. But they certainly have shown they have the tools to be No. 1s. As far as Tokarski, there’s no way you can’t like him. He’s a winner. But it is awfully hard to just hand the job to a guy who has played 44 minutes in the NHL to start a season. The scenario is this: The Bolts deal for either Schneider or Bernier and they have Garon under contract for one more year. After next season, Tokarski moves in as the backup and you have two good, young goalies to go forward with. Or if your No. 1 is playing so well, you can deal Garon and bring Tokarski up.

       That’s not to downgrade Garon. The guy is playing great right now. He’s playing like a No. 1. It's just that he is 34.

       But, enough about the future. Why not make the playoffs and see what happens? Eight of the next nine are at home.

       Nine days after the 8-1 debacle in Pittsburgh, there is plenty of hope. Whether they make the playoffs or not now, Lightning fans will have a lot to look forward to in what should be a very interesting period from mid June to the end of July.

       What is a hit?: I love the physical nature of hockey. Without the hitting and the hand to-hand combat that occurs on the boards and in front of the net, it is not as much fun to watch. I like the open-ice hit as much as anyone. I like a good fight every once and a while, especially when it’s in defense of a teammate – not one that’s staged.

       The thing that I can’t understand is what happened between Dallas and Pittsburgh last week. After viewing Eric Nystrom’s hit on Kris Letang a few times, I can understand that there should not be any supplemental discipline. The level of Letang’s head went down and there was really no contact to it from Nystrom’s shoulder. The fact that Letang reached and tipped the puck made him fair game.

       But here’s what I can’t understand. Nystrom had the inside track to the puck. He seemed to turn his head slightly at it after Letang got his blade on it. But instead of winning the puck, Nystrom went for the hit. The hit was hailed by many as a clean check and that Nystrom was just doing the job of a grinding player. But, why didn’t he go for the puck? It was there. Since he didn’t get it, how does he know a teammate was going to get there first? What good is his hit if Pittsburgh gets the puck, whips it out on the break and scores down the other end?

      It was also said that Nystrom would have been benched if he did not do his job and go for the hit. I find that hard to believe. What would the coach do to Nystrom if he took himself out of the play and Pittsburgh had used the open ice to score down the other end? I think it’s idiocy to think a coach would bench him if he did not go out of his way to deck Letang.

       I forget who said it, but when the puck is loose in the corner you go after it, “and you arrive angry.” Nystrom could have gone for the puck first and body checked Letang off of it as he arrived second.

       I hate to agree with Mike Milbury. This might be the first time ever. But, to me, guys have to go for the puck and arrive angry instead of going out of their way to make a hit like Nystrom did.

       Again, I don’t think it was dirty. I just looked at the play and said, “Why?”

       Mark Pukalo