The Tampa Bay Lightning Gazette

[cujo31]

Lightning GM Aly Kaba made a huge splash on his first day of being GM. he had these comments:

"My goal was to come in and make a splash right away, put my stamp on this team, and I believe I have done so. It was more then just putting a stamp on the team, it was making this team stronger, and a better contender for the cup this season. Our goal is to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. (ex-GM) Jay (Feaster), and the board had a difference of opinion on some things and that is why he stepped down,, but basically the board wanted a more exciting style of play then what Jay had in mind, thus him resigning, and myself being hired. The Board was also was less then thrilled at Jay not re-signing Khabbibulin, Khabbi's agent reported wanted a slight increase and a long-term deal for Nikolai, but Jay refused and left the reigns to Sean Burke & John Graeme, which made the board extremely upset, after Khabbi backstopped us to the cup win. That's all I am allowed to comment on regarding that. with the trades I made, I believe we have a great crop of forwards, we've acquired a young #1 goalie in Ryan Miller. we are not done making moves, we will be looking to bolster our defensive depth, but that is basically it."


a little overview of the additions and subtractions by Tampa Bay.


In
Doug Weight
Brian Sutherby
Nolan yonkman
Ryan miller
Brian campbell
Jamie lundmark
Todd BertuzzI
Matt Cooke
Richard Park
Jarkko Ruutu
Buffalo 3rd round 2006 pick
7th round 2006 pick (Washington)

Out
Ruslan Fedetenko
Jason Jaspers
Corey Sarich
Pavel Kubina
Dan Boyle
Norm miley
Martin St, Louis
Vaclav Prospal
Nolan Pratt
TB 5th round 2006 pick
TB 6th round 2006 pick

[cujo31]

the Tampa Bay lightning struck another deal, this time with the Boston Bruins, as they Send Fredrik Modin to Boston in exchange for David Tanabe, Patrick Leahy, Ian Moran & a 3rd round 2006 pick.


Tampa Bay GM & President had this to say

"We are very pleased with this trade. David will solidfy our defensive corpse and Ian Moran will add some much needed depth to it. we expect Patty to challange for a spot in the lineup all throughout preseason and training camp. We also feel the draft is deep enough to snag a pretty good prospect with our 3rd round selection. We lose a vetran in Modin, somebody with great offensive skill, and a dynaminc offensive game, but this was a trade that we felt we needed to do, and to get something, you have to give something up."

[cujo31]

The Tampa Bay Lightning have made a stunning announcement.

GM Aly Kaba, today, has unexpectedly, decided to step down. in a short press release he said

"Unfortunately, my desire to be the Lightning GM just wasn't there. I made some trades, none of which I regret, I think the trades i've made has solidified our team for many years to come, and whomever the successor of the Tampa Lightning GM Post is, should be pleased with the deals made, some tough deals were made, so maybe he or she won't be as pleased, however, I gave it 100% effort, I tried my best to acquire players that would not only make this team better for now & the future, but as well as try and establish a connection with the Tampa franchise, but just couldn't do it. they have great talent here, with Brad, Vinny, and now Bertuzzi, Campbell, Ryan Miller, Dougie Weight, who was brought in for secondary offense as well as leadership for the young guys in the locker room. I want to thank the Tampa Franchise for giving me a chance as GM, as well as the league for welcoming me, but this is it."



Deleted back to here so the new GM could take over -inSTAALed