Kukla's Korner Hockey
Next entry: Malkin No ‘Puck-Hog’
Previous entry: All Malcolm Gladwell
Tampa Places Vrbata on Waivers
by Alanah McGinley on 12/08/08 at 12:31 PM ET
Comments (6)
According to Bob McKenzie on NHL Live this morning, the Tampa Bay Lightning has placed Radim Vrbata on waivers.
12:40pm ET Update: Noted by RDS, it was both Vrbata and Chris Gratton that were placed on waivers.
1:00pm ET Update: From TSN, Vrbata asked to be waived—
The free-agent winger, who was signed to a three-year, $9 million free-agent contract in the off-season is apparently heading home to the Czech Republic to finish the season there. The Lightning will apparently not be responsible for paying him for the balance of this season but the contract will remain in force for the second and third years should he choose to return to the NHL.
“Radim is a great guy and he came into our office on Sunday morning and just told us his confidence is low and he would like to head home to the Czech Republic to finish the season,” Lightning owner Oren Koules told TSN. “He just wants to take the rest of the year off (from the NHL) and try to get his game back over there. If he wants to come back next season, great. That’s his call. This is all very amicable. He’s a great guy who’s really struggling right now.”
added 3:38pm (Paul), via Jamie’s Hockey Blog at About.com,
A bad contract dissolves in a puff of smoke and the cap room magically reappears.
Though the team is framing it as Vrbata’s choice, management must be thrilled to find a dumping ground for the player, the contract and the cap hit.
Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: chris+gratton, radim+vrbata, waivers,
Comments
As it stands: 19 forwards, 13 defensemen and 3 goalies have dressed for the Bolts this year. They’re due for at least one more when Halpern returns from injury:
http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/TBL/2009.html
Posted by ZarleyZalapski on 12/08/08 at 12:59 PM ET
I think they’re all sharing a nice bit of reefer down in the bay.
The question I have is, during which period were they hitting it the most? The off-season, or the regular season thus far?
Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 12/08/08 at 01:00 PM ET
Come on people, give them credit for at least trying to stimulate the economy by throwing money around at any and everyone.
Now, I’m off to mock up a fake HockeyDB profile and convince them to sign me as a free agent…
Posted by Forechecker from Nolensville, TN on 12/08/08 at 01:38 PM ET
Now, I’m off to mock up a fake HockeyDB profile and convince them to sign me as a free agent…
Just make sure you list yourself as a Forward. They don’t want any d-men down there…
Posted by Primis on 12/08/08 at 02:32 PM ET
Just make sure you list yourself as a Forward. They don’t want any d-men down there…
Maybe it’s just me, but with a name like “Forechecker,” I kind of took it for granted that he was a forward. On the other hand, it appears that overlooking “minor” details is part of the problem in Tampa. Like you pointed out, they don’t seem to think a solid defense is necessary .
So…I guess in addition to my name, my fake HockeyDB profile will need to explain that I’m a tremendously gifted two-way forward with outstanding leadership skills and an unbelieveable work ethic.
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 12/08/08 at 03:17 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Video- Kari Lehtonen With The Save Of The Night
The New Trade Deadline Strategy
The NHL Gets The 2013 Winter Classic Location Wrong
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
Make extra cash while playing online poker. Rakeback is free and comes with rake races.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
I wonder, will Tampa set a record to the effect of biggest revolving door by a franchise in a season, or have they perhaps even smashed it to bits already?
Posted by SENShobo from Waterloo, ON on 12/08/08 at 12:51 PM ET