I’ve felt like the only line Malone was really clicking on was the Malone – Stammer – St Louis line from early last year. He did not seem to work well with Vinny at all. That’s why I see the lines being:

Malone – Stammer – Marty
Gagne – Lecavalier – Downie

That gives each scoring line some grit and toughness and Lecavalier someone to set up, since he seems like his best goal scoring days are behind him.

As far as Malone fitting in other ways, I got the impression last season with the “Naked Shootout” he was fitting in pretty well. I read that was his idea.

Was also wondering is there anywhere specific I can go to read some of Mikes work? Never really hear him talking about where he writes or his twitter or anything. Thanks again.

Don’t worry too much about Y2JJ. In fact, I’ll be ceasing to advertise that much real soon and keep it as my own personal therapy outlet!

More coming from me later this summer, as I’ve continually promised but you can continue to find my Lightning stuff here!

Thanks again.

JJ

As for Malone, I can’t speak specifically to any situation with Toc other than that on several occasions, he was probably guilty of getting after guys for not being clones of him as a player. (Really nothing wrong with that though, except for the fact that not everyone has that in them!)

To me, however, Malone’s never really fit in quite as well as all would like here in Tampa. I don’t have a whole lot in the way of specifics to speak further on that but that’s just how it’s felt in my gut, almost since the beginning. Not to say he isn’t well-liked or respected or anything like that – just a vibe I’ve gotten consistently.

JJ

Good article as always. And not sure if this helps give you some safety against Mike when he says I told you so. But you never really were wrong on this one. because like you said the only way this trade was OK is if we gave very little in return. Part of me thinks we didn’t give anything since we lost all that salary from Mez and Walker. and gained a huge need in forward and ill take a second rounder over a fourth any day.

Someone said Dumieg (or however you spell it) I guess he is a radio guy in Tampa or something is friends with Toc and said he demoted Malone because he wasn’t willing to stand up for teammates. Malone is my favorite player and I was wondering if you have any opinion of what you or Mike thought of Malone last year in the locker room. I always thought he was a top notch guy just want to be sure I’m not getting duped by him and there is a jerk behind closed doors. Saying a hockey player wont stand up for his teamates in hockey is like slapping his wife or kid in the mouth.