Olie the Goalie??

[Triple B]

Wow ........

Lightning Sign Veteran Goaltender Olaf Kolzig  

Tampa Bay Lightning Jul 1, 2008, 4:25 PM EDT

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent goaltender Olaf Kolzig to a one-year contract today, owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie announced.

                         

“Olaf is a real stabilizer in the locker room and on the ice,†Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “With Karri Ramo, Olaf Kolzig and Mike Smith we have a great deal of depth at the goaltending position and we like all the options that allows us moving forward.â€Â

One of the most experienced goaltenders in the NHL, Kolzig has played his entire career in Washington where he owns team goaltending records for games played (711), wins (301), save percentage (.906) and shutouts (35), among others. A first-team All-Star and Vezina Trophy winner as the league’s top goaltender after posting a career-best 41 wins in 1999-00, Kolzig has played in two NHL All-Star Games (1998 and 2000). He also led the Capitals to the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals, posting a 12-9 record and 1.95 goals-against average in 21 games.

Originally drafted 19th overall by Washington in 1989, Kolzig, 38, played three seasons in the Western Hockey League with New Westminster and Tri-City before making his NHL debut with the Capitals in 1989-90. The 6-foot-3, 224-pound native of Johannesburg, South Africa, became a regular with the Capitals in 1994-95 and took over as the team’s starter in 1997-98 when he posted a record of 33-18-10 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.

Kolzig enjoyed his ninth 20+ win and his seventh 25+ win season in 2007-08, and he became the 23rd NHL goaltender to record 300 career victories with a 24-save win March 12 against Calgary. He is tied for 22nd all time with 301 career wins, and only Martin Brodeur has played more games than Kolzig among goaltenders who spent their entire career with one team. He has played in 45 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, posting a 20-24 record with six shutouts, a 2.14 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.

Kolzig has represented Germany on the international stage four times including the 1998 and 2006 Winter Olympics, the 1997 World Championships and the 1996 World Cup. He is considered to be one of the NHL’s most active players when it comes to charitable endeavors, serving as one of the co-founders of Athletes Against Autism and founding the Carson Kolzig Foundation, named after his son. He was chosen as the recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2006.

http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=367390

[BullsWinBucsWin]

I like the move, especially for the money.  Seems that the new ownership is really creating some position battles for next year, and I can't think that is anything but a good thing.  I see we also signed Vrbata, but lost Rolston back to NJ.  Gonna be interesting.  Shouldn't be any problem lighting the lamp this year.  Just hope we can keep the other team from lighting ours. 

[Singabull]

They still haven't improved on their biggest weakness - defensemen.  It seemed like half of the goals scored against them last year were odd-man rushes because defensemen were out of position.

[BullsWinBucsWin]

They still haven't improved on their biggest weakness - defensemen.  It seemed like half of the goals scored against them last year were odd-man rushes because defensemen were out of position.

While I agree that they need to shore up their D, it is only the 2nd day of FA signing period.  Given the flurry of improvements made so far, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt that they are looking to improve on the blue line.

[Held_AccountaBull]

They still haven't improved on their biggest weakness - defensemen.  It seemed like half of the goals scored against them last year were odd-man rushes because defensemen were out of position.

dude do you realize how young they were combined with the fact that the defensive system that tortorella ran sucked? the defense isnt as bad as people are crying about

[Singabull]

They still haven't improved on their biggest weakness - defensemen.  It seemed like half of the goals scored against them last year were odd-man rushes because defensemen were out of position.

dude do you realize how young they were combined with the fact that the defensive system that tortorella ran sucked? the defense isnt as bad as people are crying about

The defensive system Torts ran was obviously effective, you can just look at the success he had with the team.  The defensemen weren't doing their job and got caught off-guard.  Way too many easy goals.

[Triple B]

They still haven't improved on their biggest weakness - defensemen.  It seemed like half of the goals scored against them last year were odd-man rushes because defensemen were out of position.

dude do you realize how young they were combined with the fact that the defensive system that tortorella ran sucked? the defense isnt as bad as people are crying about

How's that defense going to be without Boyle?

[USF_Girl]

They still haven't improved on their biggest weakness - defensemen.  It seemed like half of the goals scored against them last year were odd-man rushes because defensemen were out of position.

dude do you realize how young they were combined with the fact that the defensive system that tortorella ran sucked? the defense isnt as bad as people are crying about

How's that defense going to be without Boyle?

Well they acquired Matt Carle and Ty Wishart. Carle is a younger defensemen, two years in the NHL and is very talented. He has some expierence and will be an asset to the TBL. Boyle scores a lot of goales for a defensemen- but the TBL has offense-- they need true defensemen.... and a goalie.

[Henry Jones Jr.]

I think Boyle still has ???? to answer bout the wrist. He was a what -29 last season? He got a huge contract, and we got picks and a few young guys in return.

[Triple B]

I think Boyle still has ???? to answer bout the wrist. He was a what -29 last season? He got a huge contract, and we got picks and a few young guys in return.

The trade will probably be good in the long run. My problem is the way it was handled. His long term contract was signed off on by the new ownership. They laughed off trade talks of Boyle almost up to the day he was traded. They should have all along said that NOBODY was untouchable if the right offer came along.