Game 27: Tampa Bay at Boston

Tampa Bay lost to Boston 5-3.

I was trying to decide, as I watched this game, what I should write. So, instead of writing about the game, let me say something about why they lost. And, why they've been losing.

Vrbata requested to leave the Lightning and go play in Europe. He is the first player to actively request leaving this team. And I doubt that he'll be the last, especially now that someone's actually done it. Gratton was also placed on waivers today as well.

Here's an interesting list of transactions that was posted up on Kukla's Korner by Mike Chen today [Names in bold are by Mike Chen].

• June 3 Fired John Tortorella
• June 24 Named Barry Melrose head coach
• June 30 Gary Roberts Signed as free agent
• June 30 Ryan Malone Signed as free agent
• June 30 Vaclav Prospal Signed as free agent
• July 1 Radim Vrbata Signed as free agent
• July 4 Matt Carle Traded from San Jose for Dan Boyle, Brad Lukowich
• July 8 Mark Recchi Signed to one-year deal
• July 11 Chris Gratton Signed to one-year deal
• July 11 Resignation of GM Jay Feaster
• August 29 Andrej Meszaros Traded from Ottawa for Filip Kuba
• Oct 2 Michel Ouellet Sent to minors
• Oct 6 Lukas Krajicek Traded from Vancouver for Michel Ouellet
• Oct 21 Matt Pettinger Claimed off waivers
• Oct 23 Marek Malik Signed as Free Agent
• Nov 7 Matt Carle Traded to Philadelphia for Steve Eminger, Steve Downie
• Nov 14 Fired Barry Melrose
• Dec 8 Radim Vrbata Placed on waivers
• Dec 8 Chris Gratton Placed on waivers

So when do you suppose the management/ownership of the Tampa Bay Lightning will accept responsibility for the record of the team instead of blaming it on the players? That is why they keep trading and waiving guys, isn't it? After they fire another coach? Perhaps after they drive off Lecavalier?

If you want to know why the Lightning are now 6-13-8 after tonight's game, just take a good, hard look at that list.

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