That model of stability, the Tampa Bay Lightning, continue to tinker on the fly with their defense while Barry Melrose figures out how to give Steven Stamkos more ice time than Gary Roberts is getting.
The Bolts have signed former New York Rangers defenseman Marek Malik to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million, and Spector sees it thusly:
As predicted by many observers - myself included - the Lightning's defense corps is currently too young and inexperienced to handle the workload after management traded away Dan Boyle and Filip Kuba during the off-season, leaving them without veteran depth and leadership.
Join Lyle "Spector" Richardson of Fox Sports and David "Dave" Pagnotta of The Fourth Period for our weekly rumors, scuttlebutt and innuendo chat today at 1 p.m. EDT. Topics will include the Lightning, Alexander Radulov, Brendan Shanahan, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Jordan Staal, and yet another round of intense boredom from the MSM regarding the fate of Mats Sundin. Bring the funny.