Player Discussion: Anton Stralman

[TeslaCoilFan]

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Stralman is really damn good

 

[Maelmoor]

He is so solid, every team needs that kind of defenseman.

 

[Shoresy Snipes]

... every team needs that kind of defenseman.

uhh, nooooo. I hope not.

 

[LightningStorm]

In the 2016 ECF and last season he didn't look like himself following his leg injury in March 2016. This season though he seems fully recovered and really committed to his own end. His great play and responsibility in his own end has lead him to be the perfect partner for Sergachev, and is a big reason why he's been able to play freely and develop more at his own pace. Definitely like what I'm seeing out of Stralman this season, especially as it relates to his pairing with Sergachev.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

What the f*** was he doing today

 

[Lightning1995]

He may be fading

 

[VoluntaryDom]

He may be fading

Doubt it. Seems like one bad game. But damn was it bad. Dare I say it, if Stralman played like he normally does we take that game. I know maybe a bit optimistic. But he was that bad today.

 

[Stammertime91]

He was also bad in the loss to New Jersey. When he's on, him and McDonagh can shut down the opposing line but we can't have another game like today in game 2 or it really is over. Game 2 is a must win and the entire team needs to get it together. I'm hoping this was a wake up call.

Hope.

 

[LonLon Lei]

I've also noticed our forwards weren't doing much (not covering the guys on a few goals against). Strals learned a lot when he failed to contain Hall and after the loss he was one of the biggest pieces of our success. Though Hall alone vs B's entire 1st line is another story and we need to brush up our team defense for sure.

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

Game 2 Stråls was all over the place getting in the way of the Bruins' top line. Was the best defenseman out there tonight. Team defense was definitely better but he still ended up a +3 (best among our Dmen) and had 2 SOG, 4 Hits (including a couple on Marchand), 1 Blk and 2 PIM because he stood up for Point when the kid was boarded.

Think he'll be just fine now.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Game 2 Stråls was all over the place getting in the way of the Bruins' top line. Was the best defenseman out there tonight. Team defense was definitely better but he still ended up a +3 (best among our Dmen) and had 2 SOG, 4 Hits (including a couple on Marchand), 1 Blk and 2 PIM because he stood up for Point when the kid was boarded.

Think he'll be just fine now.

Yep. Great bounce back game from Strals.

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

Yes, I know Cally got the actual goal, but DAMN if that isn't some fine hustle by Stråls! Blew right past Niskanen.

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

Hello Bolts fans, I come in peace. Congrats on building a perennial powerhouse, I'm convinced this is your year & the team should have the next 4-5 yrs as a SC window. That being said I thought they'd win the last 3 yrs, but injuries...

Also glad y'all got Yzerman for 8 yrs, over 28 other teams, as Tampa is my 3rd favorite team (behind DET, NYI) but will be glad if/when he comes home to the DRW as GM.

So what does the fanbase who watch Stralman regularly think about him & his future?

Is he still fairly mobile?

Solid defensively?

Still decent PMD?

Strenghts/Weaknesses?

Next Contract AAV?

Does Stralman want to stay in Tampa? Does Tampa want to resign him?

If he goes UFA, does $4.5M/3yrs get it done (in DET)?

Any info is much appreciated, peace & best of luck in the '19 playoffs.

 

[Rschmitz]

If he hits the open market he should get a lot more than that on a short deal.

 

[Sky04]

I doubt any team except TB gets him under 5m

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

Is he still fairly mobile? Yes. A bit slower, but still pretty agile on his skates. It was fun to see how bigger prospects at training camp thought they could push him around in a board battle and end up puzzled when he skated away with the puck or sent it to his teammate.

Solid defensively? Probably the best defensive defenseman on the Bolts even when babysitting a rookie Sergachev or McDonagh as a new player to the team.

Still decent PMD? Yup. If you're inclined towards stats, he was tied with Hedman for the best possession exit % of the Bolts blue line.

Strengths/Weaknesses? Strengths - plays smart defense and is rarely out of position, excellent complementary player that makes his partner better, can make bad partner passible (see Garrison), great mentor for gifted rookie defensemen (see Sergachev). Weaknesses - point production has fallen off considerably from his two record seasons right after being acquired by TBL, while part of that was deployment (he's not on the PP and has been babysitting most of last season) and part was injury recovery related, it is a concern. Is not and has never really been a true #1D, but has been an excellent #2 for us.

Next Contract AAV? Not a clue!

Does Stralman want to stay in Tampa? Does Tampa want to resign him? Probably wants to stay because he's always been concerned foremost about stability for his family (has 4 kids) and he does like it here. Tampa probably wants to re-sign him because losing all three of Coburn, Girardi and Strålman would decimate our blue line, especially on the right, some of our prospects aren't quite ready yet and if they're going to keep one vet D as a mentor to the babies coming up, Strålman is definitely the better player/mentor of the three and one of our regular alternate captains and sources of stability in the locker room. But everything depends on how well BreisBois can manipulate the cap with everyone who is coming up for big money.

If he goes UFA, does $4.5M/3yrs get it done (in DET)? I agree with Sky that only TBL would be able to get him for less than 5m on a short deal. He's got enough skill left in him that there would be plenty of teams interested.

Peace & best of luck in the '19 playoffs. Same to you! Unless we're playing each other.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Yeah Stralman is a #2/3 guy. Top 60 dman in the league but barely (probably in the early 50s) and probably best suited as a 2nd pair guy next to an offensive minded partner

 

[HoseEmDown]

Signing Stralman to anymore than 2 years, maybe 3 tops could turn into a Paul Martin type contract. Martin was 1 year older when he signed a 4 year deal at 4.85 a year, with the cap increase would be 5.4 on this current 79.5 cap. Martin was useful his first year, started to dip year 2, was in the AHL year 3 and bought out his last year. It's possible Stralman isn't like that but it's a big risk signing a defense first guy in their mid 30's to multi year deals. Give him 2 years and if he still looks good go year to year with him, no need to go multi unless he's giving us a huge discount.

 

[rent free]

i'd love for the leafs to get this guy but they can't afford him and keep the big 4 intact.

 

[LonLon Lei]

a month late but just wanted to say I blame cheese.
we only get perplexing info regarding his injury.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Advanced stats are not everything but according to them, Stralman is our worst defenseman by a mile. Could we be looking to move him at the TDL and replace him with Muzzin or Martinez?

On the other hand, defensemen take a lot of time to get accustomed to their new home (see McDonagh last season) and a shakeup like this could jeopardise what we have built this season.

 

[Rschmitz]

Wouldn't touch this roster

...and definitely wouldn't trade Stralman.

 

[JoVel]

Advanced stats are not everything but according to them, Stralman is our worst defenseman by a mile. Could we be looking to move him at the TDL and replace him with Muzzin or Martinez?

On the other hand, defensemen take a lot of time to get accustomed to their new home (see McDonagh last season) and a shakeup like this could jeopardise what we have built this season.

Which advanced stats though? Dom could probably find you stats that say he's the best offensive defenseman in the league.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Which advanced stats though? Dom could probably find you stats that say he's the best offensive defenseman in the league.

This article was shared on here a few days ago and it doesn't paint a great picture with regards to Stralman's performance:
Tampa Bay Lightning Ten Game Report: Getting an early start on vacation