Former Champs Part ways with their Captain.

[Shugadaddi]

[/quote]The Lightning parted ways with captain Dave Andreychuk on Tuesday, placing the 42-year-old on waivers.

If Andreychuk isn't claimed, he will the 23-year NHL veteran be assigned to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, but the Lightning said they won't require him to report.

If Andreychuk retired, the Lightning wouldn't be required to pay his 2005-06 salary, but by placing him on waivers, the team can pay his full salary, which is reported at $800,000.

"When we entered into the contract with David this summer, both sides did so in good faith, recognizing that no one would work harder in the summer preparing for the new season than David," Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster said in a statement.

"At the same time, both sides understood that it would take some time to work through the impact of missing an entire season. What neither side could foresee was the type of game the 'new NHL' would be upon its return -- a game in which speed and quickness carry the day. After giving ourselves half a season to evaluate and analyze, it became clear to us that David's game was not suited to the 'new NHL.'"

Andreychuk has appeared in 42 of the Lightning's 43 games this season, scoring six goals with 12 assists. He has appeared in 1,639 games (fourth most in NHL history) in his career and is the NHLs all-time leader in power play goals with 274.

The Lightning signed Andreychuk as a free agent in 2001, and he was named the seventh captain in team history in 2002.

Andreychuk became the 14th player in league history to record 600 goals on Nov. 23, 2002.[/quote]

Wow....bummer way to go.

[Fraserburn]

this has been comin for along time
its sad to see the old guard goin down like this
but hey thats the new nhl and the nature of the beast

[Shugadaddi]

If The Wings did this to Yzerman, the fans would probably burn the city down.

[Fraserburn]

better get fire insurance then
first Amogs no Daddy long stick himself

its in the cards now
its only a matter of time

Yzerman will retire before he gets waived though

[Shugadaddi]

Yeah, yeah...I know. I just hate to see him go. So many great memories here. Who would even wear the "C" after he's gone?

[Fraserburn]

look to one of the A's right now

but its my opinion that if Yzerman does not finish the year
they will not name a new captain until next season
and finish out this one with 3 A's

[Shugadaddi]

look to one of the A's right now

but its my opinion that if Yzerman does not finish the year
they will not name a new captain until next season
and finish out this one with 3 A's

Absolutely 3 A's it would be.

As far as the next Captain...I always thought that Draper would be a good choice.

[Fraserburn]

Drapes seems like the On Ice kind of guy
he leads by example

thats what Assistants are for they back up the Captain
lead by example for all the players to look up to

the captain needs to be somebody who brings it on the ice as well as in the dressing room

I have a feeling it will be lidstrom next season with A's on drapes malts and shanny if he's still around

[Shugadaddi]

I'm still wondering if Lidstom will be around.

[Fraserburn]

if they lose him then chelly will definitly be gone and the only defenseman they have will be schneids........better pick up some solid D in the draft then or the Wings will be in trouble