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Lightning talks to Cullimore
The defenseman who helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup says he's open to returning.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published July 15, 2007
He still has a home in Apollo Beach. His cell phone number still starts with 813.
In that regard, a return to the Lightning by defenseman Jassen Cullimore would be an easy fit.
"It's an absolutely perfect fit," agent Roland Thompson said of his free agent client. "He'd like to come back to Tampa, and we've had some discussions. If the opportunity came, it would be his first choice."
The Cullimore inquiry is part of what general manager Jay Feaster said is an ongoing organizational debate about how to fill out the roster.
"The biggest question now," he said, "is whether we're going to have a veteran defenseman as a sixth guy. Or do we bring in the depth guys we've signed and our own kids and let them compete and if we still feel we need something during camp, see what the waiver wire brings or what may still be out there as far as free agency."
The top five defensive spots are set: Dan Boyle, Paul Ranger, Filip Kuba, Shane O'Brien and Brad Lukowich. Waiting to compete for the final two are Dan Jancevski, Bryce Lampman, Jay Leach, Matt Smaby and Vladmir Maholik.
Free agent Nolan Pratt is still available, and Cullimore, 34, with the Lightning from 1997-2004, is at least intriguing. He knows the system and at 6 feet 5, 240 pounds can be physical.
Cullimore signed with the Blackhawks after helping Tampa Bay win the '04 Cup and last month was traded to the Canadiens, who bought out the last season of his contract.
Cullimore will get $1.25-million from Montreal two-thirds of his $1.9-million salary. He likely would ask his new team to make up the $650,000 difference.
But with $42.34-million of a $44-million payroll budget already committed and forward Ryan Craig still unsigned, Feaster probably doesn't want to pay much more than the $475,000 league minimum.
"It's a tough puzzle for him to piece together," Thompson said. "A lot of this may have to sit for a bit until they sort through it and see what's what."
"Obviously, I'd love to come back," Cullimore said. "There's always a place in my heart for Tampa with my wife and family."
Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.
[Last modified July 14, 2007, 23:22:31]
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by Rich
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07/23/07 12:07 AM
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You can sign all the players you want but it won't make a difference who you sign as long as Marc Denis is in the net. He was mediocre at best with Columbus and he hasn't shown anything since being here to change my mind.
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by Tom
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07/17/07 03:23 PM
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Disagree completely by bringing Pratt back. He has no speed and under the new rules not allowing grabbing/clutching, you can't hit what you can't catch. We have seen Pratt struggle with the new rules and Sarich has not played well since either.
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by Andrzej
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07/17/07 02:10 PM
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Roy, Gratton, Lukowich, now Cullimore. The TBL is going to look like a nursing home.
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by Bill
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07/17/07 01:03 PM
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Why would any team want to sign a player whose previous team thinks so much of him that they buy out his contract ?
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by I Know Hockey
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07/17/07 11:56 AM
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Boy I was just going to say how much smarter the hockey fans are as compared to the football fans are here, then I saw the GOOBER-response of Agathaņ026in this day and age of the NHL, I would GLADLY take Richardson and Pratt over Cullimoreņ026
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by Johnny
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07/17/07 10:53 AM
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Cullimore is washed up. Richardson was also a waste last year because he is washed up too. The Lightning should worry more about a legitamite goalie than adding a bum defenseman. Cullimore was good in 04 but in this new game of skating he is not fit.
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by Ruthe
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07/16/07 02:38 PM
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Sign Pratt. He's dependable, steady and tough when he needs to be. Bringing back the previous Cup players is absurd. Our young players will never get a chance to prove themselves.
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by Mary
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07/16/07 01:38 PM
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The only one they can bring back is Khabby. There is a reason the others are not playing nor teams have shown a interest.
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by agatha
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07/16/07 01:21 PM
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Cullimore might not be the answer but the possibility intrigues. He is a veteran who knows the system and the team can use the size. Don't know the "kids" but anyone who says Pratt and Richardson are better than JC doesn't know a thing about hockey.
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by Steven
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07/15/07 07:22 PM
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It may sound romantic to bring back the pieces of the 03-04 team one by one for one more spin around the block, but these guys are *all* four years older. For guys in their prime *then*, as Cullimore arguably was, this notion simply isn't feasible.
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by Raymond
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07/15/07 04:15 PM
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I'm sure his agent would be interested in Tampa or anywhere for that matter. He couldn't play for the worst team in the league and Montreal doesn't want him either. This is a guy who no longer fits in the league.
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by goldenbolt
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07/15/07 12:00 PM
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Ok, I get it let's bring back all the 04 players and dream a little dream. Cully was good then too slow now, simply stated let the kids play and learn.
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by Chris
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07/15/07 10:39 AM
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Richardson's playing days are done. Isn't he like 39 years old. Cully is intriguing with his size, but definitely need speed and depth to go with our top 5. Let the other guys fight it out. Hopefully there is another O'Brien or Ranger in the mix.
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by Jim
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07/15/07 10:22 AM
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I'd rather see Pratt as the #6 Defenseman than Cullimore. Cullie is much - much TOO slow for the"new" NHL. My vote for the #7 spot is Smaby or Jancevski. I'd rate Cullie as #9 or #10 in the debth chart. Sorry Cullie!!
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by Fred
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07/15/07 09:12 AM
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Maybe Feaster can dig up Stan Neckar, too! Let the kids play.
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by Eric
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07/15/07 06:31 AM
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If Feaster brings back Cullimore it would be one of his biggest mistakes. I love the guy, but he is too slow for the new NHL. Let the new guys battle it out for the sith spot.
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by Francois
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07/15/07 04:13 AM
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It was nice while it lasted with Jassen. But you're crazy if you take him over Luke Richardson. Seriously. Sydor and Cully had Khabby behind them in '04. A bigger deal was Sydor and Luke making Denis look like he was worth something in Columbus.
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by Joe
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07/15/07 03:47 AM
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Being discarded by Chicago (the team for which he dropped the Bolts like a bad habit), bought out by the Habs, & ignored by every NHL team, Jassen Cullimore has decided his first choice is to came back to Tampa Bay. "I'd love to come back," says J.C.
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