LIGHTNING waive team captian ANDREYCHUK!

<TABLE style="MARGIN: 5px 0px 5px 5px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid"><NOBR> </NOBR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- T9156645 -->TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Lightning waived 42-year-old captain Dave Andreychuk on Tuesday, saying the inspirational leader of their Stanley Cup championship team could not keep up with the speed the NHL's new rules have brought about.
Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said Andreychuk had worked hard during and after last season's lockout, but neither he nor the coaches could foresee "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 had six goals and 12 assists in 42 games this season. He ranks second all-time in the NHL among left wings in goals (640), assists (698) and points (1,338). He reached the 20-goal mark for the 19th time in 2003-04, third most in NHL history behind Gordie Howe (22) and Ron Francis (20). His 1,338 career points is tied for 23rd most in NHL history.
During the Lightning's playoff run in 2004, he had a goal and 13 assists on the way to being part of a Stanley Cup-winning team for the first time.
The Lightning said that Andreychuk will be assigned to their AHL affiliate so that they can pay his $800,000 salary, but he will not be required to report.
Andreychuk has also played for Buffalo, Toronto, New Jersey, Boston and Colorado.

Andyerchuk is an old man, I think it's great that they are still willing to pay his 800k price tag though.

Sad day in Tampa......he is all class and meant a ton to this team in terms of leadership.

Hopefully he stays with the club in some other capacity.

-FISH-

Andreychuk was washed up when he was in Buffalo. I can't believe the guy is still playing, I remember watching him back in the day of Housley, Falino, Ruff, Ramsey's, etc... He couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but he did play hard and try; that I'l give him...



They should have let him go out by himself; very classless move by the orginization.. ucking:

I wonder if he'll play out the year in the AHL?

LIGHTNING ON FIRE GOING 10-4 since this move, A GOOD BET AS OF LATE SHHHH.

Wow, kind of surprised by this. Not so much that are moving on but the manner in which this was done. Couldn't they have given him a chance to retire on his own? Seems kind of hard to end it this way for a guy with 22 years or so in the league.

BTW I agree somewhat with Cheater that Big Dave had seen his best days, even before he got to Tampa. However he was a man who was very much needed by this club at that time. We had lots of young talent but them getting to see how a real pro handled himself both on and off the ice was invaluable. It was Dave's team there for a few years and he did not disappoint IMO.

The team wanted him to wear the C and he earned it IMO. Sad to see you go Andreychuk.