Marc-Andre Bergeron update

[letnry]

http://twitter.com/#!/mirtle/status/34015649172819968

Lightning have recalled defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron from the Norfolk Admirals.

[Ballsakic]

FEBRUARY 05, 2011
Tampa Bay Lightning calls up D and power-play spe******t Marc-Andre Bergeron from AHL Norfolk

With defenseman Mike Lundin likely out of Sunday's game with the Blues, the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday made a much-anticipated move and, as expected, called up defenseman and power-play spe******t Marc-Andre Bergeron from AHL Norfolk. Bergeron, 30, was signed Jan. 4 to a one-year, $1 million deal. He has been with the Admirals getting into game shape and strengthening his surgically repaired right knee.

Bergeron, whose salary will be prorated to the time he spends with the Lightning, will be a seventh defenseman. As good as he is on the power play, and as big as is his shot, Bergeron is not known for his defense. So, you will see him with the man advantage but expect him to pick up only spot duty on the blue line five-on-five.

Bergeron has two goals and eight points and is minus-3 in 13 games with Norfolk, and had a breakout game Friday with two power-play goals, including the winner in a 4-3 victory over Binghamton.

That said, the loss of Lundin, even if it is for one game, will hurt Tampa Bay. Lundin is one of the Lightning's smartest and best overall defensemen, faces top lines and averages 20:31 of ice time. He said he was hurt on what seemed at the time to be a simple check into the boards that apparently "jarred" something.

Here is the announcement from the team about Bergeron:

he Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron from the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Bergeron, 5-foot-9, 198 pounds, has played in 13 games with the Admirals this season, posting two goals and eight points after being signed as a free agent on January 4. He played in 60 games with the Montreal Canadiens last season, recording 13 goals and 34 points. He led all Montreal defensemen in goals and was tied for the lead in points. Bergeron was tied for the team lead for game-winning goals with four and third for power play goals with seven. He was tied for ninth in the NHL for goals among defensemen. Bergeron also played in three games with Montreal’s AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, notching six assists.

A native of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Bergeron has played in 399 career NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild and the Canadiens. He has amassed 75 goals, 43 power play goals and 194 points. During the previous two seasons the offensive defenseman has ranked tied for fourth in the NHL among defensemen in goals with 27 and fifth for goals per game with .205. Bergeron has eclipsed the 10-goal barrier on three occasions since the 2005-06 season (2005-06, 15; 2008-09, 14; 2009-10, 13). Bergeron has also played in 43 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, recording five goals and 12 points, including 19 games last season with Montreal.

Bergeron was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oilers on July 20, 2001.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/lightn...on-ahl-norfolk

[Ballsakic]

He is playing on the PP today.
Im watching the Game.

http://www.kilonetsports.com/kilonet2.shtml

[One Man Wolf Pack]

he is even, with 1 SOG, 1 BS, and 1 A. i just picked him up today to shop around in my league. but look like i may need him if green is going to miss time.

[Ballsakic]

2 assists today and 1 pp.

[Wfactor]

solid game stats wise, how does he gel with the team?
any chance he keeps it up, so maybe i can try to get him on a buy low

[ericdaoust]

solid game stats wise, how does he gel with the team?
any chance he keeps it up, so maybe i can try to get him on a buy low

Speaking from experience after watching him last year...

He's good at the beginning. Eventually he slows down but the end result is still solid offensively, especially in the goals department. He struggles when more is asked of him, as he is terrible defensively. The plus-minus will probably suck as his production comes on the power play where players don't get a plus for a goal.

[Dr.Smurf]

2 points tonight, 5:42mins on the PP.

What kind of point totals do you see from this guy in the last 30 games of the season?

[Killer67]

2 points tonight, 5:42mins on the PP.

What kind of point totals do you see from this guy in the last 30 games of the season?

Based on tonight alone....60+!!!!!

Hopefully in the ppg range would be nice and doesn't seem ridiculous, barring injury.

[Chili con Carne]

I'd think around 20 points would be about right, with half on the PP. At least that is what I would hope for. He hasn't really hit that pace in the last few years but TB is a high octane offensive team. You can bank it off the boards and get an assist a lot of times.

The worry really is, as has been stated, the +/-.

[Killer67]

Yeah but how bad can his +- really get in 30 games? He is going to put up crazy points if he doesn't get hurt. Look what he did with a lackluster Hab offense, I'm excited to see what he can do.

[Chili con Carne]

Agreed - the upside outweights any potential down. Unless he has an Erik Karlsson type month his +/- shouldn't be horrible. If you are tight in that cat it is something to watch and use him as trade bait.

[Dean Youngblood]

I didnt really notice him all that much to be honest but he definitely posted some awesome numbers for his first hame back. If you are hoping for insane numbers (aka 20+ points in the final 30 games) then you might be reaching a bit. He is what he is- good on the PP. Expect 10-15 points over the final 30 points and be happy with anymore points than that. If your league gives bonuses(like mine) for PPP then he is definilitely a nice addition. I dropped Hamrlik for MAB about 3 weeks ago and MAB already has as many points in our leage as Hamrlik accumulated after 3 weeks.

[Casey Jones]

~going out there and signing the piece that was missing from Boucher's attack plan, the coveted offensive D-man. Not only did he do that, but he picks up a guy that Boucher knows of and has coached before, therefore bypassing that awkward getting to know each other phase.

Though only for a limited amount of time, Bergeron played for Boucher last year in the AHL and posted 6 assists in 3 games. While during Montreal's playoff run, Boucher noted that Bergeron was on the ice for crucial parts of the game making a difference. In his post-game conference yesterday, Boucher likened Bergeron's shot to that of Stamkos', velocity-wise, which we already knew. But, he also went on to say that his defensive side of the game is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, and that this label is more of a reflection of who he was when he first entered the league and not who he is today. He knows what he holds (an offensive, left-handed bomb of a shot~a perfect complement to Stamkos' right-handed bomb of a shot), and is ready to use accordingly. Don't be fooled by Bergeron's past statistics of slowing down either...he was after all, playing for a Jaques Martin coached Canadians and if memory serves correct a Lemaire coached team in Minny the year prior.

Boucher is a very demanding coach and will get the best out of this guy. Don't be surprised if he puts up ppg the rest of the way in. If you are looking at past statistics, look to when he was traded from the Oil to the Islanders in 05-06 where he posted 21 pts in 23 games. One has to believe that this Tampa team is, at minimum, just as good as that Islander team.

While other GMs pass on what they believe is no-contract fodder, think like Savvy Steve and add this great complement to your team for the stretch run. Just some thoughts~

[joecanuck]

To me, the real question with MAB is would you give him a roster spot over guys like Wisniewski, Bieksa, Hamhuis, Salo, Wideman and Phaneuf?