Lightning's Stralman still bitter over New York split
The saying goes that time heals all wounds, but apparently there has not been enough time since Anton Stralman's departure from the Rangers for the defenseman's hurt feelings to heal.
Stralman signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal over the summer with the Lightning after the Rangers failed to sign Stralman to a new contract. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault told the New York Post Sunday that the team wanted to sign Stralman but couldn't due to cap issues, but Stralman gave the Post a different version of the story.
The defenseman said he never received an offer from the team after the end of the 2013-14 season.
"When a player puts in his heart and soul for a team, if they don’t want to keep you, you should have the respect to tell the player,” Stralman told the Post. “It had not been handled nicely. It’s a really, really professional organization [and] I think it’s unfortunate.
"Honestly, all I wanted was to come back. I don’t think the cap was an issue. Definitely not. I think they wanted to move in a different direction. That’s fine with me. The only disappointment that I had was that they should’ve told me, they could’ve told me."
Stralman did not let any hurt feelings affect his play on the ice this season. He has been invaluable for the Lightning, finishing the regular season in a tie for sixth in the NHL in plus/minus (plus-22) while posting career highs in goals (nine), assists (30) and points (39).
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told the New York Post that Tampa was lucky to grab Stralman.
"He didn’t get the fanfare that the Girardis and McDonaghs and Staals were getting," Cooper told the Post. "Stralman always seemed to be the other guy. He is definitely one of those guys you do not appreciate until you have him on your team. His preparation, his calm, his hockey sense, everything, it’s phenomenal. He is the total package, and he can play in every situation. … I can’t say enough about him. That was an unreal signing for us because he’s changed the dynamic of our defense."
(h/t New York Post)
Photo by AP Photo/Paul Sancya
