The final one ... or two

Coach John Tortorella said after Saturday's game that defenseman Mike Lundin has made the opening-day roster. That leaves the question of Doug Janik and Matt Smaby, Does the Lightning keep one or both?

If Tampa Bay keeps both, that means they have decided to carry 21 players out of camp. If they keep one, it's 20. There is some uncertainty there, partially because of Chris Gratton's eye injury that kept him out of Saturday's game, and because of the depth problems and inconsistency so far showed on the blue line.

Anyway, here is how it is shaping up

Forwards

Vinny Prospal-Vinny Lecavalier-Marty St. Louis

Jan Hlavac-Brad Richards-Michel Ouellet

Andreas Karlsson-Chris Gratton-Jason Ward

Nick Tarnasky-Craig MacDOnald-Andre Roy

Defense

Shane O'Brien-Filip Kuba

Brad Lukowich-Paul Ranger

Mike Lundin-Doug Janik or Matt Smaby

Goalies

Johan Holmqvist

Marc Denis

More cuts or are they done?

The Lightning put forwards Mathieu Darche and Kyle Wanvig and defenseman Bryce Lampman on waivers for the purpose of re-assigning them to AHL Norfolk. We will know if they clear at noon Monday. That leaves 23 in camp, 21 active players and injured Dan Boyle and Ryan Craig. So is the Lightning done cutting or do they go with 21?

Coach John Tortorella would rather keep 20, but GM Jay Feaster indicated today the final count may be 21. That is partly because of the injury to Chris Gratton's right eye that still has left him with blurry vision.

It is an interesting question. If Tampa Bay goes with 21, that means TWO rookie defensemen will make the team: Mike Lundin and Matt Smaby. If they decide to go with 20, it is likely Lundin will be the survivor, though Tortorella said Saturday, even Doug Janik's status is not yet entirely secure. That, frankly, is a bit surprising to me since I didn't think Janik was playing that badly, and even Tortorella has said Smaby is still struggling with the speed of the NHL game. So it would be quite surprising if Janik, with a year's experience, did not make the opening-day roster in favor of two rookies, one who is struggling with game speed.

Tortorella said the final team would not be announced until Sunday, but, of course, that could change.

   

Denis, Holmqvist will start the season

This isn't a huge surprise, but it is official. The Lightning sent goaltender Karri Ramo back to AHL Norfolk today, meaning Marc Denis and Johan Holmqvist will start the season as Tampa Bay's top two goalies.

Ramo had a good camp, but give big ups to Denis, who came into camp with huge baggage and shading his eyes from a bright spotlight and twas nothing but focused and professional. He also was the Lightning's best goalie. Denis was 1-0-1 and stopped 46 of 49 shots for a .939 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against average. He was superb Thursday in Detroit, making 11 saves in 19:40 of work after entering the game in the third period.

I think he has handled this so professionally,'' GM Jay Feaster said. "Throughout last season he was the consummate pro and ultimate team guy, and he understood what was at stake and worked hard this summer and went about his business and was all business. I tip my hat to him, and good for him.''

Ramo, 21, is still considered Tampa Bay's goaltender of the future. As Feaster said, it's not a question of "if" but "when.''

"If you're going to unseat one of the incumbents, you have to have something above and beyond a very good camp, or one of those guys would have to stumble,'' Feaster said. "And that didn't happen.''

That leaves 26 players in camp. The Lightning wants to get down to 22. That includes 20 active players (12 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies) plus injured Dan Boyle and Ryan Craig, both of whom will be put on injured reserve before the Oct. 2 deadline to submit rosters to the league.

Only intrigue left is if MIke Lundin or Matt Smaby gets the No. 6 defensive position (Lundin favored) and if Craig MacDonald or Mathieu Darche gets the last forward spot (MacDonald favored).        

Look out for Mike Lundin

The last preseason game Saturday in Dallas is going to be very interesting because of decisions that will be made on defense. With Dan Boyle out, there is keen competition for the sixth spot between Matt Smaby, Mike Lundin and Bryce Lampman. But if I had to guess, I believe Lundin, the college kid, has the inside track.

Nobody has said that inside the Lightning, so let's read between the lines.

The Lightning, I believe, thinks it has enough guys who can move the puck, even without Dan Boyle. I'm thinking Paul Ranger, Shane O'Brien and even Doug Janik. If you think that way, Tampa Bay, then needs a consistent, stay-at-home type who plays a positionally sound game. And that is Lundin.

The 23-year-old University of Maine graduate, who had never played a professional game until this preseason, has been so solid and steady and consistent, it seems he has pushed himself past Smaby and Lampman. Not that Smaby, especially, has been bad. He was very good during Thursday night's 3-2 loss to the Red Wings. He had a goal and an assist and knocked a couple of guys on their butts. But he also fumbled the puck a few times. Lundin, on the other hand, was always in the right place at the right time in 17:15 of work.

I'm not saying Lundin is in. But I think this quite from Torts was telling.

"He's ahead of the schedule as far as understanding positioning, and that's such an important concept for a defenseman to have as far as letting plays come to you, just protecting areas that are most dangerous.''

Some more good stuff from the game: Michel Ouellet scored his first Tampa Bay goal. Vinny Prospal had two assists and Marc Denis was sharp in netl. Despite losing the shootout, 2-1, he had 11 saves in 19:40 of work. Johan Holmqvist started and 16 saves on 18 shots through two periods. Jan Hlavac also looked good. Andre Roy needs to keep hits wits about him. Two weak penalties led to two Detroit power-play goals.

    

This and that from the morning skate

Chris Gratton's right eye is so sensitive, the contact lens that was supposed to cover his corneal abrasion could not be put in. The lens was not supposed to correct his blurry vision and depth perception problems but was supposed to help the scar tissue heal quicker. Needless to say, Gratton will not play tonight against the Red Wings.

Neither will Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, Jason Ward or Brad Richards. In fact, the Lightning called up center Justin Keller from AHL Norfolk to play so they could give those guys the night off. GM Jay Feaster characterized it as giving a bunch of bumps and bruises another two days to heal up so what likely will be the bulk of the team coming out of camp can play the preseason finale Saturday in Dallas. He said all would have been playing if it was the regular season.

Dan Boyle skated for the first time since a skate fell on his left arm Saturday in the locker room and severed three tendons in his left wrist. He said he is off pain medication, though the wound still hurts pretty badly.

How about this?

No one on the Lightning, anyway, had ever heard of a skate falling off the hooks on top of the locker until one did just that Saturday and severed three tendons in Dan Boyle's left wrist. Now we get this from today's New York Post:

The Devils narrowly avoided a Dan Boyle-type disaster when the skate Travis Zajac hung on the high hook atop his locker fell and barely missed hitting his head.

Talking of goalies and other things

So, the goalie derby comes down to two games. Each goalie has played one full game so far, and Johan Holmqvist and Marc Denis will split time Thursday in Detroit. It is unclear who will play the preseason finale Saturday at Dallas.

So here are their stats going into the final games

                               G  MIN  W L T  GAA  SPCT

Johan Holmqvist       1   57    0  1 0   2.11  .900

Marc Denis               1    65   1   0 0  2.77  .921

Karri Ramo               1    60   1  0  0  3.00  .870

I don't know if this was really a competition or a way to see if Ramo could throw a knockout punch. All things being equal, you have to go with Holmqvist and Denis who have much more NHL experience. And you want to be really sure if you move, say, Denis' $2.8-million contract to the minors and hope someone picks him up on re-entry waivers and picks up half his salary.

Still, the coaches are in a tough spot because they have just five games to make their decision. Not really enough time to get a good statistical model, so practice and scrimmage performance is going to have to be taken into consideration as well.

"I wish,'' goaltenders coach Jeff Reese said, "we had more games, but we don't.''

As for the game against the Red Wings, coach John Tortorella said Vinny Lecavalier, who has an undisclosed upper body injury but has been practicing, will not play until Saturday at Dallas. ... Center Chris Gratton said he is "frustrated'' with the sweet time it is taking the vision in his right eye to un-fuzz. He will be fitted with a contact lens to see if he can play against Detroit. ... Michel Ouellet will play. ... Wing Jason Ward (strained left ankle tendon) took part in Wednesday's power-play workout but not the full team practice. ... Dan Boyle is on the trip, and Tortorella said he hopes the defenseman who had surgery Sunday to repair three severed tendons in his left wrist, can skate on Thursday. ... Ryan Craig (herniated disc) is not on the trip.

Injuries, injuries, injuries

Thought Torts was a little harsh, shutting down his players from talking about their injuries. So there was Ryan Craig today, straining to bend over and pick up his underwear and put on his shirt. Ask him how he thought he got a herniated disc and he just smiles and says, "We're not supposed to talk about it.''

I get Tortorella's motivation. He saw a frenzy coming after Dan Boyle got hurt, and with all the other injuries in camp (Tuesday wing Jason Ward left practice with a strained left ankle tendon, though that is not considered serious), he does not want the players distracted. He also said he doesn't want the players to use injuries as a crutch. Still, part of me always wonders about such edicts. These are adults, after all, and professionals. I always figure they should be free to speak if they choose. Then again, I didn't lead a team to the Stanley Cup.

Anyway, the team said Ward's nick is not supposed to be anything to worry about. Tortorella said Craig will not need surgery on his back, and Chris Gratton skated with a visor and is expected to play Thursday in Detroit.

The team had its first power-play practice of the season. The first unit had Filip Kuba and Brad Richards on point with Michel Ouellet, Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis. The second unit had Shane O'Brien and Doug Janik on the points with Jan Hlavac, Vinny Prospal and Ward, and also Gratton and Andreas Karlsson getting some time.

Torts said he would not make final cuts until after Saturday's game in Dallas. He still believes he will keep 21 or 22 players.    

Roy, Tarnasky provide spark

Here is something I believe you will like about this season's Lightning team, and it was on display in Monday's 4-3 victory over the Red Wings. Andre Roy and Nick Tarnasky fought 14 seconds apart and their teammates said that was a big part in the momentum of the game shifting.

With Detroit leading 2-1 at 6:02, Roy fought Aaron Downey. Tarnasky fought Neil Clark. The Lightning then scored the last three of their four unanswered goals. The first by the way was scored by Roy who played a dynamite game.

"We're not looking to brawl,'' coach John Tortorella said. "But we're looking to change tempo.''

The Lightning are in much better shape than they have been in a while when it comes to muscle. Roy, Tarnasky, Shane O'Brien and Chris Gratton can fight. Tarnasky even kind of called Roy his mentor. "I can learn from a  guy like that,'' he said. "I really thing things like that help the team.''

Karri Ramo was good and bad. Looked shaky on a couple of goals. But made some key stops at key times. Best sequence in the second period. Stopped Jiri Hudler with a nice save to preserve 3-2 lead. Marty St. Louis then scores his second power-play goal of the night, and Ramo stones Johan Ryno to make that goal stand up.

Now that all the goalies have one game, Torts said the situation still is muddled and will wait through the final two games to make his decision.

    

Calling all fans

As we assemble this season’s Times Lightning season preview, we’re asking for your help. For this year’s edition, we’re assembling our own “Best of the Lightning game-night experience” and we’re asking you the fans to submit your preferences on the following game night experiences.

What’s the best seat in the house?

What’s the must-have concession?

What’s the best value?

Where’s the best parking spot (given value, availability and proximity)?

What’s the best pre-game activity?

Where’s the best post-game hangout spot?

Where’s the best place to grap an autograph?

What’s your favorite promotion?

Who is your favorite Lightning player?

What’s the best part of the Lightning game experience?

What about the Lightning game experience might need work?

Send your thoughts to eencina@sptimes.com. Thanks for your participation.

Craig out indefinitely

The hits just keep on coming for the Lightning. The team announced before Monday's game with the Red Wings that center Ryan Craig is out indefinitely with a herniated disc in his back. Craig had been scratched from Saturday's game with what was described a back spasms.

Craig, who was awarded $850,000 in arbitration, was fighting to secure a fourth-line spot. He came into camp in great shape and at 215 pounds, 10 pounds lighter than last season.

More as it becomes available.

 

Morning skate stuff

You are going to hear a lot of rumors about various players coming to the Lightning, especially as free agents, in order to replace Dan Boyle. Probably best not to believe them. Given the Lightning's payroll situation, it is probably wise to assume that is not a road they will travel.

There also seems to be a school of thought, espoused by coach John Tortorella today, that Boyle could be back on the early side of the four-to-six week window to recover from his tendon surgery. Four weeks means Oct. 21. Tampa Bay doesn't play again until the 24th and at that point will have played just six games. In Lightning world, that does not justify signing a another free agent.

As for trades, that could be more manageable because of the payroll-out, payroll-in thing. Still a long shot because of 1) the Lightning already has depth issues and 2) if I were a team approached by another trying to fill a huge gap like Boyle, I'm not going to be charitable.

So get used to what you see because that's likely going to be what you get out of the gate. Bryce Lampman and Mike Lundin will play tonight against the Red Wings. Lampman has limited, but some, NHL experience, so he's probably in a better position to snag the sixth D spot out of camp.

The injury list is still significant.

Ryan Craig was sent to a doctor today to get his back spasms checked. "He's locked up,'' Tortorella said. ... Michel Ouellet (left hamstring) skated this morning but will not play. Tortorella said the training staff has asked to hold Ouellet out one more game. Trainer Tommy Muligan said that is true. ... Chris Gratton (corneal abrasion) looks better. That is, his right eye is not as colorful, but said his vision is still a bit fuzzy. ... Vinny Lecavalier (undisclosed upper body injury) will not play tonight but skated and said whatever is bothering him is nothing to worry about. He said if it were the regular season he would be playing. Tortorella said there is no reason to rush Lecavalier, anyway. It's not like he is trying out.

Tonight's lineup:         

Forwards

Vinny Prospal-Brad Richards-Marty St. Louis

Jan Hlavac-Andreas Karlsson-Jason Ward

Nick Tarnasky-Craig MacDonald-Andre Roy

Mathieu Darche and Kyle Wanvig

Defensemen

Filip Kuba-Shane O’Brien

Paul Ranger-Brad Lukowich

Bryce Lampman-Doug Janik

Mike Lundin

Goaltenders

Karri Ramo (likely starter); Johan Holmqvist

Boyle's surgery called successful

Defenseman Dan Boyle underwent a 60-minute procedure at Tampa's University Community Hospital to reconnect the tendons that were severed in his left forearm Saturday night when a skate he was trying to hang above his locker after a 2-1 loss to the Capitals fell and cut his arm.

"Everything couldn't have gone any better,'' said Ira Guttentag, the Lightning's medical director. "We had a nice repair of the tendons.''

Notice he said tendons, plural. The team originally said Saturday Boyle's abductor tendon was cut, but Guttentag said the surgery showed two other tendons also was severed. Guttentag said those tendons are the ones you use to give the thumbs-up sign or when you are hitchhiking, or in Boyle's case stick-handling.

Guttentag, who assisted during the operation performed by hand specialist Richard Gray, said Boyle should be back in four to six weeks which means the earliest would be Oct. 21. Boyle will be put in a "dynamic'' splint on Tuesday, which will allow the thumb to move while keeping it protected. Rehab also will start Tuesday. Guttentag said Boyle can start skating at any time.

Guttentag said he expects a full recovery with no limitations.

   

Boyle's surgery at 12:30

He is at Tampa's University Community Hospital and will be operated on  to repair a sliced abductor tendon by team physician Ira Guttentag and hand specialist Richard Gray.

Can we cool it a little?

Everyone:

I am asking you to please watch what you write on this blog. Disagreements with each other are fine. You don't like the job I'm doing, fine as well. But the paper is not going to allow spitting matches between bloggers much longer. Please state your arguments without the profanity for which there is no need. Disagree but please don't insult. Again, not necessary.

This blog has gotten to be one of the most popular at the paper, generally in the top 10 and more popular than the Rays and some of the college football sites. It's supposed to be fun. Let's not ruin a good thing.

Hopefully, Sunday's story on the new investor will give more insight. Doug MacLean admits to "bumps in the road'' as two potential investors drop out, though he would not reveal who they were. Also, some perspective from an investment guy in Boston who has dealt with an NHL acquisition.

Thank you for your cooperation and support. 

Boyle to have surgery after freak injury

This one you're not going to believe.

Defenseman Dan Boyle, one of the Lightning's most important players sustained a crazy injury in the locker room after Saturday night's 2-1 loss to the Capitals at the St. Pete Times Forum. Boyle was talking to teammate Doug Janik when one of Boyle's skates, obviously not properly secured, fell about two feet off the hook above his locker and sliced through his left arm and through the abductor tendon. Boyle went running from the locker room, his arm bleeding. General manager Jay Feaster said Boyle will have surgery on Sunday and be out three to six weeks, though they will not really know the extent of the injury until they get in there to look at it.

"It's huge,'' Feaster said about the blow to the team. "Danny is the catalyst. He's the guy who make sit go back there. You don't find those guys on the shelf.''

It was a busy night for the training room. Vinny Lecavalier left the game in the second period with what was called an "upper body injury,'' though he said it was just precautionary and should not miss time. Center Ryan Craig was scratched with back spasms. Jason Ward also limped off after being hit by a puck but returned.

Add Chris Gratton (corneal abrasion), Michel Ouellet (left hamstring), Andre Roy (bruised tail bone) and Jan Hlavac, who played after missing Wednesday's game with a bruised foot, and you've got a collective headache.

Feaster said he must confer with ownership and the prospective ownership group before deciding whether to address the need with a waiver pickup or free-agent signing. Not sure Bryce Lampman is the answer here.

Boyle, 31, is going to be tough to replace. Coming off a breakout season in which he had a career-high 20 goals and was fourth in the league among defensemen with 63 points, he finally last year got some deserved Norris Trophy consideration.

Much more in tomorrow's paper. And will update as info becomes available about the surgery.

   

Boyle injured

Defenseman Dan Boyle's tendon was cut when a skate fell on his arm in the locker room. He may miss three to six weeks.

And now jason Ward

Who limped off the ice after blocking a shot.

Lecavalier hurt

No word on what the injury is or how severe, but the team announced he has an "upper body'' injury and will not return to the game.

Lightning buyers add investor

Absolute Hockey Enterprises, the group attempting to purchase the Lightning, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5.5 adjacent acres from Palace Sports & Entertainment for about $200-million, announce, as expected, that Tampa attorney Steve Burton has joined the group as a partner.

Burton, 46, a commercial litigator with expertise in computer and technology law, is the managing partner of the law firm of Broad and Cassel. He joins former Blue Jackets president Doug MacLean, Coral Springs real estate developer Jeff Sherrin and Hollywood producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg.

"It's exciting,'' Burton said. "I've been a big fan of the Lightning, and with the Lightning being the treasure it is for our city, it's a thrill.''

MacLean said Burton and Sherrin are friends and it was Burton who asked the group about buying in. Considering Burton's local ties, MacLean said it was a good fit.

"It's all about local connections,'' MacLean said. "I just think that's important on the whole business side of things. When you're trying to sell tickets and suites, it's a good thing and gives you good connections.''

MacLean said there still are several other investors who will be named when the official applications are complete and sent to the National Hockey League, and they also could be local.

The process has been a long one. That Absolute Hockey signed a purchase agreement was announced Aug. 7. Since then, the groups attorneys and accountants have been doing their due diligence and completing the seven-part application that includes hundreds of pages of financial data and background information.

The transfer of ownership still must be approved by the NHL. The next Board of Governors meeting, at which the transfer can be considered, is in late November in Pebble Beach, Calif., though commissioner Gary Bettman can call a vote before that if the applications are accepted and interviews are conducted with the prospective owners.

The purchase agreement has a Dec. 30 deadline. If the deal has not closed by then, Palace Sports and Absolute Hockey could extend the deadline or squash the deal. If the latter, Absolute Hockey could lose its $5-million deposit.

MacLean said that is not on his radar.

"The deal is moving better than ever, and that's the truth,'' he said.

We'll have more on this in tomorrow's paper.

Saturday's lineup

Scheduled to play Saturday against the Capitals:

Forwards

Prospal-Lecavalier-St. Louis

Hlavac-Karlsson-Ward

Darche-Craig-Wanvig

Roy-MacDonald-Tarnasky

Defensemen

Ranger-Boyle

Smaby-Lukowich

Jancevski-Janik

Goaltenders

Holmqvist (playing the entire game); Ramo.

Gordie Howe's troubles

Interesting story from the Associated Press:

Hockey great Gordie Howe won a temporary restraining order barring a neighbor from conducting surveillance on his home.

The former Detroit Red Wings star and his wife, Colleen, on Tuesday filed an eight-count stalking lawsuit in Oakland County. Howe, the subject of a residential association dispute for more than a year, says he’s tired of being spied on.

The 79-year-old Howe claims Lionel and Karen Dorfman, a retired couple in their 70s, have engaged in unlawful eavesdropping and invasion of privacy, his lawyer Roger A. Smith said Thursday.
The Howes allege the Dorfmans have had a camera snapping photos of their house every five seconds — more than 17,000 photos a day.

The Dorfmans say they believe the Howes have used their home for business purposes since 2006 in violation of homeowner association rules and township law.

Smith said Howe has been involved in fundraising and charitable organizations, but he’s not operating a business out of his home.

Circuit Judge Edward Sosnick issued the temporary order on Tuesday that bans further photographing, videotaping or audio recording of the Howes or their home. It also orders the Dorfmans to preserve any video, audio or written records already made of the Howes.

Big year for Brad

That's what I believe is going to happen. To pick up on the story today about Richards and how well he's gotten out of the gate, as weird as it seems to say, there really is something different about him this season. He just looks more confident on the ice. He carries himself differently in the locker room, his head seems a little bit higher. Perhaps that is just a function of a new season, when there always is hope. But for whatever reason I think it's more. I think he believes he did everything he could over the summer to give himself the best chance to succeed. I think he felt so good during fitness testing that it gave him a shot of confidence. And I think he took hard enough last season's criticisms around here and the notion ingrained in the Canadian media that he is overpaid and overrated, that he's carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder. You always have to like athletes who are motivated that way. Now if the team could only get Michel Ouellet and Jan Hlavac healthy at the same time to see if these three guys have any chemistry.   

Injury updates and Tortorella's warning

Andre Roy (bruised tail bone): Skated the entire practice on Thursday. Was even able to touch his toes. Said he should be good to go for Saturday's game vs. the Caps. Whether he plays is another story.

Chris Gratton (cornea abrasion): He missed Thursday's practice and did not hang around to talk to reporters, but the Lightning called him day-to-day, and the checkup at Tampa General Hospital Wednesday night showed no permanent damage.

Jan Hlavac (bruised right foot): Practiced Thursday and likely will play Saturday.

Michel Ouellet (strained left hamstring): Said it felt better Thursday but did not practice. He said he has never before had hamstring trouble.

Torts on injuries in general: "You don't find a position within your hockey club when you're sitting in the tub. I'm not too interested in players because they're sore they're going to miss some time. If they're hurt, that's fine. I think the new guys come in, I think that needs to be defined right away. It hasn't put anybody behind yet, but if it continues, it sure hurts people, and I'm not going to wait. Guys get hurt and it creates other opportunities. I'm not going to wait because of a name or because of someone projected. I'm not too interested in projections. I'm interested in getting people on the ice and getting their work done. I'm not coming down on any body here, I just want define it. Everybody is sore. Everybody is nicked up once you start camp. That's what we go by here. We're looking for people to get through things and find a way and not get put behind because we're not going to wait. If another guy steps up they're going to get that opportunity.''

   

Lightning 4, Stars 3 (OT)

Quick observations on the preseason opener:

See, if Brad Richards has people with him who can finish, the guy is going to have a 100-point season. His three assists (I don't know who didn't vote him the game's first star, but he lost to Mathieu Darche) just continued what he did during the scrimmages. He also won 64 percent of his faceoffs. A good day's work.

Marc Denis made 36 saves, and though he looked shaky on Dallas' first goal and was unlucky on the third, I thought he didn't do badly. He certainly didn't hurt himself.

Not good that all Dallas' goals were on the power play.

Not sure what to make of Darche yet. He scored a hat trick in the last scrimmage but two of those goals should never have gone in. Still, he showed great awareness to get open for the winner against Dallas, and he cashed in, had seven shots and five hits. Need more info, but he grows on you. Can't wait to see him in a game in which more of Tampa Bay's regulars, and the regulars of the opponent are on the ice.

More on Chris Gratton and Michel Ouellet on Friday. Saw Gratton coming out of the locker room on his way to Tampa General Hospital. A nice bright shiner. The whites of his eye all red, but not as much swelling as you would think. Ouellet appeared to be walking fine, so it doesn't appear as if that is a big thing.

Anyway, also have a pretty good story with Filip Kuba for Friday with him admitting, you know, he has tried to rewire what is a mild-mannered personality to better conform to what Torts wants from him on the ice.

 

Gratton, Ouellet hurt

Lightning center Chris Gratton left Wednesday night's preseason opener with the Stars in the first period with a corneal abrasion of his right eye. He is expected to get the eye checked at Tampa General Hospital. Gratton was hit with a stick blade that, considering the cuts to the bridge of his nose and under the eye, hit him diagonally across the eye.

Wing Michel Ouellet left the game in the second period with what was called a strained left hamstring. The Lightning's report said the injury was not serious and Ouellet was taken out of the game as a precaution.

Roy, Hlavac are okay

It is all relative, of course. Left wing Andre Roy, who was pushed into the pointed corner of the boards at the open door of a bench during Tuesday's scrimmage has a tail bone contusion, nothing more as X-rays and an MRI test came back negative. That doesn't mean we'll see him any time soon. Roy said he skated for about 10 minutes before Wednesday's practice and said he was in pretty significant pain when he skated with long strides. So he'll skate every morning until he feels he is ready to go.

Left wing Jan Hlavac, who on Monday was hit in the right instep by a Filip Kuba wrist shot and missed Tuesday's practice, also had X-rays and an MRI come back negative. He also has a bruise. He practiced Wednesday morning but will still be held out of tonight's game with the Stars.

   

Bettman says Lightning sale on track

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters after Tuesday's Board of Governors meeting that the sale of the Lightning, as well as the Predators, is "on track,'' but made it clear that if an ownership change for Tampa Bay from Palace Sports & Entertainment to Absolute Hockey Enterprises is going to be done, it will be done at the late November Governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif., or sooner depending on how soon the "due diligence,'' meaning the application process, is completed.

"There is no magic about the (next) meeting,'' Bettman said. "But I would imagine if they are going to get done, they both would be done by at least then if not at those (executive committee meetings).''

Absolute Hockey, which consists of Hollywood producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg, former Blue Jackets president Doug MacLean and Coral Springs real estate developer Jeff Sherrin, and perhaps two or three unnamed investors, have put down what is believed to be a $5-million deposit on a $200-million bid for the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5.5 adjacent acres.

The purchase agreement says if the sale is not closed by Dec. 30, Palace Sports and Absolute Hockey can squash the deal or extend the deadline. If the deal is squashed, Absolute Hockey could lose the $5-million deposit.

Before the transfer of ownership can be considered by the Board of Governors, a seven-part application that is hundreds of pages long and contains financing and background information must be completed. Bettman said that has not been done. When that is completed, the group must be interviewed by the league's executive committee. If the process goes quickly, Bettman can call for an immediate vote by fax. Otherwise the vote will be taken at the late Novemberr meeting of the full Board.

"We are not at a stage where they can be considered,'' Bettman said about both sales, "but they both seem to be on track.''

My two cents: If the transfer of ownership is approved, it will make things very interesting depending on how Tampa Bay's season is going at the time. MacLean said coach John Tortorella and GM Jay Feaster's jobs are safe. We will see how patient the propsective new owners will be if things aren't going well.

Darche makes a statement

Not many may have heard of Mathieu Darche before training camp, but the 30-year-old is doing his best to make his name more familiar to Lightning coaches and management. he left wing scored three goals for the White team in Tuesday's 3-0 victory, Tampa Bay's final scrimmage. They were Darche's first points in four scrimmages, but coach John Tortorella said Darche has been impressive throughout camp with his energy, positioning and the responsibility he's shown on defense. And though Tortorella said Darche has a "long road'' if he is to make the opening-day roster, he did not rule out Darche, who will play in Wednesday's preseason opener on Chris Gratton's line, being able to do it. "With our minor-league system the way it is, we look for players not only to start the year for us, but we're looking for people we can call up too. That's the spot he's in right now and he's equipped himself very well. So, he's going to get a game and we'll see where it goes from there.''

Darche also had a hand in what looked to be a scary injury to left wing Andre Roy. Darche, who works out with Roy in the summer, pushed his buddy and Roy skated backwards into the side boards. The problem was the door to the bench was open and Roy's tail bone smacked into the point of the boards. Roy went down with a painful cry and was on the ice for several minutes. He skated off under his own power and later said he had a bad bruise on his tail bone. The Lightning called it a contusion. Roy said he was going for precautionary x-rays.

Also hurt was Jan Hlavac, who said he had x-rays and an MRI test on his right instep. Hlavac on Monday took a FIlip Kuba wrist shot off the foot and had to go to the bench, though he returned quickly. But Hlavac said the foot swelled up overnight and he could not walk on it.

I'll update both injuries as the info become available.

But back to Darche, who went to high school with Marty St. Louis and Eric Perrin. In fact, Darche said it was Perrin who advised him to sign with Tampa Bay, which signed Darche as a free agent. He had 35 goals and 80 points in 76 games last season with AHL Worcester in the Sharks system. He has a goal and two points and is minus-11 in 28 NHL games.

"Eric told me, 'If you get a chance, sign in Tampa. They don't look at anything, not age,' '' said Darche, signed as a free agent. "So when July came, they were the first team that called and I didn't hesitate."

"We've always been honest and fair as tohow we go about our business,'' Tortorella said. "Players appreciate that, especially guys who get caught up in what the contracts are, one-way, two-way, how much money they make. I think players know they're going to get a fair whack at making a National Hockey league team minus all the political things going on around some of the contracts of these players.''

Tortorella said Darche will start Wednesday's game against the Stars on Chris Gratton's line but could see time with Brad Richards' line which, without Hlavac, will start Michel Ouellet and Andreas Karlsson.

Marc Denis will start and is expected to play the entire game in goal. Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, Vinny Prospal and Dan Boyle will not play. Not the most usual thing to see a goalie play an entire game but Denis has played so well, the staff wants to see if he can maintain that focus for an entire game.

SCRIMMAGE: The White beat the Black in the four-game series with two victories and two ties. ... Richards led all scorers with four points, all assists, getting one in each game.Lecavalier and Prospal had one goal each. St. Louis had zero points, though that line generally skated well. ... Denis certainly earned his start Wednesday. He stopped 19 of 20 shots Tuesday and 54 of 56 overall for a .964 save percentage and a 1.12 goals-against average. Ramo also was terrific, stopping all 13 shots Tuesday and 58 of 60 overall for a .967 save percentage and a 1.08 goals-against average. Johan Holmqvist stopped 52 of 58 shots overall and had an .897 save percentage and a 3.10 goals-against average. So, the goalie derby is interesting. We'll see what the real story is once the preseason games begin.

A LAST NOTE: Former Lightning goalie Sean Burke retired after 19 seasons. His career highlights include being the runner-up for the King Clancy Trophy for excellent play and humanitarian contributions in 1993-94; playing in the 1989, 1995 and 2002 NHL All-Star Games; and, finishing as a finalist in voting for the Lester B. Pearson Award in 2001-02. Burke finishes his career with 820 games-played, which ranks him 12th all-time amongst goalies, 29th all time on the career shutouts list (38) and 19th all time in career wins as a goaltender (324).         

Lineup for Wednesday vs. Stars

Forwards

Karlsson-Richards-Ouellet

Craig-Gratton-Ward

Darche-Jones-Wanvig

Milley-MacDonald-Stewart

Defensemen

O'Brien-Kuba

Lampman-Schneider

Lundin-Leach

Goalies

Denis and Ramo, though Denis is scheduled to play the entire game.

Kind of strange lines, really. But there had to be some maneuvering because left wing Jan Hlavac, who was supposed to play with Brad Richards' line, has a contusion on his right instep and will not play. Actually, shouldn't read much into these lines anyway as, for the most part, the Lightning is trying to see what it has among players they don't know as much about.

 

Pratt to Vancouver?

With the Canucks defense already reeling from injuries, there has been some talk in Vancouver that Nolan Pratt could be a good fit. we never really talked about Pratt here. Not the greatest talent but he tried and he knew the system. And whatever you want to say about Dan Boyle and Paul Ranger being the No. 1 defensive tandem, Pratt and Cory Sarich played against some of the opposition's top players. And how about a guy who plays the last few months of the season with a sports hernia and fights, which only made it worse. Considering where the Lightning is now with its defense, should it have been a bigger commitment to sign him?

Tortorella's message

Remember "Good is the Enemy of Great,'' the words of wisdom posted by coach John Tortorella during the 2003-04 Stanley Cup season? How about "Details of Discipline, Discipline of Details in 2005-06, or last season's "Reteach, Rebuild, Recreate"?

Well, the 2007-08 model has been posted in the Lightning locker room at the Ice Sports Forum. It is as follows: You are what you think you are. You become what you believe you will become. We are a good team. We will become  a great team.''

Not as punchy as the ones that came before, but Tortorella said he has a method to his madness. basically, he said he returned to the Good/Great theme from the Cup season. "The two main words are good and great and what you think and what you become,'' Tortorella said. "I think we're back to being a good team. To get to another level and make the playoffs and succeed in the playoffs, you need to be a great team. I think that's where we are as a hockey team right now. We're kind of going back to that saying of '04 but in a different way of putting it. It comes down to what they (the players) think, and that's what it's about.''

SCRIMMAGE: The White team got goals from Chris Gratton on a breakaway and Jason Ward in a 2-1 victory over the Black. White has a victory and two ties. Black has a loss and two ties. No word on a tiebreaker if Black wins today's final scrimmage. It starts at 10 a.m. at the Ice Sports Forum. Vinny Prospal scored for the Black. Brad Richards had an assist for the third straight game and leads both teams with three points. The goaltending continued to be sizzling hot. Marc Denis stopped 9 of 9 shots. Karri Ramo stopped 13 of 14 and Johan Holmqvist 18 of 20. For the three scrimmages, Denis has stopped 35 of 36 shots for a .972 save percentage. Ramo has stopped 45 of 47 for a .957 percentage. Holmqvist has stopped 34 of 38 for an .895. Tortorella said the goaltenders have been the team's best players during the scrimmages. No way to disagree, though defensive coverages were much better Monday than Sunday which led to a lot fewer scoring chances. 

KICKING THEIR BUTTS: A brutal day of practice for the boys. Vinny Lecavalier called it the most demanding day "physically'' of camp: a 50-minute scrimmage, a 45-minute practice and gassers that would have made the late Herb Brooks proud. Depending on one's group, a 45-minute off-ice workout was either before or after practice. Player competed in exhausting one-on-one, two-on-two and odd-man puck battles for the final 20 minutes of practice. Then came the gassers. Starting from a goal line, players made round trips to, in order, the opposite goal line, the far blue line, the center line, the near blue line, the center line, the far blue line and, for a big finish, the opposite goal line twice. Fans who stuck around to watch applauded when the players finished. Tortorella said that with preseason games beginning Wednesday, it is time to taper the workload. "We don't want to hurt these guys,'' he said. "we want to continue working on conditioning, but you have to be smart about it too.''

WHO SAID HE COULDN'T SCORE?: How about Eric Perrin getting two goals, including the winner, for the Thrashers in a 3-1 victory over the Blues?

Did you  know defenseman Mike Lundin and Tortorella are both University of Maine alums? He said they have not exchanged Black Bear notes. Lundin, the 102nd pick of the 2004 draft, played at Maine from 2003-07. He is at his first professional training camp, and even though he said he is still getting used to the skill level, he is feeling more comfortable every day. He made a nice play on Jan Hlavac as Hlavac came down right wing, pushing him off the puck.

For all the talk about the competition for the final defenseman spot, it looks like Doug Janik will have to really break down not to win the job. He has been steady throughout the scrimmages and, as we've noted, is skating beautifully.

For what it's worth, the first celebrity to get a Lightning jersey is Alice Cooper and the members of Heaven and Hell, which consists of legendary Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice. They played the St. Pete Times Forum on Sept. 14. If you need to read more about this, go to tampabaylightning.com. I would suspect all you need to see is the nice photo.      

 

 

Another 1-1 tie

For the second straight day, the Lightning's scrimmage ended 1-1, but this one was a far cry from Saturday's effort that left coach John Tortorella so dissatisfied. "We played at a much higher tempo,'' he said. "It was a much better game.''

You know what, I'm going to ride this goaltending situation till the bitter end. No matter what the arguments against it, what happens at that position will determine how the team does this season. So it was very cool today that Marc Denis played lights out, officially stopping 17 shots in 32 minutes, though I counted at least four more. Denis, as we know, is in a battle with Johna Holmqvist and Karri Ramo for two spots. Holmqvist probably has the inside track to be No. 1, and Ramo put on a show Saturday and was solid again Sunday and has stopped 32 of 33 shots in two scrimmages. Denis has stopped 26 of 27 shots in two scrimmages. Sure, scrimmages are just warmups for the preseason. But after his dreadful 2006-07, Denis has to build confidence with coaches and players. Denis looked confident in net and his positioning was terrific not to mention his anticipation. His right-leg stop of Marty St. Louis and adjustment to stop Vinny Prospal on the rebound was excellent.

Denis didn't have a lot to say after the scrimmage. He acknowledged how "the microscope" is on the team's unsettled situation in net, and said, politely, it probably is best for him to step back from extensive media coverage he described with a wink as perhaps being "too much. ... I'm sure you noticed I'm a little less cooperative.''

Said goaltenders coach Jeff Reese:  "I'm sure he doesn't like what's been written. I know one thing, he did not want to be traded. He did not want to go anywhere. He wants to finish what he started here. He wants to put last season behind him. You guys (reporters) make that difficult for him to do that. There were a bunch of articles written before a puck was dropped, not only on him but on the goaltending in general. So far, he's put everything behind him. He's starting fresh. He looks very sharp the first few days.''

I'll have much more on Denis in tomorrow's paper.

For what it's worth after two scrimmages, the fourth line with center Craig MacDonald, Nick Tarnasky and Andre Roy looks great. MacDonald sparked Tarnasky's goal when he knocked Chris Gratton off the puck.

Michel Ouellet scored with 1:06 left in the final period. It was a big goal for Ouellet, who was signed over the summer to add offensive punch but had been almost invisible in two scrimmages. Ouellet agreed he had not played well (he is trying to get used to new linemates) but said the goal should loosen him up some. But I actually liked this quote: "I'm the kind of guy who plays in a system very well. Now we're playing like summer hockey. When everyone is on the same page, it will be a lot easier.''

Left wing Andreas Karlsson, who played so well Saturday, got a look on the second line with center Brad Richards and Ouellet. "He's fair that way,'' Karlsson said of Tortorella. "If you play well, he gives you ice time.'' No word on if this is a permanent thing, probably not given it is so early and there is no way to give up on Jan Hlavac so early. Hlavac, a free agent signing, also has struggled and was dropped to the third line ... for now.

Tortorella went out of his way to praise defenseman Mike Lundin, saying, "He's had a good couple of days here. He's handled himself well.''

Tortorella said cuts will come after Saturday's game against the Capitals and bring the number of players in camp to 25 or 26 from the current 33. He said final cuts likely won't come until after the Sept. 29 preseason finale in Dallas. 

Ramo shines during scrimmage

If you consider that, as coach John Tortorella said, every time the players step on the ice, they will be judged, then even the first scrimmage of the season is important. Doesn't matter if the ice is bad or players still have to get their timing down. That is why Karri Ramo was so noteworthy during the scrimmage that was two 20-minute periods of running time.

Ramo stopped all 16 shots he faced in 20 minutes of work. But it was the way he did it that I thought was so impressive. Ramo, at 6-2, 192 pounds, fills the net, but he does so unflinchingly as the action swirls around him. He did not give an inch on two breakaways and, by gosh, he believes he should be in the NHL.

I'm not going to rehash tomorrow's story on Ramo, in which he tells an interesting story of growing up in Finland and some hard times that fueled his confidence. My question, though, is about the prospect of having Ramo actually win a job and be one of the Lightning's two goaltenders. He has just 70 minutes of NHL experience. He was an AHL All-Star last season and the consensus is he will be a good NHL goalie, someday. But now?  Considering the other two goalies, Marc Denis and Johan Holmqvist, didn't exactly set the world on fire last season, I wonder if the team can afford to use a spot for an untested rookie?

Ramo said he is a better goalie than when he was with the team last season. He would have to be with another pro season under his belt, and he just seems so unflappable. There are three more scrimmages and five preseason games. It will be interesting to see where it all shakes out.

Other observations from the scrimmage that ended 1-1 with goals by Vinny Lecavalier and Kyle Wanvig:

Though its timing was a bit off, the line of Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Vinny Prospal skated well. ... It is way too early to make any conclusions about the line of Brad Richards, Jan Hlavac and Michel Ouellet. ... It was good to see Ryan Craig battling from his knees. ... Andreas Karlsson was a beast. Okay, a slight exaggeration. But the left wing, trying to win a third-line spot, blocked at least two shots and checked Nick Tarnasky to the ice. Coach John Tortorella, who was grumpy after the scrimmage because he said he didn't like anything, praised Karlsson. "One of the few guys who were blocking shots. One of the few guys with some sort of physicality to himself within the scrimmage, and he will get rewarded for that.'' ... Good crowd at the Ice Sports Forum of an estimated 500, which I believe. ... Tortorella was upset enough at the lack of shot blocking that he put the team through a shot-blocking drill after the scrimmage. Who was best? Karlsson. "You've got to do what it takes to make the team,'' he said.

Most interesting moment: Defenseman Jay Leach challenged fellow defenseman Shane O'Brien to fight. Leach is trying to make the team and knows O'Brien is a tough kid. But O'Brien refused, even after Leach dropped his gloves and grabbed O'Brien's jersey."I guess he was trying to make a name for himself, but I got no reason to fight in an intra-squad, much less an exhibition,'' O'Brien said. "He's trying to make the team. I'm just not going to fight in an intra-squad.'' The guys talked it over between periods and Leach said he apologized for misreading that O'Brien would want to fight. More on that, tomorrow, too.

 

Day 2 had its moments

Aside from the good news that defenseman Brad Lukowich (left ankle tendinitis) is apparently okay to play in today's scrimmage, the players finished their fitness testing with three 15-lap skates.

There was plenty of good, from Doug Janik, continuing to impress after Thursday's sprint performance, to Brad Richards, Mathieu Darche and Ryan Craig, who has begun in good form his attempt to save his fourth-line position. "I'm here to prove something and make an impact,'' he said. "I may not be as pretty a skater but I've tried to improve.''

The most interesting moment, though, came after defenseman Matt Smaby finished the third of his 15-lap skates. Looking as if he was about to have a coronary, Smaby laid flat on the ice after he finished. He finally got to his knees and coach John Tortorella came over and gave him a tap on the pants with his stick. Torts remembered full well how bad Smaby fared last season. The coach said he does not believe Smaby even finished the exercise. Torts said he wanted Smaby to know, the effort to finish was the most important thing. "I told him, 'I don't give a (bleep) about your time. I just saw you get through it this year.' He couldn't get through it last year and he barely got through it this year but he didn't quit.''

Neither did Andre Roy, though he, too, struggled at times. Still, Tortorella said the way Roy fought to finish all his skating and running in the first two days of camp, solidified in his mind he will try to give Roy more time on the ice during the early part of the season. "The way he approached himself the first two days, the way he looks, has certainly opened that door,'' Tortorella said. I have more on this story in tomorrow's paper.

I also have a larger story on the goaltending situation that will start to shake out in tomorrow's first scrimmage. Here's a sample: Even though Marc Denis declined my interview request, I spoke to goaltenders coach Jeff Reese, who spoke for Denis and Johan Holmqvist and Karri Ramo, the two other contenders for Tampa Bay's two goalie spots. "I think to be quite honest with you, all three of them would like to prove a lot of people wrong here. We're (bleepin') tired of hearing about goaltending. I know I am. I can just imagine how they feel. I think they've got a lot to prove and I think they'd like to silence a lot of people.''

One note about the 10 a.m. scrimmages. Because of the small number of players (33), there only will be one game. With everyone packed onto one side of the Ice Sports Forum, good seats will be tough to get, so get there EARLY.

Torts said he might mix and match some lines. The most likely switch will be with Andreas Karlsson. Slotted to play left wing on Chris Gratton's third line, could get time with Brad Richards and Vinny Lecavalier. If you recall the playoffs last season, Karlsson, who did pretty much nothing all year, shined a bit when he was put with Richards.

         

Lightning preseaon initiatives

There was too much here to boil down into a few graphs, so here is the announcement the Lightning sent out about its festivities for its three home preseason games:

      
Joining with its players and management, the Tampa Bay Lightning are proud to announce an up-close-and-personal preseason, giving fans unprecedented access to the team for each of its three homes games scheduled for the St. Pete Times Forum. Highlighting the program is a special red-carpet walk before each game as the players arrive at the arena. Additionally, all Lightning players not participating in the game that evening will be available at various times in the arena for autographs, pictures, meet and greets and interviews. As many as 13 non-playing players will be available for some of the games.

“As we enter our 15th anniversary season we want to thank our great fans for the support they offer our team,” said Ron Campbell, President of the Lightning and the St. Pete Times Forum. “We thought the fans would enjoy an adaptation of the tremendous tradition of spring training baseball that flourishes in our state. Our “stars” will interact with the fans as much as possible from the moment they arrive at the St. Pete Times Forum until they go home that night.”

Fans wishing to get up close and personal with their favorite players are encouraged to arrive by 4:30 p.m. each afternoon, as some of the Lightning players arrive as early as three hours before game time. Those playing in the game that night will continue arriving at the Times Forum until about 6 p.m. while healthy scratches will arrive up until game time.

Additionally, the Lightning is creating theme nights for each preseason game: Rocket Richard Trophy night on Wednesday, Sept. 19 as the Lightning face off against the Dallas Stars; “Party Like a Rock Star night on Saturday, Sept. 22 as the Lightning meet the Southeast Division rival Washington Capitals; and Extreme Hockey N’ Heels night on Monday, Sept. 24 as the Lightning match up against the Detroit Red Wings.

In the team’s preseason opener on Wednesday, the Lightning will celebrate Vincent Lecavalier’s league-leading 52 goals from 2006-07. Lecavalier was presented the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for his accomplishment and fans will be able to view the trophy on the Chrysler/Jeep plaza from 5:30-7 p.m. before the game. All fans will receive a picture of Lecavalier with the trophy on a poster, courtesy of tbt*. And don’t forget, as many as 13 Lightning players will be available throughout the building at various times throughout the game.
 

Lukowich skates, says he's fine

Defenseman Brad Lukowich participated in the three 15-lap endurance tests Lightning players skated on Friday and said his tender left ankle (diagnosed as tendinitis) will not force him to miss any time. "It's a little sore but we'll be fine,'' he said.

Lukowich had to leave the ice Thursday during the six three-lap sprints after his skate hit a rut and "went the wrong way.'' He did not participate in Thursday night's 3-mile run. While he admitted he favored the ankle at times Friday, Lukowich he said he is ready for Saturday's first scrimmages.

Camp opens and Lukowich's ankle

The only unfortunate moment during the first day of training camp at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon was what seems a minor injury to Brad Lukowich. The defenseman had to leave the ice during the six three-lap sprints the players skated with what trainer Tommy Mulligan said was left ankle tendinitis. Lukowich said he was simply being cautious when he left the ice after he tried to round a net and his skate hit a rut and "went the wrong way.'' He also sat out Thursday night's 3-mile run, riding a stationary bike instead. He will be evaluated Friday before the three 15-lap endurance tests.

Otherwise, there were no real disasters among the players during the three-lap sprints. Distinguishing himself was Doug Janik (and I'll have more on him in tomorrow's paper) and the usual suspects, especially Vinny Lecavalier and Marty. Defenseman Shane O'Brien showed off some stamina after trimming down to 224 from 237 pounds. And defenseman Jay Leach showed some speed.

"It doesn't transform into what they're going to do on the ice as far as a hockey player,'' Tortorella said. "But it tels me they are here to compete for a job because they are doing something they can control. They took care of the conditioning part of it.''

Defenseman Dan Jancevski did not have a great day. As coach john Tortorella said, "He was dying at the end.'' And left wing Andre Roy had some rough moments. But, especially Andre, pushed through to the end and even got some props from Torts about sticking with it. Generally, though, it was a pretty good showing.

Here are some highlights:

Lecavalier, coming off a league-leading 52-goals season, said the Lightning should be taken seriously as a division contender but stopped short when asked about the Stanley Cup. It wasn't because of a lack of conviction, he said, but a sense of proportion. "We want  to win our division first and go from there,'' he said. "Once we make the playoffs, then we can say, 'Okay, we want to win the Cup.' ''

Tortorella talked about how important a year this is for the team, given the closing window on having the Big 4 in their prime (remember, defenseman Dan Boyle can be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season), and the possibility of new ownership, even though they might not get approval from the league and close the sale until at least December. "I think it's a very important year for us,'' he said. "We have the Big 4 really coming into the prime of their careers. We have them at such a great time with how they are leading and how they believe in the team concept. To have people like that, especially those four guys and surround them with some other people, you want it to work pretty quickly because the window is pretty short.''

He also spoke about how the Lightning fought to gain respect in the league, and even though the organization is still respected, the team needs to rebuild its reputation somewhat. "we're a pretty good team. We have to get back to believing we're a great team and really instill a hardness about ourselves, about the way we play.'' Torts said he was not talking about fighting but playing hard on the puck, getting pucks to the net and playing in front of the net.

In Thursday night's 3-mile run at the University of Tampa, right wing Nick Tarnasky defended his title in 17 minutes, 48 seconds. Kyle Wanvig was second at 18:05 and Andreas Karlsson was third at 18:57.

Sun Sports schedule

(Subject to change)

SEPTEMBER
24 Mon 7:30pm  DETROIT

OCTOBER
4 Thu 7:30pm  NEW JERSEY
6 Sat 7:30pm  ATLANTA
10 Wed 7:30pm  FLORIDA
13 Sat 7:00pm  @ Florida
18 Thu 7:00pm  @ Boston
20 Sat 7:30pm  ATLANTA
24 Wed 7:00pm  @ Washington
25 Thu 7:30pm  PHILADELPHIA
27 Sat 7:30pm  BUFFALO
29 Mon 7:00pm  @ NY Rangers
31 Wed 7:00pm  @ NJ Devils

NOVEMBER
1 Thu 7:00pm  @ NY Islanders
5 Mon 7:30pm  @ Florida
7 Wed 7:30pm  FLORIDA
8 Thu 7:00pm  @ Carolina
16 Fri 8:00pm  WASHINGTON
21 Wed 7:30pm  NY RANGERS
23 Fri 7:00pm  @ Carolina
28 Wed 8:30pm  @ Chicago
29 Thu 7:30pm  @ Detroit

DECEMBER
1 Sat 7:30pm  BOSTON
6 Thu 7:30pm  CAROLINA
8 Sat 7:30pm  NY ISLANDERS
10 Mon 7:30pm  @ Toronto
13 Thu 7:30pm  CALGARY
18 Tue 7:00pm  @ Atlanta
20 Thu 7:30pm  TORONTO
22 Sat 7:30pm  Carolina
26 Wed 7:00pm  @ Washington
27 Thu 7:00pm  MONTREAL
29 Sat 1:00pm  PHILADELPHIA

JANUARY
1 Tue 7:30pm  @ Toronto
3 Thu 7:30pm  @ Montreal
5 Sat 7:00pm  @ Ottawa
8 Tue 7:00pm  @ NY Rangers

10 Thu 7:30pm  PITTSBURGH
12 Sat 7:00pm  @ Florida
18 Fri 7:30pm  @ Pittsburgh
19 Sat 7:00pm  @ Ottawa
24 Thu 7:30pm  OTTAWA
31 Thu 7:30pm  VANCOUVER

FEBRUARY
2 Sat 7:30pm  FLORIDA
5 Tue 8:30pm  @ St. Louis
7 Thu 8:00pm  @ Nashville
9 Sat 7:00pm  @ Atlanta
12 Tue 7:00pm  MONTREAL
14 Thu 7:00pm  @ Philadelphia
16 Sat 7:30pm  WASHINGTON
21 Thu 7:00pm  @ NY Islanders
23 Sat 7:30pm  BOSTON
27 Wed 7:30pm  MINNESOTA
29 Fri 8:00pm  TORONTO

MARCH
1 Sat 7:00pm  @ Carolina
4 Tue 7:30pm  PITTSBURGH
6 Thu 7:00pm  @ Philadelphia
7 Fri 7:00pm  @ New Jersey
9 Sun 3:00pm  @ Columbus
11 Tue 7:30pm  NY ISLANDERS
13 Thu 7:00pm  @ Boston
15 Sat 7:30pm  NY RANGERS
19 Wed 7:00pm  @ Buffalo
20 Thu 7:30pm  @ Pittsburgh
22 Sat 7:00pm  @ Florida
25 Tue 7:30pm  FLORIDA
27 Thu 7:30pm  WASHINGTON
29 Sat 7:30pm  CAROLINA

APRIL
3 Thu 7:00pm  @ Washington
5 Sat 7:00pm  @ Atlanta

Training camp lines

You asked for it. This is the way they, apparently, are shaping up heading into camp:

Vinny Prospal-Vinny Lecavalier-Marty St. Louis

Jan Hlavac-Brad Richards-Michel Ouellet

Andreas Karlsson-Chris Gratton-Jason Ward

Andre Roy-Craig MacDonald or Ryan Craig-Nick Tarnasky

No surprises, really. We'll see what happens, or how they line up, during Saturday's scrimmages. 

Helenius disappoints, Smolenak shines

Let us for a moment forget that the Lightning did not get any results it wants to talk about at the prospects camp in Traverse City Mich. At 0-3-1, the team finished last in the eight-team tournament and allowed five regulation goals in its final game to a Stars team that had scored two in its previous three games.

The tournament was much more about personnel. Thumbs up to Radek Smolenak. Thumbs down to Riku Helenius and, you know, whatever, to Andy Rogers.

"The surprise for me, personally, is just how much it's cost Helenius missing a year,'' GM Jay Feaster said. "It is clear this kid has not played. He doesn't have a lot of confidence right now.''

Helenius, 19, the No. 15 overall pick of the 2006 draft, had an .818 save percentage and a 5.16 goals-against average. It seems missing last season with a shoulder injury has really taken its toll. Let's hope he regains his form with WHL Seattle.

Feaster, though, couldn't say enough about Smolenak, tied for second in the tournament with seven points. The forward led the team with three goals, four assists and 20 shots on goal. He will now report to training camp at AHL Norfolk.

"If he continues to do what he did up there in Norfolk's camp, he has played himself into being a prospect for this organization,'' Feaster said. "I can't tell you how many scouts and GMs and assistant GMs mentioned him to me in Traverse City, that they liked his game and liked the way he was playing. he looked like a completely different guy.''

As for Rogers, it was obvious he, too, simply has not played enough after struggling with multiple injuries the past two seasons. Rogers had zero points in the tournament and was minus-5.

"It's a mixed bag,'' Feaster said. "He skates so well, and yet there are times his decision making with the puck needs to be so much better. He still has that tendency when he's under pressure to just fire it off the glass. I've talked about this before. When you've invested $20-million in three world-class forwards (Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Marty St. Louis), we need to get them the puck in transition. Having it come off the glass and hit the back of their head isn't transition. Andy still has a lot of work to do, and yet there are things that you see from him at times that you're real excited about.''

Defenseman Mike Lundin, 22, the Lightning's fourth-round pick in 2004 who will be at training camp, also got some good reviews after his two-goal, four-point effort.

"He's a  college kid and he's a little bit older, so you might expect that against younger competition,'' Feaster said. "But I just felt he was consistently strong throughout the entire time period.'' 

Mihalik hurting, sent to Norfolk

With his groins "bothering him,'' defenseman Vladimir Mihalik will report directly to AHL Norfolk's training camp instead of reporting to Brandon for Lightning camp, GM Jay Feaster said. Defenseman David Schneider will take his place at Lightning camp, which begins Thursday.

Feaster said Mihalik, 20, did not practice Sunday at the prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich., because of the sore groins. And considering the grueling two days of skating that is the hallmark of Tampa Bay's opening of camp (and that Mihalik was not going to challenge for a Lightning roster spot, Feaster said it would be better for Mihalik to start his pro career at Norfolk.

"It's not going to do him any harm to start in the American Hockey League,'' Feaster said. "Rather than going through the motions here and potentially having a problem from a health standpoint, let's get him going and let's get him started in his pro career.''

It is a Mutt and Jeff swap of players. Mihalik is 6 feet 7. Schneider is 5-9. Schneider, 28, signed during the summer as a free agent, spent the past four years playing in Finland. He is a four-year product of Princeton University.

Feaster said leaving Schneider off the original training camp roster had been a tough call.

"He's an older kid,'' Feaster said. "We thought he was a guy who might have a chance, and he signed with us with the belief he could come in and make the hockey team.'' 

Stars 6, Lightning 5 (SO)

The Lightning finished last in the eight-team prospects tournament at Traverse City, Mich. That was assured with a 6-5 shootout loss to the Stars that dropped Tampa Bay's record to 0-3-1. It was a shake-your-head ending for Tampa Bay which lost to a Dallas squad that had scored just two goals in its previous three games.

Tampa Bay gets some credit for scrambling to tie the game with three goals in the third period, including Mike Lundin's second goal with two seconds left. But goaltender Riku Helenius, of which so much has been expected since he was drafted in 2006 with the 15th overall pick, allowed five goals on 20 shots.

Stanislav Lascek, Mitch Fadden and Dustin Collins also scored for the Lightning.

Helenius was 0-2-1 in his three games and allowed 16 goals on 88 shots for an .818 save percentage and a 5.16 goals-against average. Radek Smolenak led the team with three goals and seven points. Defenseman Andy Rogers was minus-5.

   

Does Ryan Craig need to prove anything?

The Lightning seems to think so after it left the center off the top four lines heading into Thursday's opening of training camp.

Craig has some issues. He was hampered by a balky right knee almost all of last season (he sustained a sprain right MCL on a knee-to-knee hit with the Flyers' Mike Knuble), and it gets some of the blame for the dramatic falloff in his goal scoring. After getting eight in his first 14 games, Craig had just six the rest of the way. Craig said the knee is not an issue and he shed took 10 pounds during the summer to give himself another half step and to take some weight off his knees.

But after he was awarded an $850,000 contract in arbitration, the Lightning took Craig off the fourth line in favor of Craig Macdonald. Does the Lightning really believe MacDonald, who had three goals in 25 games last season for the Blackhawks, is ahead of Craig?

Perhaps it is just a wakeup call, that with his new contract, he had better lift his performance. I will say this, Tampa Bay hasn't been shy in the past about sending guys with one-way contracts to the minors. We saw it last year with Andy Delmore and Sean Burke.

That said, Craig made a real impact last season when he was healthy. It was a pleasure to watch him work in front of the net, and you could never question his work ethic or commitment. So doesn't he deserve the benefit of the doubt? Doesn't he deserve that fourth line?

To his credit, Craig said it doesn't matter where he is slotted going into camp. It is not going to change the way he works. He even channeled coach John Tortorella when he said he figures everybody goes intocamp with a clean slate.

Hard not to root for a guy like that.

Thrashers 6, Lightning 4

Radek Smolenak had a goal, his third, and two assists and Riku Helenius made 32 saves, but the Lightning lost 6-4 to the Thrashers to fall to 0-3 at the prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich.

Mitch Fadden, Daine Todd and Vladmir Mihalik also scored to give Tampa Bay a 4-3 second-period lead. But Atlanta, which had a 38-28 shot advantage, scored three goals in the third including an empty-netter.

The Lightning faces the Stars at 2 p.m. Tuesday in its final game that will determine seventh and eight places in the eight-team tournament.

   

What 2 watch 4

So let's continue the discussion from last weekend's story in the paper on the Lightning's burning questions heading into camp. My top 10 story lines are the goaltending, Vinny Lecavalier, Vinny Prospal, Ryan Craig, Andreas Karlsson, the rebuilt defense, Brad Richards' line, Chris Gratton and Dan Boyle.

The goaltending is easy. The way I see it, all the Lightning needs is average work from whoever is in net (and by average I mean a .900 save percentage) for the team to be a contender in the East. Vinny Prospal also is a given as is how Michel Ouellet and Jan Hlavac mesh with Richards. Gratton, well, he might be the most important acquisition of the summer given his goal-scoring ability and faceoff prowess. The defense will have to cope with the loss of Nolan Pratt and Cory Sarich and perhaps the addition of one new player (Dan Jancevski or Matt Smaby, perhaps?) who have little NHL experience. And Ryan Craig, left off the top four lines for now, at least, has to prove his balky right knee is sound and he can be a more consistent scorer.

So what else? Give me your list. What are the things you will be watching when training camp opens on Thursday at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. Why are they important? And do you see any solutions for your concerns or questions?

You know it's not all serious here. We let you know about the joyous occasions in the players' lives as well. So let's start with defenseman Dan Boyle, who got engaged on a summer trip to France to Amber Esposito, a hairdresser from Indian Rocks Beach he met in January 2002, the first week he was in town after being acquired from the Panthers. He said he needed a haircut and walked into the high-end Tampa salon in which she worked. They became friends and took them more than a year to start dating. And even after all this time, Boyle joked, "She can stand me.''

Babies also are coming. Right wing Marty St. Louis said he and wife Heather will have their third child, and third son, in January. Forward Ryan Craig said he and wife Jaydee will have their first child, a son, in December.

And just as a quick update, captain Tim Taylor is home from the hospital after last week's hip surgery and going through what wife Jodi called "pretty intense'' therapy. 

   

Red Wings 3, Lightning 1

Daine Todd scored the Lightning's only goal in a 3-1 loss to the Red Wings in the prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich. Todd's goal 14 minutes into the first period tied the score at 1. Detroit scored twice in the second period.

Tampa Bay goaltender Torrie Jung made 22 saves, and the penalty kill was 11-for-11.

The Lightning (0-2) faces the Thrashers on Monday.

Rangers 6, Lightning 4

Forward Radek Smolenak had two goals and an assist but the Lightning fell 6-4 to the Rangers in Tampa Bay's opening game of the prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich. The game was 3-3 after two periods. New York scored three goals in the first eight minutes (sorry, had 11 in the first version of this) of the third.

The Rangers outshot Tampa Bay 31-25, and Lightning goaltender Riku Helenius made 25 saves.

Tampa Bay faces the Red Wings at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

That really was Tim Taylor

Just in case anyone was wondering, the blog entry near the end of the thread about Tim Taylor's surgery that was signed "Tim Taylor'', actually was written by the Lightning captain.

"I just wanted to thank everybody for putting some nice thoughts in there,'' Taylor said by phone from his room at University Community Hospital. "It definitely motivates you. You just know that people are pulling for you, and you don't want to let them down.''

Taylor, who on Thursday underwent a resurfacing of his right hip to fix a painful case of hip dysplasia, said he took 250 steps (with the aid of a walker) at his morning therapy session, and 350 at his afternoon session. Taylor said he was told he must take 250 steps before he can be released from the hospital. Even so, Taylor said he will not go home until Saturday.

"The physical therapist has been pushing me pretty hard,'' Taylor said. "He said the more walking you do, the better it's going to be.''