Boyle to debut tonight. Tough decision to be made

NEW YORK -- Defenseman Dan Boyle, who missed the season's first nine games after three tendons in his left wrist were sliced by a falling skate in the preseason, will return to the lineup for tonight's game against the Rangers.

Lightning coach John Tortorella said that Doug Janik would be playing tonight as the team's sixth defenseman, but Janik practiced late after today's morning skate with the injured players and healthy scratches, which also included just recalled defenseman Matt Smaby.

Meanwhile, Boyle returned to the dressing room with all the skaters who are playing tonight, a clear sign that -- barring unforeseen circumstances -- he will play tonight.

That leaves the team with eight defensemen after the Lightning recalled Smaby from Norfolk this morning.

Tortorella said Smaby would not play today because he played four straight games for Norfolk and boarded a train last night from Philadelphia, where Norfolk was playing, to join the team. The Lightning saw the Admirals schedule as an opportunity to give Smaby, who has averaged 5:59 of ice time, more opportunity to play.

So the Lightning will have to make a roster move because the team obviously wont carry eight defensemen, but Smaby rejoining the team could be a sign that Janik would go down. He would, however, have to clear waivers first before being reassigned.

Tortorella said a decision hasn't been made.

"I don't know what's going to happen there," Tortorella said.

Comments

[Mike13]

So the roster for tonight's game is:

Prospal-Lecavalier-St.Louis
Ward-Richards-Hlavac
Darche-Gratton-Ouellet
MacDonald-Tarnasky-Roy

Ranger-Boyle
O'Brien-Kuba
Lundin-Lukowich

With Karlsson, Janik, and Smaby healthy scratches? Seems weird to even call Smaby back up if they're just going to sit him and force them to put Janik or Karlsson on waivers. What is the sense in that?

[Another Joe]

I think they should send Janik down. I like Janik however he never seems to step it up in the games.

I like the fact that we have some depth this year and getting Boyle back should give the entire team a boos this week. Maybe the boost they need to get some road wins!

[leo]

On a completely different note, people, what's this I'm hearing about Feaster considering trading the Big V to Montreal for Carey Price? Isn't this kid a number 2 goalie? What gives?

[agatha]

Hanik better than Snaby at this stage. Critical 4 games this week will indicate the direction of this team.

[weezer]

That "Rumor" is not even that. It's a joke. where do you even come up with stuff like that?

[hockey chic]

I am not a huge DFB or Danny Freakin Boyle fan when he tries to play both ways. With that said when he plays stay at home D he is awesome and give credit where credit is due the guys has a huge wicked slapper from the Blue line. So I say welcome back DFB and lets get some consistency to our game. Lets start this road trip out right with a W in the win column.

[Geografer]

Yeah - not even worth a rumor - but I have been watching Price play since her joined Tri-City at 16 and he is an awesome goalie and individual. He may be a #2 now but that kid is the next Patrick Roy/Martin Brodeur. He played last year for Tri-City and when they were eliminated from the playoffs took Hamilton to the Calder Cup. But Vinny isn't going anywhere. There is a new rumor every week about Vinny going to Montreal - it is wishful thinking on part of the Habs fans!

[goldenbolt]

The rumor has been up often on the hockeybuzz site. They always have us trading Vinny, Marty, Boyle and Richards for some hack......
That is the shtick for that website.
Ignore the rumor post waste of time.

[Mike13]

Truth is, Hockeybuzz just doesn't have it's finger on the right pulse here in Tampa. Not a single trade rumor that they post has come true when it involves Tampa.

Another truth, there is no way V4 is going anywhere and there is no way the Habs would give up Price.

[weezer]

The best hockey site by FAR is Spector's. He has his finger on the pulse of every team. His rumors are more plausible and then he comments as to the possibility of the rumor being correct. He really knows his stuff.

[reggie]

I am told that Corey Price is the goaltender of the future, the other jewel of the 2005 draft.(Need I mention the other?) Considering the fact that management will have to dismantle the big three sooner or later to respect the cap and considering the fact that we have NO GOALIES, well, rumor or not, this could seriously be, well, considered.
P.S. Did y'all see Price the other night? He can play.

[Mike13]

Price is very, very good. The 2005 draft was very good, there are a number of players that will come out of that draft. But, to lament the fact that the Bolts don't have a player like that in the system is to forget that a team has to suck for at least 1 season. And the Bolts haven't done that for a number of years.

[wiggy]

Previewing Thursday's game against the Devils:

---0-3-1 in last 4 games with one goal or less in 3 of them.

---Worst penalty kill special team in the NHL.

---Zubris and Elias called out in NJ for not performing up to expectations.

Looks like an opportunity for the Bolts :))