Boyle cleared to skate

Injured Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle's check-up visit with renowned hand surgeon Dr. Thomas J. Graham today in Baltimore went well, and Boyle has been cleared to return to skating immediately.

"Dan is progressing nicely," Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said in a statement. "He has been cleared to begin skating and will be working on a multi-phase on-ice and off-ice rehabilitation program."

No timetable was set for Boyle's return, Feaster said, as per team policy.

Comments

[leo]

So why is Ramo out?
(Don't tell me he's injured.)
Peace.

[Rudy]

They don’t want screw up his ratings.

[Alabaster Cat]

Some of the Bolts need to be sent home with a few Lightning Girls and a complimentary mammoth supply of Viagra. Tonight's display of hormonal deficiency was an embarrassment to the many Lightning fans who sat and listened to the enthusiastic and gloating cheers that filled the building eminating from the many Habs supporters. All of this while the home team was flayed with Montreal speed, skill, and savvy. Again, tonight, the Bolts were outworked, outshot, outplayed and beaten merciliessly in their own building.

Folks who think that there is not something radically wrong with this team are simply not paying attention. Comments have been passed about the lack of corrective activity by the GM. Some have pondered why Coach Tortorella is retained when, under his command, the team continues to flounder so helplessly.

Okay, so a sale MIGHT be made imminently and Davidson doesn't care.

Yet, from this fan's perspective, the team is lost and unmotivated. It was evident from the body language of these guys before, during, and after the game.

So here's some advice. John Tortorella - make yourself as innocuously unavailable as your do-nothing/know-nothing boss. Go upstairs and watch the games for a few weeks. Your input, at this point, has been shown to be counterproductive. Let Sully have a chance at guiding these guys out of their metafunk. While on high you can study the team's play and make notes about any mistakes that are made (at least, that might make you feel useful).

But, for heaven's sakes, let's change something.

[boltscanucksfan]

Something really needs to be done for this team. I see one of the big 3 getting traded and that might be the best thing to happen to this franchise in a long time. Make the message clear that no body's job is safe. I think Brad can go to a team like Vancouver, who needs a playmaking center in a bad way. Our current team is not working out and now, we're one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference.

Recently, we have tanked in December, but hasn't been this bad since the Petr Klima days. We just need to see a change work for us in the long run, even though we might not make the postseason. The current formula obviously isn't working...

I say pull the trigger before all hope is lost before the trade deadline. The question remains, Who is willing to pay that kind of money for a guy not named Vincent Lecavalier? We will know soon how the length of these desperate teams will go with the hopes of winning a Cup. Time will tell...

[shane]

See, this is where I think trading one of the big 3 would be worse for the team. Job security is something that Vinny, Brad, and Marty thrive on, and actually i believe use it to make their game better...knowing that they can work through a funk rather than "crap, what town am i going to have to move my family to because my team no longer believes in me?" I see brad richards under producing, and probably the one that the lightning can afford to lose. Marty and Vinny no way in hell, absolutely point blank and period no way. Now Brad Richards is still SO YOUNG! He was our MVP in the playoffs, so obviously this is a guy who needs to tap his potential. I think if we see Brad Richards become what Vinny Lecavalier is NOW, then we would see a selane kariya type team, or sakic and forseberg, you know? I think losing brad richards would demoralize the team more, knowing that one of the absolute foundations and great friends is gone. Your thoughts?

[pekka]

Big 3 are tight off the ice. You could have a point.

[pekka]

And someone needs to inform the Times hockey writer that the Lightning are 8 games under .500, not 5 games under .500

[Robe]

This may be the beginning of the end for Torts. Esposito has said it best when he claims to have made the biggest mistake of his hockey life when he listened to Terry Crisp rather than Roman Hamrilk. Keep the players before you keep the coaches.

[hockey chic]

To sum up last nights game I say this. I am ticked off that I spent my time, money and energy, which the Bolts could have used to see that worthless pathetic example of a hockey team play.

At best I think I saw maybe 3 players that showed up and gave it something. One was Mac and he had how many stitches in his mouth, tongue and face? He skated and checked mind you like there was no tomorrow. I also loved the hustle of Jason Ward as he brings it every night. I guess my third star would be Andre, as he at least wanted to show some work ethic and Fight. And Shaney I love that kid. Other than that the team needs to stay home.

I had more energy in me after a 10 hour work day, a short and tough work week, xmas and getting ready to go to Canada than the whole freakin team. Maybe Torts needs to take a night off and come sit where we are and see the lack of energy and guts on the ice like we the fans see it.

Hell, I know it is a long season but could someone tell me when it is going to start, so I can get geared up. Otherwise fellas do me a favor and stay at home. I want to see some freakin Lightning Hockey and to be quite honest with all of you last night was not it.

To put it in perspective we are leaving the parking lot last night and a HABS fam with quebec plates is parked next to us. He says oh take your time we are not in a hurry and I said we are. I want out of this stink as soon as I can get out of it.

Nuff said. Next time I write we will be in the mother land so here is hoping they can pull their heads out of this funk and stink and get some wins.

Go Bolts!

[Not The Marlboro Man]

I don't think I'd play Dan Boyle the rest of the season unless I was 1000% sure there is no chance at all he could re-injure his hand. This season is turning into gump so why take a chance on ruining someone's career by chancing his comeback on a bad season?
Feaster needs to trade for a team leader who can coach on the ice as well as lead in the locke-room. This team has showed that there is no confidence what-so-ever, and on that note I'm going to go have another drink amigos.

[Nils]

I'm telling you guys, the players (all but a handful) have tuned out Torts and given up. A coaching change would do wonders.

[Rudy]

It is true that we have lot of rockies on team, inexperienced players. But they have skills. All of them. You just have to bring it up individually from them. You not forcing them to play your game and take fun of it. These guys are not post office workers. They are talented individuals and you have to tread them that way and bring best of them out.
Our team looks like they playing with no motivation, hard work, but no spirit. Just get over with it. We have also skilled players and they are no different, playing with no enough interest – underperforming.
You can have great team with green players, young guys have usually lot of sprit and they are fun to watch wining or loosing. They are playing with energy you don’t see in older players. But that is what is missing from this team.
Something is wrong And I am sorry, but that is coach job to figure it out. That is his job, and he is paid to do that.

[Nan]

Maybe when Boyler gets back, that will get the team rockin and rollin again. They need some spark to get them going again and maybe he is it!

I agree with you Rudy, that this team has the talent and the youngsters sure are fun to watch, O'Brien, Ranger and Ramo to name a few. The older or more experienced ones should be looking at these younger guys and feed of them because it seems like they are exhibiting the energy but lack the experience. The veterans have the experience but seem to be lacking the energy. If they would all get on the same page as one team it would be great.

At any rate, the team needs to figure it out. Torts is suppose to be a great motivator. Well, Torts, start motivating! And if the team wants to be bought by Koules, then they better start winning. I am not sure that Koules would be interested in buying a dead last in the league team which they are close to becoming.

[Nils]

He's done the opposite. Players are sick and tired of Torts criticism. You would be surprised to see a list of those who have given up. Need a coaching change, need help on defense.

[ajax]

Some great blogs.
Why would you buy this team? You are looking at probably a huge loss this year with $$green$$. Attendance slipping and no playoff money. Lightning management day by day are losing all their chips. Maybe that is a good sign with new owner. He doesn't care he just wants to own and will fix/$$$ when he is running it. Maybe the agreement will finalize after this year and present management takes the lumps?
I read alot and I agree with the effort and results the team is producing something major has to shake. In the sports world it is usually the coach.
But what style would a new coach bring? We do not have speed or size.
That is my point. We don't have much to work with. Maybe let Torts wait out the new owners and shake up this D- roster that has been built?
I don't think anyone can win with these guys. I am sure Management is probably waiting to see if Boyle will make a big difference. How can he not?
I still think it is a write off year and none of us want to admit it.
The sale is the only thing of importance. They are not going to pay for two coaches(Torts and the new one) so round and round we go. Frustrated and running in motion.
Lots of places to lay the blame. I firmly believe no coach on the planet could make these 20 guys contenders, I just don't see the hope.
Sell the team and that is the shot in the arm that the area needs. Everything else is moot until that happens.

[weezer]

You sound like a broken record. Several posters have answered your questions. It's okay that you may not agree but you are, as they say where I come from, "thick." You either don't understand what's been posted or you choose to ignore the posts. They need a new coach in style and temperament.

[ajax]

weezer, what style would you suggest with the new coach, that is my only question. So you change coaches and he does what different? No need to start the insult routine, I just fail to see the 50 posts about fire coach, offer any real ideas/plans to fix the mess. Sorrrrrrry if I insulted ya Weezer. For me, I have turned it over and over and I just can't see what would drastically change. Ward and Karlsson become 20 goal scorers? Luke and Lundin become checkers/puck movers?
Change coach and everything becomes rosy again? Weezer what would you do as coach? What new style?, and this is my point, you say new temperment? I can not ever see this team as a grind it out physical team. They have zero ability to be physical. Anyway for me, I would love to read some ideas on how to improve. Maybe there aren't to many tricks left in the bag for this roster. Have a great day weezer, I never really mean to argue with anyone, nothing gained by that.

[Rudy]

That is exactly way I thing we have to change coach. Because that is his job figure out this questions you ask, and that is way he is a coach and getting pay for that. We are a fans, and we don’t know those answers. Obviously. That is way we hire him.
By the way look at Hlavac, they move him now from best playmaker in the league (that how they call Richards last time on TV) and he start scoring . That was kind lucky one.

[Rudy]

Add again of course it’s about winning, but I don’t mind if they even loosing but when you watching game you should have some satisfaction from it, something to watch, nice plays, but now it is just stuffiness and nervousness like only waiting for next one in net. Just pain. Lately I just walk away or shut down TV. Get the other drink.

[Jonathan]

Good Lord.
This "make no movement until the team is finalized" BS is killing me. Anyone remember the Maloof incident quite a few years back with this team?

I have held my tongue this morning listening to the "get rid of coach/richards/feaster" talk, but seriously. How come no one has been talking about Kuba as of late? Bloggers or media? This guy cannot play the pass to save his life or at least the game. 2-on-1, let me play the shooter. WRONG! Goal for Montreal. 2-on-2, let me help my fellow D-man out and play the shooter. Goal for Montreal. And this is a recurring theme with this kid lately. I was a big Kuba fan when he first signed from Minnesota, but what on earth is going on. Now THIS I will say is a coaching issue. Do I think it is Torts? Kinda. See that other guy in the Taupe suit standing next to him on the bench last night? That guy is supposed to be in charge of special teams and defense. He is a big headache to me right now but all fingers seem to be pointing at Torts.
And just to prevent the flame-up that will soon follow from the bloggers. I am pissed at Torts. Back-to-back games and 3 games in 4 nights. I dont care, start Ramo. My honest opinion is that he didnt even give Denis enough of a chance to play this year and Holmer might not be the best solution for backup. I am not ready to fire him, but he apparently needs to get some time in with Sully and let him know that this style of D is not good enough.

Ajax, I am with you on the Torts deal, but what I would like to see out of some of these bloggers is this.
"I would bring in Mike Hartley, I think the fresh change and his hard-nosed style would help some of these less-than-talented forwards. In my opinion he would push the slackers to pickup their forechecking and sit them if they werent up to par. That alone would win us more games than Torts and his yelling nature of coaching. This would make the players more complete and maybe we wouldnt have to keep worrying about getting better by trades. We could make them better within the organization - a trademark of a quality coach." Something like that.
Now, I dont necessarily agree 100% with what I just wrote but you get the idea.
And another question. Do you really think spending money on 2 coaches is prudent when you arent spending it on the areas needed on ice - specifically, a D-man?

And for those of you that havent played hockey or team sports in a long time... do you remember when your coach was being a punk, but you still gave effort and wanted to win. Maybe it was because you have pride, or maybe it was because you had a veteran leader "C" that pushed you. When Torts fails to motivate, my personal opinion is that the players need to take it upon themselves, and someone in the dressing room needs to stand up. Likely a Gratton or a Boyle or Lecavalier. But soon. Unless they want Hartley.

[Cleo]

I'm not trying to argue with anyone, but I'm curious as to how posters seem to know what happens in the locker room, or how players may or may not feel. I'm serious, are there posters here who have inside information? Or are comments like 'I'm telling you guys, the players (all but a handful) have tuned out Torts and given up.','Players are sick and tired of Torts criticism.', speculation only. Also, what exactly is MSL doing that is interfering with his training? Whatever this team's problems may be, I seriously doubt physical conditioning is one of them. And who is Mike Hartley? Sorry, don't mean to come of sounding snarky, but some of this stuff seems to be coming from left field.

[Derek H]

Denis will be placed on waivers today.

[Derek H]

Ops, here's the link

http://www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/242850.html
Can't find the english button, sorry

[bear]

Well you speak to the connundrum that is the Lightning. If you brought in Hartley to sit the underperformers..who exactly plays in their spot?

Guess Rammer wasn't the problem either.

Seriously, how long can Torterella push a crap team, with no d or goaltending, up the mountain of the eastern conference. The guy has done it for a few years now IMHO getting more out of the roster than could be expected.

Changing him won't do much at all .

Major personel changes are required but Feaster can not be the surgeon general.

[bear]

Denis on waivers english link
http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=226003&hubname=

[leo]

Derek is a hab-fan, Derek is a hab-fan! Tu parles français aussi?
Jonathan,
I totally agree with you in princible. When you're hurtin', you fix the hurt, regardless of who owns what. But in this case, it's quite obvious that NOTHING is going to happen until the ownership change or it would have happened already, agreed?
Denis to the minors? I said that 2 months ago, remember? What a surprise. Now our chances of LOSING slightly decrease. Slightly.
Weezer, you're so smart. That we are privy to your self-evident logic is an honor unto itself. But can I please hear what others have to say anyway? Without your contempt? Please?
Change the coach if you want. I hear Bob Hartley was in the box last night with Jay. You happy? As I recall, the man was fired because he was LOSING. So were 90% of fired coaches across the ages.
As if changing coaches would give wings to those who never had them to begin with. We need PLAYERS, weezer.
Who's coaching the Red Wings? Personally, I would have to look it up right now, but does it even matter? YOU could coach the Wings, weezer!
A change of face, a change of air? A new coach? I don't love or hate the guy, so I could live with a change, sure.
But I am convinced that, after we win 2 in a row with the new coach, we'll revert back to our nature. A .400 team.
Num1 goaler, another num1 or 2 defensemen, and draft picks aplenty.
That's what we NEED.
Last night was our worst performance of the year, bar none. Why? The 3 guys on our team were exhausted from the night before and there's noone else to step up.
Bob Hartley or Scotty Bowman would have strategized a way to win, last night, you say?
Ok, man.
Peace.

[weezer]

Some of you are very naive. then there is leo who is minimal functional. This is not an untalented team. They won't play for Tortorella. Are you like sightless AND brainless? This is what is happening!!!

[bear]

You're projecting a bit there Weez man.

[ajax]

Lots of back and forth about Richards. Earlier this year SI did a poll of NHL players (not fans, but players) and Dan Boyle was the 4th most underated player in the league, and the first defenseman on the list. His loss has been a major contributor to the down season. On the other hand, the other Tampa player on the list was Brad Richards. He was the 4th most overated player on the list. Many reasons/excuses for his many negative statistics but I do not think he is as hot a ticket as many loyal Bolt fans think.

[Mike13]

Glad to see Bolye is cleared to start skating again. Probably another month before he's back on the active roster.

[Jonathan]

Mike Hartley = Bob Hartley. my bad. Dont know how I slipped on that one.
Leo, good post. I think a coaching change MIGHT be good for a few games, but there are a few other issues. We have the talent to be a .450 team, we have the salary to be a .600 team. Something has to give, and I think almost every blogger on here agrees, the change needed is only minimal. Thats a good sign that we dont need a major rebuilding. Just some better scouting and a solid, tough defenseman.
Re: Boyle
Is 1 month likely for Boyle? I have heard he is cleared to skate again, just dont know how cautious they are going to be with playing him again. I cant believe I actually am looking forward to his return.

[bear]

Boyle goes at the trade deadline anyway.

[wiggy]

If so, I'm not too sure what the Bolts can get for essentially a rental player.

[Nils]

Great, just great. Undisputed possession of last place. The marginal teams ahead of them in the standings getting points. Best player on the ice named Richards wasn't Brad. Darche and Ward show great hustle and terrible judgment. Ward passes instead of shooting point blank and Darche passes up great shot to drop the puck for Doug Janik. Yeah, Denis getting sent down made a huge difference!!!

[agatha]

The best hockey at the St Pete Times Forum in four months will be next weekend.