Denis clears waivers; will report to Norfolk

As expected, goaltender Marc Denis cleared waivers at 12:01 p.m. today and has been re-assigned to the Lightning's AHL affiliate in Norfolk.

Denis told the Times Friday night that he would accept his assignment to Norfolk and look at it as a "new beginning."

He will join the Admirals on the road in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where is expected to start on Monday.

Just a personal side note about Denis, things obviously didn't go well for him here. Whether he truly got a chance to prove himself this season is up for discussion. To his credit, in the dressing room, you could tell he was frustrated, but he never took it out on anyone. 

On a day when general manager Jay Feaster wasn't made available to the media, Denis answered his personal cell phone on what was probably the most difficult day of his hockey career and talked very candidly about his situation and even offered some parting words before we hung up with each other.

"You'll see me again," he said

Also of note, Lightning coach John Tortorella switched up his lines for today's game against the Flyers, playing Chris Gratton and Marty St. Louis on Brad Richards' line and pairing center Vinny Lecavalier with Vinny Prospal and Mathieu Darche.

Comments

[Jonathan]

Ill definitely give him credit for being the ultimate professional about the situation. I wish it could have worked out because I really thought he would have had a better year if given a chance. I really wish big boy would have been available for media comment, but I also understand the early game today interferes with a big brunch. Decisions, decisions...

The question is, will they try to bring him up thru waivers to test the reentry market? And if so, when?

[boltcc]

Good luck to Marc, he seemed like a good guy, he got in Tortorellas doghouse and never made it out.The team has bigger issues than goaltending...too bad ownership has frozen the payroll during the 'sale' of the team and they couldnt have gotten Bryzgalov when he was available.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

First time ever today that I left a game early. I consider this a waisted Saturday to go watch a team that looks like a bunch of AHL rejects on the ice. This team sucks, the refs suck, the coaches suck and the ownership sucks. If they want the fans to keep coming they had better get a bandaid on their sucking chest wound immediately because there were alot of disgruntled fans at the game today and alot of them had the sentiment of "I'm not coming back until they fix it." I have five more tickets left and I haven't made up my mind yet what I'm doing next season but if they ask for more money I assure them that I will not pay one dime more for tickets even if it short sheets every midget in the circus.

[FAN FOR JUSTICE]

Same SH_ _ different day

Same results different goalies

Maybe TORTS can now bring the BEACH BALLS to replace the tennis balls.

Maybe it's DENIS fault because he did not leaves Tampa fast enough...

Since December 11th, last Denis start How many win do we have ?

HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL

[Natalie]

Yeah things pretty much stink right now but Not The Marlboro Man how do you propose to fix it? What is seriously available out there that will make a difference to this team right now. The only things we hope to look forward to in 2008 is new ownership that cares, Lecavalier being the scoring leader and All Star first line, and a pretty high draft pick. I will remain a fan win or lose but lets hope for a glimmer of something positive in 2008.

[leo]

Natalie, I respect you, but "hoping" doesn't cut it. This is the NHL, we're to Win.
Our team is slowly but surely Drowning, with no glimmer of support from the minors. Ergo, we HAVE to move. Other teams know this and WILL take advantage of us. We can't expect to improve in a trade unless we give up something big.
Here we are again: Vinny for a young num1 goalie, a young num1 defenseman or 2, and DRAFT PICKS fergoshsakes! Draft picks...please...draft picks...draft picks...
Leclaire, Hainsey.
Bernier, Visnofsky.
Or the Future: the Kid. (sorry)
No amount of hoping is going to change the fact that THIS IS OUR TEAM and will remain so unless we GET MORE PLAYERS.
Most notably a dang goalie.
(Although Ramo didn't do badly today.)
Peace.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

How would I fix the situation?Personally, I would clean house...thats the way to get rid of all the problems, just start new like we did in 2000. When Jay Feaster took over this team it was already built pretty good. Everything was in place for a run at a championship. Rick Dudley did some goofy stuff but he basically built the 2004 Champions with the exception of bringing in Daryl Sydor.
Yes, Some one with a fresh look at things needs to come in and clean house. I would get rid of everyone with the exception of Lecavalier and St. Louis, everyone else should pack their trash. I'm still a big fan and I will always give hell to Philly fans and Canadiens but I just hate to loose period. When mama (my wife) gives me my allowance to go buy season tickets, I hate to think that I got hornswoggled by a GM who rather have buscuits and gravy than to trade for a sniper or better than average player. Yes thats it...lets trade Feaster for a bowl of grits and sausage. We will get the better end of the deal and we won't go hungry either.
I'm tired of sucking at sports in this town...hope everyone else is tired too.

[Bill]

BOLTS need to strat to make DEALS for next year and years to come! Without #4,and 20 they would not have won as many games, what a waste of talent. Many players need to go and build on just #4 and 20. Some young D are going to be VERY good after this year of growth. Good thing Lundin has been on roster and playing steady, not flashy but plays solid simple game!
Good LUCK with closing a sale with what they have. Never said this before but Torts may have to go in order to start winning again!Still a GOOD supporter. GO BOLTS!! Keep it SIMPLE!

[iggy]

Firing Torts would be a good start. He has lost the ear of the team. The tennis ball trick is old and really is a bunch of BS.

And Cristodoro can start being a real reporter for once in his pseudo-journalistic life. There's a lot that should be reported he's keeping under wraps so as not to offend the Lightniong management. He forgets who signs his paycheck and the public that has finally quit depending on him as being the sole source of Lightning news.

[Joe]

It's time to deal Richards. I went today and confirmed my scepticism that he has lost all passion.

...Just plain get rid of Lukowich and Gratton. Lecavalier is basically the entire team right now - although Prospal looked good. Marty gets squashed when the rest of the team plays this badly - he's a weapon well when the team is clicking.

The real shame is that Ramo has really played pretty darn well in these losses. He's not the problem (and neither is Holmer). Farewell Denis...

The team completely over-passed on several occasions today. They could have won this game if they didn't fart around with the puck so much and JUST SHOOT AND BE THERE ON THE REBOUNDS!!

[Nils]

I agree with Joe. Is there really somebody out there that thinks Richie won't waive his no-trade clause for a team like the Habs?

Now we've got a 4-game road trip against the 1, 4, 8, and 12 teams. The over/under is 3 points out of a possible 8.

[Steve]

1. I actually thought they played well today, much better than against Montreal.

2. I do think it's time for Feaster and Torts to go, which may be held up by the ownership change. This team has had the same holes for the past few years, our scouting/drafting have both been horrible, and even though the team has tuned Torts out, Feaster continues to stick with him.

3. I think we are going to need to move St. Louis for a prospect/younger winger, if nothing else than for some salary relief (if we send him somewhere he'd like to go, he'd likely waive his no trade). Trading Vinny would be stupid, and Richards is probably not tradeable at this point. With a young goalie in Ramo, young defenseman in Ranger/O'Brien, we may have a chance to be good again in 2-3 years if we can acquire/draft a couple of talented wingers. There are too many holes for people to realistically think we can win now, or even next year.

[tiny ...]

What a bunch of sad sacks, the team and the fans. Things are bad, yes. But... We still have the best player in hockey AND three other top tier guys. We have a great prospect in goal who is playing quite well and some great play from some very young D'men. IMO the problem is that we lost our quarterback to a failure of the equipment manager. (Who hangs skates? see: guillotine ) I'm waiting for Boyle to come back and take control of this mess. Torts will go when the deal is inked.
My chin is up. Teams slump all the time. They'll turn it around.
If you really can't stand it and want to give your tickets away, I'll take 'em.

And I bet you got your nickname from the size of your cranium.

[Nils]

Think we can win next year with a COMMITTED OWNERSHIP. Firing Feaster and Tortorella, trading Richie, and re-signing Boyle would be a great start. Extend Vinny 4's contract. Try to keep St. Louis, Ward, Darche, Prospal, Ranger, and O'Brien. Every one else needs to be traded, cut and/or re-evaluated including Lundin and MacDonald who, inexplicably to moi, get more than their fair share of love on this blog.

[Joe]

Nils - you hit it perfect with your picks. A healthy Boyle is more valuable to us than Richards. I'd keep Kuba and Tarns tho - although Kuba is overpaid.

[Nils]

Joe, I like Kuba but he has trade value. Like I said, he would be in the re-evaluation category. We might be able to fill a need with a younger player in a swap.

[ajax]

good blog nils, I ditto 98% of the blog. New owners great
Fire Torts and Feaster, my hunch though, is that only Feaster will be canned.
The hard part is combo 1/2
You trade Richards and sign Boyle, that is perfect for me.
But I see Richards as untradeable and signing Boyle then means committing even higher percentage of cap to a chosen few. The dilema that started this whole mess two years ago.
You mentioned only two Dmen, and I agree 150% The intensity level Kuba gives tells me he would love to be traded. Lund, luko, janik are #6 Dmen on their best day.
All the 30 year old rookies have been busts. The Euro forwards have been busts.
Once the team is sold I pray that they hire a GM with a better track record than Jay. His decisions are the single biggest reason we are in last place tonight.
Richards update, 1 even strength goal in last 33 games. Just the facts ma'am. It is a great mystery in life(to me) how people defend him. I feel bad for his linemates who bust their butts while he lazes away in the middle of the ice all game long.
New Owners New Owners New Owners
It is the light at the end of this awful tunnel.

[Nils]

ajax....Boyle won't be re-signed for $7.8, not even close to it. So that's a net plus in the salary dept. And when I project COMMITTED OWNERSHIP, that means spending at or near the salary cap.

A lot of bloggers think Richie is untradeable. I don't. For example, the rumored Huet and Ryder for Richards deal would be done in a heartbeat by the Habs. They have cap room, a goalie to spare, and an underachieving forward who needs a change of scene. BTW, Spector's Trade Rumors said today that the Rangers are interested in Ryder. They are contending and can't offer much except maybe draft picks...and the Habs want more immediate help because they are contenders too.

[olin]

...Nil's, are you swedish? I agree we need a total overhaul, but can't do anything until ownership is settled. This mess all started when JF got rid of freddy mo. Yes, Denis doesn't mind going down, he's still a happy camper getting those fat pay check's, I'd be too. We've got 10 maybe 12 bone fide NHL player's the rest are filler's who should still be at a lower level, but what can ya do when ya give so much out to the big 4. Ya gott keep Johan in that list Nil's- he can do the job as he's shown, could be alot to do with the forecheck and the defense, eh ??, coaching strategy with the roster we have??, I know I'm disappointed, but what can ya do? Just hope something is done soon, by whomever the management is. I would hope someone is searching out a GM and Coaching staff that could turn this thing around asap. Minor league system is in bad shape as well-look at detroit and their sysytem, player's from europe look forward to playing in detroit...do they do the same for Tampa? Don't think so...I asked Claude Loiselle about that at FanFest and he mumbled something like yes- we try to do that. LOL.....I have cousin's in Sweden that tell me that is where the elitsen player's look forward to playing at....Detroit. So in my opinion like Not Marlboro say's we gotta clean house, except for the trainer's-equip-10-12 NHL'er's we do have, and get some new guy's on the roster, as well as coaching and management....ha en bra matchen!

[Natty]

I wish you all the best of luck Marc! You will be missed! Hope we will see you soon! I still think you were not given a fair chance even though the "slate was cleared." Whatever you say Torts.

[Mike13]

Feaster is on record as saying that trading one of the core guys is a non-starter in trade talks. Therefore, no deals will be made and our beloved Bolts will continue to suffer.

I just hope that if they do, by chance, turn things around that they do it so that there is enough time to get back into the playoffs. To turn things around now, only to finish 9th would only do more damage --by taking us out of consideration for the 1st overall pick, or at least a top 4 pick.

[ajax]

Feaster is on record as saying anything to snooze over the media. A nice man that has made
contract errors
personel errors
drafting errors
From the big club to the minors the organization is thin.
That is totally under the job description of GM.
He probably knows he has until new ownership to turn it around yet is being told not to do anything. No mans land for Jay. Although Torts probably should be canned, my money says he will ride this storm out. He has done to much good for 3 seasons to have a 20 game stretch cost him his job. From watching alot of national shows, I think hockey minds around the country know he is working with a thin squad.

[mike]

All this talk about trading trading trading... that won't fix a thing. If we do trade what is that going to help. Maybe we'll get another oullet or denise or get rid or perrin. what kind of turd can you get in place of richards? another turd perhaps? or we could trade a turd for a turd. That reminds me of a friend we had that used to collect junk. We'd always tell him you can't polish a turd. ok thats enough about poop.

And what kind of douche doesn't give a name and pretty much calls tiny stupid (7:02 pm). That's his opinion and how do you know he isn't correct? Who are you? Captain Hockey? I'm sure everything i say is correct the key to our success. Right... sure it is.

I LOVE THE LIGHTNING!!!!!!!!

[D stiff]

CAN FEASTER. Time for new management. Dont fire Torts because he is having the worst season in the lightning's last 5.

FEASTER, you need to go back to being a FULL-TIME lawyer and leave the Bolts to someone who is competent.

[ajax]

Retiring for the night after getting my dose of NHL network. They talked about the Lightning problems. I will summarize and try and be as accurate as I can.
The analysis. They bring up a goal tender, and Goaltending is not the problem. This teams defense is terrible. They don't play as a unit, as I watch them they try these 50ft stretch passes. They don't seem to be interested in taking care of their own business, etc etc.
He also commented how Torts was so positive after the game, and all he said was.
Come on, I don't see it, they are last in the East.
I watched alot of hockey today and I had two things to scratch the old head.
Saw a million power plays and only Tampa uses a Left handed shot to the goalies right. He can't shoot from there!!!!!!!!!!
Even the college kids turn and move the pass forward out of the D zone. Short soft passes to forwards actually moving forward. Our forwards always have their backs pointing the wrong way. The system stinks.

[Tackleberry]

Even though the score was 4-2 today, the team did play better during the first two periods. The 3d period was like all the other horrible games. Sloppy, long pass attempts, defense getting over-run and so many missed power play chances.

Feaster, you need to step down. MASSIVE changes need to be made NOW. Feaster would be the first and most logical step.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

I really don't care how they do it, but the owners, management, players all need to fix it somehow, because the way it is, its FUBAR and we (US HAM AND EGGERS) don't like it. I'm not going to pay over a $100 A GAME TO SEE A EFFEN LOSER, maybe there's alot of fans that have that kind of money but not the average guy like me. If you can't make them winners, then at least lower the EFFEN ticket prices!!!! I'm no expert on how to make a team win but I know that what this team is doing isn't working and it has steadily gotten worse since the league changed. I'm tired of the excuses by this team's management and by the league and I'm tired of seeing ICE FOLLIES for what suppossed to be hockey. Now if everyone would excuse me, I'm going to go have more cocktails...God Bless everyone, NTMM out......

[wiggy]

This year the Lightning made its biggest push ever to sell ticket packages from July on. Now we know why. The team was up for sale and selling packages to us suckers meant they could fluff up their books knowing they would never spend another dime on players. We been had.

And, I'm wiggy, not to be confused with iggy who posted earlier.

[wiggy]

This year the Lightning made its biggest push ever to sell ticket packages from July on. Now we know why. The team was up for sale and selling packages to us suckers meant they could fluff up their books knowing they would never spend another dime on players. We been had.

And, I'm wiggy, not to be confused with iggy who posted earlier.

[Bear]

Wiggy and Marlborough IMHO have dialed into ground zero.

The whole charade in Tampa after the Dudley era Cup was to bamboozle the fans. Sign the "BIG" three ..dynasty time. Its all Bull.

Bolts well know that Tampa is not a market that will support a loser in hockey. Football maybe.

The team has done the seasons ticket scams/two for ones , half price Tues to the max. Feaster even washed the cars of season ticket purchasers.

They still are near the league bottom in real revenue and imagine how bad that will get next year with this crap team in the current local economy.

Having said that, who in their right mind would pay 200 mill for this team? A team that has lost 80 million in the good times.

It would have to be a manic uber fan with little business sense. Koules ? maybe but I doubt it. This is far from a done deal and when it falls through then what?

So many in this blog think its just a matter of a tweak here or there. Trade Brad etc..

There is only one tradable body that will bring back more than cap space and thats V4.

His contract is up after 08 and as much as he likes living in Tampa he has paid his dues and will place himself in a winning environment. Who wouldn't??

In a market like say Montreal, he would get the 10 mill. max salary and make another two or three million in endorsements. He would be King of the great town. His home.

If they don't trade him soon, thats where he goes..FOR NOTHING after 08.

All Four supposed Bolt chattels should be front and centre at the trade deadline with the main goal being building some depth in the form of prospects and picks. Our friend Leo is right about making part of that a great young goalie.

Will Tampa support a major rebuild which takes a couple of years?

Maybe if you get a dynamic GM who has a clue. Tick Tick tick

[Rudy]

I kinde fill sorry for V4 all times. He has to take a sh.. From torts all times, and Bear is exactly on the money. He must be dreaming about it in night how it will be to play for different team. I mentioned this on my post, that you guys wasting your time figure about who going where, this guy is living like it or not whit out yours advice. And nobody can blame him. He is wasting his time. Can you imaging his scoring points?

[bear]

His points and national recocognition Rudy.

Last year the fans didn't even vote him to the all star team???...Zero visibility in Tampa.

[Rudy]

I know, isn’t it sad?
And each time he score, they keep talking about all the guys who was standing around. This year is little better, they don’t have a choice but last year Marty was credited for everything.
Look at this video on bottom of this page :
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/JoshQPublic/2007/11/01/Vincent_LeCavalier_Old_Time_Hockey

[leo]

Excellent, Bear.
I'd like to point out (by the way) that I'm not Bear. He himself will testify.
When I said exactly what he just said 2 months ago, y'all bashed me to the ground.
V4 = Only tradeable asset.
For V4, we can get the Moon.
Tic, tic. 1 year, 3 months, 2 days and we lose him for nothing, remember?
He WILL NOT sign the rest of his career away on a LOSING TEAM out of "LOVE". He wants to WIN just as much as we do.
Montreal will give us ANYTHING, EVERYTHING for Vinny.
I'm talkin' the Kid, Sergei K, McDonough, O'Byrne and picks. Bang!!! We're back on the track to VICTORY by SECURING a solid future.
And TRUST ME, nothing will fill up the St-Pete's more than VICTORY, regardless of who's on the team. Before 2004, nobody knew who Vinny was, c'mon!
When V4 leaves and we get NOTHING, y'all be like, dang, we shoulda traded him...
Peace.

[bear]

If they don't trade V4 its lights out in Tampa not lights out if they do.

Clear out Richards too for whatever anyone will offer in futures..his cap space is what the team needs desperately.

Those two things along with the very choice draft pick that will come with taps on the 07 season will give the team a real shot at recovery.

Only problem is that it can't be Feaster at the drawing board.

Hire Scotty Bowman short term to do it..he lives here.

[ajax]

I love so many of these good points. Feaster from day one has been a glorified PR man, and the megabuck signings were good headlines, suicide to the future of the team. Time did tell. Fire Feaster First.

[F.T.B.S.]

They may be calling for Feaster's head in Norfolk too. Heard Denis had 20 saves. Woooo. Out of 26 shots!