Ramo arrives

Fans who have been waiting for the team to bring up goalie Karri Ramo got their wish today, as the Lightning recalled Ramo and defenseman Jay Leach from Norfolk. Leach has been recalled on an emergency basis, general manager Jay Feaster said in a news release.

Ramo said at practice that he'd been told he would play Thursday night against Toronto.

Ramo, 21, was 2-4 at Norfolk with a 3.33 goals-against average and an .898 save percentage. He was sidelined for several weeks with an ankle injury and returned to action on Dec. 1. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound native of Finland appeared in two games with the Lightning last season, posting a 3.43 goals-against average.   

Ramo played in 45 games with Springfield last season and posted a 3.13 goal-against average, .906 save percentage and one shutout.

Leach, 6-4 and 220 pounds, was signed as a free agent by the Lightning on July 3. He has played 28 games with the Admirals, recording three goals, three assists and 29 penalty minutes. The 28-year-old played 73 games with the Providence Bruins last season, leading the team with 128 penalty minutes. 

    

Comments

[tackleberry]

Instead of firing Torts, hire a defensive coach/trainer to help out our defense.

It sucks when you have season tickets and the team is struggling this bad.

Good luck to Ramo, you'll need it.

[leo]

Cujo is finished, wiggy.
Huet, I agree would help us now, but our lack of depth is still gonna hurt us. Even if we get another player (Ryder), UFAdome gums up the works and we're back where we started at the end of the year. No roster. (Which is why we COULDN'T have dealt for MacDonald, if we had wanted.)
Add to that the fact that Huet is gettin old and has yet to play more than 40 games in the NHL due to injury, I don't know, man. How long will he last if we re-sign him?
Peace.

[scammy scarritt]

Glad you're not the GM. You actually would be worse than Feaster.

[Casper]

Want to give Karri a chance. Since the summer when we should have found a Swiss club to take Denis (pay them to do it, even) I wanted that kid in our net. Holmer will do fine, as a better replacement than Grahame. I guess I’ve taken the bait on Finnish netminders; when Ramo the raw rook barked at his defensive linemen on positioning as a bashful rookie last year, I knew he was THE homegrown guy.
He might get shelled against Toranna (Love that, Leo) and fragged the time after that. I still think we should stick with him; I don’t think he’s the type to burn out from over use like ---remember the way the Rangers abused Dan Blackburn? Ramo’s tough, 21 and going to be a valuable commodity at 23 (but better not prove to be brittle). Let’s get this regime underway.

The playoffs? C’mon, breaking camp we had a first round exit at best to look forward to. Let’s put on a Breathe Right strip and put a hurt on others who think we’re still easy to play, and develop the young ‘uns. Keep Torts if he’ll chuck that doofus and out moded rush ‘system’, 86 Feaster, Denis, Richards, Boyle, Hlavac, Ouellet, Craig, Gratton, Lukowich, Janik, Sullivan and Reese. Play the heck out of Tarns, Roy (see what he can do, before sending him out the Dingman door) , Karlsson, Darche (this years’ Perrin), and kids from Norfolk. Like to see Smaby and Mihalik up her next year. Save and play V4 and MSL sparingly in this wasted season and press the younger legs.

Balance the dad gum minutes, ‘eh? But by all means get back to fundamentals on defence, passing, shooting like madmen, and modifying the opponents’ orthodonture. Coach, teach these kids to be points whores. It should be awfully hard to take two from us. Right Karri?

[mike]

fire torts and jay... we need fresh eyes and leadership that isn't still stuck in 2003.... they have not adapted to the new rules and i see no hope in them doing so. we have too much talent on theis team to be struggling like this and the same equations they used to win with before have been revealed and exploited by our opponents to now defeat us. i can hardly watch the games anymore because i keep thinking....
"How long can they keep beating a dead horse!!!????"

[wiggy]

There is only downside with this move. The kid isn't ready and rushing him up only will shatter his confidence. The "quick fix" won't work. Raycroft is a waste of $$$$. Trade for Huet or sign Cujo for a short term.

[Mike13]

Anybody else catch the Lightning Report on WDAE tonight? They had Feaster on the air and he talked about calling up Ramo. He said that Ramo's record in Norfolk isn't that impressive, but it's not really reflective of how he has been playing. Since they called up MacDonald and Darche the Admirals haven't had much offensive support.

All I have to say about that is gimme a break. How does calling up Darche Vader, who had been scoring at a torrid pace in the AHL, translate into a 3.33 GAA and a .898 save percentage? It doesn't. I doubt that Ramo is quite ready for the NHL, but he can't be much worse than Denis or Holmqvist. Even if he's the worst, he'll be ranked 40th out of 40. The others are just barely better than that. Holmer needs to get his butinsky back into form or we stand NO chance of making the playoffs.

[Andge]

Wow! Check out all the negativity. And you know what? It's all deserved. While the inconsistencies of the last 2.4 seasons has been painful to watch, last night had to be the worst. This team looks like they have nothing left in the tank. But I think we all knew this collapse was going to happen. Feaster has been in a tough spot...can you imagine the flack he would've gotten if he traded one of the Big 3? He gave it a shot by trying to get them some help (I thought the offseason moves were going to work this time). But the experts were right. You can't tie up so much in just a few players. And I think it's obvious that the players have tuned out Torts and his system. Go Ramo!

[ajax]

Hockey chic welcome back. All of us experts(self included) know everything and that probably ain't much. I have set my sights pretty high from this point on. All I want for Xmas is two playoff games.
I am not being optimistic, as I still believe in Santa Claus. Merry Xmas to all, especially Hockey Chic, she took an undeserved pounding during WWIII last week. Optimism is what she has and I for one need a little more of it. Just keep saying, new owners with bucks, new owners with bucks. Merry Xmas to all and may peace touch our blog.

[Troy Branham]

Hey Zepdog - Thanks for the great yuck!!!!!!

[zepdog]

sounds good - now we can go with 3 goalies, one for each period!

[hockey chic]

Ajax I kow you are not taking over for me right. You had to know that one little brush with a minor leager and we will not mention names would scare me off. Not a chance.

I know I said I would not say another word. So I lied. I am hoping for the best with this change but putting in Ramo to fix all our woes is not fair to him either.

Rose colored glasses and all it would make for a great christmas story. I like all the other bloggers had a hard time watching last night. It was painful. I guess the only positive when you look at the stats was that the big 3 had decreased ice times.

Everything was broke and it seemed that the more they tried to fix it the worse it got. Please santa the Bolts need some help and here is hoping it is a guy in a Ramo jersey.

[Buona sera]

Always too easy to blame it on goalies....Holmqvist was put in 'till he failed... after having shinning...He doesn't have the `milleage` to carry a NHL team all the way ...was he allowed enough off nights to recover from outstanding performances ??? Was Denis given real chance to pair with him....NO.....after very good games in Detroit and Montreal didn't have a start to keep going...And now they recall Ramo...
How long before seeing the real `change`needed... No managing leadership plus an uncertain financial and ownership situation has given Torterella extended time...Sooner will be too late...he lost that team long time ago...

[Dave]

Hmmm... seems like I just read the Bolts might be interested in Toronto's back-up, Raycroft. Wonder if a swap may be in the works?

[ajax]

Albaster Cat, sorry didn't read your blog before posting. HELLO HELLO, You summed it up, a roster full of nobodies and everyone expecting miracles from guys that have no history of performing. The fact that the minors are so bare should give everyone a chill to the short term future of this organization. We have like 4 guys on the team that are 30 years old with less than 100 NHL games. Thirty year old players who should be thankful for the empty cupboards of Tampa to find a home. And Jay just "needs" them to produce!! I vented and that said, I have just opened a new case of rose colored glasses, and I am sure Ramo will throw a shutout tomorrow night.

[Parks]

Niki..."young defensemen - Janik"??? I don't consider 27 that young and I also think he has been given chance after chance to prove he wants it. His time is up in the NHL. But as far as the rest of your statement, I agree. Our young defense just needs experience. What is it after about 300 games in the NHL are you considered an experienced defenseman? One day!

[ajax]

They could bring in Theodore Cleaver and I think it would be great. At this point what is the downside? I will go on record saying with 110% confidence that this kid is not the answer. Goalie is one of about 5 holes in this roster. The defining moment of this franchise was the period we locked up three stars and many experts, two years ago predicted the Lightning would have trouble filling the roster. The new owners are buying a contract heavy, talent light roster. They will have to be prepared to make the hard decisions(Richards/Denis/Cap Max/Boyle) that present management is unwilling to do.
It will get worse before it gets better.

[Phil]

Whoa whoa whoa pessimistic fans. Let's not give up on the Bolts yet! By mid to late January we'll know for sure.

Under the 'System' its hard to execute where the Defense joins in when they have no confidence in the goalie! So we get a quasi-System at best.

If Jay/Torts are correct and there IS good chemistry in this Team... then it will be easier to make a coaching/management change than to start dealing players.

The Club being sold, not sold, blah blah blah can't be heartening to the Team. Also with injuries swirling... a Captain doing radio... and a young defense... all means there is much on their minds.

As a wise man once said... "In order to change, you have to make a change." Jay, Torts, when the new owners take over, you guys are going bye bye.

Merry Christmas and GO BOLTS!!!

[Niki]

Am I the only person who feels just a little bit sorry for Ramo? It seems the expectation is that he will step up to the NHL like he was born for it, make more saves than Homer or Denis AND sort out the defense between stopping goals! That's a lot of pressure for a 21 year old.

I agree with Lisa and Another Joe - if the team can hold on to the young defensive talent it has now - Ranger, O'Brien, Lundin & Janik - in a year or two the Lightning are going to have a strong, solid defensive core. Let's hope Ramo is given the time and support to become an integral part of that core and isn't damned and demoted if his save percentage is less than .900 after one or two games.

[Nick]

Dave,
Sure, they can limp into the playoffs if they make another run like they seem to every year, but I'd rather see them miss the playoffs entirely than another 4 or 5 games and out. Maybe it will wake management up to the fact that the current roster isn't going to get it done.

[Alabaster Cat]

I thought that it was amazing that a guy with AHL stats like Jones' could have been brought up to the big club. Leach's are even less impressive.

But, the big news is really all about Karri Ramo. Has Karri demonstrated anything like the type of skill necessary to succeed in the NHL while at Norfolk? One has to admit that he has not.

Whatever! Karri, Blair, and Jay Leach are here along with about a half a dozen other candidate minor league players who have been wearing Lightning uniforms since the opening of the season.

Thanks and Merry Xmas, Jay Feaster!

[Nan]

Well, at least bringing up Ramo may be a kick in the (you know where) for Holmer. I am not sure that this will help the team this year. At this point, maybe they should just start building the team for next year and give tryouts to people. It starts with the goaltending and continues into the other positions. Bring up or trade for a couple of D-men. These boys need a wake up call. And Torts, leave the MVP line alone, they are the only ones that can score!

[mike]

Lightning need new leadership.

Everyone bring out your Christmas spirts because we're going to need it for this ride. Beyond the 1st line, the talent pool has just rubbed the caboose. This teams chances of making the playoffs has just sunk alittle deeper in the camode. Good reason for me to tie on a good one...

[dave]

Hold on people. The season is not lost. last year at this time we had almost an identical record (14-17-2)
We can correct this team and make the playoffs. Its how you finish that counts. I still think the problem is with Torts defensive strategy and the players have tuned him out. Time for fresh coaching blood.

[leo]

You said a mouthful, Elmo.
Get out your rosaries, folks.
Jay?
Jay, you there? You sniffin' what you scratchin'? Is this your team?
Wake up, Jay.
Peace.

[Bill Berg]

Might as well keep Ramo up to play most all remaining games if he stays healthy.
Looks like no possible way now to make playoffs. Season all the young players and see who can make it for next year and then add to mix what is needed. GO BOLTS!

[Another Joe]

Lets call this season what it appears its going to be. Not rebuilding but revamping with young guys around our core. Ramo,Lundin, Ranger, Obrien 2 years from now will give us a solid blue line.

[Another Joe]

Maybe lights a fire under one of the other ones as well!

[Elmo]

and stand by, jonathan boutin....

[Casper]

Hip hip hooray! Whether or not he stinks up the joint, bite down hard and admit it, Ramo offers our best shot at a shutout. (Huh? Whazzat?)
No matter how raw he looks, just leave him there too and let the young D gel with Ramo barking directions around the crease. Love to see Leach flatten somebody too. Probably get sent back down for that, know how this bunch likes to operate. Right Lady Byng?

[keith]

Its sink or swim time for the kid. These guys live for opportunities like these. Can you see Sundin licking his chops right now!

[Another Joe]

I agree put him in. He cant do any worse then holmer or Denis have been doing.

[Lisa]

Yes, our system requires a really good goalie. But at this point, our goalies are letting in one soft goal after another. Last night, at least 4 of those goals should have been stopped, and it was not the defense that was responsible for them going in.

We have a young defense, they will have break downs. But they aren't as bad as the goals against have been showing. It is definately time to give Ramo a shot and see if he is ready to carry the team. If he is, then great. If not, then we need to look at other solutions: possibly Cujo for a year. Otherwise, just forget about this season, hope for some good draft pics in a good draft year and hope that new ownership injects more cash so we can go shopping in the off season.

[Eric]

Throw him in there against Toronto! Fact of the matter is no goalie is going to be very successful playing in this system behind this defense. Might as well see what you've got, and playing Toronto is a better time to do it than against Ottawa like last year (poor kid).