Andre returns to the ice

Sorry for the lack of posts over the weekend. I had a small medical situation to deal with and was unable to get to a computer.

Anyway, the Andre Roy drama continues today as the left wing will practice for the first time since being sent home after the Flyers game on March 6 in which he went a little haywire. Seems, though, no decision has been made on whether he will play Wednesday in Buffalo. Sounds like it will be a coaching decision as the game gets closer but given how much time the team kept Andre away from the ice (he has missed five games) seems to me he will have to do a lot in the coaches mind to get in a game, but that's just my sense. Also hope Andre can speak about what happened and what he expects of his relationship with the team going forward.

In other news, as part of its continued effort to evaluate what it has for next season, the team called up defenseman Matt Smaby from AHL Norfolk. Smaby, 23, is a 6-foot-5, 222-pounder who is that tough, steady defensive-minded guy the team can use. He was fairly steady in four games with the Lightning earlier in the season and with Norfolk had a goal and six assists and was a notable minus-1 on a team that was a doormat most of the season. He was Tampa Bay's second-round pick (41st overall) in 2003.

Comments

[leo]

Now tell us how you really feel about Dallas, Herb.
Great first game for Brad. 5pts. 4pts (not sure) in his next 8.
That's 9pts in 9 games. Not bad at all. I'd take him on my team any day. What? How much?! Oh. In that case, I WOULDN'T take him on my team. Case closed.
Forget Dallas, Herb. Forget Brad. He is gone down in the West, behind the hills, into shadow.
Think about the Smithsonian and Jussineeken and (possibly) Stamkos.
And who are YOU gonna root for in the series?
BBR

[boltflasher]

I expect Anaheim vs Pitt in the finals unless Pronger gets himself suspended during the playoffs, Dallas will die early as they usually do...

[Herb]

Die Dallas just go ahead and die with ex #19. Oh but 5 assists in his first game meant they were going to win the cup but oh my how the times have changed. Turco as well has proved nothing when it meant the most (playoffs). Turco won his first playoff series last year before going down in the second round.

[Herb]

The draft order is not known until the draft lottery which is a quagmire in itself.

[Herb]

OB (that bum) was bought with the Bolts first round draft pick LAST YEAR. The Bolts have a first round pick and a third round pick but the Bolts second round pick is going to the 'Turds for Gratton. The deal for Gratton was the Bolts' second round pick for either '07 or '08. It was the 'Turds choice to pick, and they took this years pick and left the Bolts their second round pick last year. That is set in stone unless another deal is made before the draft.

[ajax]

I was reading the Dallas blog, got some upset people. 2-5 since the exalted one arrived. I found one blog pretty interesting. Seems they haven't been able to settle their lines since oh Brad arrived. Many people saying leave the number one line alone, they've done great all year(sound familiar?) then a guy writes, "seems Richards and Hagmen feed off each other, or I should say Richards feeds off Hagmen crashing the net." A million har hars on that one grasshopper.

[JKegs]

I also heard that the draft is strong this year. Atlanta will make out very well, not only because they suck, but they also got a first round pick from the Hossa deal with Pittsburgh. Haven't really looked too much at the propects, but Nikita Filatov looks like a pretty solid wing. Stamkos will be in Atlanta. The Southeast in general has been a joke this season

[JKegs]

I also heard that the draft is strong this year. Atlanta will make out very well, not only because they suck, but they also got a first round pick from the Hossa deal with Pittsburgh. Haven't really looked too much at the propects, but Nikita Filatov looks like a pretty solid wing. Stamkos will be in Atlanta. The Southeast in general has been a joke this season

[boltflasher]

Geez, I apparently can't type English...that's 1st round went to Anaheim last year, I think...

[boltflasher]

I think the 1st pick last year when to Anaheim...

[Tackleberry]

Casper,
I asked the same question a week ago about what our draft picks are.

With all the trading over the past couple years. What will the bolts' highest position be. Did our 1st rd pick go to Anaheim? What positions do we have for the 2d-7th rounds? I looked on Wikipedia. Got a headache from trying to make sense of it. Of course, we will have to wait to see how the season ends.

Does anyone have a good answer?

[Casper]

I hope Roy can keep it together and stick around a while. Love to see that huge, nasty shot of his more often. Much, much more often (no caps!).

Right too, about knowing what the big guys can do. Let's have a loooong peek at some keepers and weepers.

I'm starting to forget this Stamkos kid already---like I ever knew anything about him in the first place...

What, specifically, are our picks in '08? How about '09? I thought our #1 flew to Anaheim with Gerald Coleman.
Shows how little I know...

Go Bolts!

[boltflasher]

Watch out Bolts!! Don't catch ATL! (only 4 pts ahead). The ATL is a worse team now than TB and is in need of Centers in a bad way. Don't let Stamkos get to ATL!! Yes, bring up Smaby and the rest of the last place farm team so we can see what lack of talent we have in the minors and keep playing Lundin, the more minutes, all the better...No, really, the Bolts need to sign a D and a winger from free agents, and hopefully Stamkos and a good D later in the draft as it is deep draft this year so they say...

[ajax]

Lundin has played 12 minutes or more in only 4 of the past 25 games, I think, I hope they know a roster spot that needs to be filled D D D

[ajax]

Smaby should be playng 18-22 minutes, preferably with Boyle. Tell Boyle to roam, and tell Smaby to wipe out what is left. Lundin should be sat, we know what he can do and he is not a keeper. He is safe. Safe is for playgrounds. In the NHL you need players, he ain't one. Play Smaby on every single Penalty kill and see what he can do. Make him raise the bar. I would think that any organization would be playing there young guys heavy heavy minutes right now to see what they can do. Even that is strange with our leadership. I know what Marty and Danny can do, don't you? Play them 18 minutes and let the others fight for their lives. Seems simple but for some reason our big guns need to prove each and every game, each and every shift that they stay our of the dreaded Torts doggyhouse. He irks me at every level.

[Patricia]

I did hear the same thing about vinny. They say he gets treated twice a day for the pain he has with it and that its gotten worse. They said he will have surgery on it at the end of the season. He already had surgery on the other wrist and came back fine!

[Mike13]

Hopefully, if they do re-sign Andre, it is to a deal making MUCH less than his $1-million ($500k against the NHL cap).

Also, I'm really looking forward to seeing Smaby play a few games to see how he compares to Lundin & Picard.

[Nan]

Hey Lisa, I doubt very much if they (the Lightning) would let Vinny (the 7 million dollar man) play with an injured wrist unless it is a minor one and playing with it doesn't affect him much.

I agree with you too on Andre. I would like to see him back playing but since the team is winning without him, why mess with what is working?

[Lisa]

Hi Damian,

It has been written that the Rangers broadcast said that Vinny is playing with an injured wrist, and will need surgery in the off season. Is this correct informations? If so, why is he still playing? why not have the surgery now so he can rehab it and be ready to play next season?
Thanks!!

I like Roy, and I think he adds a lot to the lockerroom. It would be a shame if his inability to keep himself under control costs him the possiblity of being signed again for next season. Has anyone heard if the Flyers were fined for their repeated showings of the fight? Maybe next time they come to Tampa, we should keep replaying the fight were Roy hammers Cote, and have the Bolts laughing at the Flyers. But I know, we actually have some class, so that won't happen.