Denis to back up Ramo; how 'bout Norrena?

Lightning goaltender Mike Smith said he is encouraged by the progress of his strained left knee, but said he didn't believe he could be on the bench tonight against the Capitals. That means Marc Denis will back up Karri Ramo.

Before we go any further, it probably is worth noting here that one of the pieces the Lightning gave up to get Denis from the Blue Jackets, Fredrik Norrena, had his second shutout of the season Wednesday over the Blackhawks, though it isn't like he's tearing up the league with a 2.70 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage.

But back to Smith, who was hurt in Monday's practice when Marty St. Louis fell on him in a breakaway drill. He said his pain is "minimal'' but added, "Some positions are worse than others. You play the same but you don't have the confidence because of the pain thing.

As for Denis, who hasn't played for the Lightning since allowing three goals on 15 shots in 40 minutes of work Dec. 18 against the Thrashers, he says he has no hard feelings against the Lightning because of the way things worked out. He said he is not worried one way or another if the Lightning buys him out over the summer, as is the likely plan.

Of playing for AHL Norfolk, where he is 9-15-2 in 28 games with a 3.02 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage, he said, "You learn every day. I don't care if by far I'm the oldest guy on that team or by far the oldest guy on the ice, period, both teams combined. It doesn't matter. I learn something every day. I will take a lot from that experience, and I have that belief I'll be a better person and a better goalie because of it. ... I'll bounce back. I'm very confident I'll do that.''

Other stuff from this morning: Big surprise coach John Tortorella did not want to talk about being named the United States coach for the World Championships. ... He said he liked defenseman Filip Kuba has contributed two goals and five points in his past three games, but added, "I wish it was going during the year when it really counted for something.'' ... Torts said he gets no pleasure out of the Lightning playing a spoiler role. "Only with Florida,'' he said. "I don't like Florida.'' But seriously, "There's no satisfaction in anything we're doing as far a the situation we're in. We're out. We play the game to get into the playoffs and do some damage. It's nice to talk about because there really is nothing else to talk about when you're not playing for the playoffs. I just want my team to play hard. I want us to continue to try to improve in the areas we can and I'm really looking forward to trying to reset ourselves next year and get back to a mind-set of being a playoff team.'' ... Speaking of playing hard, the Lightning hasn't gotten much out of Vinny or Marty the past two games after their brief offensive spurts. That's why it is notable the two stars will be joined by Mathieu Darche on left wing tonight. Darche got moved up to that line in the third period of Tuesday's game after the top line, along with everyone else, really, played a poor second period. But, you know, anything that happens with the top guys resonates more, so Torts, without naming names, took this shot. "I don't understand why I have to change any line to get some people to play harder. I don't think they were playing hard. I thought they played hard in the third period. ... I think it gets contagious when they see a bubble guy with this team fighting for his life and playing hard, it forces them to play. It (makes me mad) we have to do that. No matter where we are in a season, I think you need to play hard. We'll see where that one goes.'' ... The problem with moving Darche, of course, is that you break up what has been the team's best line with Darche, center Jeff Halpern and Michel Ouellet. ... On Halpern: "No question he has been our best offensive player and our best defensive player since he's been here.''

    

Comments

[leo]

Ok. I agree with that. P.R. or not, a Fresh start would maybe allow the players to breathe more freely next year; I've maintained that thought over the last month SIMPLY because that I think Tort has lost the room, even if I think he is nonetheless a good coach, but NOT because I feel another coach could do a better job of getting the MOST out've the players.
That's what scares me. What other coach will change the system SO MUCH that a turnaround next year is inevitable?
I'm not disagreeing that the offence should do this or the defense should do that and that a different coach could instill a better System of play.
But you need the players to do so.
Do you have them?
And can they compete with their counterparts on other teams?
If Tampa had Lidstrom on defense and Brodeur in net, I doubt we'd be on Tortie's back as much, aye?
BBR

[Casper]

I think you'll find the apprehension over a new coach to be worse than the new coach himself.

Look at Hitchcock, Cup with Big D, marginal success before a flop in Phlyerland for which no one though he'd resurface for a while.

Yet here he is in what, his second or third year in Ohio and they aren't even close to sucking eggs. Marc Denis could go back there and be no less successful under Hitch's system, than before. (Wonder if they're keen to a reversal of that trade....#33 should really be our Captain!!!)

We could make the leap and it wouldn't be as bad as all that. The dicey part is owner/$$$/defensive responsibility/keeping Vince and Marty, but thinking 'Corps of Twenty', etc.

[ajax]

I have bent over backwards to give torts the benefit of the doubt, always based on the theory that no one could win with the depleted roster we have. Has he coached down to the level of talent? Possibly. Coaching to eliminate mistakes versus coaching to play the game right? Maybe but c'mon, I can't buy that. I only know I have seen a million wrap arounds to stationary forwards. I have seen Kuba get the puck and immediately go backwards a zillion times. I have seen night after night of Dmen giving easy access to the O zone. After about 200 games it is the same thing every night. This is coaching. I would be screaming at our D to challenge the blue line, hit someone, hit anyone. No matter who we have, they (the players) have played hockey their entire lives. I think the reason players have such a hard time adjusting to OUR/TORTS system is----here it comes----it is a system that they have never played at any level of hockey. It is revolutionary and it stinks!!!! Of course you don't fire him today, c'mon Leo work with me, but I would fire him the day after the season ends. If nothing else what a great PR move!!!!! I stand firm as an original season ticket holder. This year I am not renewing until I see positive change from management. We are darn near rock bottom, that ususally screams for change of direction. Does anyone see any sort of change with Torts still here? Not a chance, he is the immovable rock.

[leo]

You want a coaching change in these last 4 games, ajax?
Or hold yourself together until this summer?
Regardless of his Cup and his J.Adams, fans appreciation (or lack thereof) is so virulent and the player's exasperation so evident that I strongly believe that (new) ownership will take heed and dump Tortie's butt this summer.
But let's be careful what we wish for.
Who do you see as the new coach, next year? And once you nominate him, you have to look at HIS track record and ask yourself, what were the knocks against him that he got fired from his LAST team?
Could it be possible that our players NEED to be kicked in the butt on a consistent basis to prevent them from playing complacently? Are the Tampa players without a sense of fire-branded determination?
It's possible.
Which would mean it's on the players and not the coach. And that a new coach might not have the effect we want. Waddell is The Boss; boss went behind the bench, the Trashers played terrified. But they're still Out. Boudreau had nothing to lose by taking the Chain off of Ovy; it worked great, yet Caps still not In.
My point?
You can't make chicken salad out've chicken doody, no matter who the chef is.
BBR

[ajax]

Had to share quick hockey thoughts. I got some freebies and sat middle ice upper deck last night. What a great view of the ins and outs of hockey. One thing that is unmistakeable from that view. Our forwards are consistently met at the "RED" line coming out of the zone. The Washington forwards skate 30-50 feet at a time with our D backing up the whole time. Never mind staying up thru center ice, their forwards time after time skate unattended right to the top of the faceoff circle for a blast. This system sure tilts the ice as far as how far our forwards have to skate versus how far the other teams forwards have to skate. I call it an invisible 10 foot pole that our D wear that never let them get within 10ft of the opposing team. I have said before, Bobby the Chief Taylor told me they are taught to funnel the forwards wide. It is a unique system, it is a passive system, it is why we will have 5 more goalies brought in that will fail just as miserable as the previous 5. Control the blue line control the game. Let them come in unattended and it starts a horrible domino effect. I have never seen forwards so consistently in deep, helping their D. Where is that coaching change??

Hi Tackleberry,
Is the lottery held on the same day as the draft, or is it done right after the end of the season? I did look at the Wikepidia site, but did not see anything about when the lottery is held? Thanks!

[leo]

Excellent post, Patrick!
Can't disagree with that. The coach wants 100% from the guys who are supposed to deliver, that's fine.
However, now that the season is over, most of us feel that a little indulgence in this case is also acceptable because there's no point in whipping a dead horse in a losing cause.
Question is, in all honesty,
Will Torts RETURN as coach, next year?
Do you think that a change is REALLY in the wind, despite how you feel about the guy?
BBR

[ajax]

Prospal sank to Torts' level. Marty and V are to classy of people. But, I would love to have a beer about 12 years from now with VL4 and ask him about his wonderful rollercoaster relationship with Dictator Torts. I say ship Torts to Dallas with his wonderboy. Did anyone notice Dallas is 1-7-1 over their last nine games and wonderboy has 4 points and is a minus 5. Boy do I miss him!!! The word is in Dallas--If he just had better linemates. I love one blog in Dallas that I read. I am not worried about Richards, he has proven he will step it up in the playoffs. Is that guy ever in denial!!

[JoeG]

The Bolts are paying Denis to sit on the bench? He should at lest be selling hot dogs or washing the players cars.

[Tackleberry]

Lisa,
Go to Wikipedia and type in 2008 NHL Draft. It will give you all the basics. The draft will be held in Ottawa on June 20-21st. Good luck making sense of the picks on each round the bolts will have.

[matt]

Well, good for Tortorella. But he still HAS TO BE FIRED!!!!!! As does FEASTER!!!! His coaching and stlye of play have gone stale here in TPA. Dungy's stlye got old around this town as well. It sure would be nice to hear local sports guys talking about the same thing. Every single print and radio guy in this town seem to cater to Torts and the Bolts. It's a joke!!!! When Dungy was fired(after taking his team to how many playoffs?) their was an article or a conversation every day about the pros and cons of the firing. How about someone actually give a reason why they(Torts and Feaster) shouldn't be fired, without bringing up the ownership situation.

WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE COACH AND GM?

Torts likes to rag on his players to the media constantly, I would love for the players to show him the same lack of class and respect he shows them. Prospal had the stones to do it, all it would take is for Vinny or Marty to do the same and Torts would be bye bye.

[keith]

Hey Ajax, whats my wife doing at your house?

[Lisa]

Does anyone know when the lottery for the draft picks happens?

[bear]

Right on about Alex O Patrick.
Malkin too

[Patrick]

I don't feel sorry that Vinny and Marty's boss is telling them they have to work hard when they are at work. That's kinda how it is for most people in life - for the fans that pay for tickets that in turn pays their salaries. A difference between Marty and Vinny and the fans is these guys get paid millions. That's even more of a reason for them to have to work hard every game. Torts has a point - a bubble guy is motivating our leaders? That's never a good thing.

I really don't feel bad about these guys having to play hard every game - I mean, how much vacation do they get? Yeah they have to work out very hard and stay in shape over the offseason, but that's it - months for vacation and no deadlines and no reporting to anyone. Boohoo that they have to play hard for half the year when they miss the playoffs.

And yeah, Marty and Vinny have been carrying the team all year. What do you think Ovechkin has been doing since he has been in the league? Carrying his team. He doesn't seem to have any problem with it either - he just keeps doing it.

If you start to allow excuses for not playing hard - like at the end of a now meaningless season, that can lead to these guys making excuses during other challenging and trying times - like in the playoffs, when the other team wants it more and is punching you in the mouth for it.

There have been plenty of times over the last couple of seasons where the lightning were trying to get points at the end of the year against a team that was out of it, but it stil played the lightning hard - like the capitals for example. The difference is, those teams had heart and character. Wow, I think I just quoted Herb.... time to eject!

[74]

It makes me mad every time he points the finger at someone else. Keep it up John we'll see how you like coaching against 4 and 26. Oh wait, you have scandalous pictures of Uncle Feaster. Carry on then...

[mrs ajax]

And don't think for a second you are gettin any after your done painting.

Tomorrow you need to apply the second and 3rd coats.

[ajax]

You ever got up at 7am on Saturday and proceed to.
Wake the kids and cook breakfast
Cut the grass and do the hedges
Wash both cars.
Go to Publix and shop.
Take your daughter to skating practice for an hour.
Coach soccer for your two boys
Come home and cook everyone a late lunch.
Then clean out the garage and the attic
Then cook dinner and do the dishes
Then it is about 8pm and your wife says,
I thought you were going to paint the patio today? Can't I count on you for anything?
And as a good husband and leader you get out of the easy chair, turn the hockey game off and with a big smile you go out and paint till midnight.
That is John Tortorella to a tee.
How could anyone question the big picture and the leadership of Vinny and Marty??? They are whupped man, mentally physically spiritually emotional financially etc etc and they should be judged by the last 15 games of the season. Talk about, what have ya done for me lately!!! V has 197 points the last two years, killed a million penalties, is 3rd in the entire NHL in minutes and he isn't leading like Halpern?? Wow, how stupid am I to not see this obvious fact.

[Tony]

Ajax,

Chill out man - this season has been over for a long time.

I think what angers Torts on the non-effort is that these are the guys that are supposed to be the LEADERS of this team. If they slack then everyone else has the right to slack and we get beat 10 nothing every night.

I do agree with you on their min played a night and especially now they should be way down and we should be rolling 4 lines all the time.

Torts has done an interesting thing by saying the following:
Lundin and Ramo should start in the AHL next year and Jussi is not a top line winger.

In order for all of that to happen we need to bring in ALOT of NHL talent to this team.

I do not disagree with that but I do not have alot of faith that it will happen.

[Andrew]

Nan,

Vinny and Marty definately deserve to take a break. They sure did give it all they had in the final weeks leading up to the deadline when everyone else on the team was playing as hard as they had all year. Riiiight. True leaders are supposed to LEAD. Vinny will probably get captain next year, but does he really deserve it? Has he really done anything but mope around for the past month or so? Thank god Halpern and Ouellet seem to care, because that's the only thing that's making me keep watching every game.

[ajax]

I agree with the above posts and probably everyone from Pasco to Manatee county. Alot of things that idiot says tick me off, but today really got under my skin. When is John Tortorella gonna stop whipping the horses? WHEN???? A meaningless end of the season, with 2 guys that have carried 8 dead bodies all year long and he is ticked that they aren't grinding every single shift? The man doesn't see the big picture one fricking bit. John what is the point of playing Vinny and Marty 26 minutes at this time of the year?? Anytime of the year? When will some reporter in this city have the courage to ask John WHY???!!! It is impossible to type how much that idiot gets under my skin. How about trying to figure out how these two can put so much offensive pressure on any single given play and the minute they lose the puck the other team passes it to a forward and our Dmen are already 25 feet down the ice. Could you imagine Marty and Vinny playing against Lundin and Janik for a whole game. He has got SOOOOO much to correct, the same stinking stuff EVERY SINGLE NIGHT night and this is the second time in about 10 days he called out Vinny(and Marty) for not hustling enough. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!! John Tortorella believes if Marty and Vinny played 25 minutes a night at 110% of their capacity the 3rd and 4th line wouldn't matter. Maybe if the 3rd and 4th line could hold their own, he could play the stars 21 minutes a night like every other team in the last 88 years of hockey. I like Halpern BUT John is peeing himself over 15 games. Halpern has 39 points this year ( a career high of 46 points!!). Hey John maybe next year you can play Halpern 26 minutes a night and Play Vinny 17 minutes IF YOU LOVE HIM SO MUCH. YOU MORON!!!! FIRE STINKING TORTS NOW. If I had the chance to be introduced to John Tortorella I would have a hard time even sticking out my hand, I have so grown to dislike this childish immature self absorbed man!!

[The Mod]

Nan, if I could high-five you right now, I would!

[Nan]

Geez, Torts, give Vinny and Marty a break! They have worked hard much of the year just to see their playoff hopes die when the organization failed to live up to their end of the bargain. No one can blame these guys for wanting to just make it to the summer in one piece and leave this mess behind for a few months at least. And Casper, if you piss Vinny off too much by moving him to the third line, we may be seeing the last of him next year. He will be out of here!

[The Mod]

He doesn't understand it? Look in the mirror and you'll find your answer.

[Casper]

Congrats to Norrena on his second skunk of the year. Go out and buy Klesa & Co. a steak dinner.

It (makes me mad) too when Inspector Clouseau changes lines all the bleeping time (but not as much as the horrific imbalance of playing time). Then the cohesiveness and crisp passing goes out the window. Danged if I'd break up a line; leave Darche where he's found bliss with Halpy and MO, and promote them to the first line.

Non-self motivators on the old first line can find themselves as the new *third*--no caps-- line. Get bashed around by the other scrubs and thugs for a wake up call, and together play their way back up to second, then first again.

Or, maybe I just don't get it. OK, lets go with that.

Go Bolts!