Smith is hurt, is it bad?

We won't find out until tonight, when Lightning goaltender Mike Smith will see the doctor, but consider that the team is calling up Jonathan Boutin from AHL Norfolk to be the backup to Karri Ramo for tonight's game against the Panthers and is putting Marc Denis on 24-hour re-call waivers so they can get him in here.

Smith was hurt during a breakaway drill at the end of Monday's practice when Marty St. Louis fell over him. He was in enough pain to be down on the floor of the locker room in full gear while his left knee was being looked at by trainer Tommy Mulligan.

Even so, the report from the team was that Smith was fine. Now, he isn't. Guess the knee didn't react well overnight.

Wouldn't that just fit how this season is going if Smith were significantly injured? The team trades one of its marquee players for whom it hopes is its goalie of the future, and what happens? They get Boutin for tonight and then, perhaps, Denis. That is if he is not claimed on recall waivers.

FYI: Boutin is 12-15-5 with a 3.25 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage and two shutouts in 34 games with the Admirals. Denis is 9-15-3 with a 3.09 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage and one shutout in 28 games.

More to come, obviously.

Other stuff from this morning: Coach John Tortorella said he was going to play Smith in tonight's game, but, of course, is now forced to go to Ramo. That is an interesting situation as well. Ramo got lit up pretty good his last game against the Sabres. "I'm concerned,'' Tortorella said about playing Ramo, "but I also want to see how he reacts.'' ... Speaking of Ramo, Tortorella said he believes the goalie needs to begin next season in the minors. "I'm worried is this the proper process for him,'' Tortorella said. Ramo has had a difficult season. He missed a significant amount of time in Norfolk at the start of the season with a high ankle sprain, and his time with the Lightning has been uneven. Tortorella said he believes Ramo should guide Norfolk for a full season, carry the load, so to speak, to understand what that is really like before getting a full season, as a backup in the NHL." GM Jay Feaster said no decision has been made, though it could be a discussion after the season's evaluations are done. But if Ramo is sent down, it will add yet another element to what will be a busy summer. ... Center Jeff Halpern (abdominal strain) is expected to play. ... Tortorella on the playoff-hungry Panthers who enter tonight three points out of the East's eighth and final playoff spot: "We definitely want to put (the Panthers) out of your misery tonight. I'm sure they'll have something to say about it.'' ... Tortorella said he didn't want to make any evaluations on defenseman Matt Smaby after only two games since his call-up from Norfolk, but bottom line, he wants him to play meaner. He also reiterated concerns about Smaby's foot speed, but added, "He can make up foot speed with quicker decisions.''

Note on Fan Appreciation Nights: captain Tim Taylor and Dave Andreychuk will be on the St. Pete Times Forum plaza stage to answer questions 6:45-7:15 p.m. before games Saturday against the Hurricanes and Monday against the Thrashers. ...      

Comments

[Lauren]

Just our luck!!We never are that lucky lately!!
ughhh...
:(

[keith]

You had to wonder when the injury "thing" was going to come our way eventually. We went far longer than could have been expected, injury free, in the past few seasons. Like the bad ref calls, it all evens up over time. We should all be happy that this is happening in a season when the guys are cleaning their golf clubs, instead of preparing for the play-offs.
Really doesnt matter ......for this year.
As for Ramo, unless there is an off season move afoot to acquire another keeper, who backs up Smitty next year while Ramo is "earning his spurs" in Norfolk for a year?

PLEASE beat the stinking Panthers tonight. Go Bolts.

[harvey]

When it rains it pours. Let's get this season over.

One more thing. At least Damian hasn't lost his sense of humor.

Quote:
"They get Boutin for tonight and then, perhaps, Denis. That is if he is not claimed on recall waivers."

Bahaha Yeah, their jumping in line for a shot at Denis!! At this point in the season a little humor is appreciated. I mean, that was a joke right?

[All S.E. Division Forwards]

Oh yeah baby, Marc Denis.

[boltcc]

Well the Lightning has been very injury free the past few years...boy are they making up for that this season..ugh..when will it be over?
Will the Lightning have a shot at the #1 draft pick? I thought I saw that there was a lottery for the top( worst ) 6 teams..

[BE]

Oh well, way this season's gone I am not surprised. Here's hoping that Smith doesn't need surgery and that he is able to make a full recovery.

Here's also hoping that some team actually picks up Denis before he clears waivers.

[The Mod]

"Here's also hoping that some team actually picks up Denis before he clears waivers"

I'm thinkin' Dallas! :D

[Brendan]

.......................................

[ajax]

Can we just forfeit the remaining 7 games?? Marty fell on Smith and injured him? I can't imagine that?? Seems impossible, but it has been an impossible year. Maybe Marty got dinged to and VL4 might have to play 35 minutes tonight!! Suck it up Vinny!!!

[The Mod]

Ajax- you can't? I can! Dude's like a bowling ball! Small but very heavy. Ever had a bowling ball land on your foot? Not good. Get well soon, Smitty! Maybe now they'll just BAN Marty from taking penalty shots...the way it should be...

[jim from nj]

someone take denis off waivers??? Read the first post (from lauren)

[ajax]

Turned on the game in the 2nd period and it seemed like a Panther PP for about 11 minutes. One time against their top line we had on the ice, Smaby Lundin Lessard Tarnasky and Karlsson. We couldn't win the frozen four with that line. What a year. Read those 5 names again and let your mind wander to how far we have to go to improve our club.

[jr]

Could not agree more, ajax. Those are five of the seven guys I referred to recently as NOT NHLers on the Bolts roster. Post game interview had Halpern saying it was the worst period of hockey Lightning have played since the Dallas trade.

Been out of town andaway trying to catch up. Looks like all heck broke loose on the blog for a time there. Fans are rightly frustrated and it seems to have boiled over.

[Bear]

Jr., unfortunately, I could name 7 more. We all could.

[Casper]

Nice, satisfying pay-back win for us. That ought to hurt the Stinkers' playoff chances---good.

Bouwmeester did a number on Vince; everytime he had the puck Bouw took it to him. He certainly wouldn't be allowed to play that way here under Torts' system!

Ramo looked brilliant at times, others I almost crushed my glass. My tummy can't do another Marc Denis, rather give Boutin a taste.

Can't glow brightly enough about Halpern; I wanted him here long ago. Picture a young Tim Taylor only just a tad more dangerous offensively. Doubt that'll be sustained though, the guy has a real axe to grind against the doubters in a short time this year. Love to see #s 11 and 27 on the ice together, even for one shift. (Yeah, I changed my tune about Tool Man, y'all enlightened me to a guy I forgot. Sorry.)

An exhausted Boyle with another 3rd period penalty. Got funny looks in the bar when I shouted that Tortorella should do Boyle's 2 minutes in the sin bin.

Nice effort guys.

Go Bolts!

[no old geezers]

Sorry guys, but I gotta say I dont agree. Ajax, I usually agree and find your comments dead on. What happened to playing these rooks to see what they've got? Yes I know you think Lundin needs to hike it back to junior league, but now smabes? What happen to this guy has work to do but could be the real thing (hmmm one week is all it took?)? Didn't he have the most hits for the tbl? If anyone should be added to that list it's OB. During what looked like a " 11 min PP" I noticed a few other faces. Hmm Kuba, OB...YEP! Everyone knows this season is over and now is the time to see what we've got and how much work we have to do. We've all said it before, we all agree, so quite the whining.

Somehow came through tonight! GO BOLTS!!!!

[Herb]

A very different Bolts game tonight. The Bolts do well in the first and third period and fall apart in the second. I am starting to wonder....what the H.E. double hockey sticks is going on with Boyle. He looks like an amateur on the ice anymore. What a gift to Booth to tie the game early in the second period. He is playing with his head up his rear end.

[ajax]

geezer, you are right with all that you added. I wasn't saying anything more than what I saw at that moment on the ice and how those 5 names were a shadow of the team I once new. Your comments were right, we do need to take a look, but most of the names the two of us posted have had plenty of time and are stinkers. O'B has looked horrible, Kuba has never looked good. But Boyle has looked horrible also. Funny but the only guys that look good are the ones trying to impress(new guys plus call ups). The guys that have been here all year I am sure are burned out and with no real drive or incentive and it shows in there lackadaisical play. Look at Marty and VL4, they are about -15 over the last 20 games. When the intensity goes, so goes the quality of play. The guys I mentioned should be getting the bulk of the time, I agree, but some of the names have had two years to prove their worth and they just won't cut it in the bigs. Lundin and Smaby played 14 and 9. Boyle and Kuba 27 and 25. Ya see, the coach doesn't get it either.

Now I couldn't agree with you more there Ajax. Thanks for adding on. Coach just wants to win, but his strategies (playing the top guys 25-30) haven't gotten us anywhere. Let the kids play! I know he wants to win and Im all for that, but our vets (ie Boyle) are honestly looking burned out. Can you blame'em? You made a solid point that I found humorous, yet highly disappointing. "The only guys out there looking good are the ones trying to impress us (new plyrs plus call ups). It is definitely become noticeable. Hard to see our few vet bolts play so beaten down mentally, emotionally, and physically. There disposition is dwindling. At least some of the new guys are adding some spice to their lines (ie - Halpern's 2nd line). Let's hope this summer gives them plenty of time to get that fire burning again. Whatever we brought tonight (minus 2nd period!!!) let's take to the Caps!

[no old geezers]

ps...comment above courtesy of old geezer

[GP]

I was thinking today of how the Bolts could improve with existing assets and I thought, what if they brought Evgeny Artyukhin back. I know he is big and physical but do fellow bloggers think he could help this team next year? I was not living in Tampa at the time he played here so I have a limited knowledge on what he brings to the game. I understand that he probably will not be brought back if Feaster is here unless SAW man decides he wants him back. What about trading his rights?

I also noticed that the Int'l Scouting Services Top 30 Prospects for the 2008 Draft had an interesting option at #2. Nikita Filatov has apparently passed all the draft eligible defensemen. Has anyone read if he compares to any other Russian in the pros right now? I know the lack of transfer agreement scares teams off but the Rangers got a potential steal last year when they drafted Cherepanov. The Bolts have lots of holes and if they do not get the #1 than I would almost try to trade out of that spot and move down and possibly get somone like Kyle Beach who was rated #10 plus add some additional picks for this deep draft. What does everyone else think?

I'm starting to agree with Shane and think the team should all have mohawks. I'd let TT play if he shaved his head and had a mohawk.

[Nate Dogg]

GP- 1) forget Artuykin...he's knuckle headed neanderthal who plays much louder than he actually does.

*bang!*

OOOO what's that? A 6'5", 250lb caveman flying at full speed and running into the boards because he missed his check. Way to go, Arty. That glass will think twice next the puck rolls toward it.

Even as a raw project in the Q playing for Moncton, it was a blessing that he even got a shot at the NHL...and when it came time to resigning him, what does he do? He basically flips us the bird, wanting 100k more a year...twice! He hasn't done anything special over in russia:

23gp 3g 6a 9pts 99pim

Maybe if he finally comes back home with his tail between his legs and he signs for less than a mill. Otherwise, no way, Jose. He would be an upgrade over Tarns, but then again my dead grandma would be too.

[GP]

Nate,

Thanks for the info. I'm sure some team would be enamored with his size and glass checking ability. Maybe we could get a draft pick for him.

Completely agree with Tarns. I don't dislike him, I just feel like he should be playing in the ECHL, not even the AHL. Feaster commented that Tarns has the talent to be a power forward in the NHL. Last time I checked, power forwards score .... ie. Leclair, Tkachuk, Ryan Malone. I guess his assessment of Tarns explains why we have a bunch of AHL players on the Bolts and why he gave up a 1st rounder for OB.

[Nate Dogg]

2) Let's not even talk about drafting anyone else besides Stamkos...please.

Being that we're more than likely to be calm during free agency, picking him would almost immediately replace Brad Richards as the second line center...he's that good. All while making the standard rookie contract salary for 3 years. (Cheap!)

He may be our only shot at obtaining an upgrade over summer. The problem is, is that if you can take someone like Nikita Filatov, you're not 100% guaranteed to even see him step foot in America because of the lack of a IIHF (or whatever) agreement in place. And plus, he may not be ready to play in the NHL yet. Stamkos can.

The only problem with drafting Stamkos is figuring out who he'd play with on the second line. The line of Oullett/Halpern/Darche is, in reality, a great third line...not a true second line. Yes, it's been fun watching them all play well (especially seeing a flame light underneath Oullett finally), but they shouldn't be our second line. They shouldn't be broken up, they should just all slide down one line...

So who would play with Stamkos?? Jokenin would be a perfect fit to complement Stamkos' vision and playmaking ability, but who fills his spot on Vinny and Marty's line? And who would play the other wing on the second line?? NOT WARD (perfect winger for the fourth line)...Not Gratton (perfect 3rd/4th line center)...

It would be easy to just say free agency could fill all those spots (think of what playing with Marty and Vinny could do for Ryder's career!), but it would be foolish to get our hopes up.

Until next time,
Nate Dogg

[Nate Dogg]

Lastly, I would like to thank www.sptimes.com for this blog, as it has provided a great way to push off studying and cramming for an exam I have tomorrow morning! No more entries!...must...study...LKJNFLKAJDKJ!!!

[GP]

Nate,

Agree with everything in your 2) point. Ryder would look great on that 1st line but I don't know we can compete with some of the other teams in the league for free agent talent. I also like Ryan Malone for that line.

The second line will be an enigma. Who's gonna play center? I think Langkow could be a good 2nd line center but I agree, let's just hope we get Stamkos. If not, trade out of the spot because Filatov does not sound like Malkin, Ovechkin, or Kovalchuk.

I don't think Gratton fits with this t eam anymore. Halpern is a 3rd line center. He gives the team flexibily in the lineup since he can play good at even strength, PP, PK, faceoffs, and can move up and down the lines in case of injuires. Gratton would cost too much for a 4th line center on this team. Maybe you get Gratts to play wing and drop Darche?

Who knows .... we'll find out this summer. I just hope Feaster gets replaced soon and does not get the chance to ruin the draft.

[Nate Dogg]

I'm never gonna study for this stinkin test...if only my statistics exam was based on hockey stats...

I agree with you that Halpern has pretty much turned into what we envisioned Gratton being, but we gave up a second rounder for him. So, by default, I would at least like to see another full season of him healthy, so he can play solid 12 minutes (even strength, 2nd pp unit, and 2nd pk unit) a game...even if it is at 1.2 million. With Taylor leaving very soon, you also have to add in the other dimensions Grats brings (when healthy and playing like he can): grit, speed, physicality, a locker room presense, and someone who is always first to defend his teammates when a scuffle ensues. Some of those attributes aren't found on a score sheet, but are essential to forming a winner.

In the same dream world where we fill roster spots with solid free agents, it would be perfect if he could re-sign a 2yr-$2mill contract.

And yes, Tarns is a good guy, but he should be playing in the ECHL right now. I can't remember the last time he even made an outstanding play or contributed offensively (which, like you said, is standard for power forwards in the NHL... The last great thing I remember him doing was scoring a sudden death shootout goal in the 6th or 8th round or something a year ago.)

[GP]

I do like Gratton and he brings the "intangibles." I just don't know how you justify spending over a million for the guy when you need an entire 2nd line right now. If he'll play wing, sign him. Never a bad thing to have two centers on the ice at the same time. Gratton, Halpern, Ouellet would in my opinion be a very solid 3rd line.

The 2nd round draft choice is just another blunder made by Feaster. He does not feel 1st and 2nd rounders are very important as judged by his history of draft choices and/or trading them away. He makes his money with impact players in later rounds .... Lundin .... Tarns.