Lawton: Smith is our No. 1 goalie

So much for the idea the Lightning lacked confidence in goaltender Mike Smith. Brian Lawton, the team's vice president of hockey operations said Monday that the No. 1 job "is Mike's job to lose," and that the two-year, $4.4-million contract extension was a way "to instill some confidence in him. ... We wanted to eliminate any doubt where we stand. We are behind him 1,000 percent."

Smith, 26, who will make $950,000 next season in the final year of his current deal, admitted he was a bit unnerved when the Lightning signed Ollie Kolzig, a former Vezina Trophy winner. But Lawton said he sees Kolzig as more of a mentor, who can spell Smith when he drops a few in a row.

Now, that is not to say if Smith is awful and Kolzig is great in training camp, things won't change. Smith even said as much.

"If you don't play well, you're not going to play. It's as simple as that," Smith said.

"It's not a gift," he said of the No. 1 job. "You have to prove you're the guy and hopefully I can come to camp and do that."

But going into camp, there shouldn't be a controversy.

Smith, 26, was 3-10-0 with a 2.79 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage in 13 games after being acquired from the Stars in the Brad Richards trade. Personally, I don't think you can truly evaluate Smith off those games. The guy had never been traded before. He went from a playoff team to a team that would finish last in the league with teammates who, like he said, "We didn't give up, but a lot of us were just waiting for that season to be over with."

Smith predicted he would be a much more consistent goalie and said, "As soon as (last season) ended, I was so pumped for the new season. Getting to talk coach coach Melrose, he sounds like a great guy to play for, and I'm looking forward to getting to camp. I said to (owner) Len Barrie when I talked to him, I said, 'A lot of us can't wait for camp to start.' All these changes have happened. I'm definitely looking forward to it."

Smith said whether he got the contract extension or not, he had come to terms with Kolzig's presence, and is looking forward to the collaboration.

"Ollie has been through a lot of stuff in his career, so I think it's going to help me be a better goalie, looking up to him and learning a lot from a guy like that," Smith said. "I'm excited to get to know him, and, obviously, he's going to be a great role model to mentor myself by. He's been through a lot. If there's something I haven't don, he's sure to have done it. He'll be a great guy to be around."  

Comments

[LightningRod]

From my perspective, at the end of 08 season, TB offensively had V4 and Marty, a large group of forwards that consisted basically of a mix of some minor league/3rd or 4th infill guys, a small group of younger forwards who had some potential, and Gratton and Halpren both injured. I am not trying to rundown any of those lower tier forwards, as some of them showed a lot of grit; but what TB had was a patchwork offense at best. Also, the offensive prospect cupboard was bare.

On defense, TB had a large group of young developing defensemen, all with varying degrees of potential; and some good prospects in the system. Also, there was Boyle, a very good offensive defenseman.

At goalie, there was Smith who appears to be an NHL ready #1 or at least a very good #2, Ramo a solid young prospect who clearly can make a run at being a #1 and who can stand in as a #2 now, and there are a number of good prospects within the system's pipeline.

All of that being said, what do you do to fix a team described above. I do agree with PD that it would be better if there was more experience on D; but the team we had at the end of 08 needed a really really BIG fix. Where was the most potential on this team, it's obviously on defense, then in goal. So where do you begin the fix, the answer is obviously 1st offense, as the biggest holes were on offense, especially after you win the lottery and get Stamkos. Also, the are questions about Halpren, Gratton, and Craig, as they had been injured.

Given all of the changes and signings made by OK to date, I believe that the D only needs a tweak or 2.

[vagrant]

well it no secret Chicago needs forwards and the bolts have a surplus, so it wouldnt be surprising to see a move for Seabrook. By no means is he a vet. but it would be nice to see him in tampa. Doesnt look like a "veteran" Dman could come out of a trade with Nashville or Chicago, both of which have been rumored to be dealing with the Bolts, according to hockeybuzz

[PD]

Go down the list of NHL icetime leaders and the top forward is Brad Richards. About 25 dmen precede him.

Boumeester, Chara, Proger, Lidstrom etc pretty much live on the ice 27 minutes + and higher in the playoffs.

Can you see the problem we have when our "best" is Kuba with Boyle gone?
He did the 24 minutes

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, If our top group of d-men has to play 28 minutes a game we will be in serious trouble, just like the last 2 seasons. 24 minutes per game is a reasonable number and more along the lines of what the top forwards play. We are in complete agreement that we need a veteran smashmouth type defensive defenseman. If we can't land one I'll be disappointed, but not ready to give up hope if they get a younger proven guy instead.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, I guess you didn't read my whole post. I said we needed a veteran defenseman. I didn't say the Hawks and Preds were all that I was just making a comparison to our group. The Preds do have a veteran in DeVries who I would love to see here. But, it's no secret the rest of the league covets d-men from those 2 cities like Weber, Koistinen, Keith and Seabrook. To deny that would be a lie. We don't need or want Redden. There's a reason guys like Redden and Smith weren't resigned by their former clubs.

[pshhh...]

leo i cannot stand you anymore. you have a way of putting your opinions in a way that is simply irritating (kind of like a pestering rash that wont go away), while degrading other peoples thoughts. it is an OPINION. you or what you say doesnt really matter to anyone on this blog because the way you state it. i could really care less if you eat, drink and breathe hockey...get over yourself and take that lightning rod out of where the sun doesnt shine boy.

Peace.

[léo]

Nashville and Chicago, Don???
Oh, absolutely,
When I think of an awe-inspiring shut-down defensive sysytem or a totally stingy defensive corps during the playoffs?
First teams I think of is Nashville and Chicago.
C'mon, Don.
You can have the best kids in the world but without any guidance from veterans, you've got a jumble of talent with no direction or leadership.
Do you have examples of a baby defensive corps that shut it all down, all the way? I don't.
Who cares how good the babies were in Nash and Chic? Combined, both teams didn't even make 1 round in the playoffs! Why? Not seasoned enough; it ain't complicated.
So no, Don. You DON'T want a defensive corps like Nash and Chic. You've GOT young defensemen to "grow" with the team.
No, you need some LEADERS. And yes, age WILL define them, because age equals experience.
While Redden makes waaaaay too much and he might've lost a step or 2, he woulda been perfect, and certainly not for his talent, but for his veteran presence.
That's how kids "grow" with a team, by emulating veterans, not the goofballs they go drinking with.
...nashville and chicago...ferpetessakes
Yo.

[PD]

Morning Don

I hear you but learning on the job doesn't necessarily equal winning.

After a top goalie and a top center, a shut down D man is the most important piece of the puzzle for any team.
The guy that plays 28 minutes a night against the Ovechkins and Heatleys of the world.

IMHO thats where the Bolts should be laser focused.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, I have to diagree with you there. Age alone is not the defining factor. Look at Chicago's young defense, or Nashville's. The trend in the NHL has always to have these old defenseman and for sure experience is helpful but I'm not sure age is the sole factor here. I too would like to see a veteran defenseman brought it but fiscally speaking it almost makes more sense to bring in a solid young guy to grow with the team.

[PD]

Rodman when only 1 guy on your D has even three years experience its a bad thing and never works.

[Stacey]

I don't know, I always felt that our goalies were never given any feeling of security. Always looking over their shoulders VS paying attention to the game. I think it might be good for Smitty to hear "#1 is yours to lose" might actually give him some *gulp* CONFIDENCE!

[LightningRod]

Let's face it. The one thing, in the complicated mix of how the defense played last year, that no one can really measure is how mentally beaten up each of those players were. Especially, the young guys. To me, it is one of the main reasons the 08 team couldn't hold on in the 3rd period. I know they're professionals and all of that; but there's a big difference here. A coach who had/was losing his locker room, no confidence in either goalie, an organization in disarray, etc. The question now is how well will these same defensive guys play, given all the rebuilding that OK has done. They'll have to play some games before we really know about that.

[Spell It Correctly Please!]

This is the 3rd time I've seen his name spelled wrong, it's Olie with one "l." His name is not Ollie.

[léo]

Thank you!
That's all I wanted to hear,
"Smith is our num1"
Good!
Cuz you traded Richards for him so he dang well better be your num1.
Or else...
What was it I said, Mikey?
...
That's right.
But now, you haven't lost it; you've saved it!
Yo.

[Twinebulge]

"But Lawton said he sees Kolzig as more of a mentor, who can spell Smith when he drops a few in a row."

So he can spell Smith. Bet he can spell "Olie" too.

Once it starts appearing in multiple stories it's time to get after it. That's Olie the Goalie, not Ollie by golly

Wonder how good an idea it is to tell a goalie esp. on this club the #1 job is yours to lose - maybe in this one area Torts' way was better, nothing's a given, you're going to have to earn it

[Geografer]

Tokarski will be in juniors for the next two years and will need at least a year if not two or three in Norfolk before he is NHL ready. Riku will be backup to Ramo in Norfolk next year and will need at least a year of being the started in Norfolk (we are talking playing 55+ games a year) before he is close. Riku struggled this year in Seattle. I don't know if it was adapting to the North American style of play and the ice but he was inconsistent. The team was not the best in the WHL but was better than many others in a very strong American Division. There is also Jung who just finshed up in Kelowna with an 13-12-0-5-0 (WHL still records shootout losses and wins) record and only played one game in the playoffs coming in on relief on a not very strong BC Division. I saw Kelowna play probably 8-9 times last season and never saw this kid play. He will be in Mississippi next year barring an injury or meltdown in Norfolk.
My point is a trade involving Ramo (which I don't see happening) would also have to include a goalie in return even assuming Smith kills this year. I think next season you will see Smith and Ramo splitting the season (hey - it worked for Detroit).

[Don in St. Pete]

Nate, the goalie they drafted this year was Dustin Tokarski, plus they Riku Helenius ( who will probably be the #1 someday ) plus the russian, Koshechkin. I believe we lost 17 games when we entered the 3rd period tied or in the lead.

[Nate Dogg]

Ajax, I usually see merit in a lot of your wise posts, but I have a bone to pick about the Carle comparison. Nah uh, I don't see it. I don't think Kuba has the potential to accumulate 42+ points. He came close in his first year with the bolts, but Carle has the potential to tap 50-55+ points, which you NEED nowadays. You can sign a meansonofagun for $1 million as your 6th defensemen to play the "tough cop" role.

Not saying Carle is the next coming of Scott Stevens, but I think he deserves a little more credit. I mean we haven't even seen him play yet! And by the way, Kuba really isn't THAT bad...it's just when you're that big, everybody wants to see you get nasty, even if it's not in your game.

Who knows...maybe some HGH and 4 months without sex will make him a top two defensemen...

Add to the fact that last year, we couldn't hold a lead for the life of us. Someone PLEASE shoot me back with a stat of how many games that we blew when we had the lead entering the third period!! If you take into effect that you have a coach who seems smart enough to adjust during a game, instead of living and dying by the same defensive philosophy no matter the situation, you might be able to hold onto a lead or two. I can't find the exact quote, but I do vaguely recall reading that if neccessary, Melrose said he wouldn't be against possibly playing the trap. That alone should make it easier for the d-men to stand up the forwards after going through a gontlet of a neutral zone. However, it would be nice though to see a little more testosterone below the defensive faceoff circles.

Just a couple of thoughts...
ND

[Nate Dogg]

I like your train of thought there, David. They did just draft that one goalie recently...the shorter one with "the heart of a lion". (Can't remember the name off the top of my head)...so who knows...ANYTHING is possible right now. If Boyle can be traded...ANYONE can be traded (except Vinny, of course..and all the new free agents...and the MVP linemates...and Smitty...well, u know what I mean...)

[Don in St. Pete]

Ajax, I agree that we lost far too many of the battles in our own end last year. On the other hand there should be some added competition this year and maybe a few of the guys are ready to step up. They have had to have seen what's gone on here over the summer and realize they have to come to camp ready to play all out every shift and impress the new bosses or they could be looking at a new sweater. I do agree though that we need that top two guy to bang heads and play aginst the other teams top unit.

[ajax]

One thing about our D amid all the discussions of, are they or aren't they "good enough" I sit behind the net, and one of the most oconsistent failures of our D is the ability to stop a guy along the boards and control the puck. It was almost non-existant. Ranger and occasionally Boyle (gritty guy when he had to be) held their own but Lundin Kuba O'Brien, not a chance. Nothing will change with a new coach. If you don't win battles and make the pass, two things happen 4ever. You give in to the wrap around(see Torts 101) or your forwards have to come in deep to help (and the domino effect kills the transition game) Carle is being billed as the second coming of Kuba and I swear Picard can't possibly be 220 pounds. The Bolts uniform must make him look thin. (I might have to start wearing the jersey all the time then)

[David (Clearwater, Fl)]

If when the Lightning are about 1/3 or so of the way into the season and Smith is playing up to his potential, solidifying that #1 status, do the Lightning look to deal Ramo? It's been said that Ramo is amongst the best players the Lightning have in their farm system. Possibly the owners are confident enough in Smith to even package Ramo with a forward or two and go get a solid defenseman in a trade. I guess the long and short of what I'm saying is that it appears to me that this move may be a step towards Ramo being on the trade block.

[Paul from Orlando]

News Flash: V4 will be named Captain at the Open House on Tuesday!

[Don in St. Pete]

Well said Bryan. I too agree that are defense is vastly underated. Still I would like to see that top 2 defensive stopper. Someone who can play against the other teams top line almost every shift.

[Rick]

Very good points Bryan. Well said. The system in which we played was horrible last year...considering our players we had. Odd man rushes were the norm. Hopefully, Melrose takes a more defensive minded system giving our d-man a better chance to shine.

[Amy]

Congrats to Smitty. He's still missed here in Dallas, but I hope he'll have an amazing season with Tampa this year.. Just gotta get those defensemen better at taking passes from a goalie!

[Bryan]

Jesus, the defense isn't as bad as people make it out to be, when the team actually game out and played physical games they controlled play. We need a better system to bring these kids up in, not the garbage that ran defensemen around the net in the offensive zone and left a bunch of forwards (to suddenly have to play defense) out to dry.

People seem to think we need this giant revamp of the defense, we really don't. We've seen intelligence and patience out of guys like Lundin, the ability to move the puck in guys like Ranger, the ability to be physical and rugged on the defensive zone in Smaby, O'Brien, Picard. Add more puck moving in guys like Niskala, more beef in guys like Mihalik. Its like people ripping on Kuba. You can't blame just the defense when the whole team was a steaming pile of horse ***. This team needs to learn to play defensive hockey before we can call some of these guys dismal failures.

[Geografer]

Could someone please get word to the Bolts media relations folks that his name is Olie not Ollie (he isn't Jokinen). If they really need conformation - look to his helmet!!!

On a side note - all those still hoping for MacDonald to return it won't be happening. TSN is reporting that he signed a one-year deal with Columbus today. Good luck Mac and thanks for taking one (literally) for the team!!

[shane]

true you can't evaluate a guy on last seasons 3-10 record because of a pathetic defense that couldn't keep an 80-year old grandma away from the net please OK get some defenders for the Lightning or your offense will never have a chance.

[Mike13]

Well, I guess that I kind of stand corrected. I wasn't sure that we got a good enough look at Smitty to KNOW that he was our #1.

I sure hope the "kid" knocks our socks off.

[skp]

sounds like a player who's ready to be held accountable and wants to prove to tampa fans he's more of a winner than what we saw last year...tough to discern sincerity through printed quotes, but i like players who talk in terms of "we" and "us" and the organization, reminds me of luke mccown, another kid who i think this area will grow to like alot...smith's puck handling gets alot of mention, but his passing skills have me drooling, seemed like at least once a game he fired a tape to tape pass to vinny or marty streaking into the offensive zone...

as the offseason rolls on, i'm confident the owners will make sure the goalie is protected on opening day, just like they quickly made sure that stamkos wouldn't have to go it alone on the second line

[Steve R]

Brian,

You guys are loaded for bear on O, Smith has a lot of potential in net, any news on improving the D?

[Brian B.]

Well spoken young man... hey, maybe we'll show good 'ole Bruce Boudreau up in DC what we're gonna do to his team.