Training camp in a hurry

Training camp, held for the first time at the St. Pete Times Forum, is going to be a lot different than previous camps at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. Given a Sept. 16 start date by the league and the Players Association, the Lightning has just three days on the ice (Sept. 17-19) before playing its first preseason game, Sept. 20 at Pittsburgh. That means no two days of fitness testing. something made famous the past several years by former coach John Tortorella. Rather, the coaching staff will be teaching the new system and practicing right away.

Coach Barry Melrose said that also means quick and decisive position battles because the team wants to be as close to its regular season roster as it can be by the time it leaves for Europe after a Sept. 25 preseason game at the Rangers. That trip ends with regular-season games Oct. 4 and 5 in Prague against the Rangers.

"All the guys will go to New York we're taking to Europe," Melrose said. "There might be two or three other guys we're giving one more look to in New York. By the time we go to Prague. we're basically going to have our team picked."

With that timetable, Tampa Bay will have only nine days on the ice before making final cuts.

"Everything is accelerated," Melrose said, "without a doubt."

How did the schedule happen?

According to Players Association spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon, the four teams going to Europe -- the Lightning, Rangers, Senators and Penguins -- are starting camp three days before the rest of the league. But it was Tampa Bay's choice to play its first preseason game so quickly. Given the accelerated schedule, that is best, Melrose said.

"I'd like to have a game on the 17th," he said. "We have to find out about our guys. You're going to find out playing another team quicker than scrimmaging, so you might as well throw the guys into the fire and find out if they can play against NHL teams. Pittsburgh is a great challenge because they're so skilled. If you can play against the Pittsburgh forwards, you can play against any forwards in th NHL."

The Lightning plays four of its six preseason games against the Penguins and Rangers.

"Those are two good teams to play," Melrose said. "That will give us a good judge four our team. It also will give us a real quick judgment."

Where will the best position battle be?

On defense the top five are believed to be Paul Ranger, Filip Kuba, Matt Carle, Shane O'Brien and Alex Picard. That means Mike Lundin, Janne Niskala and Andrew Hutchinson and long shots Matt Smaby and Ty Wishart get to battle for the final one or two spots.

Hockey ops chief Brian Lawton has stated Mike Smith is the No. 1 goalie, but Olaf Kolzig is expected to at least push.

It also will be interesting to see what happens with 6-foot-6, 238-pound enforcer David Koci. There has been much speculation since Andre Roy left as a free agent about what the Lightning will do about an enforcer. Melrose said Koci, who has a one-year, two-way contract, will have every chance to make the team. Koci says his skating needs work. Brian Lawton, hockey ops chief, said team toughness can overcome the lack of a true enforcer.

I'll have a big package on the enforcer question on Aug. 31, I believe. (Space is tough right now with the Rays playing well and the Bucs getting rolling.) When it runs, and it includes a great Q&A with Melrose on his take on fighting in the NHL, it is definitely worth your time.

Comments

[léo]

I think we have to take Laraque's or any other enforcer's time in the playoffs with a grain of salt.
The closer teams get to the Prize, the LESS actual fighting occurs. Who would YOU rather play when it counted most, Talent or Toughness? Next goal wins, you put out your goon??? Only normal for enforcers to see ice as the rounds go by.
On the other side of the medal, if Laraque had played for Ottawa when they faced Anaheim, you better BELIEVE he woulda played THEN, agreed?
Enforcers are an important complement to a team's success because they help GET YOU to the playoffs. To PROTECT you while you BUILD your standing ranking for the Dance and give you the CONFIDENCE to play all out.
So that in that case saying that Laraque is no good to a team because he doesn't suit up in the playoffs?
Grain'a'salt, that'n.
Hey, We got'im.
And We are THRILLED.
P.

[Slapnuts]

The Lightning don't need Koci as mentioned above he can't play in the NHL at least Laraque has some skills other than dropping the gloves and the fact that he wasn't used in the finals doesn't mean anything...Enforcers simply aren't needed come playoff time.

[coach bill]

Don -it would be a real bummer if Tarnasky doesn't make it. I thought he gave alot last year (with very little playing time). He was tough,gritty and and what you want for a checking line player. Plus with the reduced playing time he still scored 6 goals and set up 4 others. Sep 22-PLEASE HURRY1

[Don in St. Pete]

Coach, A wise post indeed and I am not an advocate of V4 dropping the gloves except in self defense. That being said it was a huge boost for the team during the 04' cup final when he went toe to toe with Iginla. Nameless poster at 6:31 AM Grats does a lot more than fight, while he is the toughest SOB you've ever seen ( he played 4 months last year with a muscle torn from his hip), he plays the PK, wins faceoffs, and can score. While I love Tarno's grit and effort, I don't see him making the team this year because of our depth and his lack of skating ability. He may show up to camp with a chip on his shoulder and a mission to prove himself so I could be wrong, but based upon the guys we now have under contract, he may be the odd man out or the guy sitting in the press box on most nights.

[coach bill]

Bryan, Wade ,Don et. al.- You are right! we don't need another enforcer. We have plenty of grit ( Tarnasky's name should have come out and maybe Arty if he siicks). We had a "designated goon" last year and that was not at all cost effective.
I agree with Bryan that V4 should not fight at all. He's too valuable to hurt his hands. That being said, he's possibly our toughest man out there.
I really don't think anyone is going to mess with our smaller players this year, but if they do, I hope I'm there that night.

Koci cant play in the NHL, there is a reason he has been in the AHL and moving around there a lot. And we dont need an enforcer with the people being brought in. Gratton is there to be protecting players, I mean what else does he do? SOB should also be protecting them as that is how he plays physical.

Also why if Laraque is that great was he only playing for one game in the finals? And in that game saw under 5 minutes ice time????

[Patrick]

Okay, team toughness? I just threw up a little in my mouth...

Seriously, take a look at the Penguins before Georges Laraque, and then after he was acquired. I think a Stanley Cup appearance followed....

Intimidation, respect, and fear is still very important in the game, and unless you want your star players getting hacked, cheap shotted, and ultimately injured a lot during the season, you'll dress Koci. Any real hockey fan will tell you this.

Arty is not enough, nor is O'Brien, Gratton and Tarnasky. And unless you want them to be constantly sticking up for players like Marty and Vinny, you'll have someone more equipped to handle the role. OB and Gratton need to be on their game, contributing to victories, not sitting in the penalty box (even though I enjoy their fights and their enforcing) Lawton needs to pull his head out of his behind...

Look forward to the fighting article. That and everyone on Hockeyfights.com

[Patrick]

Okay, team toughness? I just threw up a little in my mouth...

Seriously, take a look at the Penguins before Georges Laraque, and then after he was acquired. I think a Stanley Cup appearance followed....

Intimidation, respect, and fear is still very important in the game, and unless you want your star players getting hacked, cheap shotted, and ultimately injured a lot during the season, you'll dress Koci. Any real hockey fan will tell you this.

Arty is not enough, nor is O'Brien, Gratton and Tarnasky. And unless you want them to be constantly sticking up for players like Marty and Vinny, you'll have someone more equipped to handle the role. OB and Gratton need to be on their game, contributing to victories, not sitting in the penalty box (even though I enjoy their fights and their enforcing) Lawton needs to pull his head out of his behind...

Look forward to the fighting article. That and everyone on Hockeyfights.com

[madgal]

great...let the injuries begin

[Don in St. Pete]

Bryan, I am with you on Smaby. There's a reason he was a Hoby Baker finalist, he's only shown us glimpses of it so far. He and Pickard were the only Bolts D willing to meet the rush at the blue line, and the only ones willing to clear out the front of the net as well. However, another year at Norfolk wouldn't be all bad for him as he would get more time on the PP and PK.

[Bryan]

Vinny does not need to be fighting. Ever.

I know its going to happen, but it shouldn't. Just silly to take your best player off the ice for 5.

Man, camp can't come soon enough. I'm hoping, HOPING... Smaby picks up one of the spots and gets a nasty mean streak going.

[Don in St. Pete]

Chris Gratton, Shane O'Brien and V4 can hold their own as well. I think we have plenty of team toughness to make up for the lack of a true enforcer.

[Gary]

Malone, Roberts, and Hall bring added toughness and have been known to thrown down the gloves when needed. Also, don't forget we have Artyukhin and Craig back this year.