Mihalik is in top six on defense

It's a pretty good bet that if you were asked entering preseason if Vladimir Mihalik would make the Lightning's opening roster, not many people would have said yes. Even Mihalik himself said, "That's true."

But here is Mihalik with a spot on the roster and coach Barry Melrose assuring that Mihalik would play in Saturday's opener against the Rangers in Prague. In our opinion, that means Andrew Hutchinson may be on the bench.

"He's been great," Melrose said of Mihalik. "He's smart, and he moves the puck well. He played in four (preseason) games and I can't think of play where a guy toasted him or he made a horrendous play. He's got that gigantic reach. He's good with the puck. I've been happy with him."

At 6 feet 7, 222 pounds, Mihalik, 21, is quite the sight on the ice. Add the three inches of his skates and he is 6-10. He is soft-spoken but confident, and he said he expected to make the team because he knew his game had improved.

He's a defensive guy, primarily, and Melrose said he likes best of all that Mihalik does not try to over-extend his game. It's an awful phrase, but in Mihalik's place, it's true. He plays within himself.

"I knew," he said when asked if he thought he would make the team. "I just wanted to show up and make some people know I'm here. I'm so happy I made it."

He made it, in part, because Paul Ranger (shoulder) is out and likely will be on the disabled list, and because Hutchinson has played so poorly. If Mihalik is preseason's biggest surprise, then Hutchinson is its biggest disappointment. Hutchinson had a terrible game Tuesday against HC Slovan, likely has fallen to seventh among defensemen, which means he may not play Saturday, and has lost his power play spot. What makes it worse is he has a two-year, one-way contract that pays $500,000 whether he is in the NHL or the minors.

You recall, signing Hutchinson was touted because of his right-handed shot. So it told you something Tuesday when first Mark Recchi, and later Steven Stamkos were tried at the left point with the man advantage.

Melrose said the lack of another right-handed shot among his defensemen, besides Andrej Meszaros, might force him to put a forward at the left power-play point. Melrose said he generally doesn't like that because a forward has such an offensive mind-set he might forget some of the defensive responsibilities of the point (remember, there is no one but the goalie behind him). Melrose said he liked Recchi on Tuesday, but that Stamkos is a good option, too, or perhaps Radim Vrbata.

But back to Mihalik. The bottom line is is playing better than Hutchinson and earned the spot. What happened when Paul Ranger (shoulder) is back and people are pushed down a notch? Too early to tell, but how fun we get to see Mihalik try and establish himself.

Here are some other odds and ends:

The players had Wednesday off but are scheduled to skate twice Thursday, once in a real practice and once in a skate open to the public. ...  Right wing Michel Ouellet was assigned to AHL Norfolk. I'm sure Tampa Bay is hoping someone will claim him off recall waivers, which means the claiming team and the Lightning would split the $1.2-million Ouellet will make this season. ... Learned something today: teams have up to 30 days to assign players to the minors after they clear waivers. ... Hockey ops chief Brian Lawton said left wing Ryan Malone, who sat out Tuesday with what Melrose said was a sore shoulder, is "100 percent." ... As we have said, the final cut will be a forward but definitely not David Koci. The enforcer, though, will not necessarily play every game, Melrose said. Much likely will depend on what kind of muscle the opposition has. With Colton Orr playing for the Rangers, expect Koci to be involved.

Comments

[Dan]

A forward on the power-play is not desparate. Several teams do this. 1 of our PP teams has always had 4 forwards. It's not as rare as you might think.

Obviously, we'd like to have enough offensive skill in our defensemen that we can have 2 PP units with 2 d-men each, but we're just not that fortunate right now.

[matthew]

There is got to be a trade in the works were just too loaded at forward and liked don made a great point Oulette, Halpren, Ward, Craig, Vrbata, Hutchinson cant be sleeping good at night. As for Jokenin hes staying but the guy has been on fire since the start of preseason hard to imagine him going anywear other in a lightning bolt uniform.

[Leanmean43]

Carle is good, he's just looked a little rusty in the preaseason. As a rookie for San Jose he had 10 goals and 41 points on one of the leagues top powerplays. He went through his sophomore slump last year and I think he'll be a good puck moving defensemen for the Bolts.

[PD]

Well they pretty much have to don't they. If you start playing the kids out of place their confidence gets shot pretty quickly.
Can ruin a good prospect that way

[Don in St. Pete]

Mihalik, Unfortunately will have to play #2, at least until Ranger returns. I can say, from what I've seen of Mihalik, we're probably better off with him than with Kuba. Tough spot to put a rookie in though. Nobody else is collected enough to play on the top 2. I'm still hopeful they're working on a deal.

[PD]

agree Don , all things considered with size put Mihalik in as the 6th.

far from a pretty picture though.

[Don in St. Pete]

mullet and D, I've been saying they should put Hutch on waivers and send him to Norfolk when he clears, and put Smaby on the next plane to Prague. That they haven't done that, makes me think they have another deal in the works. Just a couple notions but the Hawks sent Kontiola who was slated to be there starting second line center, down to their AHL affiliate. In addition they traded Lang to the sHABS. They do have a solid core of defenseman and were reported to be shopping Barker over the summer. I'd think Seabrook or Sopel would be a better fit for us with Jokinen going the other way. otherwise the Preds are desperate for a forward as well. They went 22 minutes against the Jackets without a shot on goal the other night. They have 8 solid d, 3 of whom will be UFA at the end of the season. Any of DeVries, Koistenen or Zanon would be an upgrade for us. They need a right winger so perhaps ir would be Vrbata heading the other way. I'd hate to lose Jokinen or Vrbata, but I will be sick if I have to watch Carle or Hutchinson play on the second pair again. Hutchinson should not be on this team at all.

[D]

Hard to feel real good about this. I'd feel better if Smaby had made it after his time last season. Carle has been a mess. Hard to imagine his act improving when the bell rings. Bolts will need to score 5 most nights to win. Might just be able to do that, too, but the defense is clearly worse - not better.

[matthew]

Saw this coming to maybe Im linked to the organization just read on some other blogs I mentioned that Mihalik was going to make this team didnt say he would stay. He will however be on this team full-time next year and you can hang your hat on that

[the mullet]

by the way that is my nameless post above...

Melrose is going to put a forward in for the lack of a right-handed shot for D? That's about as desperate as Torts putting Janik in as a forward last season. Just so happens Smaby has a right-hand shot, oh but wait they sent that kid back to the ahl before preseason was even over. Why not send Hutchinson home and have Smaby in?? Don, Ajax, NTMM help me understand! Melrose says a forward thinks more offensively in a defense position??...noooo I would never believe that (are you picking up on my sarcasm?)

[mike p]

Thank goodness hutchinson isn't going to make the team. Our defense is questioned enough without him.

He needs to learn how to use his body more. Had a horrible turnover vs the Rangers, luckily didn't result in a goal.

We need him to play like a vet not a rookie this is the NHL and this guy doesn't have the experience (3 seasons in the minors?) or quick decision making needed.

Even with that said - I hope he makes the team and does well he's got a lot of potential.

[Don in St. Pete]

McGz, Lawton said when we traded Boyle that they considered Matt Carle a prospect. He's just been too rattled when he has the puck. I'm guessing it's just a confidence thing, but he's been scary back there. For the most part he's had good positioning, he's just not always decisive when making plays or passes in the defensive zone. Teams with top level scorers will eat him alive if he can't get over this. The option is you play him on the 3rd pairing where he usually faces the other teams 3rd and 4th lines.

[McGz]

I'm happy to hear Mihalik is in the top six. It's nice to finally see home grown talent step up finally. At what point does a rookie play too to have to clear waivers to be sent back down? I'd like to see Smaby get some hood looks this year as well. What's the deal with Carle anyway?

[Don in St. Pete]

No name poster, I have to question your hockey knowledge as I was impressed with Mihalik's play against the Rangers, and I watche from 5 rows from the Ice. Other than Meszaros he was our best defenseman. I've been playing, coaching and watching hockey for 43 years. In my opinion Mihalik is here to stay. Hutch will be the odd man out when Ranger returns.

Honestly when i was watching Mihalik in the game agaist the Rangers at the Forum he looked bad but you have to love his size advantage.