Stamkos on line with St. Louis and Lecavalier; Hall hurt

Interim Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said top pick Steven Stamkos would get his chance to show what he can do.

And Tocchet has followed through; One day after Stamkos played more than 15 minutes against the Hurricanes, he was placed on the wing on a line with Marty St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier for Monday's practice. Though Tocchet said it's not "set in stone," he thought it'd be a confidence builder for Stamkos, who said he's excited for the opportunity.

"Now," Stamkos said. "The pressure is on me."

Vinny Prospal was moved to center on a line with Matt Pettinger and Radim Vrbata.

*In another injury note, Adam Hall is "day-to-day" with a lower body injury; Tocchet said Hall took a puck off the foot in Sunday's game, and he's questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Panthers. Ryan Malone (lower body injury) wasn't at practice, but Tocchet said Malone underwent an MRI Monday and is feeling better.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[Not the Marlboro Man]

The reason Melrose is gone and the team is in disarray is because Melrose was a lousy non inovative coach to begin with. He was a lousy coach years ago and he remains a lousy coach today. Oren Koules took a big and bad choice with Melrose. If the Lightning want a good coach they should quit beating around the bush and hire Pat Burns...plain and simple. The only man for the job period.

Pretenders don't cut it any longer. Once Burns is hired, if he is hired he should then get Veto power on trades and personel directions and take it out of the hands of these personnel morons.

The lightning brought in too many new faces this year without knowing a whole lot about them. I admired the moves but thats all they were...moves for moves sake. Now all they have is a team full of uncoached inefficiency.

It all starts with the front office and the attitude develped at the highest level. Lying and padding friends with cush important jobs that they are incapable of handling is the sign of an immature ownership. Lets hope Koules has learned from his early mistakes. The ownership at this point is going to have to back off and live with some of its failed decisions or soon this team into a finacial ruin.

Matts Sundin and whoever else is out there won't help this team until it becomes a team. The talent is here...the attitude, dedication and hard work are not. You can't throw money at a problem expecting it to get fixed because all you end up with is an more expensive problem.

The only thing I would try to change right now is the team's attitude. Melrose was a bad mistake but its time to move on....only after doing a self test.

[PD]

Casper totally agree on Lucic, quite a score for the Bruins who happen to be as good as any in the east right now.

[léo]

Unbelievable!
Again!
May I have an explanation, please?!
Why are my posts being deleted?
Not being offensive or libelous or insulting, so what's the problem?
What, prose escapes you?
It sucks to put something down and have Mr.I-don't-who DECIDE "oh, no, that won't do." to then remove it.
Why?! Who the heck are you, anyway?
Guess you prefer posts from the child-imposter, right? Guess those are right up your alley, eh? It better REFLECTS the views of REGULAR and FAITHFUL posters, right?
Censoring pansie; you should be ashamed of yourself.
P.

[The Limerick Police]

We will have no such nonsense here. Besides, they were bad. Real bad!

[Casper]

I saw Grabovski 2 weeks ago in Boston and I hafta agree with PD there. When the Kid grabs the puck and races off, people say, "Uh-oh..." (not unlike the way Pavel Bure used to.) Schenn is going to be around and desired by everyone, for a long time.

Rather have a guy like Lucic though. He's getting specialized training by a guy he's going to resemble---a lot. He's looking more and more like a left handed Cam Neely.

Do we have ANYBODY who'll resemble a young Andreychuk? Cap'n Dave, pick your protege and get to teachin'. Please.
Let Stamkos play and have the passion for the game, and "refuse to lose" attitude that Andy had, not the passive acceptance of mediocrity V4bucks does.

Go Bolts!

Lawton and Barrie can redeem themselves by conning Denis Potvin into coming here. He helped piece together a decent....not great, but decent defense, even before Boynton and Ballard arrived. They had no one behind Bouwmeester and they still didn't reek the way we did (even WITH Danny F'n Boyle) on D, their offense just never scored consistently. Potvin knows his stuff and teaches kids. Bring up Mihalik, Smaby and Wishart, have them shown the game by Potvin and they won't be as shy as the way Rumble sends them to the NHL.

[léo]

HEY!
Why was my post deleted?!!!
BULL-crap!
What was wrong with it?!
The heck?!
All my beautiful limericks...
Fine, then.
No more.
P.

[Casper]

Toccs?

[PD]

There was a young Ivan from Ruskie
Who could fly like an F16 jetski
Given up in haste
Now giving Habs a sour taste
Of what a natural scorer looks likeski

[LightningRod]

We all know that this whole situation with the Lightning over the last 3 yrs. has been a work-in-progress. It still is. This year there is just more overall potential, than the last 2. Until this team starts believing in itself, and the players want to play for each other, not the coaches, owners, fans, but each other, this situation will continue on and on. (Luckily for the players, it's not Toronto or Montreal lol.) Until then, there is likely to be only little to steady progress, as they start to gel and get know each other better. The real progress of building a solid team will happen when these player's belief and their drive to win finally kicks in; and until that occurs I will be watching and waiting just like the rest of you. The original core of the team (V4 MSL etc) appear to need to relearn what they learned between 2001 and 2004. That team learned that every night they laced them up they had a chance to win; and more often than not they were willing to pay the price individually and as an overall team to win. They became accountable to each other; and I didn't hear after many games "we just couldn't get it going tonight", "I don't know what happened we just took a period off", etc., etc., blah, blah, blah.......... We have all have heard it before, just different players and dates.

I believe this team has the talent to win and be competitive for a play-off spot on paper. However, being talented doesn't win you games, or make you believe in & accountable to each other, much less the fans who come to see you play, nor does the large paycheck you get at the end of the week. Luckily, the team this year has goaltenders that want to win and you can see hate to lose. Without them, Melrose would have been gone before the end of 10 games.

The rest of this team needs to be looking each other in the eyes, and saying to themselves and each other that they have a responsibility to the goalies, themselves, and us. Otherwise, I don't what to hear the same old BS excuses after a game. Just be honest, say you/some didn't try hard enough, someone let the other players (& fans) down, someone just didn't care enough, etc., because the rest is just dishonest lip service that we have all heard to many times already.

More than a few players on this team need to stand-up and take/demand responsibility for/of themselves, their teammates, be leaders, get mad, call someone out, hit somebody, and finally go out and beat the snot out of some team, any team. Maybe if some start doing that, teams would fear playing here, as it is they don't now.

Guys, after all this is the game you all say you love, well the only way out of this whole and getting respect is by working for and demanding it. If it's all about the paycheck, then it's going to be another long season for everyone. I'll still come to watch, as I grew up loving hockey; and always will. If that's the case, my disappointment will be now; but for you players how long does it last?

Re Stamkos....Frankly an 18-yr-old using the word pressure doesn't concern me; he'd be brain-dead if he DIDN'T feel some pressure joining the NHL while most guys are picking out their prom tux.

1. I like the move (it's an experiment, not carved in granite). Takes the pressure OFF him at center. Just skate your wing, create some turnovers at the point, give and go, crash the cage and bang some pucks in

2. As as Don points out, wing is easier to play from a mental standpoint, even if it is tougher physically. That holds true both offensively and defensively. The kid's body seems to be taking as well as dishing out the punishment just fine. MSL has carved out a spectacular career at wing despite being only 5'7" by knowing how to dodge checks, use the stick and his quickness, and how to manipulate defenders psychologically in corners to win puck battles

3. If it jump-starts Stamkos and he starts pumping some twine after some nice feeds from Vinny and Marty, this can only help his confidence. He already has an NHL shot, passing needs work anyway.

4. IMHO nobody at 18 is a "natural" center or anything else. These are learned behaviors, and who better to learn from than NHLers, while he's still young? What if, like Jokinen, he ends up being able to play both positions? And if he has a special talent for winning draws, he can still skate the wing.

Way to think outside the box, Toccs

[Another Joe]

I think the owners,fans, players, and front office could see pretty quickly that Melrose wasnt working out.

Make the change and move on while season can be salvaged.

the reality is new owners and management are going to make mistakes. Hiring Melrose was one of them.

[Patrick]

I think this is a good move for Stamkos even if he's not playing his natural position. It should be good for confidence - he'll just have to be on the ice at the same time with those two and he'll start to pick up points. He looks like he's been trying hard so far, but skating with Marty will probably show him he can try even harder. He said himself he'll have less defensive responsibilities on the wing.

As far as feeling pressure, he was the number 1 pick overall - he should be feeling pressure. But hopefully he's not putting too much on himself. Levacalier barely scored 15 goals as a rookie - I'm not expecting stamkos to do much better his first year either.

[Globalpuck.com]

This is clearly a directive from management. No respectable hockey man like Tocchet would make this hasty move under his own fruition. STAMKOS IS A CENTER! He has a lot of learning to do and would be much better suited getting more minutes at his NATURAL POSITION on a line with Recchi, not on the wing with Lecavalier and St. Louis. Playing out of position at this stage of his development is not the right move; he's already using words like "pressure".

[coach bill]

pd-If Melrose was employing a trap, I sure didn't see it. Our D was always retreating right into our goal and then the "harlem Globetrotters "effect began. Many of us have been critical of that and want to see us hold the line or at least the neutral zone. So far that hasn't happened. Our wings haven't backchecked and picked up their men and our D hasn't stayed up. YET! Let's hope...

[Larry David]

Where's DC ? Last 2 entries were by Joe Smith.

[Boltflasher]

Yup, I stated back in the summer, that an underachiever, like Ottawa would be a great spot for Torts...may see Torts in Ottawa as next coaching change in NHL as it does not appear its working with Hartsburg just like with Melrose place here. You got problems if you lose a back to back with Isles...

[-]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/11/17/brophy_nhl_power_rankings_wk6/

Power rankings wk 6

Always next year, with the Leafs. But, It is good to see you so positive.

[PD]

Yup Toronto lost, another 1 goal loss for the kids.
Ajax never said the Leafs would be in it I just said they would be out of it as in 30th place.

They are fun to watch Schenn was a much better pick than Stammer and Gravbosky scored his 9th tonight, thx Shabs.He has more goals than anybody on the has..funny.

Burkie is likely aboard next week..all is good.

Lots of room for another great draft this year then add Nash or Gaborick.

Ottawa's problem is actually behind the bench. That would be the perfect team for Torts to take over and he just may.

[PD]

no accidents, I guess moddle hockey does nail it. lol

[ajax]

Ottawa has a worse record than we do, and time after time you spout their D as being so much better than ours. Maybe that is why Kuba gets major minutes PD, their D stinks. Just an obvious thought. When you are playing forwards at D, and Richardson at age 52 at D, it ain't quite as strong as you think PD. The bottomline is everyone you hate here, becomes a poster boy once he is traded. Goes with that hate Tampa Bay thing you carry around with ya. Toronto lost again tonight. 2-5-1 in last 8. Looks like another long cold winter in Stalingrad, I mean Toronto. Thank God they have a nice opera house, to take the pressure off the kids. I forgot to comment on your boy Sundin. Man the ultimate insult. Doesn't want to waste the remaining years of his career in year 8 of the 10 year plan known better as......100 things we could of done different since signing Mats.

[Boltflasher]

Irony: with all the furor that Brian Burke made over the Penner signing by Edmonton and the war of words between the 2 GMs, Penner was a healthy scratch and basically was told there is no spot for him on that team...

[Boltflasher]

"Moddle" is a keeper!! I like it! Describes perfectly the muddy moddle system they have played this year...

[PD]

Well Ajax thats how Philly is spinning the guy but he is no game changer,agree.

He was the center piece coming back in the Boyle trade so if creds are going out the window, I won't be 1st.

Kuba is playing very well, the minutes are the trick of the tail. He is near the top in minutes and points for a D.

I'm happy for Boyler too, he's on the best team in the league and living near Pebble Beach.

[jan]

i'd like to see this line. BUT TOMORROW'S GAME ISN'T TELEVISED IN EITHER MARKET.

its a hard time to be a hockey fan, i guess i will watch the Penguins on versus in HD AGAIN. Its pretty sad that I will see more of their games in HD then I have seen of our home team period so far this season.

[ajax]

Agreed on Eminger, not even close between him and the Carle we saw. All those blogs from San Jose who warned us. Now their are two cities that know this kid has a long long way to go. PD you lose credibility when you mention Carle. You blasted him while in our jersey, but he became instant potential as soon as we traded him. So typical of you. Carle not only didn't carry the puck, he never even wanted it. Kuba was a joke, a total waste, but I believe his parole out of the Tortorella jail did wonders for him. Too bad we saw very very little of a good Kuba while he was here. Can't back track on the could of should of would of. Fact is Kuba was one of our worst while he was here. I still am not sold on him. He has a ton of assists on the PPlay for Ottawa but oh can PPlay points be a misleading stat about effectiveness and helping your team. I think this team does have the power to change their fate. The fact that they can do it early in the game leads me to think much of it is just pure confidence. Like I said, Washington had a dramatic turn around with the same players, all because of a system the players bought into. Night after night, shift after shift hold the blue line and it will be amazing how much more "offense" you will generate when the forwards don't have to buckle in to help the D. Optimistic as usual, despite the obvious negs that try to defeat me. Carle an effective puck carrying D. Like I said before, does he have a twin??

[pd]

somwehere in the moddle = somewhere in the middle

[PD]

Its a vicious circle though because last year Torts forwards went in one direction, the other blue.
Now Melrose had them almost in a trap mode to keep the chances down on the weak back end.

If they try and open up Bolts will have problems trading rushes that that back end.

Thats the real problem..its almost mental. Are they an offensive team or defensive?

In fact they are choosing somwehere in the moddle which leaves them good at nothing really.

[slapshot]

Stamkos playing with VL4 may put some pressure on VL4 and Marty and make them start scoring.

[slapshot]

Stamkos Lecavalier St.louis
Prospal Jokinen Vrbata
Roberts Gratton Recchi
Pettinger Craig Artyukhin

[Don in St. Pete]

A couple of things that come to mind. The defense last year, while allowing a lot less shots, allowed more scoring chances. I like the way our d is playing, although they can do better. Our old defense, though I loved them, would often take themselves out of the play while making a bodycheck, witness Lukowich, Pickard and O'Brien. While I too miss Danny Boy's offensive talents, we have to keep in perspective that we couldn't afford to protect him at his salary. SJ can. They play him usually against the other teams 3rd and 4th lines which is what Tampa needed to do, but couldn't afford to do. I like the aditions of Krajicek and Malik. Metzsaros will continue to be one of the best young d in the game. I don't second guess any of these moves. Eminger has been a huge improvement over Carle, though Matt will probably one day develop into a superstar.

[PD]

Have felt that was best for Stamkos from day one too D.
If V4 starts taking his leadershop role seriously then thats a big score.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, You know I've been critical of the "favored one" but he had 7 hits and a couple of blocked shots on sunday. That's right V4 blocked a couple shots, something we haven't seen since the 04' final against Calgary. I personally have said from the beginning that Stamkos's future lies on the wing. He's a finisher, not a playmaker as witnessed by his playoff stats from junior's last year. As you know the defensive duties for a wing are much less demanding mentally than for the Center, though more so physically. He'll have to get used to the physical battles in the corners, but I think he'll be okay.

[PD]

You're right Ajax, but you also answered your own rhetorical question.
If Bolts had a D that could do that and throw some points up, transition well etc the sky would be a different color.
Boyle Kuba Carle could all carry the puck a bit and get up in the play.

These new guys are just afraid of getting caught especially w/o help from a few noted forwards.

[ajax]

Read an interesting stat. The Lightning have the best 1st period D in hockey. Strange, but clearly the way the D stays on the blue line early in the game versus later in the game, or when they get the lead, is unmistakeable. The other stat was how they had to get some scoring from the D as only 3 goals from the D so far. All of these comments strike on the obvious truth. D D D. The forecheck is absolutely useless unless the D holds their ground.
As the game goes on for at least 4-5 games now, the D seems to be 30-45 feet away from the forwards. Until Toccet closes that space between forwards and D the transition game will be zero. Ant this, at least I feel, is the only thing they should be working on. When the D gives up the center ice and hangs around its own blue line(very safe) is when the game suddenly changes and we have a hard time even getting the puck on offense. My strong suggestion. Close the space and keep it closed all game. I think this is the biggest difference in Washington. Their D are so aggressively meeting the puck versus ours, who are always backing down. Control the bluelines control the game. That was good 50 years ago and it is good now. Anyone notice how against Detroit their D never left the blueline even on the penalty kill. Obviously they have more talent than our D6 but you got to play the right way every game and that is how you get confidence to hang in there when you have a one goal lead. You ever wish you ran into the coach at the food court and got 7 seconds of fame to say something to him. Hold the blue/red/blue line and every part of your game will be better. OK, I need 11 seconds.

[Boltflasher]

Yes, PD, agree...the checking and D from that line will be, shall we say, interesting to behold...

[Hockeynut]

Ok, I think Barry got a raw deal. Sorry, but its true.... The players didn't like the fact he wanted them to play at a high level and sometimes they need someone in their face.... It's not like they're not making a gazillion dollars to skate....

I thought the new owner was his buddy?
Keep your chin Barry and I hope someone picks him up to coach back in the NHL...

I also hear it was about his practices he had and its the same as used during the times with the " Great one.".. So what, just play the game.... God Bless you Barry!

[danger]

I'm excited to see Stammer playing with Marty and Vinny. He's always needed to be on a line with people that are going to get him the puck, but Prospal is usually the one getting control along the boards and either feeding Vinny or Marty. That's not too say Prospal can't score, but is Stamkos going to be able to win battles along the wall to keep the pressure on the forecheck, and keep posession to get the puck to Vinny and Marty? I guess we'll see, but that MVP line is dangerous when it gets hot, so don't be surprised if Prospal is back on that line if Stammer falters.

[Phil Y]

Has SS had any experience at other levels playing left wing?? Always been a center??

[PD]

It's a move I suggested they do at the start, would take the pressure off him. He is not ready to be a two centre.

That said, vinny is actually going to have to play some defence cuz Stamkos is -6 in the last 6.

Tocchet and Potvin behind the bench. Wow there would be some hitting going on for sure. Wow. Vinny might not like it tho.

[mike p]

Glad to see this. You either give the guy full playing time in Jr. or you give him full NHL playing time. There can be no compromise or you could ruin the player's early years. Let's get it done Stevie!

[Casper]

I hope Steven gets NHL experience in clumps and bunches now. We may need him to replace the face of the franchise sooner, rather than later....no kidding.
V$'s Brad Richards imitation is getting old, mighty fast. Clearly, again we have no discernable clubhouse leader. If I saw some inspired play, I could say there is effective leadership.
But noooooo.

We seem to have whiney boys to plea for slackened practices, days off, or snivel to the Top Cowpoke for a new headmaster.

We do not, however, have a team leader de facto who says "Follow me!" to the rest and inspires intensity, digging in corners, blocking shots, TAKING shots (stopping that 'Sweet Georgia Brown' Globetrotter passing nonsense and shoot the dang puck....a lot!), crashing the other net; you know, all the gritty stuff a real Captain does. I hated it when these charlatans forced me to envy the Stinking Panthers because of their superlative leader, Olie Jokinen.
Torques my jaws, man...Why? Because here we are adamngain!

I recall posting a response to the Mullet hiring, something along the lines of, "We let go of Craig Ramsey and went with Tortorella. Did we let the wrong one head up I-75? Can we get Rammer back?"
Doubtful eh?

Anyway, again I plea that we not only beat the El Stinkos tomorrow, but we somehow steal their color commentator and part-time defense coach, HOF'er Denis Potvin.

Go Bolts!

[Boltflasher]

I think the imposter has been blocked,...again...till he moves to another computer.

Glad to see if they can get the kid going by moving him to Vinny and MSL.

Look forward to rematch with Panths. Both teams need 2 points badly to prevent falling any further behind Craps/Canes so should be lively match.

[m m]

Great to see Stamkos getting more ice time, he has incredible potential. Also I have not seen many games this year but if people who have think he can play better with Prospal then it is good news that they are together again.

I didn't like the Melrose hire at first, but I think he is a good guy and was crapped on by the owners. Just my humble opinion...

Go bolts!

[Bryan]

Vrbata is a good player, he is just one of those guys that you have to micromanage constantly, need to feed him details, exactly what his role is. He isn't an overly creative player, but has a great shot and good skating. I'm excited to see him with Prospal again, because they actually clicked before.

C'mon Steve, show them what you're made of.

[JM]

However this may not be true. I hope thats the case

[JM]

Hope Stamkos will get his confidence up by playing more, and getting points. He just needs that boost.

On another note, apparently some (or one) of the players went to the owners and told them they weren't happy with Melrose's coaching style, and if happened to be a factor for them firing him. It shouldn't be this way. If you don't like the coach too bad, live with it or the owners SHOULD find a trade for you. Didn't Lecavalier have to put up with Torts until it was settled? Players should not complain to the owners.

In the end, I myself didn't like Melrose, but still.

[Taco]

Exciting, big time news for the Kid.

Radim Vrbata/Jan Hlavac separated at birth?