What's more interesting?

There is a lot going on with the Lightning beginning with tomorrow's game with the Devils in Newark. The big story around the league is that New Jersey goalie Marty Brodeur is out with a serious elbow injury, but Tampa Bay starts a five-game journey that GM Brian Lawton has said will decide some personnel issues.

So which is more interesting?

Quote-wise, I'll say the Brodeur situation as Lightning coach Barry Melrose addressed a situation that would seem on the surface to be a good one for Tampa Bay. Who wouldn't rather face Kevin Weekes than Brodeur. But as Melrose said, “From a coach’s point of view, it actually causes problems. You have a team that’s mentally preparing to play against the best goaltender in the game, and all of a sudden he’s not there. It’s human nature. They’ll say, ‘Wow, it’s a great break for us and we don’t have to work as hard.’

“That’s how a coach things. You find a black cloud in everything. Kevin Weekes is an experienced NHL goaltender. Marty Brodeur being hurt only helps us if we work as hard as we did before.”

So what are the stats? Brodeur is 27-14-2 with five ties in 50 games against Tampa Bay with a 1.98 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and five shutouts. Weekes is 3-3 with two ties in 10 games against his former team with a 2.35 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and two shutouts.

As for the Lightning angle, we know Lawton has said how important is this trip. The roster is at the 23-player limit, and when right wing Radim Vrbata (groin) comes off injured reserve, that makes 24, and a roster move will have to be made. Vrbata might be ready soon. He said his groin has not bothered him for two days.

Vrbata and wing Jason Ward are on the bubble here, it would seem. Ward has played in just one of 10 games. Vrbata has zero goals in five games, missing two as a healthy scratch and three as injured.

"I definitely would like to see some decisions made," Ward said. "I definitely don't enjoy watching games."

As for Vrbata, he had 27 goals for the Coyotes last season and signed a three-year, $9-million contract. But he has struggled so far and also is looking for direction.

"Before the injury, I didn't know exactly what my role was," Vrbata said. "That's the reason I signed here, to have the same season I had last year. So, we'll see what this road trip brings."

It may not bring many changes if the team keeps winning as coach Barry Melrose has said he does not like changing a winning lineup.

“We’ve been together two months," Melrose said. "We know who plays hard. We know who we would like to play harder. We know who is dependable; you now who’s a competitor, who’s not a competitor. … What I’m looking at in the five games is, where are we in our emergence as a team?”

Interesting.   

Comments

[Hockey Puck]

OGIE OGALTORP...TRADE ME RIGHT F..in now!

[Mark]

The Bolts need Ogie Ogalthorpe!

I to, am bothered by Melrose in front of the mic day after day. We had that, and it was always tolerable when you "win" I think anyone gets real tired of it when you lose. Tortorella had a huge ego and Melrose constantly in front of the camera gives me bad vibes. So many great coaches of the past were very very private men. Melrose needs to learn this, fast.

[Tino]

Some of the Lightning's worst and most frustrating games last year were against backup and minor-leaguers-brought-up-for-a-game goalies.

Just like how the team stops playing in third periods when they have a lead, they take it easy when they are playing a weaker goalie.

I want to see Arty run Weekes in the first minute of the game!

[danger]

If anyone has to be the odd man out, it's Vrbata. The season is young I know, but I haven't seen him play a solid game yet. It seems that we're finally coming together and getting some chemistry going, and Vrbata doesn't work for me. Melrose wants to play a hard forechecking, puck posession game, and I've yet to see Vrbata forecheck hard, and be able to keep posession of the puck. Every time he's on the ice he looks like he just woke up and has no idea where he is. I'm sorry but this dude just doesn't do it for me.

“That’s how a coach thinks.You find a black cloud in everything. Kevin Weekes is an experienced NHL goaltender.”
“That’s how a coach thinks. You find a black cloud in everything. Kevin Weekes is an experienced NHL goaltender.”

Think that was a slip up or was black cloud deliberate?

Either way I chuckled.

[jiffy]

Neither is more interesting...
They are going to keep Vrbata and get rid of Ward.
This is the NHL if you do not work hard every night you are not going to win many of the games.

[boltcc]

Vrbata is coming off a good season last year because it was the last year of a contract. Seems like he has an attitude problem also.When he said being benched up in the box to watch the game is for younger players and he had already played a couple of hundred games and didn't need that, made me think he wasn't getting the message. But of all the players they went and signed you have to think there would be one or two that wouldn't work out. But with Tocchet being his assistant coach in Phoenix and then here they would have a pretty good idea of what kind of player he is.

[Hockey1stLove]

What's this I hear about Niskala being put on waivers?? Is this true? Thought he had a clause in his contract that if he didn't play with the team he went back to Europe?

[//]

Slapshot...this is a hockey blog. Please keep political posts to "The Buzz."

[Hockey Chic]

I do not know about you but there is no one in this league who I would rather NOT face than Brodeur. He is by far the best goalie in the league. Dude did I just say that.

I guess I have a different approach to it and I would think it dooes not diminish the preparation with the team as much as it should help solidify and gell the team.

A win is a win regardless of how you look at it. That being, go out and get a win and keep the MO rolling.

Enuff talk. Lets put up or shut up, shoot and often, do not get caught in the trap. Crash the net and lets see another hard fought road win.

Go Bolts!!

p.s. This is for Melrose, in the words of the former head honcho, "shut your yap."

I am tired of hearing the coach tear down the team and talk about working hard and who needs to do what. The Team deserves nothing but your support now quit bashing your team to the media coach.

[Slapshot]

GO JOHN McCAIN .....................................................................................................................& BOLTS