Jokinen clears waivers

Lightning center Jussi Jokinen, zero goals in 15 games, cleared waivers , and will be in the lineup tonight against the Thrashers in Atlanta. GM Brian Lawton said the team has no intention right now of sending Jokinen to the minors. He said the move to put him on waivers was a "wake-up call" to a player who has been underperforming.

"And we'll see how he responds," Lawton said.

"It's a new position for me. It's not fun," Jokinen said. "But it happens. I have to take it the right way, use it like a wake-up call. I haven't played good."

Jokinen has six goals but has just two assists in his past 15 games, and coach Rick Tocchet confirmed Jokinen's knees have been bothersome, though he did not realize how much until Jokinen took a couple days off from practice this week. Still, Lawton said he wants to see a better overall effort. Tocchet spoke of Jokinen being soft on the puck and committing numerous turnovers. he also mentioned Jokinen has had plenty of chances to snap out of the slump as his minutes have not wavered much from the 16:43 he is averaging, though he played only 11-plus minutes Thursday against the Avalanche.

"He knows he's playing bad," Tocchet said. "He's got to pick up his game. ... It comes to a point I can't keep putting him out there if he's not going to produce."

Other stuff from this morning: Mike Smith gets the start in goal. He has a 0.96 goals-against average and a .970 save percentage in his past two games yet is 0-1-1. ... Tocchet said Steven Stamkos getting just 9:15 of ice time against Colorado and fewer than two minutes in the third period was a result of a a little lack of focus on Stamkos' part and that others were playing better. "Stammer is a young guy," Tocchet said. "He has to be ready to play from the start. We need his enthusiasm. Sometimes he's a slow starter. he even mentioned to me he's waiting to see how the game is going to dictate. We need him to be dictating the play." ... Nothing certain but it appears right wing Evgeny Artyukhin will be scratched for the second straight game. ... Center Jeff Halpern said he had no ill effects from his first game of the season in which he played 17:36. "Not with my knee," Halpern said. "Just body soreness." ... Defenseman Andrej Meszaros said he did not mind losing the A as an alternate captain to Halpern. "Not at all," he said. "I understood. I'm still a young guy and Halpy is very experienced.It was an honor for me to have it, but it was obvious they were going to give it to an older guy. Maybe in the future." 

Comments

[Badbud]

"Plus from Winter Springs to SPT is 2 hours each way"

Oh,how far is to Boston from Winter Springs ????
: 21 hours 8 minutes Estimated Distance: 1296.26 miles

Wow that was Ugly Game, watched the Hawks-Vancouver,and got sick about what we are MISSING. They were playing HOCKEY,something that is so differant that what we see.

Dang-it this a BAD team,they have NO HEART.or Guts

[Jack]

Lawton is brutal. He needs a waiver. And have you seen his witchy wife-scary stuff! We need experience. Dump him with the rest of the losers. Come on Joki, we need you bud!

[polar bayer]

The main reason Jokinen cleared is the salary and accompanying cap number. These days with the salary cap most teams just can't take a $1.8m cap hit without sending players the other way because it pushes them closer to the cap and teams need the space for flexibility. Another factor is roster space. Every team is packed with players already, so with all things considered the waiver grabs are usually players with a cap hit close to the NHL minimum. There are lots of players in the league with less ability than Jokinen, many with a higher cap hit, but teams are stuck with them. Any player movement creates difficulties for GMs these days. So many restricting factors in play. Let's hope Jussi gets back on track, so he either contributes to this team or helps bring something useful in a trade. Although the difficulty is that other GMs have registered how the Lightning does deals, so fair value is hard to get in any trade.

[Herb]

I know it's not the bloggers fault but most wouldn't like me to be so negative. I feel obligated to let my feelings be known about this collection of players that I refuse to call this a "team". I am disgusted and don't feel good about going to the games anymore but I was stupid to make the investment of full season tickets. I don't want to subject my ill feelings towards the Bolts to some who might not like what I have to say.

[Herb]

Oh and bye the way, the next future Lightning's first overall pick scored a goal in an exhibition game today, and that would be Victor Hedman.

[ajax]

Groundhog day. Why go on with life?? Without a doubt we took two steps ahead with the forwards we got over last years pukes. And I am 110% sure we have taken 4 steps backwards with the D we have. Space. Not Star Trek space, it is defined by how much room other forwards get on a constant basis versus our D. So many scoring opportunities. Smitty gave up 4 goals and yes it could of been 7-8 so easily. By the third period our forwarrds were playing for the most part 3 on 5. We got rid of some of the dead wood that I felt I knew from week one (Lundin Gratton) A zillion dollar question for everyone/anyone. If you are going to dress a totally useless guy (Heward) and play him 10 minutes, are you not saying that you have no one, NO ONE, in the entire organization that you could be playing for 10 minutes to prepare him for next year?? Remember these words, as long as Malik is getting 20+ minutes a night we will stink. That is my bell weather. We basically play only 4 Dmen all night and he needs to be a 10 minute guy. I have to eat some serious crow on Mezzy tonight. He was I thought a huge reason we lost. Couple of real bad giveaways and countless wrap arounds. Game after game by the third period our D just will not move the pucks with their legs. Krajicek, watch him and let me know if you agree. The guy simply will not move the puck forward. He backs up and holds the puck constantly. This is the NHL, you need guys to "make plays" How many times a night to our D get the puck on the point and can't even get the puck on net. Groundhog Day. It is Xmas and I am thank-ful that they are not playing every other day. i couldn't take the frustration I feel anymore than 2 nights a week!! PD, can I buy you a beer??? Maddening!!

[Herb]

Here is a nice season stat for this year. The Bolts have just 1 regulation win at home, 1 SOW and 1 OTW. That is really PATHETIC!!!!!!!

[Nan]

I didn't see the first part of the game. Did any of TV commentators make a comment about Brian Pochmara being one of the refs at this game tonight?

[Badbud]

They were for most of game.

Good God!!!!!! How bad is this team,got beat by Atl.!!!!!!!!!!

If not for Smitty,this would be one of those snowman games,you know,8-? Atl.

[Nan]

It has been very difficult to keep the faith with this team. I will always be a hockey fan but they are surely trying my patience. I can understand them being in the rebuilding mode but I want Lawton to come out and say it. Quit hiding behind the Oh, I think we can still make the playoff remarks.

I am tired of the rotating door and the rotating lines. Here we are watching tonight's game, and Marty, Vinny and Prospal are on three seperate lines. Are you kidding me? Oh, Marty just scored on a power play with a pass from Vinny. Geez! At least put Marty and Vinny on a line together!

[ajax]

Watching the goals go in at a record clip. I think Tocchet did speak the truth. Some of these guys are just dumb hockey players. I have always loved the effort of Paul Ranger but how many times can the guy totally ignore someone behind him. Maybe he has a neck injury and can't look behind him?? Time and time and time and time again he loses track of the guy behind him, horrible anticipation. How about that last penalty kill?? Have you ever seen 4 guys move slower??
Another prediction, Craig put on waivers real soon. He is lethargic, and looks to me, to be very heavy compared to last year. The revolving door continues I guess. On the 2nd goal twice they had a chance to do something with the puck to get it out of the zone and both times they tried the blind rap around...to an Atlanta player. Come crunch time our D just doesn't have the guts to hold the puck. How about the penalty on Prospal??? Did he toot on him?? Cause that is about as little as you can touch a goalie and get a penalty. Stamkos has already stonehanded about three passes. Such hope for the night, doesn't it seem that whenever they turn up the work effort they also loose common sense?? Some of that you can write off as not knowing each other, but for about 8 minutes I swear I saw ghosts of last year, all out forechecking and oops....breakaways left and right.Maddening...It ain't over. 6-5 Lightning in OT. Marty gets a hat trick. Not bad for a washed up guy on the trading block!!!!!

[Herb]

It is extremely hard not to be negative about this team where EVERY ASPECT of this team sucks except for Mike Smith's goaltending. This version of the Bolts can't score, can't defend, and have no specialty teams at all. The negativity comes from this team being really bad and why should you sugarcoat a terrible effort from this team in all but maybe 3 games this season. That is why I won't be attending anymore blog get togethers because I refuse to put lipstick on this Lightning pig. This team sucks for air and I have no qualms with saying so. I have their record, lack of scoring or defending to back up my argument.

[Joe Bolts]

I really think the Bolts are not as bad as every body makes them out to be.Just look at what they have had to overcome.New owners, new GM, new head coaches and all the new players(some very young).The team was blown apart and now they are trying to rebuild. Does the team suck? No dout.But,can you really expect them not to? Vinnie not 100%,Marty getting beat up-cut up,revolving door of players being put on waivers. I for one will keep on rooting for them without as much pissing and mouning as some others on this blog.

[h29]

BBF

I think the next to be dangled on the waiver wire by the Cowboys and our faux GM is Arty.

And if that happens... I may be the next to jump off the ship.

I love this team but its getting harder and harder to keep the faith.

And its not the players or the play of these guys that upsets me. Its these idiot owners. They came in with such bluster and vibrato (hey isn't that the $3 million dollar mistake in Europe now?)They have embarrassed themselves, the history of the team and our town. Actions speak louder than words, and their words and actions have been disastrous.

Haven't we all seen around us what a lack of skill and competence mixed with overconfidence can lead to !?!

At least they have to keep their hands off the roster for a week or so. Merry Xmas and Happy Channukah to the boys. It may be the last one for most of you here in T Bay. And that's a shame.

[bingo]

Hockey Chic - That is the first time in my 17 years of tb hockey that I have seen the debris rain down from the stands. Unlike you i was surprised that chairs did not come down on the ice. I was this close to pitching my bottle over the glass. It is a good thing that there were only about 12k fans in the stands otherwise the refs would not have left in one piece.

What does the NHL expect when they put such a joke on the ice to manage the game? We are paying top dollar to see the game and we do not need to be nailed with this garbage. Even though I don't see any merit in the Joker Derby aka HomeRun Derby at least the refs could call a consistent game. I watch ton's of hockey and this sort of garbage goes on each and every night. I hope that we in the end have the passion that is in philly for their teams minus the goons.

We will disagree on this one.

The bigger point is we had 1 goal in 41 shots. Are you kidding me? Unreal to say the least. BTW: 38 shots during the game and 3 penalty shots not a biscuit hit the back of the net. Must have been melface in goal with the Gods of oh I really hate you now.

Go bolts

[Ben bolt fan]

Another great move made by our wonderful "cowboy" GM. This time Jussi Jokinen from the Brad Richards deal is not doing well and clears waivers. SHOCKER! No, I am mot in shock that, not, one team in the NHL wants our players!!
I think him learning a new postion is crap. He has been doing it all year long. He is not working hard and being lazy. Being a center is very hard work playing both ends of the ice.
I am not a big fan of this gm, he is such a fool!
Ranger is next for the waiver wire.

[hockeytalkie]

chic

there is less and less to be positive about. i love the team. it's my team. i want them to win. but just like in 2000 i know that the opposite result is more likely. my friends (if they blogged here) would tell you i predicted in july that melrose would not be here at x-mas. my brother (whom i attend games with) will tell you i was adamantly against all of the off season moves on offense when it was the D that needed shoring up. they'll also tell you that i desperately HOPED i was wrong and we lit the league on fire (the way SJS has).

no chic, i want the team to win. i hope the team will win. i love it when they win! and i have for 16 years now. but at the same time i refuse (paraphrasing H Ross Perot) to put lipstick on a pig and call it the prom queen. i admire your optimism in the face of all of this, but understand... that's just not me. i'd rather pop in the dvd of 2004 and remember that it CAN be turned around eventually, than expect it to happen overnight or blame a few bad calls or one horrible trade. no their problems are much bigger than that.

i'm just waiting for OKs version of the "smudged fax". b/c sadly i dont think we've hit rock bottom with these guys yet. on the positive side; it could be worse. the original sale could have gone through 12 months ago and doug mcclean would now be both coach AND gm!

[fogelberg]

Apparently you can't go through a slump without being traded or put on waivers. This FO has the patience of a 2-year-old.

[Hockey Chic]

Afternoon fellow posters,

Hockeytalkie if I did not know any better I would say you are PD's ulter ego. I really do not think I have heard a good word out of you in a long time.

To putting Jussi on waivers if that is what it takes to get him going I am all for it. I think Jussi has much more potential than he is showing. Here is hoping it works. While it is Lawtons job to put him on waivers I think it is saying a lot that Tochhet must agree to some extent looking at his comments. It is a sign to all that they either play at their best or sit or be sent down. Gutsy move lets hope it works.

Halpy had a great game the other night and it was good to see him back. I did not see the entire game. But let me say this all of you know I have been one that has said all along the officiating sucks. I still feel that way.

That being said I feel like something needs to be said about the throwing of trash onto the ice. First, what would happen if you hit and injured a player. Second what the hell does that say about us as fans? Third what is next?

While we may not agree with the call and it may or may not have cost us the game the officials (zebras) are there for a reason. To keep the game in hand, to officiate and that they did whether it was the wrong call or not and you have to respect that.

I cannot imagine the disgust and shame the players felt when people starting throwing stuff. This is not philly or jersey and we do not do that no matter how disgusted we were with the call. Want to do something about it write Bettman and protest the call, the shoot out and the officiating. It will speak volumes my friends rather than stooping to throwing stuff on the ice.

Off my soap box now. I hope the entire team has a wicked awesome game and kicks some serious ice. Go MSL GO!!
I will be playing at the same time but will catch the highlights when my game is done.

Good luck and Lets Go lightning!!!

[PD]

actually it says everything Talkie and loudly too.

All the Koules crowd were adamant that the Bolts had struck gold with their free agent/trade boondoggles.

[hockeytalkie]

notice that NONE of these guys have been claimed off waivers. shouldn't that tell everyone something about this group that was assembled? i bet roberts would pass through too. might as well he's just been wasting space so far.

[Marosh]

LAWTON needs a wake-up call as well, this team needs more time, they are not good today, but lawton is a looser, take your 40´s pages book and burn it with your hockey talent

[Nan]

Phew, I am glad he cleared waivers and is staying with the club. Now use that wakeup call and play harder Jussi! While we are on the subject of turnovers, I assume that Mr. Tocchet has addressed this issue with Mr. Ranger? I have been less than impressed with him as of late!

Good that Meszaros took the loss of the A well. It should never have gone to him in the first place with such a new team, coach and GM. Halpern is a good selection for the A.