Lightning recalls two players from Norfolk

The Lightning is about to begin morning skate in preparation for tonight's game with the Flyers, where it'll have two more new players in uniform. Management continues to tinker in search for some answers to the current four-game slide.

From a team release:

The Lightning have recalled center Paul Szczechura and left wing Radek Smolenak from Norfolk of the American Hockey League. Both players will be in Philadelphia tonight and available for the game against the Flyers.

Szczechura leads the Admirals with 11 goals and 24 points in 23 games, while Smolenak has tallied eight goals, 18 points and 93 penalty minutes in 23 games.

It will be most interesting to see who leaves the lineup if the call-ups go in immediately. LW Gary Roberts' balky groin will open one spot. Perhaps Evgeny Artyukhin comes out of exile. Szczechura theoretically could bring some offense, Smolenak what ex-coach John Tortorella used to call 'jam.'

Hmm, jam.

Comments

[ajax]

Mezzy is a good player. The problem like so many decent players that get here. They are asked, asap, to do more than they ever have in their careers because of our woeful depth. When three of the D are playing 2/3 of the game they are going to be pooped come crunch time. Same thing happened the last two years with three forwards playing every other shift. With all the signings etc we still are only playing 12-13 guys a night. Need minimum 15. Keep building, gotta somehow get some cheap minor league help for the first time in a long long time around here. We will take our lumps, lumps should build character.

[Patrick]

Even though they lost tonight, I saw more effort and determination out of V4 than I have seen all year. I hope he keeps it up.

[BoltAction]

V4 is not to blame here, guys. While he hasn't been great, there are 18 other guys on the ice (including the goalie) that *should* be capable of pulling their weight, no?

[McGz]

It is obvious to me that Vinny is still favoring his right shoulder, which if I'm not mistaken should be his checking shoulder. He still ices it after every game and noticeably pulls up right before making contact with someone. Although his game has never been one of solid d and going to the net, he is, in my mind hesitant to make that sacrifice and playing a real physical game because of his shoulder.

I believe Ranger is in the same boat, if not worse. He was confident the first few games back, but since has become timid in the defensive zone. These guys will get stronger as the season goes on, and if the defense stands opposing players up at the blue line (like they should) and Vinny sacrifices his body a little more as the Captain of the team, I think they can turn the season around. A nice 4-5 game winning streak would get us back in the thick of the division race, and with division games coming up, those are paramount to win.

But lets start out simple and get a win in Philly tonight. We own them lately. It looks like Craig and Vrbata are getting sat to make room for the youngsters. I too would like to see Smaby cream some people. Go Bolts!

[marosh_svk]

Bryan you are right I was just angry but they really need to start with intensity and play for our team.

I´ve been V4´s collector so many years but why he has been so lazy this season?

Why marty doesn´t create as many chances as he can do, tell me what´s wrong?

[BoltAction]

So since this organization is geared towards losing (all-time record is, 452-605-113-53 for a win% of 43.7%), why did we bother signing Vinny? Maybe that dude leo was right all this time... Maybe we should just trade that guy. I can't believe he signed here... He must know something we don't.

[D]

I recall a game last year when Picard stood up at the blue line, stepped into an oncoming forward and knocked the guy flat on his butt, disconnecting him from his stick. That's one effective way to cut down on shots. And they should make Mezaros, Lundin and the rest of that bunch watch that highlight 20 times a day. And while they're at it, why not give Smaby another shot? He's not tepid about hitting NHL forwards. I'm so sick of Tinkerbell D that I can't even stand to watch it anymore.

[Patrick]

Arty better be back in the lineup.

[D]

Roger that, Ajax. Smitty deserves extra kudos for his play because he's had the back ends of his own D backing off the blue line and into his lap all year. It looks like a Bucs huddle back there. This has been visible from all levels of the Forum all year. "Stand up at the blue line!" should have been a video session mantra all year. It should be cliche by now. It should be painted on the dressing room wall, written on gloves, plastered on the bulletin board. Unbelievable.

[BoltAction]

I think Recchi's -9 deserves a seat to try out these guys. I mean Stamkos' +/- is worse, but at least he's getting the experience.

But was this really the right move? What is up with this stupid organization?!? We don't need the AHL guys to save us, we need the old farts to stop killing us!

It's times like this that I wonder what Brian "Boitano" Burke would do:
http://habsbros.blogspot.com/2008/12/rds-confirms-leafs-have-bomb.html

[Bryan]

Haha, oh my god both those trades are terrible. Latendresse for Marty, aaaaaaaaaahahaha.

You should pick up tennis or something, marosh.

[marosh_svk]

I am tired of this season, It isn´t healthy to solve the problem of lack of players passion. If they dont play hard enough then dont play them, dont pay them.

Lecavalier and St. louis hasn´t been our best players a long time.

I´ll tell you that I had a hope at the end of the last season. That was the play of HALPERN, PICARD, RAMO, SMITH, OULLETE, DARCHE, McDonald. ...

4+26 were playing like loosers then.

Today we have Smith, Eminger, Ranger, Mesz, Prospal, Stamkos, Malone, Jussi, Recchie, Downie, Arty, Hall, maybe Vrbata - most of them better than 26,4.

Could help STAJAN and Kaberle trade for vinnie, and latendresse for marty! Its a real trade lets do it!

[ajax]

Read a funny paragraph in the paper today. Lightning Dmen had to watch a scarry film about them and how easy it is to get into the offensive zone. Damian, I wish you would have asked in a much nicer way than I would of asked. It took you guys 23 games to notice this. Was the video equipment stolen or on backorder. Those are the kinda slight comments that I have a hard time letting go. Maybe Tocchet and company need to start working a bit harder themselves. Geez. Iand, AND, Is it a coincidence that this "retreat of the blueline" was noticed when Sullivan was brought back in. Great catch by some coach but I got some advice for the coaching staff. Come sit in the stands with my group of guys, and it won't take you 23 games to notice some OBVIOUS wrongs on how to play the game of hockey. Now Tocchet has recognized that transition starts with breaking vertically. Now lets just see if they can get some of these stiffs to stick to their guns and have the guts to actually play that way. Once again I am a sucker for "yes, I am reading the right things" Let's hope seeing the problem equates to fixing the problem........ H-O-P-E springs eternal for us true Bolt Fans.

[HockeyBay.com]

Bolts in Last Place 23 6 10 7 19 ! Will anything help? Scotty Bowman might be able to win a few games with the " Motley Jam Crew "

[D]

They got anybody in the system with heart? Tocchet was right to bring that up the other day. He should get more pointed about it. The word "gutless" comes to mind, as does the phrase "mail it in" when describing this team's on-ice character. They might as well start dealing for draft picks and prospects because much of the current roster plays as though it believes the jobs are safe and that winning isn't worth that much effort. I'd rather watch a bunch of hungry kids battle and take their lumps than see unmotivated vets collect easy money.

[Oscar]

HURRAY!

I don't care if it's jam or chunky peanut butter, we need to give those kids in the AHL some hope at making the bigs, staying in nice hotels, and chasing major league poon.
They tire of those bus rides and this'll get them playing harder down there, and learning how to play hard here. Duh.

Go hard, you play. Waft around like a shy juniors bench splinter picker, you don't sit....YOU'RE GONE!
Learn from Wanvig; he went hard for a few games and then started mailing it in. Where is he now?

Keep bringing them up.

Go Bolts!

[Mikal69]

no kidding, R2KN with some help could become a Forsberg/Malkin type power foward, doubt he'll get to that level but maybe a 40 point a year guy could be in the cards.

[olin]

..Mike, if only V4 and MSL would give him stick/puck handling lesson's

[Mike13]

I saw Szczechura's stats yesterday when I was looking at the Norfolk roster. I was surprised to see his numbers. Bochenski is also a solid player that we may see this year.

Still, it is curious that the Bolts would need to call up a forward. I guess they are just sending a message.

I sure wish Arty would find some sort of scoring touch to his game. The guy skates like the wind and hits like a Mack truck.