Smaby in, Lundin, maybe, out (updated)

The Lightning recalled defenseman Matt Smaby from AHL Norfolk. No Tampa Bay defensemen are injured but it seems Mike Lundin will be the healthy scratch that lets Smaby into the lineup. Lundin generally has been solid this season, but has been a little tentative in the past few games. And as coach Rick Tocchet said of the recent infusion of youth, "We have to get some competition up here."

Sometimes, competition is the best motivator. Lightning GM Brian Lawton reiterated he wants to see how the current group of players will jell, and unless something huge falls into his lap, his personnel moves will be around the edges. That means bringing people up from Norfolk such as Steve Downie, Paul Szczechura, Smaby and Radek Smolenak. Tocchet said that kind of push is better than anything a coaching staff can say because there is a tangible person in the locker room looking to steal playing time.

"Sometimes you need a little kick, not so much from the coaches but from the younger kids," Tocchet said. "We need some guys to push people, and I think these kids are going to do that. ... I felt the kids last game gave us a lot of energy and Smaby deserves a chance to be here. The ship is leaving and we're taking the guys who want to play. These guys are the future. we want to see what they've got."

"I'm comfortable with this group of players," Lawton said. "We're going to see what they can do."

And it is what "they" can do because Lawton said, "I'm very comfortable the coaches are doing a good job. ... Now, it's up to the players to take the responsibility for the wins and losses, and I believe they will get it done."

Morning skate stuff: Tocchet said right wing Radim Vrbata (groin) likely will sit tonight and that right wing Evgeny Artyukhin (a healthy scratch against the Flyers) will be a game-time decision. ... Center Jeff Halpern (knee), cleared for contact, said it is possible he could play by the first or second game after next week's road trip. That means perhaps Dec. 18 against the Avalanche or Dec. 20 against the Thrashers.  "I feel good," he said. "So maybe a week or two of this and we'll see where it is." Lawton said while Halpern is "getting closer, we don't rush guys. It's painful. We can use him and we love his skill and love his leadership. But we don't rush players here." ... Tocchet might have inadvertently let it slip Bruins vice president Cam Neely, an old friend, will be named team president, something that had been speculated but never stated. "It's nice to see him in this position with the Bruins because he can really make this organization proud," Tocchet said. "He's going to make a great president." ... Tampa Bay prospects Dustin Tokarski and Dana Tyrell have been invited to Team Canada's camp for the world junior championship.      

he is "comfortable the coaches are doing a good job. ... Now it's up to the players to take responsibility for the wins and losses, and I believe they will get it done."

Comments

[Boltflasher]

Add Craig to that...

[McGz]

In these dark times you have to look at the positives:
Smaby is much more serviceable than Lundin, he stood opponents up at the blueline, made open ice hits and limited his turnovers as much as I could tell. He didn't give up many chances but did seem sluggish. But most big men are.

The young players are putting on a good show, creating chances and Downie looks to be the real deal and gaining confidence. Tough break on that rolling puck and open net.

Stamkos continues to improve and will be a good player for many years to come.

Roberts, Gratton and Vrbata did not play. These guys should be in a packaged deal for something useful. Anything.

[Boltflasher]

Sounds like Coach Bill had further adventures last night!...again, thanks for the great view at the game!!

Question: Why is Craig out there instead of Arty? Is Craig being "showcased" for some scouts?

[Mike13]

...as I saw Jokinen...

[Mike13]

I saw 4 things I liked in last night's game.

1) Smaby standing up at the blueline. Not sure why more of our guys don't do this.

2) Smolenak blocking a shot. It actually rubbed off a little bit as I say Jokinen do the same thing later in the game.

3) St. Louis was about as close to being in the zone than he has all season. He was skating strong and was finding some open spaces.

4) Smith was absolutely fantastic....again. That Richards/Holmqvist for Smith/Halpern/Jokinen deal is looking more and more like theivory.

Can't wait for Halpern to return in a week or so.

Craig needs to be put on waivers and sent down to Norfolk.

[brendan]

HI guys, I saw on an earlier post, that if the Lightning had won half of the one goal games, we would be in the hunt for a playoff spot. Please!!! Good teams win the close games, even better teams don't get involved with as many one goal games. Let's not hang our hats on one goal games.

[karma]

In my silent protest, I've stopped using my season tickets, or even giving them away. I don't doubt that there are guys on the ice giving it their all every shift; but I hate it when our "super-stars" aren't playing up to their abilities. My 4 hours saved at this time of the year is too precious to waste on a bad hockey team.

And, while I've always said that only the players win games (I think Tocc is doing a hell of a job), our fantasy, rookie GM needs to go. He's killed any continuity and chemistry with all of the nonsense trades. It's going to take a significant event of leadership to pull this thing around.

[PD]

Coach Bill, a little more on the two girls you picked up and why you are still wiped?

The blog needs a little spice.

[olin]

..agree with your young guy's call Coach Bill, as Tort's would say they did bring more "jam" than some veteran's. Play them Tocc. Was good to see someone actually go down on the ice to block a outside shot with Smolenik doing the duty, on a pp. Was a sweet play with MSL and V4 for our goal, but need more contribution of other line's. They are coming around and playing much better than with Mullet head. Keep it going Tocc.

[marosh_svk]

the best passer in our own zone is MIKE SMITH, give him a long contract, please.

[fogelberg]

Vrbata for Avery?

[PD]

I actually saw an open ice hit by a Bolt Dman..Smaby of all.

[Boltflasher]

Oh,...another problem with the passing...when 4 guys are on the boards digging out the puck they don't have anybody to pass to when they finally dig the puck out..so it turns into a turnover after they dig the puck out

[Boltflasher]

Back from game. The young kid line brings a lot of energy and are embarrasing many of the veterans on the team. I see more puck poise, less blind passes from them than with many of the vets on the team.

Unlike Ajax, I saw some baby steps with the D as for the first 2 periods Coach Bill and I were commenting that for the first time this season actually saw the D attempting to hold the Blue line and meet the oncoming opponents and how Smaby took out the opponent several times when with Lundin they would have skated by him or shrugged off his weak poke check.

Agree with Ajax, though, still seeing the 3 zone pass, terrible passing in general not just by the D but by the forwards as well. The terrible passing has the effect of slowing the team down and is slowing down the top players as they have to circle back to get the puck after the bad pass..the standing around and hesitancy to shoot on the powerplay is allowing the other teams's penalty kill to setup. Then after the hesitancy, still making the bad pass. Ranger, especially, made some gawd-awful passes...

More later...too tired..

[ajax]

Just got home. Don't let anybody be fooled by the closeness of the game. Embarassing. Boston plays hard. They played the game 75% in our zone.
I am glad to see the kids playing. At least they play hard. Watching Gratton and Roberts collect a 10 grand check for doing nothing is worthless. Smaby had more hits than Lundin does in a year, but make no mistake, he doesn't skate enough to play in the NHL. Heart is willing, legs will 4ever hold him back. Good to see VL4, Marty and Malone play so well. 3 Games in a row now, I thought they were the best line on the ice for either team. Down side, we are pretty much a one line team. Sad side, why did it take 20 games for them to turn up the heat. Very encouraging to see how many chances these guys produced. I am going to bed so I will be brief about the downside of the game. I think there were a minimum 25 times when our D could of simply skated forward. The difference between Boston's blueline approach and our blueline approach, well is the distance from first to last place. Can anyone of them beside Messy every take a step forward??? I read all about watching tape and breakouts etc but then I see a team that there absolute first reaction on the backline is to either hold the puck or retreat. Skate forward, meet the opposing forwards by going at them.....retreat retreat retreat.... I could of swore the Lightning were playing to win 1-0. Does anyone really thing that Boston is that much more talented than we are??? It is so much about confidence and preaching agressive versus safe. It is embarassing watching them always on there heels. Tocchet just has to convince them to tighten the space. Stop back pedaling all the time.
And at Xmas it is time to be thank-ful. Thank God for Mike Smith.

[Herb]

Well another game and another loss. One step closer to the Hedman sweepstakes, forget Tavares. Ranger, could you be any more worthless?? I think not.

[Mike13]

Avery???? Good gracious I hope not. We do not need his circus act down here.

That would be like signing some jaded hockey TV guy to be our head coach. Oh wait...

[Patrick]

This is the best approach with this team I have seen yet. Competition for playing will wake the team up. Whoever doesn't respond to it should probably be considered as trade bait for players who have shown they are motivated.

[Kipp]

Finally we're giving Smaby a shot. Honestly I don't know how Lundin lasted this long.

[Oscar]

Yep, I'm delighted Matt Smaby is getting a more fair chance to stick this time.
Also agree Mihalik should be along shortly with Ty Wishart arriving in say, late February or March.

Those are the future defenders of our blue line and anybody absolutely confident in Darren Rumble's tutilage skills, bang your sticks on the ice three times.
Best they learn what is expected of them through trial by fire, if we don't have the finest coaching going on at Norfolk.
I think they just want to put fannies in seats just like anywhere else; and the intense instruction on systematic positioning, puck movement, and punishing opposing offenses likely is a wee bit on the slack side.
Barometer: how many shutouts for the Ad's this year?

I am patently against bringing back Jeff Halpern in 2008. Mid January '09 should be the soonest for that knee. Big diff between 'feels good' and strong as he-doublehockeysticks.
Boyle returned too soon despite my protestations, let's not dork it up two seasons in a row, huh?

God we need Halpie something fierce but please don't rush, we're finding we must be patient with all things Bolt so, another 3-4 weeks of strength conditioning and gassers can only help.

Doubt the B's will mail it in tonight but if they do, we might pull a rabbit out of our gooloo. Watch their #17 though, and dream the Koules dream...

Go Bolts!

[Boltnutt]

Let the board ratteling begin

[bingo]

Amanda that's right he had his head plowed into the glass. Upshall will probably take a couple days off.
Arty looked oozy after the hit probably concussion type for him.

[Eric]

Really? That team from last year doesn't look so bad? You liked seeing 4-5 odd man rushes every game? You liked seeing goalies who could only muster a .875 save percentage? You must have really enjoyed watching the top line suckin air by the 3rd period cuz they had already played 25 minutes.

Yeah, good call, no improvements at all.

These guys win a few shootouts and they're in the thick of the race for the division lead. Although last year's team did win those....

[McGz]

I agree Bingo, Lundin is at least trying out there, even though he bounces around like a ping pong ball. If he put on 15 lbs of muscle he might actually turn into an NHL defenseman, I don't think we should give up on him yet.

Smaby deserves a shot, since Mihalik was brought up out of camp. All he has to do is limit the turnovers, put some bodies through the glass, stand fwds up at the blue line and not get beat to the outside in his own zone. Up for it kid? I hope so! I have a feeling he's Tocchet's kind of guy.

[Bob]

Looking in the rear view mirror, that team from last year doesn't seem all that bad at this point in the season.

[bingo]

I would sit Krajicek (sp) versus Lundin.
I'll be in the house tonight regular seat 101. C ya all there.

Bingo

[Amanda]

"...right wing Evgeny Artyukhin (a healthy scratch against the Flyers)..."
Really? I guess nobody bothered telling him. Or Upshall.

[D]

Good. Smaby deserves a shot and here's hoping he works to make an impression with some big hits at the blue line. I approve of this motivational strategy (not that Lundin is most deserving of it by any means). I would just take it a step further by sending some of these underachieving, couldn't-care-less-because-my-job-is-safe types, like Vrbata, for an xmas trip to Norfolk. That might really start to get their attention in that room.

[The Voice of the Turtle]

Is there any truth to the rumor (I am now starting) that boy genius, Brian Lawton, is considering taking on the "sloppy seconds" of the Dallas Stars. If this is so, I approve because the Lightning are playing rather gruesomely and, in fact, have become a brutally boring team.

The notoriously infamous and (suddenly) deeply apologetic "sloppy seconds" guy would probably not enhance the Lightning's sad record, but there would be few dull moments in HOCKEY BAY (I hope you all love that moniker as much as I do, and I am sure that it causes hilarity around the league).

Even though he may not have invested any money with Len Barrie, Sean Avery has definitely earned his right to become a member of the NHL's most unsuccessful team, and he can use his mouthy professional wrestler "schtik" to promote the games of this otherwise lifeless and progressively less interesting "Saw movie" (as in hard to watch) called the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Posters...Remember that cynicism is the outgrowth of a defrocked idealism.

[Joe]

good. i like lundin but im just happy to see smaby is getting a shot to prove his worth in the NHL and maybe be able to spark some excitement in this hockey team with arty malone smaby and even stamkos as of late hitting hard.

not sure about everyone else but i am really happy Tocchet is our coach he really has been bringing in people who seem to want to play and pushing the guys who wont to the side. things are finally starting to look up. just to bad we got so deep in the hole before we realized we needed to look up.
GO BOLTS!!!

[Boltflasher]

Hurrah!!

[marosh_svk]

What about Mihalik, He had a good preseason, played well in first games, I like smaby but not only lundin has to leave the place and watch from the outlook-tower.