Recchi is unhappy; Smith decision next?

Pretty interesting discussion today with coach Rick Tocchet, who said he is scratching veteran Mark Recchi for tonight's game with the Hurricanes. Nothing much going on, Tocchet said, except he wants to give Recchi a break in the second game of back-to-backs.

"He could probably play," Tocchet said. "There's nothing really wrong. It's more body maintenance than anything. Here was a guy who was supposed to play 60 games for us. he's played every game, averaging 18 minutes. For the good of him, I'd like to see him get a rest."

To which Recchi answered, "I always played better in the second game of back-to-backs, anyway."

Recchi, who has played 58 straight games, didn't say much more, but he obviously did not agree with Tocchet's assessment and wants to play.

Recchi, averaging 16:52 of ice time, but consistently more under Tocchet, has 12 goals and is third on the team with 25 assists and 37 points. Yes, he is minus-18 and occasionally makes ill-advised passes. But the plusses far outweigh the minuses.

Recchi, who it would seem is a good candidate to be traded by the March 4 deadline because of the value he could bring, said he was not told he was sitting out because anything is brewing in that area.

Other stuff from this morning: Tocchet said it is getting closer to a time the team must decide whether to shut down goaltender Mike Smith (concussion). Tocchet said the discussion likely will happen sooner rather than later. At issue: is it worth the risk to bring Smith back considering Tampa Bay is out of the playoff race, or is it better to let him fully heal and be ready for next season? Also a consideration: it might be good for Smith to get a few games under his belt heading into the offseason to get things moving in the right direction. It is a difficult equation. "If you have a knee problem or shoulder, you can kind of see in the sense of, 'Let's get surgery. Let's give it two weeks.' I don't know with concussions," Tocchet said. "It's up to Mike, and how he feels. It's a subjective thing for him." ... Mike McKenna gets the start in goal tonight. Tocchet said McKenna has to cut down on soft goals. "You can't for one second lose your focus, even if it's a shot from the half wall," Tocchet said. "That's what separates someone who can play in the NHL and someone who can't. He's definitey a guy who has a shot to be a backup goalie in this league. He has his chance now." ... Left wing Gary Roberts is in the lineup after a day off for "maintenance."  ... Left wing David Koci and defenseman Marek Malik (ankle) also are scratched. ... How much pain is defenseman Matt Smaby playing with? "I'm sure he wears slippers during the day," Tocchet said, referencing Smaby's sore right foot. ... Tocchet said he wants the Lightning to be better at blocking shots. "If you take away the shooting lanes, it makes you a better defensive team," he said. "That's one of the mandates for me. We have to get better at that." ... The Lightning has outscored opponents 55-49 in the first period and has been outscored 57-37 in the third. ... Center Jeff Halpern has zero points in his past 11 games. Halpern, who returned in December from reconstructive knee surgery, said it is "frustrating," but Tocchet said he is not worried: "He's trying to find his legs. He's out there trying as hard as anybody. He's amazing. He's a good hockey player. I enjoy coaching a guy like that. He'll get his knee stronger. He'll be fine."

Comments

[ajax]

First there is no way Smith plays again this year...that should be sooooo obvious to owners....would be greatly dissappointed if we see him before next training camp....I would play kids kids kids....weed out the guys who won't play your system. Until all the injuries hit us, we were playing the way I see a team should play...D first...like Tocchet said....breakouts time and time and time again....we were seeing that for the first time in years...hopefully Vrbata stays in Europe to free up some money.....Great article in paper today about Koules and Bettman commenting on finances.....are they making money, no, but they are not getting killed....did they refinance...yes...and low and behold...that is a good move in some eyes...(anyone who has run a business before)..and the key phrase....this economy is affecting everyone not just the snakeoilers.liars.idiots.etc.etc that we have as owners. I personally like them...ya know why....they care....they have skin in the game.....Incentive is 60% of the solution in life...Of course Bettman could of been in Carolina with the drug money from Turkey to bail out the Snakeoilers and prevent them from turning over the keys before Xmas...oops my bad...Xmas has come and gone...when is the next dead line for the bags going to Winnipeg??? I forgot... And we are threatening the ISlanders for the first draft pick?? Good...do we want to win 10 out of the next 20 and get the 7th pick??? I am all for Tocchet hammering the young kids in how to play the Tampa way and who cares if we finish miserable...Not I....this year is gone...like life...turn the page and make it better....Krajacik they said was a late scratch....Early wuzz is what I say...he is my new goal....get rid of that guy and we have a chance...Lundin was my bell weather this year and new coach weeded him out as predicted....but injuries forced to play more Lundin-types...Get everyone healthy and a hammer training camp and the Bud-lite will be back to tasting sooooo good at the Forum....Little sour these days.......

[Boltflasher]

From Tampa Trib: "NUTS AND BOLTS: Dallas scouted Tampa Bay for the second consecutive night. Other teams in attendance Friday were Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Detroit, Edmonton and Pittsburgh."

You wonder who they were scouting since Recchi sat out....couldn't have been impressed with anything they saw Fri...

[Boltz2004]

When do we decide to shut Marty and V4 down? Or at least lower their playing time?

IMO, V4 and Marty should have never been playing in the game that V4 got hurt in.

Bouwmeester would be nice but I doubt Stinkin Panthers would trade in the division.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

The only reason for Smitty to be playing this year is to avenge in his mind the performance against Philly. That being said, his long term health is too important to worry about something as trivial as that (IMHO). He needs to recover and be ready for play next September. Concussions are nothing to mess with, and I would think some of this time may be to evaluate whether he can ever play again. Another one off the coconut could be tragic.

Flasher, I like your list, but would take Bergeron as one of my choices for D addition. Small, but can score goals and run a power play.

See everyone Sunday. Coach, sorry we'll miss you, but see you back soon.......TWG

[2WayCenter]

Yes, Hedman in the draft, but some say it will take a top 2 to get him.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10103/2009_prospects_victor_hedman/

Bouwmeester would be awesome but going to be a big ticket.

Bouwmeester
Smaby
Ranger
Mezzy
Eminger
Hedman

Fun to dream.

Get rid of the dead wood and maybe. And as someone recommended, make sure you see a Saw movie over the summer;-)

[Boltflasher]

Back to the topic,...yes, shut Smith down, let the current concussion resolve. Everything now should be about next year,...unfortunately...

[Boltflasher]

Yes, they need to draft Hedman if they get a chance, but it'll be a few probably before he can really become a #1 guy. Took Chara awhile...

Bouwmeester is obviously head of the class, sheesh, the guy is only 25...everyone will be after him

[PD]

Flasher, from your list, I'll take that Boumeester guy.

[Joe]

I think the owners made some rookie mistakes to start the season and are learning as they go. My list of errors.

1-Hiring Melrose. Team was not prepared for season.

2-Trading Boyle. Not sure how much difference he would make this year but at least we would have him.

3-Signing Vrbata.

4-Depending to much on Meszaros and Ranger.

5-Hate to say this one but resigning Prospal.

Some reasons to be optimistic this next year.

1-I think Vinny4 will be 100%.
2-Really like Tochett as coach.
3-Smaby looks like real deal.
4-Improved Stamkos.
5-Another top 5 draft pick.
6-Mike Smith.
7-The fans still love this team and Ill still be there!

[olin]

...yes,I am CB. I just can't believe they had only 13 shots the whole game last nite. Is a nice list, Flasher, I believe Ajax put a really good link awhile back on upcoming FA's. I still think we need to go to Swe/Finn Sm-Liga and the Elitesen for Dmen. The ice is so much bigger with faster offensive players with more room to defend against. Then to NHL rink, and not as much room. Sound logical? Hopefully we can get a hold of Victor Hedman. Take another look at Andreas Holmqvist, he never really got a good shot like our AHL guys are getting now, and he has gotton bigger and tougher, more mature. Will miss you CB at the wall, I'l be able to go tomorrow and for Pitts.
Go Bolt's

[Randy C]

Flasher,

If we get one of your 5, I would be happy, add a #3 and keep Smaby we have a blue line to go with Smitty and a good group of forwards. Would put us in the playoffs if we don't have to give up to much. That will put Fannies back in the seats!

[Coach Bill]

Thanks, TBLWNSCO4 for that link. I've been looking for that. We get no hockey news in Orlando and USA Today doesn't come out on weekends.
Hope for Montreal's sake that these players only knew that character and didn't have anything to do with criminal activity. Tha would be a terrible blow to a very proud franchise.
Flasher- thanks for the free agents' list. I'd really love to see Boumaster in Tampa (Leopold and Komasarik too). Your other picks are good but I think we need to stick with youth and plan for the future ( like in 2 years). As I've said all year, our top shelf could bring us alot of young talent and prospects/picks ( hope Olin isn't listening). With THAT in mind our future could be very optimisic. We do have some good young kids with a great young goalie. I say build around that. A GM would have to be added first.
Will miss you tomorrow. See ya at the Pits game for sure.

[Casper]

Nice work, Flash. I must agree yet, admit to not too much knowledge and following of Morris. Maybe he’s so decent, Phoenix felt they could part with my fave, Nick Boynton?

Remember when the Lightning did fair to middlin’ with guys’ names that started with a B? Bergevin, Beers, Bureau, and Burr were adequate on a sloppy crew with Brian Bradley emerging as our Pride (few since,). They were followed by a couple more good B’s in Bellows and some guy named Boyle.

For a long time I’ve felt Boynton would be a good fit here. Same as I thought Captain Canada, Ryan Smyth would be fantastic for us if we could have wife swapped Brad Richards for him.

Now we listen to miserable nabobs go on and on about how lousy we are, the Club is going to flee, and doom and gloom and our big guns have to go, etc and so on. I’m de-sensitized to all that jive by now and have ceased dignifying their drabble with a modicum of my time reading parts of, what has been for them, a wasted life.

I wouldn’t want to know these people socially and am delighted I’m not neighbors. For where there is some degree of affluence, there is sadness and despair evidenced in the frequency and proclivity for the negative in their posts.

They grope, you engage, they stay on poisoning away. If they hate the Bolts so much, they hate you as well. How do we reward that foolishness with our time?

So we stand to lose Lecavalier, according to the ‘enlightened’? Well, I read where Smyth is again available from the Avs this go around. Anyone think of Vincent looking good in a Colorado sweater? Colorado will have Leopold and some picks available too. The Avalanche should have been after us before. Lecavalier would have been a more likely choice to succeed Joe Sakic than Ryan Smyth.

Dealing with Colorado should be just like the mindset of our negative skew bloggers; “well, if they are that stupid, I’m going for it.”

Go Bolts!

[brendan]

I wonder how soon until we are challenging the Islanders for the worst record in the league?

[Boltflasher]

Out of that list my top 5 would be, Bouwmeester (age 25), Leopold (age 28), Morris (age 30), Ohlund (age 32) and Komisarek (age 27)...maybe Mara (29)

[Boltflasher]

Mezzy, Ranger and Eminger are keepers. Need a bonafide #1 guy but only hope is thru free agent signing since looks like no major trade will be made to bring one in. Truckload of D-men UFAs, any of these strike anyone's fancy?...

Defense - 2009 NHL Unrestricted Free Agents
Player Age Team 08-09 Salary Notes
Scott Niedermayer 35 ANA $6,750,000
Mathieu Schneider 40 ATL $5,750,000
Sergei Zubov 38 DAL $5,350,000
Rob Blake 39 SJ $5,000,000
Jay Bouwmeester 25 FLA $4,875,000
Adrian Aucoin 35 CGY $4,000,000
Derek Morris 30 PHO $3,950,000
Derian Hatcher 37 PHI $3,500,000
Mattias Ohlund 32 VAN $3,500,000
Christian Backman 29 CLB $3,400,000
Jaroslav Spacek 35 BUF $3,300,000
Filip Kuba 32 OTT $3,000,000
Nick Boynton 30 FLA $2,950,000
Niclas Havelid 36 ATL $2,900,000
Greg de Vries 36 NAS $2,750,000
Philippe Boucher 36 PIT $2,500,000
Kyle McLaren SJ $2,500,000
Darryl Sydor 37 DAL $2,500,000
Rhett Warrener 33 CGY $2,500,000
Karlis Skrastins 34 FLA $2,400,000
Denis Gauthier 32 LA $2,200,000
Hal Gill 34 PIT $2,100,000
Dmitri Kalinin 28 NYR $2,100,000
Paul Mara 29 NYR $1,950,000
Michael Komisarek 27 MON $1,900,000
Martin Skoula 29 MIN $1,900,000
Francis Bouillon 33 MON $1,875,000
Mathieu Dandenault 33 MON $1,750,000
Marc-Andre Bergeron 28 MIN $1,691,000
Francois Beauchemin 29 ANA $1,650,000
Anders Eriksson CGY $1,500,000
Jordan Leopold 28 COL $1,500,000
Andrew Alberts 28 PHI $1,400,000
Marek Malik 34 TB $1,250,000
Sean O'Donnell 37 LA $1,250,000
Ken Klee 38 PHX $1,250,000
Dennis Seidenberg 27 CAR $1,200,000
Teppo Numminen 40 BUF $1,100,000
Kurtis Foster 27 MIN $1,025,000
Josef Melichar 30 CAR $1,000,000
Ossi Vaananen 28 PHI $1,000,000
David Tanabe 28 CAR $900,000
Lasse Kukkonen 27 PHI $900,000
Cory Murphy 31 FLA $875,000
Bret Hedican 38 ANA $870,500
Jassen Cullimore 36 FLA $830,000
Steve Montador 29 ANA $800,000
Andy Wozniewski STL $775,000
Shane Hnidy 33 BOS $760,000
Patrice Brisebois 38 MON $750,000
Chris Chelios 47 DET $750,000
Daniel Tjarnqvist 32 COL $750,000
Greg Zanon 29 NAS $750,000
Robert Scuderi 30 PIT $725,000
Ville Koistinen 27 NAS $700,000
Mike Weaver 31 STL $700,000
Thomas Pock 27 NYI $685,000
Kent Huskins 30 ANA $650,000
Alexei Semenov 28 SJ $650,000
Jason Strudwick 33 EDM $650,000
Josef Boumedienne TOR $600,000
Janne Niskala 27 TB $600,000
Lawrence Nycholat 30 VAN $600,000
Johnny Oduya 27 NJ $600,000
Matt Walker 29 CHI $600,000
Rob Davison 29 VAN $560,000
Nolan Baumgartner 33 VAN $550,000
Drew Fata OTT $550,000
Derrick Walser TOR $550,000
Aaron Johnson 26 CHI $525,000
Chad Anderson MON $500,000
Alex Henry MON $500,000
Doug Janik 29 DAL $500,000
T.J. Kemp PIT $500,000
Chris Lee 28 NYI $500,000
Tomas Mojzis 27 MIN $500,000
Luke Richardson 40 OTT $500,000
Brett Westgarth SJ $480,000
Brendan Buckley SJ $475,000
Bryan Helmer 36 WAS $475,000
Jamie Heward 38 TB $475,000
Matthew Kinch SJ $475,000
Aaron MacKenzie 28 COL $475,000
Joey Mormina PIT $475,000
Tyler Sloan 28 WAS $475,000
Matthew Spiller NJ $475,000
Nolan Yonkman NAS $475,000

[2WayCenter]

Funny how Jokinen never seemed to be in the right place with the lightning, then tonight, he gets a perfect bounce right in the slot. Luck aside, he does fit in better with the passers on the Caines vs the bangers. I don't think he could play toc's get your nose dirty style.

[ajax]

Did anyone hear about Krajicek not playing tonight...another injury??..somehow after his 37 wrap arounds versus NJ maybe Sully had seen enough. That guy, I believe is a UFA..you think he would be doing everything possible to secure a contract in these tough times...I use the word gutless...one of the great poke checkers of all time and over the past three years we have had our share....You can't have guys who do not want the puck...that is such a red flag when you see a guy who simply refuses to skate north south...man that guy bums me out. But, I get a certain amount of satisfaction out of knowing we have Mezzy Emminger and Ranger back next year and God willing a healthy Smith. All are young and all can play...I know Ranger seems brain dead at times and makes some errors, usually what I call good errors, trying to make "plays" When you see the 6 guys we dressed tonight, I for one saw a much much better and competive team for the few weeks we had the bulk of our guys healthy....unfortunately it lasted only about one month....long year ...will be almost unbearable the next 5 weeks...... I hope Recchi is back next year.....I for one am 100% sure that we upgraded big time with forwards and goalie versus last years team....Two steps forward but one huge step backwards with the D...without a doubt the worst puck moving D in the entire planet....When Saw IX comes out I hope all true Lightning fans take their school, church, bowling teams etc to the movie at least 10 times...even the 5 year olds...it is good family entertainment and it goes to fuel our Bolts....Buy some time shares in Bear Mountain resorts as well.....Hopefully the Bucs will go 0-16 and people will be dying for hockey!!!! There it is....that simply is how the dominoes must fall..

[derekh]

Herb-

1) I never blamed us losing on the officiating.

2) Why can't I complain about the officiating? The GD ref doesn't call anything for 42 minutes, then all of a sudden starts calling soft penalties? Can I at least get some GD consistency? Do you beg to differ?

3) I realize the team is not that great.

Thank you for your time.

[TBLWNSC04]

From The Sporting News on the Montreal Canadians and organized crime. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=519904.

[TBLWNSC04]

Anyone wonder why Gary Bettman was in NC tonight?

[TBLWNSC04]

I don't blame Recchi after tonights disaster. Melichar didn't hustle to make a wide open pass.CLEAR THE FREAKEN PUCK!!! After 3 penalties resulting in 5-3's I think everyone knew it was over then. If you clear the puck,everyone has to leave the zone DA!! My 5 years old twin nephews were wondering why we didn't win ? After telling them they shouldn't wait and hesitate they kept on asking why ? Why?

Recchi is a threat and obviously the tougher we get, the more the ref's call penalties on us. We can't win. No matter if we played the best hockey tonight, we wouldn't win the game. Everyone is playing pond hockey out there lax.. I think the fire to win is gone and i don't really know how we are going to get that back.. Oh well, another pratice year for the lightning.

Prospal seems to care at least. Vinny wants to pass the puck. We had the least amount of Shots on goal this year in this game. No one wants to shoot the puck on net to get a rebound, since they know they want all 5 guys back to defend the zone. What a debacle.

[Herb]

I meant they COULDN'T break into an AHL line-up

[Herb]

Derek!!!!!Give it a rest, this game was lost when Melichar(sp) gave away the puck right in front of the net and the guy that Tocchet and Lawton gave up on came away the the GWG. People shut up about the officiating when the team just PLAIN SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Melichar and Koci could break into an AHL starting line-up let alone to play in the NHL. The same thing goes for McKenna.

[derekh]

I LOVE this officiating. LOVE it. Give me more. Hook it into my veins.

[Brittany]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3921826

Check out this read about Smitty. Have to say that I'm completely shocked that ESPN has written TWO semi-nice and intelligent articles about the Lightning today. That must be some kind of record. I found this part intriguing:

"One indication of how Smith's profile has been enhanced by his strong play this season: sources tell ESPN.com he is on Canada's radar for a spot on their World Championship team pending his return to health. Beyond that, Smith may have played himself into a position where he will be considered for an invitation to Canada's Olympic orientation camp in August."

As much as that would keep me up every night because I would worry that he would be injured due to our terrible injury luck recently, that would be a huge honor and I know he would love it. At least someone else out there realizes we found ourselves one heck of a goalie. Maybe his girlfriend won't be the only Olympian...

[PD]

Patrick if there was anyone who would defer to Koules it would be you.

[PD]

Agree Marosh, Isles got a big score there.

It's the Bolts 1 rounder that Lawton thought was necessary to get fully fleeced on his Mezsaros deal.

[PD]

Coverage on Smith's concussion has been abysmal and miss leading from the get go.(after they finally admitted it)

Its not actually up to Smith, if he can't pass his baseline scan and there is one...its a league requirement.

More to the point, its his second major concussion,(concussed IR with Dallas) and now he could face a carrer ending shot any night.

[Marosh]

I liked the way how ISLANDERS aquired the 1st round draf pick!

They kicked UFA´s COMRIE out (he makes almost the same money as MARTY26 does), added some CAMPOLLI and they got 1st ROUND, It´ll be maybe the last pick of the 1st round because it belonged to San Jose, but for campolli??? I would never sign COMRIE, lol

[Brittany]

Well I think the guys have to pay for their own painted helmets (could be wrong though). I know that the pads take a long time to get made and then the league has to inspect them before they are allowed to wear them. The goalie then usually has to get them worn in just the way they like them. Not to mention that goalies are usually a very superstitious bunch and some don't like to get new gear. I know it took Smitty a pretty long time to get his new duds after the trade last year. I doubt we see McKenna get new gear because if he doesn't play for us next year, what the heck is he going to do with it? I do love the color of his pads though, very unique looking (I know they match the Ads stuff).

[Brian]

As the article was about our goalie, I am wondering why they have not gotten McKenna a Lightning themed helmet and pads. I know he is just up because we have no one else but with Olie out for the season and it looking like Smith as well doesn’t he deserve them? I think he is playing as well as Ramo is if not better. Truthfully though I don’t think Ramo will ever be a contender for even our backup, I know he is still young but McKenna seems to be way ahead of him already. The Chef on Sun was talking about how his positioning is already really good, which is something you can't teach. If he can stop letting the easy ones in I think he has a good future.

[Patrick]

Thanks for the article derekh:

The Coyotes, of course, are expected to lose as much $40 million this year, and the NHL and owner Jerry Moyes are beating the bushes looking for someone, anyone, to take the team off Moyes' hands, while the NHL is being consulted on every business move the financially strapped team makes. Koules won't discuss the Lightning's losses, but they are believed to be roughly 25 percent of what the Coyotes are going to lose. That's a lot, but not devastating. Not yet, anyway.

"Are we making money? No. But are we bleeding like most people think we are? Of course not," Koules said. "Here's what bothers me: Nobody asks."

[2WayCenter]

I'm at he rink when my kid plays. I'll look you up. Cheers!

[derekh]

Nice article on ESPN...about the bolts.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3921418

I am surprised this article was somewhat positive, since Melrose is influencing ESPN again.

[Randy C]

2way

with you on the contradiction. If you are there on a saturday or sunday when the adult beginner league is there I'd like to meet you, ask them at the front where I am. Do you play in the over 35? What team?

[2WayCenter]

"....he is minus-18 and occasionally makes ill-advised passes. But the plusses far outweigh the minuses."

From the book titled "How to contradict yourself in 20 words or less"

Recci needs to spend more time watching his kid play for the Brandon Jr Bulls. Big kid for a mite, works hard like his father.