Tampa Bay Lightning does not give a qualifying offer to goaltender Mike McKenna

Mike McKenna was one of last season's feel-good stories, but the Tampa Bay Lightning decided Monday the goaltender was not in the team's long-term plans and did not give him a qualifying offer, meaning he is a free agent. Tampa Bay also did not qualify Justin Keller, an eighth-round pick from the 2004 draft.

Player who did receive qualifying offers (of 10 percent more than last seasons salary, which insures the Lightning retains negotiating rights) were defensemen Lukas Krajicek, Matt Smaby, Matt Lashoff and Mike Lundin; forwards Martins Karsums, Blair Jones, Radek Smolenak and Lauri Tukonen; and goaltender Karri Ramo.

Smolenak and Ramo both have signed and will play next season in Russia. Today's mechanics just insures the Lightning retains their negotiating rights for when (or if) they want to return to North America.

Tood bad about McKenna, though, who helped Tampa Bay out in a difficult time and was an intelligent and engaging presence but who showed cracks in his game as the season wound down. For now, then, the Lightning has only Riku Helenius and Dustin Tokarski as signed goaltenders in the organization. That will change at free agency, of course, as the team must sign a backup for Mike Smith.  

Comments

[RICK L]

marv, yes i also believe torts made v4 accountable at both ends of the rink and lets face it v4 is big ,strong guy and thats when vinny is at his best,he has been injured a couple times and i really think the just turned 29 year old is in for a monster year!

[Marv]

Good luck to you Mike. Thanks for everything. Had to be tough considering the atmosphere and being called up when more time in the minors would have been very beneficial. Believe in yourself.

Good for Torts. Maybe he came on a little hard, didn't put up with the BS and told you where he stood. Just maybe some of the millionaires needed a little of that..... and, seems he did produce a Stanley Cup team. He pushed V4 and made him a two way player or until last year when he went back to his old ways! Oh, guess Torts can't be blamed for that!
Oh, if I recall correctly, Torts didn't want "the mouth" either. But, did appear to keep him in line and make him productive.

[RICK L]

Torts love him or hate him........he has a stanley cup!

[Herb]

Mike McKenna isn't even a good AHL back-up, let alone play in the NHL. He was given a chance solely because the Bolts had no one else 2/3's into the season.

[Jim Nagle]

Turtle: Ha ha ha, love the bit on Torts. I too am a member of the Tortorella un-fan club. Nice meltdown in the playoffs, and now he gets to do it in front of the Big Apple media.

[Casper]

Good for Mike McKenna. He got shot out of here and can hook up someplace (Blues, maybe?) where defense isn’t a bad word. He’ll need coaching on some mechanics, but when the day arrives for him to hang ‘em up, I would be honored to know he is coaching kids and clubs I like.

After demonstrating himself to be the class act in the face of Mr. Hot Stick Jagoff, any group of kids could do worse for a mentor and role model.

Fare thee well, netman.

We tendered an offer to Krajicek and look surprised at the snickering around the League (“Look, those idiots want more of the same. LOL”).

YGTBSM!

[Don in St. Pete]

I think it would be huge to get a vet like Ohlund to mentor Hedman. Not sure what they can afford though. Agreed the backup goalie is key. I'm so glad they got the RFA's tendered, especially Smaby.

[Patrick]

Turtle,

If Torts is as bad as you never fail to point out, why does he keep getting gigs in hockey?

[McGz]

No surprises here McKenna was expenable after the draft and Keller is no big loss. I just hope everyone signs the tenders and we can slide into fa without any arbitration hanging around.

Of our own ufas I wouldn't mind petiot and pettinger resigned.

Since we got hedman we need to take a serious look at a veteran backup goalie, I'm leaning towards Conklin or maybe Fernandez from Boston.
Beauchemin and Zanon would be my first choices for dmen. I think we fill the forward slot from within the organization. Not every top 6 forward has to score 60 pts a year. Look at Detroit: they have two studs on each top line and a lessor player who can dig the corners or just pass to the sniper. Save the money on fwds this year and bolster the d.

[Don in St. Pete]

I'm not sure why they let McKenna walk without having a backup in place at Norfolk. Perhap they have other plans. I read that Detroit will no resign Conklin so he'll definitely be available.

[BrianB23]

Some harsh words there for old Torts there Turtle, can't say as I agree with you. And hey, Lawton was able to wrangle two first round draft choices, first time in Bolts history. That has to count for something.

As for McKenna, I wish you well on life's journey sir. You are a humble and well intentioned young man, a true sportsman and excellent example of perserverence. Tampa Bay thanks you!

[Steve-O]

McKenna was a great story and a good kid and we wish him well. I know we need a backup goalie and that Riku needs ice time, but it would be nice if he could get more than a sniff at some point this year. See where he is and where he needs to go.

[Mike13]

Can't say that I'm surprised. He played really well at times, and just plain awful at others. Consistency is the mark of an NHL goaltender.

As for the other qualified RFA's, I totally forgot about Tukonen. He was a high draft pick by the Kings (11th overall in 2004). I sure hope he can salvage his career and do well during this training camp.

[The Voice of the Turtle]

One has to admire Mike McKenna who stretched his skills and demonstrated a positive attitude when given his shot in the bigs. Mike did expose enough of his weaknesses to suggest that his future does not likely point to a career in the NHL.

In a late breaking story, the U.S.A. Olympic team has added John Tortorella (surprisingly passed over by the North Koreans) as an assistant coach to Ron Wilson. Torts will, no doubt, fill a gap by taking on the responsibility of shrinking the big heads of the American skaters and (particularly) the goalies, treating the world press to foul-mouthed expletives, and putting the core of international referees in their place when they displease him.

It seems that the U.S.A. players aren't at enough of a disadvantage by having to play against Canadians, Russians, Swedes, Fins, and Czechs. In comes this new additional handicap (maybe he can induce his new buddy, the "Ugly Canadian," Sean Avery, to change his citizenship and join the minions of red, white, and blue Olympians).

All that Uncle Sam's boys need now to complete the package is Brian Lawton to fulfill GM-like responsibilities.

But, back to Mike McKenna, this fan wishes him good fortune in life because he is a very nice guy.