Post by The Hockey Hitman on Oct 1, 2008 20:16:05 GMT -5
FORWARDS
Prospal - Lecavalier - St. Louis
Malone - Stamkos - Vrbata
Craig - Jokinen - Artyukhin
Roberts - Gratton - Recchi
extras: Hall, Koci, Ward
notes:
- Expect Ward to be demoted to AHL or traded before season begins.
- Artyukhin has also been tested alongside Stamkos, don't be surprised if he ends back there at some point.
- Jokinen is normally a left winger but has played well at center.
IR: Jeff Halpern (out till Dec or Jan)
Jeff Halpern may be out until January while he rehabs from recent major knee surgery. It's looking more and more likely that Halpern will take more time to rehab after knee surgery in June. Halpern made a big splash when he joined the Lightning last year in the Brad Richards trade, scoring 10 goals and totaling 18 points in 19 games. The 32-year-old center hurt his knee playing for the United States in the 2008 World Championships. Due to the severity of the injury the Lightning are planning for the longest timetable for recovery
DEFENSEMAN
Meszaros - Carle
Niskala - Lundin
Mihalik - O'Brien
extra: Hutchinson
notes:
- Niskala has impressed during camp and preseason.
- Mihalik is a player to keep an eye on not only this season but for future seasons, he has Zdeno Chara like size and upside.
IR: Paul Ranger
Paul Ranger will sit out Tampa's pre-season as he continues to recover from off-season shoulder surgery. The hope is that Ranger will be ready for the start of the season on October 4 in Prague, Czech Republic. Ranger is participating in the non-contact drills, but admits that his shot isn't where it should be. It may yet be another month or so before the defender is fully healed.
GOALTENDING
Starter: Mike Smith
Backup: Olaf Kolzig
AHL call-up: Karri Ramo
POWERPLAY
Lecavalier, St. Louis and Meszaros should all be considered locks for the top PP unit. From there you go with a combination of Stamkos, Prospal, Malone, Vrbata, Carle and Ranger. Niskala and Hutchinson could see time on the PP until Ranger returns. If the PP struggles at times don't be surprised to see Mark Recchi get some time there as well.
Prospal - Lecavalier - St. Louis
Malone - Stamkos - Vrbata
Craig - Jokinen - Artyukhin
Roberts - Gratton - Recchi
extras: Hall, Koci, Ward
notes:
- Expect Ward to be demoted to AHL or traded before season begins.
- Artyukhin has also been tested alongside Stamkos, don't be surprised if he ends back there at some point.
- Jokinen is normally a left winger but has played well at center.
IR: Jeff Halpern (out till Dec or Jan)
Jeff Halpern may be out until January while he rehabs from recent major knee surgery. It's looking more and more likely that Halpern will take more time to rehab after knee surgery in June. Halpern made a big splash when he joined the Lightning last year in the Brad Richards trade, scoring 10 goals and totaling 18 points in 19 games. The 32-year-old center hurt his knee playing for the United States in the 2008 World Championships. Due to the severity of the injury the Lightning are planning for the longest timetable for recovery
DEFENSEMAN
Meszaros - Carle
Niskala - Lundin
Mihalik - O'Brien
extra: Hutchinson
notes:
- Niskala has impressed during camp and preseason.
- Mihalik is a player to keep an eye on not only this season but for future seasons, he has Zdeno Chara like size and upside.
IR: Paul Ranger
Paul Ranger will sit out Tampa's pre-season as he continues to recover from off-season shoulder surgery. The hope is that Ranger will be ready for the start of the season on October 4 in Prague, Czech Republic. Ranger is participating in the non-contact drills, but admits that his shot isn't where it should be. It may yet be another month or so before the defender is fully healed.
GOALTENDING
Starter: Mike Smith
Backup: Olaf Kolzig
AHL call-up: Karri Ramo
POWERPLAY
Lecavalier, St. Louis and Meszaros should all be considered locks for the top PP unit. From there you go with a combination of Stamkos, Prospal, Malone, Vrbata, Carle and Ranger. Niskala and Hutchinson could see time on the PP until Ranger returns. If the PP struggles at times don't be surprised to see Mark Recchi get some time there as well.