Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Lightning wing Alex Tanguay reviving his game

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November 19

St. Petersburg Times

"Funny thing about slumps. Had the nine-game stretch in which Alex Tanguay had just two assists been buried in the middle of a long season, the fuss likely would have been minimal. But to have it out of the gate, and after the stories appeared of how he was brought in to help jump-start captain Vinny Lecavalier, well, the spotlight was pretty harsh. And the Lightning left wing felt it. "I was upset, really upset," he said. "I was anxious to contribute. It was definitely frustrating." Frustration has turned to hope, and perhaps even anticipation. Tanguay's second nine games produced four goals and 10 points. Two parts of the season, two different results, and, as Tanguay explained, two ..."

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Paul Ranger, on leave of absence, staying in touch

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November 18

St. Petersburg Times

"The last thing Lightning D Kurtis Foster heard from teammate Paul Ranger was positive. "From everything I get from him, he will be back," Foster said. "We're all waiting for the day he will be back. It's not that we deserve an explanation or anything, you just hope he can take care of what he needs to." Ranger, 25, has been on an indefinite leave of absence since Oct. 26 to deal with a personal matter, his circumstances one of the bigger mysteries around the league. The defenseman, through the team, has declined interviews. The team, his family and agent also have been mum. Coach Rick Tocchet said he is in the dark, and even Foster, who roomed with Ranger on the road, said he has no clue ..."

Coyotes can't catch Lightning

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November 17

Arizona Republic

"Some nights, even a good effort goes for naught. Stymied by the loss of a veteran defenseman and a batch of penalties, and facing a red-hot goalie, the Coyotes dropped a 4-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night at Jobing.com Arena in front of an announced crowd of 9,503. "We never had any quit in the game," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "We kept pushing right to the end." The Coyotes (11-9) failed to build on the momentum they gained from their victory Saturday over the Dallas Stars, as they could not solve Lightning goaltender Mike Smith. The Coyotes have lost four of their past six. The Lightning, coached by former Coyotes assistant Rick Tocchet, improved to 8-4-6. ..."

Gary Bettman says no worries about Tampa Bay Lightning ownership situation

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November 17

St. Petersburg Times

"Commissioner Gary Bettman said he planned to "chat" with Lightning co-owner Oren Koules during Monday's game with the Coyotes, but he offered little new concerning how or when the organization's ownership saga will end. He did, however, confirm what previously had been reported, that the exclusive 60-day windows given Koules and Len Barrie to buy each other out are moot, meaning the process, for now, is open ended. "I know that Oren and Len are continuing to focus on what they need to do going forward," Bettman said. "I'm not particularly concerned with windows right now. The franchise is meeting all its obligations and, ultimately, between the two of them, they will work something out." ..."

Tampa Bay Lightning beats Phoenix Coyotes behind Mike Smith's sharp return in goal

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November 17

St. Petersburg Times

"Lightning goaltender Mike Smith lunged to his left, glove raised, and the puck hit squarely in the pocket. From the way it looked, Smith had Radim Vrbata's shot all the way. "You know, there's some luck involved when you play this position," Smith said. "It was nice for it to finally go my way." It did in Monday night's 4-1 victory over the Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena. In his first start since Nov. 2, Smith looked like his old self with 30 saves as Tampa Bay (8-4-6) was outshot 31-19; his best coming when the game was still in doubt. There were two saves on Scottie Upshall at the tail end of a two-on-one to protect a 1-0 first-period lead. And there was the dazzler on Vrbata, which ..."

Slumping stars contribute in Bolts' win

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November 17

Tampa Tribune

"Tampa Bay's venture through the desert Monday turned into a night of vindication for some of the Lightning's key components in a 4-1 victory against Phoenix. On the offensive side of the ledger, the Lightning received two goals and an assist from captain Vinny Lecavalier while Alex Tanguay contributed a goal and two assists, as both registered season-highs with three points. Marty St. Louis, meanwhile, ended a lengthy goal-scoring drought with his first since goal in over a month to help lead the offense. At the other end of the ice, goaltender Mike Smith stood tall Monday in his first start in two weeks, a game in Philadelphia on Nov. 2 which he was pulled after allowing five goals on 18 ..."

Bettman OK with owners

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November 17

Tampa Tribune

"Whatever deadlines previously established to sort out Tampa Bay's ownership situation are no longer a factor. During a June meeting, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman gave quarrelling owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie each a 60-day window to come up with a plan to work out their differences, including bringing in a new partner to buy one or the other out of their respective stake in the team. The final window was set to close Nov. 23, but that is no longer in play, according to Bettman. "I know that Oren and Len are continuing to focus on what they need to be doing going forward. I'm not particularly concerned about any windows right now," said Bettman, in town to meet with Glendale officials. ..."

Wing Ryan Malone is Tampa Bay Lightning's unsung hero

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November 16

St. Petersburg Times

"Though left wing Ryan Malone has traditionally been a slow starter, he has exploded in this season's first month, becoming an unsung hero for the Lightning. Steven Stamkos gets a lot of the attention - deservedly so - but Malone has quietly racked up 12 goals, second on the team and including four winners, which is tied for the most in the NHL. Coach Rick Tocchet said Malone is working harder, has better practice habits and has answered his challenge to be more consistent every night. What has been the difference? To Malone's father, Greg, a Lightning scout and former NHL player, it has been "everything coming together." Ryan, 29, is more comfortable in his second year with the ..."

For Lightning, a hard loss

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November 15

St. Petersburg Times

"Though the Lightning and Kings met Saturday for the only time this season, with the gritty, chippy way they played, you would have thought they were division rivals. But for Tampa Bay, the biggest blow of the hard-hitting - and heartbreaking - 2-1 shootout loss was delivered with two minutes left in overtime, when a potential winning goal by Andrej Meszaros was disallowed due to goalie interference. Given new life, the Kings handed the Lightning its fifth shootout loss in six tries, as center Anze Kopitar was the only one of six shooters to score. To the Lightning, the loss likely felt like a punch in the gut. "A terrible call," goalie Antero Niittymaki said of the overtime ruling. "We won ..."

Defenseman David Hale pleasant surprise for Tampa Bay Lightning

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November 15

St. Petersburg Times

"Coach Rick Tocchet said he didn't know what to expect from David Hale after the defenseman was acquired in July from the Coyotes in the Radim Vrbata deal. Hale has turned into a pleasant surprise, with an attitude Tocchet said is a "perfect example" for the culture the Lightning is trying to create. Hale, 28, appeared to be on the outside looking in on a crowded blue line during training camp, and he sat out a few games early in the season. But the Colorado Springs native didn't complain and instead let his gritty play do the talking, making it tough for Tocchet to take him out of the lineup. Hale played in his 11th straight game Saturday against the Kings and assisted on the Lightning's ..."

Tampa Bay Lightning needs more balanced scoring

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November 15

St. Petersburg Times

"Here's a warning: Treat the Lightning's decent start with caution, because the team has to solve a major problem if it is to have long-term success. Not enough players are scoring. Entering Saturday night's game with the Kings, center Steven Stamkos, with 13 goals, and Ryan Malone, with 11, had 24 of Tampa Bay's 42 goals. That is an astronomical 57.1 percent. No other team's top two scorers came close to that domination. Second highest were the Ducks at 46.7 percent, with Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne combining for 21 of 45 goals. "I don't think that recipe can last 82 games," coach Rick Tocchet said. "We're going to have to get some scoring, absolutely." It is easy to see from where goals ..."

Bolts developing road mentality

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November 15

Tampa Tribune

"The Lightning weren't very good on the road early in the season, starting with a 6-3 loss at Atlanta in the season opener. They lost at Carolina in a shootout on Oct. 6, and the Hurricanes have only won once since. They were beaten at Ottawa and Pittsburgh Oct. 15 and 17 by a combined score of 11-2. But on their recent trip, thanks in large part to excellent goaltending by Antero Niittymaki, Tampa Bay went 2-1-1 at Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. That success, Coach Rick Tocchet said Saturday, should give the team confidence for this week's cross-country swing to Phoenix, Anaheim, Carolina and Atlanta. That success is because the Lightning are developing something they didn't ..."

Tampa Bay Lightning's newest approach to solving shootout woes brings a win

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November 14

St. Petersburg Times

"In trying to break out of its shootout slump, the Lightning tried a little bit of everything. The players practiced it. They tried different shooters. They even tried "rally caps," wearing their helmets backward on the bench. But in finally coming through Thursday night with a 4-3 shootout win over the Wild, snapping an 0-for-14 skid by its shooters, the Lightning used a strategy that center Steven Stamkos said it has been working on and hopes will work in the future, too: The shooters keeping their mind - and their shooting options - open. Thursday, instead of skating toward the goalie with a set plan on making a specific move, Stamkos positioned his stick a certain way, leaving open the ..."

Stamkos might just be spooky good

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November 14

Tampa Tribune

"After another goal in a season of goals, another two-point night, there was The Kid, all 19 years of him, the Lightning's future king (future?) surrounded by the media. Only he struggled to undo his skate laces. "Give me a second," Steven Stamkos said. It's the only trouble he has run into this season. He hasn't wasted a second. Thursday night at the Forum might soon be routine. Stamkos was all over the scoring sheet as the suddenly respectable Lightning overcame sloth to beat Minnesota in a shootout. He scored the first shorthanded goal of his career. Then, with seconds left, Stamkos' nifty behind-the-net pass fed Ryan Malone, who scored to force overtime. And it was Stamkos' goal in the ..."

Veilleux adjusting to new team and role

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November 13

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Some things just don't change, so it should come as no surprise that former Wild winger Stephane Veilleux is the Tampa Bay Lightning's reining pingpong champion. Veilleux tops the power rankings with Plymouth resident Ryan Malone "a close No. 2." "I'm almost there. It's not like he's undefeated against me, but if it's two out of three, Steph's winning," said Malone, the former St. Cloud State standout. "Usually when I feel like I have him on the ropes, he just stands back and slams it in on me." The one thing that has changed is Veilleux, a staple on the Wild checking line for most his six seasons in Minnesota, is playing on Tampa Bay's second line with Lightning leading scorers Martin St. ..."

Hedman, Niittymaki, Szczechura in lineup

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November 13

Tampa Tribune

"Paul Szczechura will make his return to the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup tonight when the team hosts Minnesota to open a two-game homestand. Szczechura was called up from Norfolk of the American Hockey League on Wednesday and Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said the 23-year-old from Brantford, Ont., will be in the lineup. Szczechura is getting the opportunity after Tocchet received good reports from Norfolk. In 14 games with Norfolk, Sczcechura has a team-leading 14 points and eight assists while ranking third on the team with six goals, including one shorthanded. "I just want to keep working on my game, do what they ask me and just do the best I can, which is what you want to do as a player," ..."

Tocchet: Eliminate instigator rule to control head hits

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November 13

St. Petersburg Times

"The league will study whether it should ban hits to the head. But Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said a better idea is eliminating the instigator rule, which penalizes players who intentionally start fights. Tocchet said the rule protects players who take cheap shots knowing retaliation will be punished. "Players out there know nothing can happen to them," Tocchet said. "Those are the guys who increase the percentage of head shots. I'd like to see the players control that. You have somebody out of control, then the player is going to have to pay the price." Hits to the head have gotten a lot of publicity lately because of severe and, some would say, gratuitous blows taken by Tampa Bay D ..."

Lightning beats Minnesota Wild 4-3 in shootout

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November 13

St. Petersburg Times

"The celebration after the Lightning's 4-3 victory over the Wild on Thursday night almost was playoff-caliber. Players poured over the boards, and the mob scene of hugs and gloved hands pounding heads slowly slid to the St. Pete Times Forums' side boards, where it remained for almost a minute. Tampa Bay had won a shootout, of all things, its first in five tries this season. But that was just the end point after it had overcome a two-goal, third-period deficit with Ryan Malone's power-play goal with 14.7 seconds left to send the game to overtime. "That was probably the most hard-fought win of the season," center Steven Stamkos said, "the one that felt the best, for sure." And given the rest ..."

Lightning looking like a different team

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November 12

Tampa Tribune

"No matter how the Lightning play tonight against the Wild, the aftermath won't be anything like what occurred after the team's 16th game last year. That's when Barry Melrose, the charismatic ESPN analyst who was hired after a 13-year coaching hiatus, was fired. The Lightning had fallen to 5-7-4 after a third-quarter collapse against the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings at home, and they were the lowest-scoring team in the league. Things are different this year. The team that went on to have a disastrous injury-plagued season and finished 29th in the NHL is better balanced, more disciplined and more focused under former interim coach Rick Tocchet. In fact, the Lightning (6-4-5) have ..."

Antero Niittymaki fights streaky reputation

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November 12

St. Petersburg Times

"Yes, Lightning goaltender Antero Niittymaki said, the puck really does look bigger when you play well. How much bigger? "It looks like the size of a basketball," he said. And that's not all. "When you are at the top of your game, you feel like some of the shots you're worried about, they're kind of simple. It's easy to control the rebound. It's easy to control everything." Niittymaki is in one of those grooves. He is 2-0-2 in his past five games, with a 1.48 goals-against average and a .956 save percentage. He entered Wednesday with a league-best .940 save percentage and was second with a 1.95 goals-against average. Niittymaki has been so good, he has forced coach Rick Tocchet into a ..."

Wings claim ex-Spartan Drew Miller off waivers from Lightning

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November 12

Detroit News

"The Red Wings have claimed former Michigan State forward Drew Miller off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Miller, 25, a sixth-round draft pick by Anaheim in 2003, played in 14 games for Tampa Bay this season, with no points and two penalty minutes. In 67 NHL games, Miller has six goals and nine assists. He is the younger brother of Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller."

Label doesn't fit Bolts goalie Niittymaki

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November 11

Tampa Tribune

"As well as he played last year for the Flyers, and as rock solid as he has been this year for the Lightning, Antero Niittymaki probably deserves a better label than "streaky goalie." The 29-year-old Finn of few carefully chosen words deflects the characterization with a dose of pragmatism. "Every goalie is streaky," he said. "Trust me." Point being, starting goalies get to play through tough spells. Backups don't always enjoy the luxury. Hence, the label. "Everybody gets hot, everybody gets cold," Niittymaki said. "But I've been pretty much backing up the last couple of years, so when you're hot, they play you, and when you have a bad game, you sit on the bench the next two or three weeks. ..."

Hedman skates for first time since concussion

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November 11

St. Petersburg Times

"Victor Hedman practiced Monday at the Ice Sports Forum and was to see a doctor to determine if his brain activity is normal. The Lightning defenseman had not skated since sustaining a mild concussion Thursday from a ferocious check from Ottawa's Chris Neil. But even if all signs are good, coach Rick Tocchet said, Hedman may not play Thursday against the Wild. "I'd take the safer side if he felt pretty good," Tocchet said. "To me, he would have to feel real good. I don't know if pretty good will get him in the lineup, especially at this stage of his career and this stage of the season. If it was April, playoff game, pretty good might be enough." Hedman, 18, second on the team with an ..."

Tocchet's rebuilding in progress for Tampa Bay

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November 11

St. Petersburg Times

"After 16 games last season, Lightning players "felt maybe a little lost," Vinny Lecavalier said. Going into Game 16 this season, Thursday with the Wild, the captain lauded the difference. "It really feels like a team," he said. "We really know we're going in one direction." Sixteen games out of 82 generally isn't enough time to draw conclusions. But it's a benchmark for Tampa Bay because it was after 16 games last season that Barry Melrose was fired as coach. It is notable, then, the pulse of the locker room is so strong. Winning helps. The Lightning (6-4-5) was a playoff team if the postseason began Tuesday. But players credit coach Rick Tocchet, elevated from an assistant when Melrose ..."

Hedman skates for first time since concussion

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November 10

St. Petersburg Times

"Victor Hedman practiced Monday at the Ice Sports Forum and was to see a doctor to determine if his brain activity is normal. The Lightning defenseman had not skated since sustaining a mild concussion Thursday from a ferocious check from Ottawa's Chris Neil. But even if all signs are good, coach Rick Tocchet said, Hedman may not play Thursday against the Wild. "I'd take the safer side if he felt pretty good," Tocchet said. "To me, he would have to feel real good. I don't know if pretty good will get him in the lineup, especially at this stage of his career and this stage of the season. If it was April, playoff game, pretty good might be enough." Hedman, 18, second on the team with an ..."

Lightning forward Ryan Craig motivated by stint with AHL Norfolk

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November 9

St. Petersburg Times

"It would have been easy for Ryan Craig to sulk when demoted to AHL Norfolk near the end of training camp. Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said perhaps 90 percent of NHL players sent down do just that. "But he'd never do that," Tocchet said of the forward. "That's the character guy Ryan Craig is." Craig worked hard at Norfolk, scored seven goals in 11 games and Thursday was back with the Lightning. "I looked at it as a stepping-stone to where I wanted to be," he said. "Obviously, I wasn't happy with my game. It's still a work in progress, but I think I used it the right way, as motivation." It has been a difficult stretch for Craig, 27, who because of knee and back injuries played just 61 ..."

Questionable hits need to be curbed

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November 9

Tampa Tribune

columnist Erik Erlendsson

"Debates rage throughout the course of every NHL season whenever hard hits occur. Panelists across Canada and the U.S. will dissect situations when a player gets hurt on the ice, they will look at every angle and decide whether the victim put themselves in a vulnerable position. They will argue whether a hit was clean or dirty, and most often they side with the player delivering the hit. But maybe it's time to stop the debate between clean or dirty hit and decide what is necessary and what is not. Already this season the likes of Florida's David Booth, Minnesota's Petr Sykora and New York Rangers' Chris Drury are out with concussions on hits that have been, or will be, discussed. Tampa ..."

Tanguay haunts Canadiens

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November 8

Montreal Gazette

"It has taken Alex Tanguay some time to find his legs in Tampa, but he came back to haunt the Canadiens Saturday night. Tanguay, who wasn't offered a new contract when he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, scored the winner and added an assist as the Lightning defeated the Canadiens 3-1. Tanguay extended his consecutive-game points streak to four. He has two goals and three assists in the streak. He has three goals and six assists in 15 games. His goal also gave him the distinction of having scored at least once against every team in the NHL. The loss dropped the Canadiens' record to 8-9 and they slipped out of a playoff spot after starting the day in eighth place. Tampa and the ..."

Consistency lacking in enforcement of instigator rule

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November 8

St. Petersburg Times

columnist Damian Cristodero

"The one thing players say they want most from on-ice officials is consistency. That is why two calls last week, both of which went against the Lightning, are worth exploring. In the first, Toronto's Niklas Hagman jumped Lukas Krajicek after the Tampa Bay defenseman cross-checked him to the ice. In the other, Lightning right wing Steve Downie fought Chris Neil after the Ottawa tough guy creamed defenseman Victor Hedman with a ferocious check. The difference: Downie was penalized for instigating a fight. Hagman was not. That's no small deal. An instigator penalty carries a two-minute penalty and a 10-minute misconduct. Add five for fighting and you've got 17 penalty minutes. In other words, ..."

Lightning defeats Montreal

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November 8

St. Petersburg Times

"One by one Saturday night, Antero Niittymaki's teammates came by to pay tribute. The Lightning goaltender was splendid with 36 saves in Tampa Bay's 3-1 victory over the Canadiens at the Bell Centre, including 30 in the last two periods. So, pats on the back were required as Niittymaki sat in the locker room. "He played great," center Vinny Lecavalier said."

Habs' Hamrlik ready for coming storm

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November 7

Montreal Gazette

"Roman Hamrlik has seen more ice time than he did Thursday against the Boston Bruins. But you'd have to go back more than two seasons, when he was on the blue line of the Calgary Flames, to find it. For a variety of reasons, not the least of which are the injuries to Andrei Markov, Ryan O'Byrne and Hal Gill, Hamrlik has become the workhorse of the Canadiens' defence corps. He can expect to see plenty of ice Saturday night when the Tampa Bay Lightning, with whom he broke into the NHL at age 18 in 1992-93, pays a visit to the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC, RDS, CJAD Radio-800). Hamrlik played a game-high 29:44 in the Canadiens' 2-1 shootout victory Thursday over the Bruins, the most he's worked in ..."

Hedman has concussion, says hit from Neil was clean

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November 7

St. Petersburg Times

"Tampa Bay Lightning rookie defenseman Victor Hedman will not play in Saturday's game with the Canadiens because of a concussion sustained in Thursday's game with the Senators on a brutal hit by Ottawa's Chris Neil. Hedman's next chance to play will be Thursday at home against the Wild, but coach Rick Tocchet said he could not say for sure if Hedman will be ready, and that the team will be very cautious. "Back in the day you'd throw water on your back and go out," Tocchet said. "But now, with those lingering effects you just have to be very careful. You got to make sure. Lucky that's his first one, and hopefully it's just a mild concussion. It's one of those things you've got to go through ..."

Hedman out with mild concussion

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November 7

Tampa Tribune

"Victor Hedman had his fair share of well-wishers show up at Bell Centre on Friday, a day after the rookie defenseman took a vicious hit from Ottawa winger Chris Neil. As Hedman sat in the stands watching his teammates go through practice, players from the Swedish national junior team filed into the stands to exchange handshakes and hugs with their longtime teammate. For Hedman, however, he would rather have been on the ice putting on a show. Instead, the 6-foot-6 blue liner must sit out tonight's game against Montreal and may not be ready to play when Tampa Bay returns to the ice Thursday against Minnesota. While he said he is feeling fine and has no lingering effects from the hit ..."

Spezza shines as Senators down Lightning 3-2

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November 6

Ottawa Citizen

"That 7-1 home ice beating the Ottawa Senators put on the Tampa Bay Lightning a couple of weeks ago was an aberration. This time, other than Chris Neil levelling Lightning rookie Victor Hedman with a clean, but devastating hit, there was no beat down. After letting a 2-1 lead get away, the Senators needed an power-play goal in overtime to handle the Lightning 3-2. Nice timing, Jason Spezza, on your first goal of the season. This is how it will be most nights: the Senators trying to eke out a victory in a tight game, needing big saves from Pascal Leclaire (who needed his best friends, the posts). The home team was in need of a fix after consecutive losses and talked about the importance of ..."

Downie goes off on Neil

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November 6

Ottawa Sun

"Depending on who you talked to Thursday night, Senators winger Chris Neil is either: a) A good, hard-nosed player who hits with the best of them. b) An axe murderer. Tampa forward Steve Downie was definitely in the b) camp. It all started when Neil knocked Lightning rookie defenceman Victor Hedman out of the game with a fierce hit behind the Tampa net with about six minutes to go in the second period. Downie raced in to fight Neil and got an instigator and misconduct for his trouble. "He's not the cleanest player," said Downie (who admitted he didn't see the hit), "and he's always preaching about dirtiness every time we play them, calling players gutless. Then he does something like that. ..."

Spezza to the rescue

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November 6

Ottawa Sun

"Jason Spezza's timing was perfect. Returning to the lineup after missing two games with what's believed to be a back/groin injury, the Senators centre fired his first goal of the season past Antero Niittymaki at 4:17 of overtime to give Ottawa a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay at Scotiabank Place. While the Senators came out of the dressing room to salute the troops on Canadian Forces Night, those left in the crowd of 17,511 saluted them right back. Mike Fisher and Daniel Alfredsson also scored for the Senators, who halted a two-game losing skid. Goalie Pascal Leclaire made 18 saves. "To get one in overtime, get the win and get my first is always nice," said Spezza, who hadn't scored since April ..."

Lecavalier still hopes to make Canadian Olympic team

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November 6

St. Petersburg Times

"C Vinny Lecavalier said making the Canadian Olympic team for the 2010 Games in Vancouver is "very important to me." That is why Tuesday's game in Toronto, with Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman in the stands, was so crucial. Lecavalier, who entered that game with one goal and slipping ice time, scored on a rebound, got to the net and played solid defense. "The good news is they're picking the team Dec. 31," Lecavalier said. "The last game, I think, went great. So I'll try to build off that and get more and more opportunities to get in the flow of the game." RW Marty St. Louis seems like a lock. C Steven Stamkos, who has 12 goals in 14 games this season, has forced his way into ..."

Victor Hedman hurt in Lightning Loss

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November 6

St. Petersburg Times

"Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman was on his back behind his goal line, and teammate Steve Downie was fighting Ottawa tough guy Chris Neil in his defense. Tampa Bay fell 3-2 in overtime Thursday night at Scotiabank Place, but the result seemed secondary after Hedman, 18, Tampa Bay's prized rookie, left the game in the second period and did not return after Neil crushed him on a play that, depending on who was speaking, either was defended or condemned. Lightning coach Rick Tocchet, after saying he believes Hedman is "okay" and calling him day to day, said the hit was clean. So did Neil: "I got my shoulder right in his chest. He's like 8 feet tall (actually 6-6), so it's not like I could ..."

Craig returns from minors

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November 6

Tampa Tribune

"After a one-month stint playing in the minors, LW Ryan Craig returned to the Lightning after he cleared re-entry waivers Thursday. After playing in 181 games with Tampa Bay since being called up during the 2005-06 season and registering 32 goals and 63 points, Craig was sent to the American Hockey League to start the season after not earning a roster spot out of training camp. But after scoring seven goals and nine points through eight games with Norfolk, Craig earned a call back up to the NHL. The 27-year-old former eighth-round pick in 2002 made his season debut against Ottawa in place of Drew Miller, who played four minutes Tuesday in Toronto. "I just want to play hockey," Craig said. ..."

Ryan Craig clears re-entry waivers, will join Tampa Bay Lightning tonight

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November 5

St. Petersburg Times

"Forward Ryan Craig cleared re-entry waivers and could play for the Tampa Bay Lightning in tonight's game with the Senators. To clear roster space, defenseman Paul Ranger, away from the team dealing with a personal issue, was placed on injured reserve."

Tampa Bay Lightning opts for goaltending tandem with Mike Smith and Antero Niittymaki

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November 5

St. Petersburg Times

"Goaltender Antero Niittymaki is playing very well right now. Mike Smith, not so much, especially on the road. For coach Rick Tocchet, the equation is simple. "He's winning," he said of Niittymaki, "so you keep playing him." Niittymaki makes his second straight start tonight against the Senators at Scotiabank Place. What is intriguing is the assignment seems open-ended even after Tocchet has been adamant that Smith is Tampa Bay's No. 1. But desperate to stay close to a playoff spot while working out some well-publicized offensive kinks, Tocchet has no choice. "Right now," he said, "you have to keep playing the hot goaltender." Clearly that is Niittymaki, 29, signed during the summer as a ..."

Lightning puts forward Ryan Craig on re-entry waivers; Karri Ramo shines

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November 4

St. Petersburg Times

"The Tampa Bay Lightning has put forward Ryan Craig on re-entry waivers. We will know whether he clears by noon tomorrow. The claiming price is $15,000. Not really a surprise given what Lightning coach Rick Tocchet has said lately about possible roster changes, and not a surprise given Craig has prospered for AHL Norfolk with seven goals. Craig did say when he was demoted he was going to work hard to get back to the NHL and hoped it would be with the Lightning. There was no word on a corresponding move yet by Tampa Bay to clear room on the roster. The team is at the limit of 23, though defenseman Paul Ranger is on an indefinite leave of absence for a personal matter. Also, wing Drew Miller, ..."

Lightning steal Kessel's thunder

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November 4

Toronto Star

"Phil Kessel may have been gasping for air after he finished his 23:50 of ice time in his first game back after almost six months. But it was his teammates who were left breathless after his performance, where he led the Leafs with 10 shots and was a force around the Tampa net."

Mattias Ohlund's hit gives Tampa Bay Lightning spark in 2-1 OT defeat of Toronto Maple Leafs

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November 4

St. Petersburg Times

"Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund said he knew who he had lined up for a bone-crunching check: Phil Kessel, the Maple Leafs' prized free agent in his first game after healing from summer shoulder surgery. But Ohlund, who drove Kessel into the ice with a clean double-punch to the chest, said it wouldn't have mattered who was skating toward him. "We try to play hard, and sometimes you get the right timing and get those hits," Ohlund said. "It wasn't a big deal." Oh, but it was, as a catalyst 13:20 into the game, and as a punctuation mark on Tampa Bay's much-needed 2-1 overtime victory Tuesday night at the Air Canada Centre, the team's first win in six road games. "You're looking for guys ..."

Stamkos sizzles in Hogtown

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November 3

Toronto Sun

"A first overall NHL draft pick coming home to Ontario to play the Maple Leafs is a match made in heaven. Or hell, if you're wearing blue and white. In the tradition of Eric Lindros, Dale Hawerchuk and Joe Thornton, here comes Markham-born Steven Stamkos in tonight with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 2008 top pick has 16 points in 12 games and two points in a pair of ACC dates already. "I still have a lot of friends and family coming to the game (about 50 tonight), so it's definitely one I had circled on the calendar," Stamkos told the St. Petersburg Times. "I know there's going to be a lot of media. But having gone though that first year, I kind of know what to expect now.""

Stamkos scoring this time

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November 3

Tampa Tribune

"During his first trip last season to his hometown of Toronto, Steven Stamkos fielded questions from the hometown media about why he was struggling. When the top pick in the 2008 draft makes his first trip home this season for tonight's game, the subject matter will be the complete opposite. "Everybody was asking me why I wasn't scoring last year," Stamkos said, "and I think maybe they'd be asking me why I am this year." That's because Stamkos is tied for second in the league with 11 goals and carries a six-game goal-scoring streak into tonight's game. Last season he didn't reach his 11th goal of the season until Feb. 24. It's a far cry from last season when he was the subject of a ..."

Richards, Carter fly high in win over Lightning

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November 3

Tampa Tribune

"The Lightning have turned into road worriers. Tampa Bay's 6-2 to loss to the Flyers on Monday marked the 11th consecutive road game in which the Lightning failed to pick up a victory, a stretch that dates back to March 14 of last season. This season, the road woes are staggering as Tampa Bay has an 0-4-1 road record and in the past three games - at Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia - the Lightning have been outscored 17-4, outshot 99-68 and the power play has gone a listless 1-for-15 while generating only 13 shots on goal in those man-advantage opportunities. The road misery is the mirror opposite of the team's home fortunes, where Tampa Bay is 4-0-3 and is the only team in the Eastern ..."

Tampa Bay Lightning game in Toronto has Olympic subplot

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November 3

St. Petersburg Times

"As if returning to his hometown of Toronto wasn't enough for C Steven Stamkos, tonight's game with the Maple Leafs will be an Olympic audition. The Globe and Mail reported Steve Yzerman, Team Canada's executive director, will be at the Air Canada Centre to scout Stamkos and Lightning teammates Marty St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier. St. Louis and Lecavalier are known quantities. Stamkos, with 11 goals in 12 games, is making a dark-horse bid to be on the team for the 2010 Vancouver Games. "I'm starting to hear things in the media, which is obviously a positive for me," Stamkos said. "In Toronto, they'll find a way to get the Olympics in there, especially with the game in Canada, so I'll have ..."

Tampa Bay Lightning alarmed after loss to Philadelphia Flyers

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November 3

St. Petersburg Times

"Lightning coach Rick Tocchet wasn't aware his players called a closed-door meeting after Monday's nose-holding 6-2 loss to the Flyers. "Did they have one? Good," he said. "If we have to wait all night for them, we will; whatever it takes." The 10-minute gathering delayed the departure of the team bus from the Wachovia Center a similar amount of time. The message? "We all know we can play better," center Steven Stamkos said. "We've got to play as a team. "We know we can do it. We have the personnel. We have the coaching staff that prepares us for each game. We just have to go out and execute, especially on the road." The road has been a black hole for the Lightning, 4-4-4 but a league-worst ..."

Richards, Carter pace Flyers in 6-2 victory

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November 3

Philadelphia Inquirer

"With Simon Gagne and Danny Briere sidelined by injuries, the Flyers need others to pick up the scoring slack.In the last two games, that formula has been perfectly executed.Centers Mike Richards and Jeff Carter snapped slumps with two goals apiece, and rookie right winger David Laliberte added his second goal in two games to highlight the Flyers' 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night at the Wachovia Center.Laliberte became the first Flyer to score in his first two NHL games since Eric Lindros did so in 1992. He also became the fifth Flyer to perform the feat.James van Riemsdyk continued his impressive play as well, contributing three assists and lifting his point total to 13, ..."

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