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Mike Smith News & Rumors

Mike Smith lobbies for return of goalie coach Sean Burke
May 26
Arizona Republic
 
"Whether netminder Mike Smith remains in a Coyotes sweater long-term could depend on goalie coach Sean Burke's status with the team. Burke, who helped Smith achieve a renaissance season, does not have a contract for next season, and that could sway Smith when it comes to negotiations, which General Manager Don Maloney would like to start this summer. "I think it has an impact on it," Smith said. "Obviously his contract is up. I have a year left. Looking at the long-term, he's made me a better goaltender. I couldn't have done it without him, and I believe he's the best guy in the league at what he does. To be able to have a guy like that to lean on and he shows confidence in me every game"
Jason LaBarbera awed by Mike Smith's big journey
May 13
Arizona Republic
 
"From his nook at the end of the bench, Coyotes backup goalie Jason LaBarbera has had a front-row view of the Coyotes' quest to the Western Conference finals. Although he hasn't been called to duty in the playoffs, his emotional investment into the team is at its peak -- especially when witnessing the journey colleague Mike Smith has been assembling as one of the top performers in the postseason. "You always knew he had the athletic ability, that ability to be an awesome goalie," LaBarbera said. "He had a tough time in Tampa, I think, and he's come here and man, it's been awesome to watch. He's just taken the ball and ran with it." LaBarbera underplays his role in Smith's game, explaining"
Goalie Mike Smith enjoying turnaround with Phoenix Coyotes
May 11
Arizona Republic
 
"Gouge him. Slash him. Poke him in the eye. That's not the way to make a hockey player cry. But put him in a parking lot, on the way to the minors? Make him stare at an NHL arena where he's no longer welcome? Works every time. "It's the feeling that no one wants you," Coyotes star Mike Smith said. "I remember sitting in the parking lot of the St. Pete Times Forum, calling my parents and sobbing on the phone. I thought it was over." Over? It seems preposterous now. Some 15 months later, Smith is one of four goaltenders left in the Stanley Cup playoffs. His ascent in 2011-12 is one of hockey's better Cinderella stories. He is the top goalie in the NHL not nominated for the Vezina Trophy. He"
Smith saves the day for Coyotes
April 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Mike Smith made saves on his belly and on his backside and with every available limb on Monday, a final act of goaltending sorcery amplifying just how far he has come. The newest sports nemesis in Chicago didn't know if he'd play another game in the NHL a year ago. And here he was, conjuring a Vezina Trophy-worthy season and then stonewalling the Blackhawks into submission en route to his franchise's first postseason series win. If you'd have told him all of that would come to pass last April? "No chance," Smith said. "No chance." Funny, as that's what Smith left the Hawks in a 4-0 Game 6 masterpiece at the United Center. He collected another 39 saves for his first career playoff shutout,"
Coyotes' Smith having fun with public enemy status in Chicago
April 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"Every time Mike Smith handled the puck this week, a deluge of boos greeted the moment. In other instants, when the action was a bit dull, the Coyotes goaltender heard 20,000 or so voices confidently assure him that he sucks. To think: The ice was not the only United Center precinct in which Smith conjured animosity. In the stadium's back hallways, his teammates seethed while Smith had a ball there too. "In our soccer game, he's Public Enemy No. 1," Coyotes captain Shane Doan said with a smile. "No, he's unbelievable. If they're not booing you, you're not doing your job." Smith has done the job, amused and fueled by the rage of Blackhawks fans and frustrating their club to the brink of"
Coyotes goalie Smith after Shaw collision: 'I'm 100 percent'
April 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"Almost an hour after another grueling overtime game ended, and after most if not all of his teammates cleared Jobing.com Arena, Mike Smith was still tucked into a Coyotes training room undergoing treatment. It won't be the only examination with which the Coyotes netminder will be intimately involved over the next few days. The flashpoint of a 4-3 overtime loss on Saturday was a second-period collision with the Blackhawks' Andrew Shaw that had one side shrugging and one side calling for NHL action. "The league will look at that," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "Obviously that's contact to the head and it doesn't matter if it's a goaltender or a player. That's blindside contact to the"
Smith outduels Crawford in playoff opener
April 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"In a nearly empty and profoundly glum Blackhawks locker room, Corey Crawford sat at his locker stall having done nearly all he could do only to find that it was not enough. For that reason, veteran defenseman Sean O'Donnell patted Crawford on his shoulder as he passed, assuring the netminder that he had played a terrific game against the Coyotes in Game 1 of the teams' first-round playoff series. The problem was that Mike Smith was just a little better. The red-hot Coyotes netminder stayed that way for the better part of a 3-2 overtime victory for his team, turning away 43 of 45 shots and basically befuddling the Hawks all night."
Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith standing tall at year's end
April 5
Arizona Republic
 
"The only sign of goalie Mike Smith at Wednesday's practice were the tools he used to recently wage a three-game battle that has salvaged the Coyotes' playoff aspirations. His pads were stacked at his locker stall in the dressing room at Jobing.com Arena, surrounded by a hulking chest protector and the worn duo of his blocker and glove. Smith earned an excused absence from practice, taking a break after he turned in his third straight shutout on Tuesday. With Smith performing at a record-breaking pace, the time off was well-deserved before the Coyotes close out their regular season with a back-to-back set in St. Louis and Minnesota on Friday and Saturday."
Coyotes 2, Blue Jackets 0: Jackets can't find net through Smith
April 4
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets might have played well enough to win a fourth consecutive game last night against the Phoenix Coyotes. Goaltender Mike Smith made sure the outcome went the Coyotes' way. The Blue Jackets took a franchise-record 54 shots but did not score against Smith, the hottest goaltender in the NHL who recorded a third consecutive shutout in a 2-0 Coyotes victory. Smith increased his career-best shutout streak to 219 minutes, 59 seconds and frustrated the Blue Jackets more than any goalie they have faced in their 11-season history. "I don't think you could ask for more," Coyotes center and former Blue Jacket Gilbert Brule said during the second intermission after Smith saved 39 shots"
Coyotes goalie Mike Smith notches 3rd shutout in a row with 54 saves over Columbus
April 4
Arizona Republic
 
"Whether he was in his crouch or standing to let his 6-foot-4 frame cover the expanse of the net, it didn't matter. From each position, Mike Smith was unbeatable. That's been the trend as of late, and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the Coyotes. With their playoff hopes unclear only a week and a half ago, Smith grabbed that possibility and deemed it a clear reality with his play. Thanks to another perfect effort Tuesday, this time a 2-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in front of 13,263 at Jobing.com Arena in the home finale of the regular season, the Coyotes inched one step closer to booking a postseason berth."
Goalie's work ethic has Coyotes within striking distance of a playoff berth
April 3
Arizona Republic
 
"The work ethic of goaltender Mike Smith roars to the forefront every time he's on the ice, whether it's in a key game down the stretch or a practice session. Everything he has accomplished emanates from that intangible, a trait he embraced early in life. "My parents were a big influence on that," Smith said. "They always taught me to if I'm going to do something, do it to the best of your capabilities, put everything you have into, and I've taken that advice and kind of implanted that into my hockey game. I've had coaches throughout my whole career that have (stressed) work ethic. "Obviously it takes a lot of hard work to get to the NHL, but it takes a lot to stay here and compete at a"
Mike Smith earns his third shutout of Sharks
March 30
Arizona Republic
 
"Almost six months ago, when Mike Smith made his debut in goal for the Coyotes, he was roughed up by the San Jose Sharks for six goals in 38 minutes in a 6-3 loss on opening night. It was a loss that made an impact. Since then, Smith shut out the Sharks three times, including 2-0 on Thursday night in another crucial game for a team still battling for a playoff spot. The Coyotes moved up to the seventh spot in the Western Conference with the win. Why the turnaround against a highly skilled team? "I have no idea," said Smith, who has six shutouts on the season. "Obviously, it says a lot about the team in front of me - guys blocking shots and boxing out and doing everything it takes to win"
Coyotes Mike Smith, Vancouver Canucks Cory Schneider follow similar paths
February 29
Arizona Republic
 
"A year ago, a goalie matchup between Mike Smith and Cory Schneider would have been a rare occurrence in the NHL. Last season Smith was still a backup, sitting on the end of Tampa Bay's bench. He only appeared in roughly a quarter of the Lightning's games, having difficulty shedding his reputation as a bonafide No.2. Schneider was and still is an understudy, second in command with the Vancouver Canucks to Roberto Luongo. He was always steady last year, going 16-4-2 when he stepped in, but Schneider really started to emerge as an elite goalie with a solid relief effort in the playoffs."
Phoenix Coyotes make statement with Mike Smith's 11th straight win over Vancouver Canucks
February 29
Arizona Republic
 
"It's an intangible that has propelled them when games seemed lost, and they tapped into it once again Tuesday night and maintained their lead in the Pacific Division, ending February with an 11-0-1 record for the month. This time it took a shootout, and the 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks in front of 16,691 at Jobing.com Arena gave the Coyotes their sixth win in a row and 75 points for the season. Goaltender Mike Smith again was dominant, extending his franchise record to 11 consecutive wins as he made 39 saves. Ray Whitney recorded the tying goal midway through the third period and scored in the shootout to set up the winning goal by Mikkel Boedker."
Mike Smith wins 9th straight start, Coyotes extinguish Flames in shootout
February 24
Arizona Republic
 
"The Phoenix Coyotes are making come-from-behind victories a habit. Just two days after erasing a three-goal deficit to beat the Kings 5-4 in a shootout at home, Ray Whitney scored the only goal of the shootout as the Coyotes fought back from two goals down to defeat the Calgary Flames 4-3 Thursday night. "We're all smiles and happy right now because we keep finding ways to win," said Phoenix captain Shane Doan, who scored once in regulation. "It might not be pretty and it might not be the way coaches have it drawn up at the beginning, but we've found ways to come back. It gives us a belief system in your game that you know you can do it.""
Mike Smith records 2nd straight SO in win over Kings
February 17
Arizona Republic
 
"The win moved the Coyotes to seventh place in the Western Conference with 24 games to go, powered by a superb effort by goaltender Mike Smith, who recorded his fourth shutout of the season. "We're deserving to win right now," Smith said. "At the start of the season, maybe we lost some games we didn't deserve to win. But right now we're finding ways to win, and we're doing it the right way. That makes it feel that much better. It was another great job in front of me." Radim Vrbata's power-play goal with 4:01 left in the second period gave the Coyotes a 1-0 lead."
Coyotes goalie Mike Smith faces another test
February 6
Arizona Republic
 
"Mike Smith cleared one hurdle, and a bigger one awaits. The Coyotes goaltender got the kind of performance he needed Saturday night, responding from a game in which he allowed three goals in less than seven minutes to grab a win over San Jose, the leader in the Pacific Division. The two teams will meet three more times this season, and the Coyotes' success could be critical for their playoff hopes. But Smith, who had 32 saves against the Sharks, isn't looking back or too far ahead. AdTech Ad His challenge Monday is even tougher. The Coyotes, who have to play their best hockey of the season in the final 30 games to make the playoffs, host the Detroit Red Wings, who lead the NHL in points."
Lightning open to bringing back goaltenders Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith
June 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Let's start with this: "Without being specific," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said, "we will increase our payroll." Now let's go to this: When it comes to goaltenders Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith, Yzerman said, "I'd like to explore the opportunity of bringing them both back." The declarations Monday were the most intriguing from a day when players cleaned out their lockers at the St. Pete Times Forum. It was also notable that center Steven Stamkos said he sees no impediment to a new deal, though no one really expects otherwise. Surely there were not many who during the season expected a Roloson/Smith redux. Roloson, sure, for stabilizing a goaltending black hole after his"
Lightning open to bringing back goaltenders Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith
May 31
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Let's start with this: "Without being specific," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said, "we will increase our payroll." Now let's go to this: When it comes to goaltenders Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith, Yzerman said, "I'd like to explore the opportunity of bringing them both back." The declarations Monday were the most intriguing from a day when players cleaned out their lockers at the St. Pete Times Forum. It was also notable that center Steven Stamkos said he sees no impediment to a new deal, though no one really expects otherwise. Surely there were not many who during the season expected a Roloson/Smith redux. Roloson, sure, for stabilizing a goaltending black hole after his"
Guy Boucher makes bold call in starting Mike Smith
May 24
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist John Romano
"The decision was only made the day before. It was the explanation that had been evolving for months and months. When he stripped away the emotion, and eliminated the ramifications and risk, Lightning coach Guy Boucher was left with one simple thought: Mike Smith had earned a shot to be Tampa Bay's goaltender in Game 5. He earned it by keeping his cool and throwing himself into his work when he was sent to the minors. And he earned it by playing brilliantly as a spot starter down the stretch. He earned it by doing everything he was asked, right up until the moment that Boucher called him into his office after the morning skate on Monday and gave him the news. "As a leader I have to give to"
Goalie Smith gives Bolts a chance after bold call
May 24
Tampa Tribune
 
"It was a tough spot that Lightning goalie Mike Smith was asked to step into: his first playoff start. He was taking the place of mainstay Dwayne Roloson, who was as big a reason as any why Tampa Bay had racked up 10 of the 16 wins needed to win a Stanley Cup. That they didn't get No.?11 on Monday was no fault of Smith's. If anything, his work forestalled what became a 3-1 Bruins victory. "He made the saves," said gritty Tampa Bay center Nate Thompson. "He gave us a chance." Said Smith: "I thought I played pretty well. I gave up two goals. They were tough plays. You're never satisfied when you give up a goal." The first of those, the game-tying tally by Nathan Horton, was a laser from the"
Lightning make bold decision, put Smith in net over Roloson
May 24
Tampa Tribune
 
"It was a tough spot that Lightning goalie Mike Smith was asked to step into: his first playoff start. He was taking the place of mainstay Dwayne Roloson, who was as big a reason as any why Tampa Bay had racked up 10 of the 16 wins needed to win a Stanley Cup. That they didn't get No.?11 on Monday was no fault of Smith's. If anything, his work forestalled what became a 3-1 Bruins victory. "He made the saves," said gritty Tampa Bay center Nate Thompson. "He gave us a chance." Said Smith: "I thought I played pretty well. I gave up two goals. They were tough plays. You're never satisfied when you give up a goal." The first of those, the game-tying tally by Nathan Horton, was a laser from the"
Who's in goal for Lightning: Roloson or Smith?
May 23
Tampa Tribune
 
"As the Eastern Conference finals whittle down to a best-of-three series starting tonight with Game 5, there is just as much focus on who will play goal for Tampa Bay as there is with Boston's three-goal collapse in Game 4. So who exactly does Guy Boucher turn to for tonight's pivotal matchup against the Boston Bruins — the No.?1 guy who brought Tampa Bay this far or the reliever who shut the door in Game 4 to allow the Lightning's historic comeback? Well, Boucher refuses to tip his hand, at least definitively if he plans on starting Dwayne Roloson or Mike Smith. And whether he's playing mind games to give the Bruins one more thing to think about heading into tonight or actually needs"
Guy Boucher won't reveal starting goalie for Game 5
May 23
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Let us assume Dwayne Roloson starts in net tonight for the Lightning. We have to assume because coach Guy Boucher did not answer directly when asked point-blank if his No. 1 goalie would play Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final against the Bruins after being pulled in Game 4 for the second time in three games. "Roloson is getting ready for (today)," Boucher said. For that matter, so is Mike Smith, who has stopped all 29 shots he has faced in the series, including 21 Saturday while Tampa Bay stormed back from a three-goal deficit to win 5-3 and even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. The sidestepping is understandable. Boucher wants to create doubt for the Bruins. But let's"
Mike Smith expected to start in goal for Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins on Thursday
March 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The last time Lightning G Mike Smith played in Boston, he allowed five goals on 22 shots before being pulled in an 8-1 loss. One goal was from 76 feet when Smith anticipated Dennis Seidenberg would rim the puck along the boards, left his net and watched Seidenberg shoot the puck straight in. Smith said the Dec. 2 debacle will be forgotten when, if as planned, he faces the Bruins tonight at TD Garden in Boston. Coach Guy Boucher called the game a "gigantic test" for his goalie. "If you look at it like that, then there's going to be a lot of problems that transpire because of it," Smith said Wednesday of his first game for Tampa Bay since his Feb. 25 recall from AHL Norfolk. "Every goalie"
Smith set to get back between the pipes
March 3
Tampa Tribune
 
"The past two-plus months proved to be trying times for Mike Smith. Now, he hopes to just enjoy his time in net. Smith is scheduled to make the start tonight in Boston, his first action in a Lightning uniform since Dec. 18. Two days after beating Buffalo, Smith suffered a knee sprain that kept him from playing until late January, after the team acquired Dwayne Roloson to be the top goaltender. Before the All-Star break, Smith had two conditioning starts for Norfolk of the American Hockey League. Three days after the All-Star Game, Smith was placed on waivers and subsequently outright assigned to the minor leagues. When Dan Ellis was traded to Anaheim last week, the door opened for Smith to"
Lightning goalie Mike Smith ready to think less, react more
February 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"For Mike Smith, Friday's 13-hour drive from Norfolk, Va., to Tampa, in a packed car with pregnant wife Brigitte and golden retriever Berkley, was anything but relaxing. The ride itself was fine, though Smith mostly stayed behind the wheel rather than fold his 6-foot-4 frame into a passenger seat pushed forward because of all the stuff in the back. It was the uncertainty that drove him to distraction. Smith, with AHL Norfolk since Feb. 5, was on re-entry waivers. If he got through, he would be back with the Lightning. If claimed, he would be with his third team in four years. "My mind was in a million places," Smith said. "I was like, 'Where am I going? Where am I going to be?' I have a new"
Overcoming adversity makes Smith stronger
February 27
Tampa Tribune
 
"Ninety percent of goaltending is 100 percent mental. Figuring out how to handle that aspect of the game, however, continues to baffle Mike Smith. The 28-year-old goaltender believes the last month might go a long way to helping him figure out just how to manage his athletic skills and translate them into being a consistent net presence. Smith spent the past month tending net for the Norfolk Admirals after being the odd man out after the Lightning acquired veteran Dwayne Roloson from the New York Islanders on New Year's Day. That left Smith and Dan Ellis in the awkward position of being repeatedly asked how they were handing a three-goalie roster. After recovering from a knee sprain that"
Lightning puts goalie Mike Smith on re-entry waivers
February 24
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning put goaltender Mike Smith on re-entry waivers. Smith is 1-4-0 with a 1.83 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage since he was sent to AHL Norfolk."
Lightning goalie Mike Smith clears waivers
February 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith cleared waivers on Thursday and is expected to be assigned to the minor leagues. The NHL's other 29 teams had the chance to put in a claim for Smith, but passed on the 28-year-old netminder. Though the Lightning issued a news release stating Smith had been assigned to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League, the release was later rescinded with this statement: "Mike Smith has not been reassigned to Norfolk at this time." Smith was not available for comment. As the centerpiece in the February 2008 trade that sent All-Star Brad Richards to the Dallas Stars, Smith battled inconsisteny in his two-plus seasons with the Lightning, posting a"
Lightning goaltender Mike Smith clears waivers
February 3
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith cleared waivers on Thursday, the team announced. The Lightning placed him on waivers Wednesday at noon with the intention of reassigning him to their minor-league affiliate in the American Hockey League, the Norfolk Admirals. Because no NHL team claimed Smith during the 24-hour waiver period, he remains in the Tampa Bay organization. The Lightning issued a news release early Thursday afternoon indicating Smith had been reassigned to Norfolk, but later recalled it: "Mike Smith has not been reassigned to Norfolk at this time." Smith, 28, recently completed a two-week conditioning stint in Norfolk while recovering from a mid-December knee sprain."
Lightning puts goalie Mike Smith on waivers
February 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Lightning on Wednesday addressed its three-goalie glut before it became an issue by placing Mike Smith on waivers for the purpose of assigning him to AHL Norfolk. It will be known at noon today if he clears or is claimed. "He needs to play," GM Steve Yzerman said. "Having three goaltenders here, we don't want to go to any kind of rotation. If Smitty gets claimed, good for him. If he doesn't, he goes down and plays for us down there." The move has several facets. At its root, Tampa Bay decided to go with Dan Ellis as Dwayne Roloson's backup. Paying Smith the rest of his $2.4 million salary to play in the minors likely wasn't its first choice. But Smith, out since Dec. 20 with a sprained"
Lightning put goalie Mike Smith on waivers
February 2
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning placed goaltender Mike Smith on waivers, effective at noon Wednesday. Smith, who has not played for the Lightning since spraining his knee in mid-December, can be claimed by another NHL team during the 24-hour waiver period. If he clears waivers at noon on Thursday, Tampa Bay will assign him to its minor-league affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. Smith's return to the Lightning on Monday from a two-week conditioning assignment in Norfolk created a logjam at goaltender, where recently acquired Dwayne Roloson is the starter and Dan Ellis the backup. "He needs to play," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said of Smith. "We have three"
Lightning places goalie Mike Smith on waivers
February 2
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday placed goaltender Mike Smith on waivers with the intention of sending him to AHL Norfolk. Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said the move was two-fold: It will relieve a glut of three goaltenders for Tampa Bay and fill the spot left open by the shoulder injury to goaltender Cedrick Desjardins."
Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman exploring goalie trade
February 2
St. Petersburg Times
 
"With Mike Smith back from a two-game conditioning stint with AHL Norfolk, the Lightning has three goaltenders on the roster, including No. 1 Dwayne Roloson and Dan Ellis. GM Steve Yzerman said Tuesday he is hunting for a trade ahead of the Feb. 28 deadline — "I'm talking to teams every day, exploring options to see who has an interest or a need" — but might end up sending Smith or Ellis to AHL Norfolk. "It is an option," he said. "Ideally, we want our guys playing. It doesn't do any of the guys any good to sit here not playing." Yzerman said he is in no rush to make a move. "I'm going to let the situation evolve a little bit and see how it goes," he said. Even so, "At some point goalies"
Lightning recalls goalie Mike Smith from AHL Norfolk
February 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning today recalled goaltender Mike Smith from AHL Norfolk. Smith was assigned to Norfolk 11 days ago on a conditioning assignment as he recovered from a knee injury."
Lightning send G Smith to AHL Norfolk for conditioning
January 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"With three healthy NHL goaltenders on the roster, the Lightning shipped one of them out — temporarily. Mike Smith was activated off injured reserve Thursday and sent to the American Hockey League on a conditioning assignment. Smith, who suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee Dec.?20, was assigned to Norfolk to allow him to get game action. The assignment allows Smith to remain in Norfolk for a maximum of two weeks, although General Manager Steve Yzerman indicated Smith would return from the stint following Norfolk's game Tuesday in Portland, Maine. Since suffering the injury, Smith has received little practice time with the team because of the heavy game schedule, which allowed for few"
Goalies at ease for now
January 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"When it comes to goaltenders, two is company and three is definitely a crowd. That's the case, however, after Tampa Bay acquired Dwayne Roloson from the New York Islanders, pushing Tampa Bay's inventory of NHL goaltenders from two — Dan Ellis and Mike Smith — to three. Carrying three goaltenders on the roster can create an awkward and uncomfortable situation, particularly if it's for any length of time. And while that's not the case yet, as Smith is out for at least another week as he recovers from a knee strain, at one point somebody will wind up as the third member of a goaltending duo. "Right now we don't have three goalies, we have two, so there is nothing different than usual,''"
Lightning goalie Mike Smith says acquiring veteran Dwayne Roloson 'kind of disappointing'
January 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Lightning G Mike Smith said it is "kind of disappointing" that GM Steve Yzerman decided to bring in veteran G Dwayne Roloson. Nothing against Roloson, but Smith said he is sure having three goalies on the roster, including Dan Ellis, is not workable long term, which means the pressure is on every time he or Ellis is in net. "It's not the ideal situation," Smith said. "So, right now, for me, I have to focus on getting healthy, and when I do get an opportunity, it's that much more important now than ever before. … I know I'm probably going to get another chance. I've just got to take advantage of it." Before he was hurt, Smith played two of his best games of the season in beating the"
Goalies at ease for now
January 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"When it comes to goaltenders, two is company and three is definitely a crowd. That's the case, however, after Tampa Bay acquired Dwayne Roloson from the New York Islanders, pushing Tampa Bay's inventory of NHL goaltenders from two — Dan Ellis and Mike Smith — to three. Carrying three goaltenders on the roster can create an awkward and uncomfortable situation, particularly if it's for any length of time. And while that's not the case yet, as Smith is out for at least another week as he recovers from a knee strain, at one point somebody will wind up as the third member of a goaltending duo. "Right now we don't have three goalies, we have two, so there is nothing different than usual,''"
Smith works to stay upbeat
December 24
Tampa Tribune
 
"Mike Smith can't seem to catch a break. But it doesn't mean he believes a black cloud has followed him around the past three seasons. Smith got tangled up with LW Simon Gagne during Monday's morning skate, awkwardly twisting the goaltender's left knee. Smith feared the worst when he heard a pop but suffered a mild sprain to the MCL that will keep him out of action for at least two weeks. "It was kind of a weird play, I twisted it the wrong way when (Gagne) tried to go around me, I went back a little and tried to reach with my hand and when I did he got around my leg and twisted by toe down toward the ice,'' Smith said. "I got into a bit of a fluky position. Just bad luck really. (But) this"
Lightning G Smith to miss two weeks with knee injury
December 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Lightning will be without G Mike Smith for a minimum of two weeks after he suffered what the team is officially calling a "minor knee injury'' to his left leg during the team's morning skate on Monday. Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman said Smith went to Tampa General Hospital for an MRI, which showed no structural damage. Yzerman said Smith's injury is a mild MCL sprain to his left knee, which requires rest and rehab to regain the strength in the ligament. "It's the type of injury that if he was a skater, forward or defenseman, he would likely be back in 10 days to two weeks tops,'' Yzerman said. "But because of the goalies going up and down, we'll have to add a few extra days"
Lightning goalie Mike Smith out two to three weeks
December 21
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Lightning will be without G Mike Smith for two to three weeks with a "minor" sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, GM Steve Yzerman said. Smith was hurt during Monday's morning skate when his knee twisted when his skate was clipped by the skate of teammate Simon Gagne, who cut a tight path around the net. Smith, who left the ice under his own power, had an MRI exam that showed no structural damage, Yzerman said. "It is not a major injury." But it does create interesting scenarios. Yzerman said Dan Ellis will get the bulk of work. Cedrick Desjardins, coincidentally called up Monday from AHL Norfolk to get in some work with goaltenders coach Frantz Jean, will back"
Lightning G Mike Smith injured in practice; status uncertain
December 20
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith had to leave Monday's morning skate with an apparent left-leg injury. Smith was supposed to start tonight against the Hurricanes, but his status is unclear. Smith seemed to be clipped by teammate Simon Gagne as Gagne skated around the net. Smith went down and stayed down for several minutes while being looked at by head athletic trainer Rommy Mulligan."
Lightning goalies Mike Smith, Dan Ellis ignore outside talk about their status
December 17
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Mixed in with the many ways Lightning goaltenders Mike Smith and Dan Ellis are working on their games is this little exercise, courtesy of coach Guy Boucher: "Guys," Boucher said he told his embattled tandem, "don't read the papers. The best thing is not to listen or read anything." "What you want them to focus on," goaltenders coach Frantz Jean said, "is everything they can control." Out of their control this week has been media speculation the team might make a play for free-agent goalie Evgeni Nabokov. General manager Steve Yzerman did not completely knock down the possibility and even indicated Smith and Ellis, who entered Thursday with a combined 3.34 goals-against average that was"
Lightning goalie Smith back to having fun
December 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"One night after picking up a rare shootout victory against Atlanta, the Lightning finished practice on Thursday with a shootout practice. Mike Smith, who stopped all four shootout attempts Wednesday night, stood in his crease at one point and performed a spin-o-rama with a shooter bearing down on him. So, Sean Bergenheim tried to one-up the Lightning goaltender, pulling out his own spin-o-rama move to imitate the controversial move made last week by Edmonton's Linus Omark and drawing plenty of laughs. Smith countered, again doing a pirouette and drawing more chuckles from his teammates before stopping Bergenheim's attempt, to the delight of everyone watching. It was a rare loose moment for"
Mike Smith, Dan Ellis must prove they can lead Tampa Bay Lightning to playoffs
December 16
St. Petersburg Times
 
"It is early, and yet time is running out. The season is still young, and already it feels rushed. It is mid December, and the Lightning goaltenders are on the clock. You could feel it Wednesday night when Tampa Bay returned home from yet another road trip filled with too many red lights and loud horns. You could sense it when teammates rushed onto the ice to greet their goaltender at the end of a successful shootout. This is why Wednesday night's 2-1 victory against Atlanta was so big for the Lightning. This is why an impressive game in net was so critical for Mike Smith. It does not excuse all the stinkers that preceded it, but it's a start. And it does not dramatically alter your"
Big test for Tampa Bay Lightning G Mike Smith in start against Thrashers
December 15
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher said goaltender Mike Smith will make his first start Wednesday against the Thrashers since the Dec. 2 debacle in Boston in which he allowed five goals on 22 shots in an 8-1 loss. The worst goal was the one allowed to Dennis Seidenberg, when Smith left the crease anticipating a wraparound from Seidenberg. Instead, Seidenberg shot into an empty net from 76 feet away. Dan Ellis has handled the goaltending since then, going 2-1-1, but not without incident, such as the bad goal he allowed in Vancouver to tie the score 4-4 late in the third period. Steven Stamkos bailed Ellis out with an overtime goal for a 5-4 victory. Smith, meanwhile, has been working"
Musical goalies continues for Tampa Bay Lightning as Mike Smith starts vs. Bruins
December 2
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher said Mike Smith will start Thursday's game against the Bruins. The reason? For the second straight time, Dan Ellis was victorious over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. But Smith already has beaten the Bruins once this season. Perhaps he can do it again. As sound as that logic is, the fact is Boucher would not have to make these calculations if either Smith or Ellis, or both, actually, would grab hold of the goaltending job. Smith, lately, is showing the most signs he is headed in the right direction. Throw out the Capitals game he started and the four goals he allowed on 18 shots. That was just a dismal game for the entire team. In the three games previous,"