Smaby, Matt

According to numerous published reports it appears the Lightning will be cutting 7 players from their roster after Saturday's preseason game against the Caps. Here's my initial thoughts on the seven who will go (subject to change based on performance in the Washington game, of course):

The showdown for the #6 and #7 defenseman jobs for the Tampa Bay Lightning looks like it will begin in earnest on Saturday night against the Caps.

According to Carter Gaddis on Erik Erlendsson's blog, the night will mark this year's preseason debut for the pairing of Brad Lukowich and Matt Smaby as well as for the pairing of Dan Jancevski and Doug Janik. From the outside looking in, it appears Smaby, Jancevski, and Janik are all vying for one the two open vacancies. One will be left out, but whom?

Saturday's lines and pairings:

Bolt Prospects contributor Kathy Cauwels has graciously provided us with a few photos of Lightning prospects from the first day of the 2007 Tampa Bay Lightning Training Camp. More may be posted in the near future.

You can view the photos in the Bolt Prospect Gallery here.

Thanks, "MissK!"

Prospect photos from the 2007-2008 Tampa Bay Lightning Training Camp. Photos courtesy of Kathy Cauwels.