Tampa Bay Lightning

[url=http://bolts.tbo.com/lightning/MGBSKIR9ZDE.html]Erik Erlendsson of the Trib is reporting LW Mitch Fritz has been recalled with a view towards the Buffalo Sabres exhibition game this weekend.[/url] Several of Buffalo's players have been attempting to brawl their way into NHL roster spots and GM Jay Feaster has concluded Fritz needs to be available if the trend continues.

TB-2 CAR-5 (Final) [b]1st Period[/b] 1. Carolina- Larose, (unassisted) (SH) (PS) 2. Carolina- Richmond, (Cole, Vasicek) (PP) [b]2nd Period[/b] 3. Tampa Bay- Afanasenkov, (Modin, Sydor) (PP) 4. Carolina- Vasicek, (Cole, Larose) 5. Carolina- Boulerice, (Cole, Richmond) 6. Tampa Bay- Sydor, (Boyle, Modin) (PP) [b]3rd Period[/b] 7. Carolina- Vasicek, (Cole, Commodore) Loss-John Grahame, 25/30, (2/4) [b]Shootout[/b] TB-1 CAR-2 1. Prospal (0) 2. [i]Kvapil[/i] (X) 3. Boyle (0) 4. Afanasenkov (0) Streaming audio broadcast can be found at [url=http://www.620wdae.com]WDAE's website.[/url] This thread will be updated in progress throughout the night.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced 20 cuts from their training camp roster. The following players have been returned to their junior clubs: LW Justin Keller, Kelowna (WHL) D Vladimir Mihalik, Red Deer (WHL) The following prospects have been sent to Springfield of the AHL: G Jonathan Boutin G Morgan Cey G Gerald Coleman D Mike Egener LW Brandon Elliott D Brady Greco LW Adam Henrich RW Zbynek Hrdel LW Norm Milley LW Dennis Packard D Paul Ranger RW Darren Reid D Jay Rosehill C Jean-Francois Soucy C John Toffey The following professional veterans have been assigned to Springfield of the AHL: RW Jim Campbell LW Mitch Fritz D Harlan Pratt

[b]DET-3 TB-5[/b] (Final) [b]1st Period[/b] 1.) 3:11 Detroit- Lidstrom, (Draper, Kronwall)(PP2) 2.) 5:57 Tampa Bay- Richards, (St. Louis, Modin) [b]2nd Period[/b] 3. 6:20 Tampa Bay- Modin, ([i]Kvapil[/i], St. Louis)(PP2) 4. 18:30 Detroit- Draper, (Chelios) (PP) [b]3rd Period[/b] 5. 0:46 Tampa Bay- St. Louis, (Richards)(PP) 6. 2:02 Tampa Bay- [i]Artyukhin[/i], (Taylor, Dingman) 7. 18:06 Detoit- Draper, (Shanahan, Chelios) 8. 19:56 Tampa Bay- Modin, (Richards, Taylor)(EN) SOG: DET-27, TB-26 W- John Grahame, 23/26 [b]Shootout[/b] TB-2 DET-1 (Final) 1. St. Louis (X) 2. Richards (X) 3. Boyle (0) Streaming audio broadcast can be found at [url=http://www.620wdae.com]WDAE's website.[/url] This thread will be updated in progress throughout the night.

In Brandon today, The Tampa Bay Lightning completed their final day of camp scrimmages. Team Blue, which boasted the team's number one line of Fredrik Modin, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis won the tournament with a 4-1 record. Brad Richards [url=http://www.tampabaylightning.com/files/CampStats.pdf]won the tournament scoring title[/url] with 18 points in 5 scrimmage games. Richards also finished tied with his linemate St. Louis for the tournament high of 7 goals in 5 games. In general the scrimmages separated the men from the boys, so to speak, in showing the wide disparity in ability between the camp's veterans and the Lightning's prospects. Failing to make their mark in Brandon, the Lightning's prospects will have to hope to have an opportunity in the exhibition games beginning Monday at Detroit.

TSN Canada is reporting the Lightning [url=http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=135607]has signed 31 year old defenseman Todd Rohloff.[/url]

Winger Jimmie Olvestad scored a goal and an assist as Sweden toppled the Czech Republic 5-3. Once again, Lightning prospect Andreas Holmqvist played on Sweden's first pairing with veteran Kenny Jonsson. And, in the early game, Russia defeated Finland 4-1. Anton But assumed playing time on Russia's second line and former Lightning player Alexander Kharitonov chipped in an assist in the victory.

Red Wings Central [url=http://www.allsports.com/nhl/redwings/stories/2005_08/RosterTampaBay.html]has posted the same roster Bolt Prospects broke here as an exclusive a week ago.[/url] However, the London Free Press [url=http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/Sports/2005/08/23/1184225-sun.html]is reporting Drew Larman is also slated to join the Lightning camp[/url]. The 6'3" 188 lb. center played for the London Knights' Memorial Cup championship team posting 13 goals and 23 points in 70 games between Sarnia and London of the OHL. The native of Canton, Michigan's career year came in '03-'04 when he posted 9 goals and 27 points in 68 games for Sarnia. Larman turned 20 in May and would be elligible to play pro should the Lightning sign him out of camp. Bolt Prospects is currently seeking confirmation from the Lightning on the late addition.

Jay Feaster announced during today's press conference to mark the signing of Vincent Lecavalier's four year deal with the club that the team intends to carry a roster of the minimum 20 players. For the Lightning's prospects this likely means only the #6 defenseman spot will be available for Lightning youth looking to make the team. It also will likely squeeze center Eric Perrin out of a roster spot, perhaps fueling rumors he is planning to return to Europe this season.

In his Friday column Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune [url=http://bolts.tbo.com/lightning/MGBD8PES9CE.html]speculated the team's cap situation may force the Lightning to carry one or two rookie defensemen on the roster on opening night.[/url] That's a pretty fair expectation and at the very minimum I suspected the Lightning would put one of the rookies into the #7 defenseman slot at the league minimum for economic reasons. Erlendsson lists several prospects as potential options and, in particular, highlights Swiss stay-at-home defenseman Timo Helbling. Helbling, you might remember, checked in at #5 on my personal list of overage Lightning prospects. Here's my handicapping of the situation: