Last night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, 22-year-old defenseman Matt Lashoff, acquired from the Boston Bruins on March 4th, played over 22 minutes with 1 shot on net.

The former 2005 first rounder began his professional career in the 2005-06 season for the Providence Bruins (AHL) after a successful 3-year junior career with the Kitchener Rangers (OHL). Lashoff played 166 games in the minors, including 35 this year, prior to being traded to the Lightning.

Posting 1 assist and 10 penalty minutes in 16 games with the Bruins in this year, the highly-touted defenseman has never fully-blossomed into the NHL player that he was once touted to be. Since coming over in the Mark Recchi trade, Lashoff has only dressed in one game for Tampa, but has already showed promise and is being rewarded by his coach.Since Tampa’s backend has been nothing short of disappointing this season, Lashoff will be given quality minutes over the final 12 games of the season in order to prove his worth. Head Coach Rick Tocchet is not intending to put too much pressure on the youngster, but rather determine if/how he’ll fit in with the organization’s plans going forward.

After watching last night’s game, I can see why Lashoff was a first rounder and the Bolts hope he can play a monumental role in the top-6 group of defenseman next season. He’s a sizeable defenseman at 6-2, 205 pounds with a smooth-skating, puck moving style of play. Lashoff is capable of playing on special teams and see’s the ice very well. He’s known to have no glaring weaknesses in his game, but is not overly physical. Based on his OHL and AHL stats, he has the potential to be an all-around defenseman with strong offensive contributions.

If he can grasp hold of the opportunity to cement a roster spot for next season, there is no question that Tampa Bay will look better on paper then they did heading into this season. An injury-riddled campaign for many of Tampa’s defenseman, combined with players shuffling between the NHL and AHL, has resulted in 20 different players seeing at least 1 game this season. That was not something to be confident about for the organization, although if management can solidify the backend over the summer the future will hold more promise. Last summer, GM Brian Lawton and the ownership group seemed to forget that defence wins championships, as they loaded up on forwards from the free agent market.

With only two legitimate top-four blue line regards in Andrej Meszaros and Paul Ranger, management will likely dip their feet into the free agent market in search for another defenseman. They would benefit from signing a shutdown guy. I know that Brian Lawton loves Mike Komisarek, who he would’ve acquired if Vinny Lecavalier was sent to Montreal. Komisarek is an unrestricted free agent after this year and isn’t expected to begin contract talks with the Habs until the end of the season. It may be a stretch, but if the Canadiens fail to re-sign Komisarek, the Lightning may be tempted to take a run at him.

Aside from Meszaros, Ranger and Lashoff, the Lightning have most of their depth chart penciled in on defense. Cory Murphy and Lukas Krajicek have both made a strong case to be a part of Tampa’s blue line next fall. Murphy has posted 15 points in 25 games with the Lightning and at 31 years old brings leadership and experience to a young backend. He only has a cap hit of $412,500 this season and will need to be re-signed this summer. The 5-10, 185 pound Murphy also participated in the 2007 World Championships in Moscow, Russia where Canada won gold.

Lukas Krajicek is making a very reasonable $1.1 million this season and will also need to be re-signed this summer. The organization has high hopes for Krajicek, who just turned 26 last Wednesday. He looks to be entering the prime of his career after posting 14 points and 46 penalty minutes in 60 games so far this season. He has posted a plus/minus mark of -9 this season, but that isn’t reflected of his impressive play this season. Better suited as a third pairing defenseman, Krajicek could bump up to the second pairing on a weaker backend in Tampa.

Meszaros, Ranger, Murphy, Krajicek and Lashoff form a promising young group, with a couple of more roster spots up for grabs. Prospects Matt Smaby, Mike Lundin and Ty Wishart will be left do duke it out for the final 2 spots, while Noah Welch and Janne Niskala still need some fine tuning in the American Hockey League. Something gives me a hunch that a solid veteran defenseman needs to be brought in to have a calming effect in the dressing room.

I wasn’t going to mention this, but don’t look now – the Tampa Bay Lightning currently sit in 29th place in the entire league. Sitting 5 points ahead of last place-New York Islanders, Tampa looks poised to select second overall in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Okay…okay, I won’t go that for in predicting the future for this team, but there is no question the Lightning will get a quality prospect anywhere from 1-10 in the draft. It’s become a popular choice for the Bolts to draft super Swede Victor Hedman, who is a potential franchise defenseman with unbelievable skill. Hedman would be a perfect fit for a desperate Lightning team in need of talent, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Tampa has only 12 games left this season, in what has been a roller coaster ride up to this point. Take a deep breath fans and poise yourself for an active summer. It all starts at the draft and then comes the free agency. Let’s just hope management doesn’t unload their pockets to sign free agents in hopes of having a quick fix. Didn’t that just work out last summer? Where’s Radim Vrbata, Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi right now. I’ll leave you with some hope for next season (or at least my perception of what the backend could look like).

DEPTH CHART

Hedman-Meszaros

Ranger-Murphy

Lashoff-Krajicek

Lundin

Prospects: Matt Smaby, Noah Welch, Ty Wishart

I may be overly optimistic about the future of this team, but don’t spoil my first bright spot as it pertains to the Lightning this season.

E-mail gregsmith@sportstalkbuzz.com

The Lightning (21-32-13) will visit Ottawa this evening as they take on Daniel Alfredsson and the Senators (26-29-10) in a game between two teams looking on the outskirts of the playoff picture.
Ottawa, currently sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, has won its previous 3 games with hopes of extending that winning streak against a Tampa team that has lost 3 straight.

Karri Ramo gets the start in net tonight for the Lightning, while Brian Elliot is between the pipes at the other end. Elliot has won his past 2 games, while posting a 2.00 GAA and a 0.929 SV%. Elliot’s play has been the backbone to the Senators recent surge, while the top line of Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson has combined for 10 points in the teams past 3 games.

The Lightning have lost 7 of 10 games since February 17, leading to a heavy decline in the standings. Tampa currently sits in 29th place in the NHL with 55 points, only 3 points more than the lowly New York Islanders. Tonight’s game may be of some importance to the Ottawa Senators, who are sitting on the fence over whether to make a run for the playoffs on “tankâ€

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie.
Gary Roberts' NHL career is over.
Unclaimed on waivers on trade deadline day, the 42-year-old veteran will not play another game with the Tampa Bay Lightning this season. He had already announced that he would retire at the end of this season.

A formal announcement of Roberts' retirement is expected from the Lightning.

Roberts' contract worked against him being picked up on waivers. His cap hit was more than $2 million and he has a bonus package that pays him $10,000 for each game he plays.

Roberts was Selected by the Calgary Flames 12th overall (1st round) in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.

He went on to win a Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1988-89.

In 1996, at the age of 30, Roberts announced his retirement from hockey due to injuries, but he underwent an intense re-conditioning program and returned to the NHL after the following season.

In 1224 career NHL games with Calgary, Carolina, Toronto, Florida, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, Roberts had 438 goals and 471 assists for 909 points, adding 2560 PIM.
Roberts was placed on waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday and was not claimed by another NHL team the following day. The Lightning recognized that they were not playoff bound, which is why they attempted to give the 42-year-old another chance with a contending team. Once the clock struck 12:00pm on Wednesday (NHL Trade Deadline), no other team had put a claim in for the veteran, which was rather disappointing for Scary Gary and his hopes to raise the Stanley Cup. Lightning management tried to trade Roberts after going unclaimed, but no team was willing to take on his $1.25 million salary. Just 2 days after the Deadline, breaking news leaked that Gary Roberts was expected to announce retirement. It's hard to see such a dedicated warrior walk away from the game, while unable to finish finishing his career in a hockey town. He didn't envision his 20 year career to conclude in Tampa Bay, after stints with the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and recently the Pittsburgh Penguins. His memorable career, including one Stanley Cup ring, made a big impact on the game. What a power forward he was!

 In other news…
Steve Downie is in trouble again.

The AHL has suspended the Norfolk Admirals' forward 20 games for deliberately striking an official with his stick.

Late in the third period of the Admirals' game against the Hershey Bears on February 28, Downie slashed linesman Mike Hamilton before a face-off. Downie was given a game misconduct at the time, and the AHL announced Thursday he was being suspended.

21-year-old Downie has developed a reputation for aggressive behaviour in his young career.

In 2007, before he even played his first regular season NHL game, Downie was suspended 20 games for elbowing Ottawa Senator Dean McAmmond in the head in a pre-season tilt.

This is not the first time the pesky forward has been suspended by the AHL either, having sat out three games for hitting an opponent from behind earlier this season.

He has already served three games of the current suspension, and should be eligible to return on April 11.

Downie was drafted 29th overall by the Flyers in 2005.

In 29 NHL games with the Flyers and the Lightning this season, Downie has three goals and three assists.
If you haven't got the chance to watch the incident, I suggest you watch it to determine Downie's intention on the play. There are many variables to consider during this situation. The most prominent is Downie's past history and track record. If this slash insued from another player who wasn't a repeat offender, the player wouldn't be handed out a 20-game suspension, something Downie has to serve. There is no question the slash was vigorous and unacceptable, but was Downie trying to slash the opposing centre, or did he go out of his way to make contact with the referee? I've only watched the replay of the slash once, but I personally believe he was trying to slash his opponent, but over exaggerated the 'stick swing' causing the ref to get hit. Steve Downie has already served 3 of his 20 game suspension, which will be appealed by the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) and the parent-club, Tampa Bay Lightning. What is your stance on Downie's reoccuring acts and do you think he deserves a 20 gamer?

 E-mail gregsmith@sportstalkbuzz.com