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Now Is The Time To Start Making An Impression

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 15, 2007

BRANDON - After two days of suiting up in full uniforms for the sole purpose of skating conditioning laps, Lightning players get the chance to push some pucks around the rink this morning.

The 33 assembled players have been split into two teams for the first of four days of scrimmages beginning at 10 a.m. And though some players might have made a positive impression during the first two days, today is the start of true competition for positions.

'With only five preseason games, every time you step out on that ice, I think it's a situation that they need to be ready to be judged and they are going to be judged,' Lightning coach John Tortorella said. 'They were told that. Practices, scrimmage games ... we just don't have much time to make some of these decisions, so we have to bring in the other stuff and not just the exhibition games.'

Though a good portion of the opening-night roster can be penciled in, not all spots are filled.

Among the jobs open are the sixth defenseman and fourth-line center. Also to be determined: Who earns the first shot at being the No. 1 goalie, who will be the backup and who will play wing alongside Brad Richards.

And just because somebody might be slotted in a certain spot for the first scrimmage doesn't mean that is where he will end up by the first preseason game Wednesday night against Dallas.

'They told us Thursday it's a short camp and you have to take advantage of it every time you are on the ice. Every time you step on you are being evaluated,' said center Craig MacDonald, competing for a spot in his first year with the team.

'You can't afford to take days off no matter how many exhibition games you get into because the scrimmages start today and they are going to be watching, so I'm looking forward to the opportunity.'
Defenseman Jay Leach said the best way to handle the competition for roster spots is to only worry about what you can control.

'You just have to go out and play. I don't know if you can be nervous; just go out and play your game,' he said. 'You are battling for a spot, and it's tough when you are going against guys who have been here before and played in the system and stuff like that. But all you can really do is focus on yourself and what you are doing on the ice.'

Perhaps the most intriguing competition will be among the goaltenders - Johan Holmqvist, Marc Denis and Karri Ramo. It's a trio that features one trying to solidify himself (Holmqvist), one trying to redeem himself (Denis) and one trying to prove himself (Ramo).

It is a competition Tortorella has said is wide open and has him trying to figure out how each will get an equal opportunity to prove they deserve a spot.

'I'm still not sure what I'm going to do as far as goaltending in the exhibition games,' Tortorella said. 'And I think some of that is going to be earned by what they do in the scrimmages, because we only have five preseason games. So it's all laid out for them. Nobody is hiding anything from them, and I think that's important.'

Ramo, an All-Star in the American Hockey League last season who dressed as the backup to Holmqvist in the playoffs against New Jersey, is eager to prove he is ready to earn a spot, but he isn't overly concerned about the pressure of the competition.

'I just take it normal, have fun and stop the puck,' Ramo said. 'I don't worry about mistakes. Everybody is going to make mistakes, and I'm sure Torts knows that. It won't ruin my world and it's nobody's fault if you make one mistake on the ice. I don't worry about it. I don't fear that. I just want to play and play good.'

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.

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