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Stamkos Unfazed By Melrose Barbs

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 11, 2008

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Lightning rookie Steven Stamkos bounced around the locker room Wednesday morning, showing off his basketball skills while bouncing a soccer ball between his legs.

It was quickly apparent the comments coming from former Lightning coach Barry Melrose, who said on Tuesday that Stamkos doesn't belong in the NHL this year, had no lingering effects on the 18-year-old.

"You can't let stuff like that bother you, that's his opinion and he said what he said," Stamkos said. "You just don't pay attention to stuff like that, you just go out there and keep working hard, that's all you can focus on and not worry about comments from anybody else."
Interim coach Rick Tocchet held a one-on-one meeting with Stamkos.

"He's in great spirits, and he's a great kid," Tocchet said. "He told me he kind of laughed at the comments, which is nice to hear."

PRESIDENTIAL FAVORS: Former President Bill Clinton attended Wednesday's game as a guest of Buffalo owner Thomas Golisano, who is a financial supporter of the Clinton Global Initiative.

Clinton addressed both teams before the game and told the Lightning players that growing up in Arkansas, "I never knew anybody who played hockey. But I think you'll agree with me that the game is viewed better in person that it is on television."

STILL DECIDING: Veteran C Chris Gratton, who was assigned to AHL Norfolk on Tuesday after clearing waivers, is still contemplating his immediate future.

Lightning general manager Brian Lawton said Gratton is being allowed time to consider what he wants to do. Lawton was supposed to meet with Gratton's agent, Pat Morris, on Wednesday and will speak with Gratton today. Should Gratton, 33, not report, the team could suspend him without pay.

NUTS AND BOLTS: RW Adam Hall was a surprise scratch with an upper-body injury. The team recalled C Zenon Konopka from Norfolk on an emergency basis. Konopka landed at 6:30 p.m. and didn't show up on the bench until after the game started. ... The team will announce today that prospect Dana Tyrell has been signed to an entry-level contract. Tyrell, who is attending world junior training camp for Team Canada in Ottawa this week, is expected to remain with his junior club in Prince George, British Columbia.

Erik Erlendsson

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