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Lightning Still Aiming High

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By CARTER GADDIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 5, 2008

TAMPA - At some point, a season is lost and it's time to look ahead. Practices, morning skates and even the games themselves become more about evaluation for next season and developing young players than about hanging on by a thread to a no-longer-realistic chance to participate in the postseason.

Publicly, at least, the Lightning insist that time has not yet arrived.

"Our goal is still the playoffs," said defenseman Shane O'Brien.

"I don't think we're out of it yet," said left wing Mathieu Darche.

"We're still trying to get there," said right wing Jason Ward.

"You're not going to get me to talk about next year," said Coach John Tortorella.

Well, there's something to be said for unbridled optimism.

Still, as a three-game road trip begins tonight at St. Louis, the Lightning possess the worst record in the Eastern Conference and are nine points behind Southeast Division-leading Carolina and Atlanta.

Which means the final 29 games - barring the kind of win streak Tampa Bay hasn't put together all season - are, in fact, as much about evaluation and development as they are about trying to crash the postseason party.

For players like O'Brien, rookie defenseman Mike Lundin and rookie goalie Karri Ramo, the next two months are an opportunity to further cement their roles with the organization.

At this early juncture of their careers, it's mostly about gaining experience and improving.

"I don't know if I can put a finger on one thing," O'Brien said. "If I could, it'd probably be becoming more reliable. ... I've been given a great opportunity here since I was traded. I'm still a young defenseman, and I'm sure they see it as I still make too many mistakes for their liking.

"I want to show the staff that I'm capable of being a top-four defenseman."

For journeymen like Darche and center Craig MacDonald, whose professional careers have been spent primarily in the minor leagues, the final few weeks are about proving they deserve a chance to continue to play in the NHL beyond this season.

"There was always a knock on my game, whether it was my skating or whatever," said Darche, who had played 28 NHL games for three different teams in seven pro seasons prior to earning a spot with the Lightning out of training camp. "I want to give this team a reason to keep me.

"I saw a quote by Tortorella from earlier this year when things were going good, when he said I have to fight for my life every day. And it's true. I'm still fighting for my life every day."

For players like Ward, who is under contract for $700,000 for 2008-09, it's about finishing on a good note in order to earn a regular role next season.

"I want to show I can be a consistent player," said Ward, who was a healthy scratch Saturday against Florida. "I have to be stronger defensively. I've done it before, but that's why I've been sitting out games. I've got to show I can be reliable and consistent, because consistency is so important."

Regardless of how well the Lightning play over the final weeks, the roster is certain to look a lot different next season; 11 players, including injured captain Tim Taylor, are eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer.

That includes MacDonald, 30, and Darche, 31, who have spent this season chasing the elusive career stability they have sought for the better part of a decade. They have 29 more games to prove this is where they belong for the foreseeable future.

"There's not a place," Darche said, "I'd rather be."

QUIET ON SALE FRONT: All was quiet Monday regarding the potential sale of the Lightning, the St. Pete Times Forum and 5 1/2 acres of adjoining land by Palace Sports & Entertainment to movie producer Oren Koules.

It is still believed that a purchasing agreement could be announced this week. Koules, one of the creators and owners of the "Saw" horror movie franchise, is the head of OK Hockey, LLC, which has made an offer of about $200 million.

Reporter Carter Gaddis can be reached at (813) 259-8291 or igaddis@tampatrib.com.

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