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Boyle Returns After Checkup

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 25, 2008

TAMPA - Coach John Tortorella informed the assembled media Thursday morning that injured D Dan Boyle would not be playing in his first game since Nov. 3. By the mid-part of the afternoon, that all changed following a checkup with the doctor who performed a second operation on Boyle's left wrist.

With surgeon Thomas Graham scheduled to be in Orlando, he made a trip to Tampa for a check-up the team initially thought would clear Boyle to return after this weekend's All-Star game. Instead, Graham gave the go-ahead for Boyle to get back to game action, which he did Thursday logging 24 minutes, 25 seconds in an 8-4 loss to Ottawa.

"I played 25 minutes, it felt like 45," said Boyle, who finished the game with his first two goals of the season.

After months of frustration stemming from a fallen skate in the preseason that severed three tendons in his wrist and a rush back to action in late October, Boyle said he just wants to get back to helping the team get into the playoffs, which seems a long shot at best.

"It's been a frustrating year for me, a lot of stuff has happened," he said. "My faith was in the doctor and I was just waiting for him to give me the green light and he flew in Thursday and the wrist felt all right. ... There's going to be some pain and some weakness along the way, but it shouldn't be something that's bothering me down the road. It's just a matter of time before it completely heals."

POND HOPPING: The league is expected to announce at this weekend's All-Star game the finalized plans to start next season in Europe, with Tampa Bay expected to match up against the New York Rangers for a pair of games in Prague, Czech Republic. Ottawa and Pittsburgh will begin the season with two games in Stockholm, Sweden.

An Associated Press report out of Sweden on Thursday quoted a Swedish hockey league official stating the games will be played Oct. 4 and 5. Another report on TSN.ca reported that Tampa Bay will also play at least one exhibition game in Berlin, Germany, as a tune up, but that report was not confirmed by Lightning officials.

REPEAT VISIT: Dallas co-general manager Brett Hull and player personnel director Dave Taylor scouted Thursday's game, the second time this week the pair has been in the press box to watch the Lightning. Also back for a second look was former Lightning defenseman and Chicago director of pro scouting Marc Bergevin. Phoenix Coyotes director of player personnel Tom Kurvers was also in attendance.

While Marty St. Louis' name has cropped up numerous times in regard to rumors with the Stars, the more likely players to be traded from Tampa Bay are pending free agents such as LW Vinny Prospal, C Chris Gratton, LW Jan Hlavac and possibly Boyle.

NUTS AND BOLTS: Tortorella passed Herb Brooks for the most games coached by a U.S.-born head coach with is 507th game behind the bench. ... D Doug Janik and RW Kyle Wanvig were healthy scratches.

Erik Erlendsson

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