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Bolts Put To Rest Concerns About Goalie Situation
The Associated Press
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Published: July 15, 2008
TAMPA - In case there was any doubt about Mike Smith's standing as the Lightning's No. 1 goaltender following the signing of veteran free agent Olie Kolzig this month, Tampa Bay sent Smith a message Monday that he received all the way up in Sault Ste. Marie.
The Lightning signed Smith, 26, to a two-year extension that will pay him $2 million when the contract begins in 2009-10 and increases to $2.4 million in 2010-11. Smith enters this season in the final year of a two-year contract that will pay him $950,000.
"When they came to me and started talking extension, it's exciting, especially after all that has gone on in Tampa and all the changes that have been made. It made me even more excited about it and I couldn't wait to get it done," said Smith, the centerpiece of the five-player deal that sent center Brad Richards to Dallas in February.
That's after the team signed Kolzig and Smith's name almost immediately began to pop up in the rumor mill as some quickly assumed that Kolzig, the 2000 Vezina Trophy winner, was brought in to be the No. 1 goaltender.
Smith said he never worried about his standing with the team.
"I think they brought me over from Dallas for a reason and that's to be the guy," Smith said. "I know Olie is a great goaltender and has been in the league for 17-plus years now and from what I hear he's a top-notch guy and a great guy to be able to learn from. ... I wasn't really nervous. I knew he was a great guy and it's exciting to be able to play with a guy like that."
Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said the plan all along was to bring in an experienced goalie such as Kolzig to serve as much a mentor/backup to Smith, who has never held a No. 1 job, a position that will be Smith's to lose heading into training camp in September.
"This definitely pushes Mike up to the forefront and it really should be a great, great confidence booster as far as how we feel about Mike," Lawton said. "For Michael, the only thing we feel that is holding him back is just maturity and more experience at this level. As far as the physical abilities, we believe in him.
"As far as the mental abilities to be a starter, we believe in him. Now, it's just going out there and doing it. We feel that it's all right there in front of him."
In 57 career appearances, Smith has a 27-24 record with a 2.45 goals-against average, most of his experience coming with the Stars. He was named to the All-Rookie team in 2007 after posting a 12-5-2 record with a 2.23 goals-against.
After coming over from Dallas at the end of last season, Smith appeared in 13 games with the Lightning, posting a 3-10 record with a 2.79 goals-against average and one shutout.
With all the changes Tampa Bay has made since new owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie assumed control of the team, Smith said he can't wait to get going for next season.
"You can't really not help but pay attention to what they have done because it seems like every day they are doing something new," Smith said. "It's exciting being locked in for a few years now that the organization, with the new owners and Barry Melrose coming in. ... Everyone is going to get on the same page and hopefully make a run for it, and that's all you can ask for."
Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.
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