TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Slumping Stamkos Sits

ADVERTISEMENT

By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 9, 2009

Updated: 01/10/2009 01:11 am

ANAHEIM, Calif. - For nearly 60 minutes Friday morning, Steven Stamkos stayed on the ice. For nearly 60 minutes, the overall top pick in this past summer's draft endured a grueling workout normally reserved for those out of the lineup.

And that's exactly where Stamkos ended up - sitting out the first game of his NHL career on the same day he was selected to take part in the Young Stars game as part of All-Star weekend in Montreal on Jan. 24-25.

Certainly, Stamkos has not lived up to the advanced billing he carried into Tampa Bay with four goals and 14 points through 40 games, including three points in the past 16 games.

"I wouldn't say I'm struggling, it's just tough not getting the ice time and things like that," said Stamkos, who is averaging 13 minutes a game, but has under 12:20 in the past six games. "I thought my game, obviously it isn't at the top, but I like to be getting more chances and more points and stuff like that. In the end, it's the coach's decision and they seem to have a good rationale."

That rationale was discussed with Stamkos during a 30-minute meeting with interim coach Rick Tocchet and associate coach Mike Sullivan prior to the morning skate.

Tocchet said he intends to pick and choose games in which Stamkos might be held out, but stressed this isn't a form of a wake-up call. Rather it's the first step in a plan he has thought about for the past three weeks in which he wants Stamkos to increase his strength and allow him time to work one-on-one with assistant coach Wes Walz.

"I don't think it's something we should be scared of. To me, it's just a process," Tocchet said. "He is going to be a hell of a hockey player. His speed is NHL caliber now, so I just want to get the other parts of his game up to par which, with this process, I think will go quicker for him. He still does some magnificent things. There's just certain things I'd like to see get better."

Stamkos said he'll follow the plan.

"Obviously I would love to be in the lineup, but they had their explanations. It's not like it's out of nowhere, and you have to respect that as a player to your coaches," he said.

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT