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Stamkos Sits Out Again

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2009

TAMPA - Game No. 2 of the Steven Stamkos rest program took place Saturday when the top overall pick in the 2008 draft was scratched for the second time in five games by interim coach Rick Tocchet.

In addition to a workout concentrating on the lower body and core muscle groups with strength coach Chuck Lobe, Stamkos will do one-on-one video work with assistant coach Wes Walz and watch games from above, taking notes and preparing to discuss the game the next day with the coaching staff.

"I'm pretty stuck in my way right now with this, and I think it's the best way for him to get to that next level," Tocchet said. "We are going to use the time he doesn't play to get him better, and I think we'll see a correlation of that, not so much this year, but after a summer workout program we put him on, and I think we'll see an accelerated Steven Stamkos than if we just played him every game."

QUICK MOVE: Though Saturday was D Kevin Quick's third game since being recalled, he's hasn't come in and just tested the NHL waters.

Quick made a pair of noteworthy moves during Thursday's game against Philadelphia that most rookies might be hesitant to try. Just inside his own blue line during the second period, he did a quick spin move to elude a Flyers forechecker. Later in the period, he took the puck down the wall, and just before he circled the net he flipped a back pass to Evgeny Artyukhin right in front of Philadelphia's net.

"You just have to keep playing the way you always have," said Quick, who took shifts on the second power play unit Saturday. "You just go out without worrying about making mistakes, because that can take away a lot of your aggressiveness."

GOLDEN MEET-AND-GREET: Before Monday's game against Dallas, Lightning goaltender prospect Dustin Tokarski - who recently backstopped Canada to a gold medal at the World Junior Championships - will sign autographs for fans.

The fifth-round draft pick in 2008 will be available to season ticket-holders on the patio of the CCM Club from 6 to 7 p.m., and he will be available behind section 104 during the first intermission.

FAN REVOLT? During the pregame warm-ups, a sign opposite the Tampa Bay bench read: "Put Brian Lawton On Waivers" in reference to the Lightning general manager and the recent trade rumors involving captain Vinny Lecavalier.

NUTS AND BOLTS: D Marek Malik (lower body) was the fourth defenseman this week to miss a game due to injury. ... D Matt Smaby was activated from injured reserve.

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