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Roberts' Career Up In The Air

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 7, 2009

Updated: 03/07/2009 12:40 am

TAMPA - The winding career of Gary Roberts inevitably will come to an end, and that could come as soon as Monday. But any talk of the 42-year-old veteran of 1,224 games having already decided to hang up his skates for good is jumping the gun, according to Lightning general manager Brian Lawton.

"Him and I talked Friday and he wants to take some time to think things over. He flew home to Toronto to be with his wife and talk things over with her," Lawton said. "To say that he has already retired is premature for me to say."

A report on Canadian television Web site TSN.ca reported that Roberts has already decided to officially retire and that an announcement was forthcoming from the team. But Lawton said he is scheduled to speak with Roberts again Monday to see where the situation stands.

Lawton attempted to move Roberts to a playoff-contending team before the trade deadline Wednesday, even placing the veteran forward on waivers where he could have been picked up for free. But with a base salary of $1.25 million and a bonus clause that pays Roberts $10,000 per game he plays, his contract may have played a large factor in him going unclaimed.

In his career Roberts has 438 goals, 910 points and 2,560 penalty minutes while capturing a Stanley Cup ring with Calgary in 1989. This season Roberts has been plagued by a groin injury and elbow problems that have limited him to 30 games and held his production to four goals and seven points.

Should Roberts decide to return, Lawton said he would welcome Roberts back for the final month of the season.

But even if it hasn't been made official, Roberts spoke after Tuesday's loss to Pittsburgh as if he knew he had already played his last game if he went unclaimed. He even autographed one of his sticks for 19-year-old C Steven Stamkos, telling him, "I look forward to seeing you play for years to come."

BRANDON BOOMERANG: After making his NHL debut Tuesday, RW Brandon Segal boarded a plane the next morning after being returned to AHL Norfolk. After eating breakfast and hanging out at home Thursday, Segal was told to pack his bags for a return flight.

"Fortunately, my bags were still packed," said the 25-year-old native of Richmond, British Columbia.

With Ryan Malone scratched from Friday's game because of the flu and C Paul Szczechura out with a wrist injury, Segal played his second career NHL game on an emergency call and was on the ice for the opening faceoff.

After spending six seasons in the minors, Segal is thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase himself so that when he was asked why, after wearing No. 36 in his NHL debut Tuesday, he switched to No. 53 for Friday, Segal had a simple explanation.

"It doesn't matter what number I wear at all," he said. "I have no preference, they can put any number they want on the back as long as I'm playing."

Acquired from Anaheim last season along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for D Jay Leach, Segal has 21 goals and 41 points in 52 games for Norfolk this season.

HACK, HACK: Friday was Tobacco Free Florida night at the Forum as part of Tobacco Free Florida week being run statewide.

As part of the campaign, skeletons rode the Zambonis during intermission and sat in the stands wearing blue shirts that read "We lose too many fans to tobacco each year" with the Tobacco Free Florida logo on them. Before the game, Jeff Halpern magnets were handed out to fans as they entered the doors.

DISJOINTED: With the Lightning debuts of D Noah Welch and RW Martins Karsums, acquired in separate trades Wednesday, Tampa Bay has now used 46 players this season, most in the league. The franchise record for players used is 53 set during the 1999-2000 season.

With Welch on the blue line, he became the 18th player to play defense this season.

NUTS AND BOLTS: Tampa Bay has allowed a power-play goal in 10 of the past 11 games. ... St. Louis hadn't won in Tampa since March 24, 2000.

Erik Erlendsson

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