Kolzig Meets His New Team

Former Lightning G Olie Kolzig jokingly walked the hallways outside the locker room Tuesday morning, wearing attire typically reserved for the road team on game day.

Of course, Kolzig's new team was in town Tuesday, even though Kolzig only traveled from across the bay.

It was a strange feeling for Kozlig, dealt to Toronto at the trade deadline to save the Lightning salary despite being out for the season following surgery on his left biceps, as he shook hands with members of the Maple Leafs.

"The whole situation has been weird," Kolzig said. "It's the business side of the game and you understand the reasoning. I wasn't going to be able to help the team, anyway, and I feel bad about that. But at the same time the Lightning have to be fiscally responsible and unload some money.

"Do I like it? No. I spent my whole career with one organization for 18 years and now in a matter of 10 months I'm a suitcase. That's not really how you want to end your career, but you understand."

Kolzig said he won't decide if he wants to play next season until the summer, although he won't be able to begin rehab on his arm until he gets full clearance, which he said won't happen for at least five more weeks.

In the meantime, Kolzig will remain in the Tampa area and even if he decides to play again next season, his family will remain in the family's St. Petersburg home.

WELCOME MATT: The focal point of Tampa Bay's trade deadline acquisitions, D Matt Lashoff, made his Lightning debut on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after being acquired from the Boston Bruins.

Just before the trade deadline, Lashoff suffered a cut on the side of his left leg while playing for Providence when an opponent stepped on his leg, creating a gash that required 30 stitches and nicked his MCL. After playing two games with Norfolk over the weekend, Lashoff was recalled on an emergency basis and became the 20th defensemen and 48th different player to suit up for Tampa Bay this season.

"It's definitely been a tough couple of weeks, probably the craziest two weeks of my career," said Lashoff, a first-round pick of Boston in 2005. "But it's that time of season where everyone is kind of pushing for a spot for next year, and for myself, a first impression is huge, so I'm looking forward to getting in a game and having fun.

"I'm just so happy to be part of this organization with a young, rebuilding-type team."

REMEMBERING MR. D: Before the game, the Lightning held a moment of silence in honor of former owner Bill Davidson, who died Friday at his home in Detroit at the age of 86. A video tribute was shown during the first timeout for Davidson, who owned the team from 1999-2008.

IN THE SPIRIT: With St. Patrick's Day in mind, the equipment staff dressed the forwards in green jerseys for the morning skate instead of their normal blue. The defensemen wore their normal grey jerseys.

NUTS AND BOLTS: Officials from USA Hockey were at the game, likely scouting the likes of LW Ryan Malone, C Jeff Halpern, RW Adam Hall, D Matt Smaby and Lashoff for the World Championships, which begin in Switzerland on April 24. ... Hall was a healthy scratch. ... D Cory Murphy extended his scoring streak to four games, while RW Marty St. Louis extended his to six.