Help on the way for Norfolk?
Submitted by chad on October 23, 2007 - 16:17
The St. Petersburg Times reported today Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle could play later this week. Also in the report was the fact Bolt Prospects alumnus Ryan Craig is participating in full practices after being out indefinitely with a herniated disc in his back.
Andreas Karlsson, who has not played due to a strained oblique, has been practicing with the team but Mathieu Darche's strong play in Craig and Karlsson's absence has kept Karlsson out of the lineup. Darche is also making a strong case for a permanent spot in Tampa.
With Craig's return, if a forward is sent down it may be former Admiral Craig MacDonald. It's unlikely at this point Karlsson or Darche would be demoted.
Boyle's return and Mike Lundin's strong play means either Doug Janik or prospect Matt Smaby will be sent to Norfolk in the coming weeks. The two have been platooning as the No.6 in Tampa.
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Opinion
There's no way they demote Karlsson, and Darche is playing too well. I think MacDonald's ice time is around 7 minutes a game, but he's getting a regular PK shift.
We've seen before that if the team is playing well they won't mess with the lineup, so it's possible both Craig (when off IR) and Karlsson stay with the club serving popcorn.
As for the defense, my guess is Janik stays just because they value Smaby's development more and unless they want him to develop in practice, they send him down to get playing time. With Lundin's play, it's going to be too difficult right now to take him out of the lineup for a platoon situation.
I could see a conditioning
I could see a conditioning stint in Ryan Craig's future.