[UPDATED] Lightning roster cuts; Tampa Bay reduces roster to 26

by John Fontana on Sep 25, 2011 2:32 PM EDT in Lightning Team News

There are due to be severe trimmings of the 53 man training camp roster today. Earlier today, it was announced on a general NHL list that Michael Angelidis, Michel Oullet, Richard Petiot, Alexandre Picard, Travis Smith Mike Vernace, and James Wyman have all been placed on waivers. That means most are likely headed to Norfolk. The names not on that list -- Mattias Ritola and Blair Jones -- give us an idea that they have survived these cuts.

But through Twitter, we have learned of cut-down decisions. Cory Conacher, the story of rookie and training camp so far, tweeted just before 2 PM:

Loved it hear in Tampa. Fans are amazing. Going to work my way back.

That's evidence enough that he will be returned to the Norfolk Admirals.

Meanwhile, former 1st round draft pick Brett Connolly seems to have survived this cut-down. He posted on Twitter:

montreal tomorrow.

That's evidence enough Connolly will remain with the team at least through the start of their "series" with the Montreal Canadiens (in Montreal and Quebec City) this week.

[Note by John Fontana, 09/25/11 4:02 PM EDT ] 26 players were assigned to Norfolk of the AHL this afternoon, with one player returned to his junior team. We have the official press release below the jump.

LIGHTNING REDUCE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER BY 27

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning reduced their training camp roster by 27 today, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced.

The moves leave the Lightning with 26 players remaining in camp as the team prepares to travel to Quebec for a pair of preseason games this week. Of those 26 players, Tampa Bay has 15 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders. There are seven players that must pass through waivers before being assigned. All players, with the exception of Daniel Milan, have been assigned to training camp with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. Milan, after recently signing a three-year contract with the Lightning, will return to the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL.

Summary of players being reassigned:

No.	Name	Assigned To	No.	Name	Assigned To
59	ANGELIDIS, Mike*	Norfolk (AHL)	37	NAGLE, Pat	Norfolk (AHL)
15	ASHTON, Carter	Norfolk (AHL)	41	NEILSON, Eric	Norfolk (AHL)
50	BARBERIO, Mark	Norfolk (AHL)	17	OUELLET, Michel*	Norfolk (AHL)
36	CONACHER, Cory	Norfolk (AHL)	74	PALAT, Ondrej	Norfolk (AHL)
62	DEVOS, Philip-Michael	Norfolk (AHL)	71	PANIK, Richard	Norfolk (AHL)
55	DIMMEN, Jeff	Norfolk (AHL)	3	PETIOT, Richard*	Norfolk (AHL)
39	FORNATARO, Matt	Norfolk (AHL)	28	PICARD, Alexandre*	Norfolk (AHL)
75	GUDAS, Radko	Norfolk (AHL)	51	QUICK, Kevin	Norfolk (AHL)
38	HUTCHINGS, Alex	Norfolk (AHL)	24	SMITH, Trevor*	Norfolk (AHL)
31	JANUS, Jaroslav	Norfolk (AHL)	40	TOKARSKI, Dustin	Norfolk (AHL)
63	JOHNSON, Tyler	Norfolk (AHL)	48	VERNACE, Michael*	Norfolk (AHL)
76	LABRIE, Pierre-Cedric	Norfolk (AHL)	43	WRIGHT, James	Norfolk (AHL)
64	LANDRY, Charles	Norfolk (AHL)	34	WYMAN, JT*	Norfolk (AHL)
73	MILAN, Daniel	Moncton (QMJHL)

* - Must clear waivers

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Comments

Appreciate the update John!

Good to see Connolly still here. It’s a tough call on this guy. He’s too young to play in the AHL so if he doesn’t stick he goes back to the Juniors. He’d be better served continuing his development as a pro in Norfolk rather than another year in Junior. But….no matter how asinine, rules are rules.

Best of luck kid!

by Slip Mahoney on Sep 25, 2011 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

I get the sentiment but Connolly's a thoroughbred...

…and if he’s ready, he’s ready. We’ll find out whether the org. decides he is or isn’t soon enough, but Connolly does have a couple cards in his favor in terms of making the squad in that Malone is a bit of a wild card being as he’s still recovering from his injury and also the fact that the Lightning can make room for Connolly in the top-6 by playing Downie and/or Malone on the 3rd line, something Boucher did somewhat frequently last season.

That said, yes, if the Lightning brass have any lingering doubts about Connolly for this season, then it’s best for both parties to let him return to Prince George.

by Michael Gallimore on Sep 25, 2011 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Counter point

With all the positives on Connolly, he being sent down is an easier roster move to make compared to having to waive/trade others that the organization would rather keep.

Then again, since when has Yzerman taken the path-of-least-resistance when assembling the roster? Not signing Nabakov? If he thinks Brett is ready, and if Boucher thinks he is ready, then they will make space for him.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 26, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Looks like they're gonna take their chances with Concher

Supposedly some interest around the league.

by geoffissiffoeg on Sep 25, 2011 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Wait, what?

Can other teams get him? He’s not being waived. Does he not have a contract?

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Sep 25, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

No, they can’t get him. yes, he has a contract.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 25, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Fail on my part. See this

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 25, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Uh, what “interest”? He’s under contract and won’t need to be waived. He can be outrighted to Juniors at any time.

This is not the final roster either, they may simply carry him until they make final cuts.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 25, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought he was on an AHL contract and was in camp on a try-out

Has he been signed by the Bolts?

by geoffissiffoeg on Sep 25, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Unless he's been signed,

he’s fair game. He was listed as an invitee on the training camp roster.

by geoffissiffoeg on Sep 25, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, I misread thing but I am gong to clarify this:

I misread WHO you had pinpointed. I thought you were saying they were goign to take their chances on Connolly. This is what i get for scanning the entire thing over careelssly.

But as for Conacher — no, the general league does not have the ability to sign Conacher. And I highly doubt the kid ends up without a two-way deal soon.

My apologies for misreading.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 25, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

No worries.

I, too, think he gets a new NHL contract soon.. He’s earned it IMO

by geoffissiffoeg on Sep 25, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Tyler Johnson tweeted his news, too.

@tjohnny09 Tyler Johnson
Had a great time in Tampa! Going to St. John’s tomorrow for Norfolks camp. Hope to be back in Tampa. #Bolts #Admirals
1 hour ago

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Sep 25, 2011 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

Post updated with official cuts list

The Lightning still have to cut three players.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 25, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

No big surprises there

I guess the only surprise for me was Conacher. I thought he might survive the first round of cuts and get another look. But best of luck in Norfolk kid… I think you’ll get your shot in Tampa soon enough. I think Jedi Master Yzerman will probably sign him to a 2 way deal soon. He did a good job.

Dwayne Roloson: "You damn [insert team name here]! GET OFF MY LAWN!!"

by Tina Robinson on Sep 25, 2011 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

Still on the bubble:

D Jackson, Scott

RW Connolly, Brett

C Jones, Blair
C Pyatt, Tom
C Ritola, Mattias
C Tyrell, Dana

Jackson is a lock to be one of the remaining 3 cuts. The other 2 are likely to be a combination of Blair Jones, Tom Pyatt, or Brett Connolly.

I don’t even consider Ritola or Tyrell on the bubble at this point. Ritola is one-way and he’s proven himself on this team. They’re not letting him go. Tyrell’s experience with the team last year makes it highly unlikely that he will be sent down.

by Borbes on Sep 25, 2011 7:27 PM EDT reply actions

Forgot to add

my money is on Jackson, Connolly, and Jones.

by Borbes on Sep 25, 2011 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Scott Jackson will not make the team

What with his knee surgery and all.

Also, D Scott Jackson will be out indefinitely as he recovers from offseason surgery to clean up his left knee. Jackson is expected to resume skating soon, Yzerman said.

Link is here.

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 25, 2011 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Also factor in that Pyatt and Ritola both have one-way deals.

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 25, 2011 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Pyatt's is two-way

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/lightning/content/tampa-bay-lightning-signs-c-tom-pyatt

by Borbes on Sep 26, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I stand corrected. Why did I think he had a one-way?

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 26, 2011 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions

UFA signing. I’ll just blame that for you. ;-)

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 26, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm going to second Borbe's opinion

We obviously take a chance as Jackson and Jones will have to pass through waivers. Tyrell would not have to pass through waivers as he’s still on his entry level deal but I think Boucher covets his speed, grit and two-way ability. Another year in junior won’t hurt Connolly they can insure he’s hitting the weight pile regularly as he won’t have to attend school. Overall I think we start with a roster that is 10% stronger than kast year as we’ve added speed and penalty killing ability in Pyatt and Shannon and more mobility and firepower on defense with Gervais, Gilroy and Bergeron over Lundin, Jones and Smaby. I still worry we’ll be a little soft on the backend but with a corps of Puck-movers perhaps they can keep the puck moving the other way in order to limit their exposure.

Don in St Pete

by Don in St Pete on Sep 25, 2011 8:26 PM EDT reply actions

I am surprised just a tad. I figured Connolly would take Conacher’s place in this latest round of cuts—because I assume he’s not going to make the team. That said, he still could play 9 NHL games without losing a year of his ELC (according to the CBA).

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 25, 2011 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

Hmm?

Could someone enlighten me on the rules of entry level contracts? How long can they keep them in minors/juniors? I thought it was basically just a 3 year 2-way contract with set salary and huge incentives.

by Borbes on Sep 25, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t have my copy in front of me, but ELCs are limited—as you point out—to no more than three years, and they’re limited in salary (though with bonuses those contracts can be bigger—like Stamkos’ ELC last year technically was about 750K, but he made (according to web sites) near $1.4 million.

For junior-eligible players, though, if they play no more than 10 games in a given NHL season, one year is added to the ELC length (put another way, the three-year contract doesn’t start until more than 10 games in the NHL regular- or post-season is played. Junior eligible players, remember aren’t eligible to play in the AHL. Junior eligibility runs out when the player turns 20 (give or take—I’m not sure what the calendar date is for the cutoff).

Hope that answered your question(s).

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 25, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

I actually figured it out right before I read this. Junior eligibility is “20-and-under as of the 31st day of Dec”. So Ashton who is 20 now is still eligible, but he won’t be next year so his chances of being with the Bolts increase substantially.

This however does make me wonder why Stamkos and Hedmen were in the NHL at 18 instead of juniors. Seems like we could have gotten more out of the cost controlled years if we let them develop a little but more.

by Borbes on Sep 25, 2011 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Stamkos and Hedman were here before they were 20 because they made a positive addition to the team. Had they been marginal players, we would indeed have seen Stamkos as a 19-year old wearing his Sting sweater.

Ashton isn’t junior eligible, from my understanding—which is why he’s going to Norfolk instead of the WHL.

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 25, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Why isn't Ashton eligible?

The rules say “players 20 years of age or younger by January 1 of the season being played.” Unless I’m missing something, he won’t be 21 until April so he should be eligible.

by Borbes on Sep 26, 2011 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

The CBA words it specifically in Section 8.10:

“age 20” means a Player reaching his twentieth birthday by no later than December 31 in the calendar year of the Entry Draft

That means that Ashton, for NHL eligibility’s sake, was 19 during the last Draft, therefore this is his first year of AHL eligibility.

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 26, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

So it's not being ineligible to play it's juniors...

It’s being eligible for minor’s that takes triggers the ELC timer.

by Borbes on Sep 26, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

*in juniors

by Borbes on Sep 26, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

As I understand it, yes.

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 26, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

One little correction:

a player draft out of the CHL leagues can’t play in the AHL. If the player was drafted out of the USHL, NCAA, or basically any league other than the WHL, OHL, QMJHL they can play in the AHL while still technically eligible for juniors. First example that comes to mind is John Carlson. He was drafted out of the USHL then went to the OHL then played in the NHL/AHL as a 19/20 year old and even played for the US U20 team in the 2010 WJC.

by geoffissiffoeg on Sep 26, 2011 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions

"he could still play 9 NHL games without losing a year of his ELC"

I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the plan.

by Michael Gallimore on Sep 25, 2011 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

After today, I agree with that assessment

Yesterday, I would have thought it not in the plans. Either way, I trust that Yzerman/Boucher/staff know their players better than any of us.

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 25, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

A possibility...

They might be keeping Brett C around until they see how Malone plays in the exhibition later this week. As we learned from Vinny’s injuries in the past – shoulder problems can linger. If he’s not healthy to begin the season perhaps Brett earns a spot on the roster.

by Lightningfan7609 on Sep 25, 2011 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

Cory Conacher showing us "amazing fans" some love @ training camp

Hope to see you back soon kid, under good circumstances. Work it!!

Thoughts out to the friends and family of those involved with the most tragic off season in hockey history. Including Red Wings.. Rusty, Beast & Stefan Liv. R.I.P.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Sep 26, 2011 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

Apologize for the quality and size. Is their an easy way to change the size via photobucket?

Thoughts out to the friends and family of those involved with the most tragic off season in hockey history. Including Red Wings.. Rusty, Beast & Stefan Liv. R.I.P.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Sep 26, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions