With his conditioning stint in Norfolk at an end, and with top goalie prospect Cedrick Desjardins injury woes seemingly going to last a lot longer than first expected, the Lightning have placed goaltender Mike Smith on waivers.
The Bolts three-is-a-crowd goalie situation is a complication that Steve Yzerman wanted to clear up over the next month, or so he told reporters on Tuesday. Yet reports that Desjardins shoulder injury may require surgery, it gives Yzerman reason enough to risk placing Smith on Waivers. “Risk”, because the Lightning could lose him via a waiver claim if one is filed by another team before noon Thursday.
…which would also clear up the goaltending situation.
Much like the month of March is characterized, Smith came into the Lightning via a lion of a transaction — Brad Richards and Johan Holmqvist traded to the Dallas Stars at the 2008 NHL Trade Deadline for Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Halpern and Smith — and now seemingly departs like a lamb via the waiver wire (by way of waiver claim or demotion).
One question that needs to be addressed here is what happens with goalie Jaroslav Janus if Smith clears waivers — does he remain with the Norfolk Admirals or does he get sent back to the Florida Everblades of the ECHL?
Another question is, who is in need of goaltending enough to contemplate claiming Mike Smith? One could point to the New York Islanders, but I find that laughable with their current goaltending “situation”.
