On Monday, Finnish reporter Matias Strozyk reported that Lightning goaltender prospect Jaroslav Janus was in talks with the team to return to North America.
Janus, who backed up Dustin Tokarski with the Norfolk Admirals last season, is currently on a two year deal with the KHL’s Slovan Bratislava, and his season ended earlier this month. He has an out-clause that would allow him to return to North America for the 2013-2014 season, and it has been widely assumed that he would be in the discussion for a return to the AHL next year.
But with Tampa Bay goaltender Anders Lindback on Injured Reserve with a high ankle sprain, the Lightning have found themselves one goaltender short for the remainder of the Syracuse Crunch’s season and almost inevitable playoff run. Cedrick Desjardins is currently backing up Mathieu Garon, and the Crunch have called up Pat Nagle from the ECHL Florida Everblades.
The organization could use Janus right now, rather than next year, and on Tuesday, Strozyk further reported that those talks with Janus were indeed about a return for the rest of the 2013 campaign.
Janus is currently 1) at Slovakia’s pre-Worlds camp 2) under contract with Slovan 3) wanted by TBL for the rest of this season. #TBLightning
— Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) March 26, 2013
@caustinrc Yes. TBL wants him, he wants TBL but it’s a matter of reaching an agreement with Slovan and the national team.
— Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) March 26, 2013
Later on Tuesday, @BoltProspects confirmed that report but added:
Keep in mind TB keeps in regular contact with all of their prospects and their camps. Don’t assume anything is imminent on Janus.
— Bolt Prospects(@BoltProspects) March 27, 2013
And since that time, things have been quiet. It is unclear whether anything will come of this, as there are many issues to be worked out. If he does come over, the most likely place for him will be in Syracuse, allowing Nagle to be returned to his ECHL team.
This development, however, does seem to indicate that the Lightning believe that Lindback will indeed be out the rest of the year, as many have speculated.
This season, Janus posted a .928 Sv% and a 2.17 GAA in 47 games with Slovan.
