Lightning will give prospects a shot

What you see likely is what you'll get from the Lightning heading into training camp.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published July 19, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Getty images (2004)] Dan Jancevski, who played with Hamilton of the AHL last season, is considered a leader for the final defenseman slot.

What you see likely is what you'll get from the Lightning heading into training camp.

General manager Jay Feaster said Wednesday that barring trades, the team will try filling the last of its top six defensive positions from within the organization.

With forwards and goaltenders already set, that means Tampa Bay's free-agent shopping is on hold, including any negotiations with defensemen Nolan Pratt and Doug Janik, mainstays last season, and Jassen Cullimore, about whom the team recently inquired.

It also gives huge opportunities to players such as Dan Jancevski, Bryce Lampman, Jay Leach, David Schneider, Matt Smaby and Vladmir Mihalik, who otherwise were likely headed to the minors. And it helps push the number of players who will be in camp from the original plan of 26 to 33.

"We will let our two-way guys battle it out with our kids," Feaster said. "If we don't find an answer, we believe there will be plenty of veterans still out there as unrestricteds, and there will be waiver opportunities as well.

"We have a lot of confidence in these players," he added. "That's why we either signed them as free agents, or acquired them via trade or drafted them."

Still, part of the decision no doubt is financial.

The Lightning has committed $42.34-million of the $44-million ownership made available for salaries, and it still wants to sign forward Ryan Craig, who has a $544,500 qualifying offer and an Aug. 3 arbitration date.

If Tampa Bay finds a defenseman among its depth players, the contract will pay the minimum $475,000 or a tick more, considerably less than asking prices for, say, Pratt and Cullimore.

Agent Stephen Bartlett said compensation is not an issue for Janik, rather the Lightning's wish to sign him to a two-way contract that would pay less if Janik was assigned to the minors.

"They have to do what they think is best in their situation," Bartlett said. "That doesn't always meld between what the team wants and what the player wants, unfortunately."

Tampa Bay's top five defense- men are Dan Boyle, Paul Ranger, Filip Kuba, Shane O'Brien and Brad Lukowich.

Jancevski, 26, is probably next entering camp. The 6-foot-3, 212-pounder, signed as a free agent, was a horse for AHL Hamilton in 2006-07 with seven goals, 31 points and 87 penalty minutes in the regular season and three goals, 14 points in the playoffs as the Bulldogs won the Calder Cup.

"The competition will be good for everyone," Feaster said.

Besides, coach John Tortorella said: "We need to start developing our players. We cannot continue to just go out and sign free agents, not with our payroll restrictions. This is an opportunity for us to take a longer look at what we have here and maybe develop from within."

CANUCKS: Center Ryan Shannon and minor-league goalie Drew MacIntyre signed deals, but terms were not disclosed.

CAPITALS: Captain Chris Clark, who could have become an unrestricted free agent after next season, instead signed a $7.9-million, three-year deal. Clark, 31, is coming off his best season (30 goals, 24 assists).

PREDATORS: Owner Craig Leipold and representatives of the local group hoping to keep the team in Nashville were to meet with commissioner Gary Bettman. The group, which has not yet signed a letter of intent, is trying to counter offers from Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie and California businessman William Del Biaggio for the team.

STARS: Defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy, the club's first-round pick (27th overall) in 2006, agreed to a three-year contract.

WILD: Enforcer Derek Boogaard (one assist, 120 penalty minutes last season) was re-signed to a multiyear deal.

[Last modified July 18, 2007, 23:28:33]