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Reunion thrills Lightning goaltender
Doug MacLean, among the future owners, saw Marc Denis at his best.
By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published August 10, 2007
Marc Denis has no hard feelings, and the Lightning goaltender said he's excited about being reunited with Doug MacLean, who is leading the group set to purchase the Lightning, despite the inherent oddity that he traded Denis to Tampa Bay.
Now, MacLean, formerly the coach and general manager in Columbus, will be his boss as Denis tries to rebound from a disappointing first season with the Lightning.
Despite his struggles 17-18-2 with a 3.19 goals-against average, Denis, 30, enters next month's preseason camp with the opportunity to retake his starting job.
"I guess you can call it weird," Denis said. "Doug MacLean becoming the owner doesn't change anything. I know I need to bounce back here. I understand what the situation is I'm in now, and I've come to accept the challenge."
MacLean was behind the bench for the second half of the 2002-03 season, when Denis started a career-high 77 games and emerged as a legitimate starting goaltender despite Columbus' lack of success (no playoff appearances in six seasons).
"I think looking back, we would probably tell you the same thing; that we both hoped to take Columbus to the promised land earlier," Denis said. "I guess our destinies were very closely linked there. He's a very passionate guy.
"Yes, he was a GM. Yes, he was a coach, but he basically built the franchise in Columbus from the ground up."
Eduardo A. Encina can be reached at eencina@sptimes.com.
[Last modified August 9, 2007, 23:44:24]
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by trevor
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09/20/07 08:22 PM
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I think Denis will do good this year but not as good as a starter but thats why we have Holqvist
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by Max
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08/17/07 04:41 PM
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How about we don't trash talk Denis until we see what he does this year? He's not going anywhere, so let's pray he regains his form. We do want to win, right? Take us there, Denis!
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by Hockey Fan
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08/10/07 06:03 PM
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You watch. Denis will be a completely different goalie this year. Pressure is off - last year he had a big contract, new city, new team. Now he is settled and welcomes the competition against two rookies.
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by Jacovisky
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08/10/07 03:10 PM
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Marc Denis has had plenty of opportunities to take back the starting job. I fail to see how this season will fair better results for him.
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by Spook
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08/10/07 11:36 AM
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No,no,no, h-e-double sticks NO, Marc. That jive won't work here, man. Now that Mac is here you're fired up and are going to play like the $3 million goalie we paid you to be last year? No Sir, not buying it. Too many holes in your game Mac can't fix.
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by Elizabeth
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08/10/07 10:22 AM
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Hopefully the owners will see that the problem is the lack of leaderhip and consistant coaching. You need a captain who sets an example on the ice, not a 3 minute a game guy. And 3 A's is a joke - you need a leader.
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by Mike
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08/10/07 08:16 AM
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Hope management doesn't let Denis continue as a flop past Nov.1
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by Mike in Bangkok
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08/10/07 02:28 AM
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MacLean may have built Columbus from the ground up, but they never did anything, and neither did Denis for the Bolts last year.
Sounds like a match made in heaven.
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