Denis stays patient while awaiting shot

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published October 11, 2007

TAMPA - Goaltender Marc Denis has not been in a game since Sept. 29, when he played half the preseason finale against the Stars. If Johan Holmqvist continues playing well, and with the schedule so spread out, Denis may have some time to wait.

Denis, though, knows the ups and downs of a long year.

"The opportunities will come," he said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, he said he will stick with the program that produced results in preseason, working with goaltenders coach Jeff Reese and conditioning in "the performance center," as strength and conditioning coach Eric Lawson likes to call it.

"It's just being ready," Denis added. "It's not overly complicated; it's just staying sharp and staying ready."

A good plan as coach John Tortorella said keeping players fresh is not part of his equation when considering playing time.

"Players who are sitting out, whether it be goaltender, defenseman or forward, it's their responsibility to be ready," he said. "That's part of being a pro."

BOYLE PROGRESSING: Tortorella said defenseman Dan Boyle, rehabbing three surgically repaired tendons in his left wrist, is "not far off" from returning to the lineup.

After Boyle's Sept. 23 surgery, the team said he would be out four to six weeks. By that timetable, Boyle has another two to four weeks to go.

"Once we get the okay from the doctors, and that isn't Dr. Boyle, our team doctors, that he cannot be hurt or it is set to go, it's a matter of Danny understanding that," Tortorella said.

Boyle joked the team's fortunes might affect his return.

"If we keep winning, they won't even want me back," he said. "If we keep winning, I wouldn't want me back, either."

PRAGUE UPDATE: A Hockey News report that the Senators and Penguins will start next season in Prague was denied by an NHL official. Talks to finalize a deal for Tampa Bay to face Pittsburgh are believed to be ongoing.

IN PRAISE OF DARCHE: Mathieu Darche's assist on Chris Gratton's first goal was his first NHL point since Jan. 22, 2002, while with the Blue Jackets.

After avoiding an assignment to AHL Norfolk when Andreas Karlsson was sidelined with a strained abdomen, Darche is making a case to stay.

"It would be awful tough to take him out of the lineup right now if someone gets healthy," Tortorella said.

Darche, 30, in his 31st NHL game, played 10:35 with two shots, a hit and a takeaway.

ODDS AND ENDS: Florida coach Jacques Martin tied Pat Burns for ninth all-time with his 1,019th game. ... Defenseman Matt Smaby was a healthy scratch.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 01:24:06]