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13 forwards, 7 defensemen and 3 goalies are expected to fill out the Tampa Bay roster.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 2000
BRANDON -- There is a sense of urgency around Lightning training camp.
Players know few jobs remain open, and tonight's final preseason game against the Panthers at TECO Arena in Estero is the last chance to show what they can do in real game conditions.
"It's important," defenseman Jassen Cullimore said after Monday's practice at the Ice Sports Forum. "The management knows who's here and who's questionable, and those are the guys who have to show up (tonight) and prove they belong here."
"We're pretty close now to knowing where we're headed with all this," general manager Rick Dudley said. "But we still have some decisions to make."
One decision was to start the season with three goaltenders: Dan Cloutier, Kevin Weekes and Evgeny Konstantinov. Weekes and Konstantinov have sore backs, but Dudley said both should be healed by theOct. 6 opener at home against the Islanders.
That means one less skating position is available. Look for 13 forwards and seven defensemen to fill out the 23-man roster.
Twelve forward positions seem set with centers Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Ryan Johnson and Brian Holzinger; right wings Mike Johnson, Wayne Primeau, Martin St. Louis and Stan Drulia and left wings Todd Warriner, Fredrik Modin, Alexander Kharitonov and Kyle Freadrich.
The final spot appears to be a battle between right wing Sheldon Keefe, center Steve Martins and left wing Dwayne Hay.
Right wing Yaroslav Svejkovski (right knee) will go on injured reserve, and left wing Gordie Dwyer faces a long suspension for leaving the penalty box against the Capitals to go after Joe Reekie.
"Every time you go on the ice, you have to be working hard and play your best because the competition level is so high," Keefe said. "All summer long and in training camp, I've been fairly confident in myself and don't think about the worst-case scenario. I think about the best-case scenario, and I'm trying to keep things that way."
It seems Tampa Bay's top seven defensemen are Petr Svoboda, Cory Sarich, Paul Mara, Pavel Kubina, Sergey Gusev, Andrei Zyuzin and Bryan Muir. But Dudley said Gusev, who is practicing but still recovering fromarthroscopic surgeries on his right knee, will likely go on injured reserve.
Assuming Zyuzin, who isnursing a sprained right ankle, heals up, the final spot appears to be a jump ball between Cullimore and Marek Posmyk.
"It is a little bit of pressure," Posmyk said. "We have to play 100 percent and show them we can play."
Nineteen-year-old Kristian Kudroc will be returned to juniors if he does not sign. If he does, he will be with the IHL's Detroit Vipers. Dudley said the 6-foot-6, 240-pounder has been so impressive, he anticipates him being an in-season call-up.
"He's come so far since (the rookie tournament), you don't look at him as a 19-year-old," Dudley said. "He looks good and when you put that together with his size, what's not to like?"
Mel Angelstad could get a minor-league assignment as a tough-guy-in-waiting because Dwyer's suspension looks like it will be lengthy.
"I don't think anybody in here won't go out and work as hard as they can," Cullimore said. "There are guys here who have stuff to prove."
NOTES: Medical trainer Dave Boyer said Konstantinov could be back at practice today. Weekes could be back Wednesday. ... Teams must submit protected lists to the NHL by 4 p.m. today in preparation for Friday's waiver draft. Each team must protect 18 skaters and two goalies. The lists will be released Wednesday. Dudley said not to expect any bargains. "The only way something will happen is if somebody decides they want to cut payroll," he said. "I don't think anyone can say it's going to be a bad or good crop of people. ... Dudley said Dwyer's suspension hearing with NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell is Thursday in Toronto. Dudley said the left wing could be suspended at least 26 games.
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30; TECO Arena, Estero.
RADIO: WDAE-AM 620.
THE LOWDOWN: The Panthers beat the Lightning 2-1 last week. The Panthers are 4-0-1. Tampa Bay is 1-2-1. It is the Lightning's final preseason game. Center Vinny Lecavalier will play after missing four games with a hyperextended left elbow. Dan Cloutier will start in goal. Dieter Kochan is the backup. Trevor Kidd will start in goal for the Panthers. Goaltender Roberto Luongo is out with a groin injury. Pavel Bure will not suit up for Florida.