Sports: Ailing Puppa waived

Ailing Puppa waived

The 34-year-old hero of the team's 1996 playoff run becomes the odd-man out in Tampa Bay's three-goalie rotation.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

ATLANTA -- The Lightning is looking to the future by removing one of the brightest lights of its past.

Vice president of hockey operations and general manager Rick Dudley said goaltender Daren Puppa, who has been with the Lightning since 1993 and was spectacular in leading the team to its only playoff appearance in 1996, was put on waivers Wednesday.

If he is not claimed in 48 hours, the Lightning could send him to the minors, trade him or release him.

Dudley said the move was made to alleviate the congestion caused by a three-goalie rotation that included Dan Cloutier, who started Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Thrashers, and Kevin Hodson.

He said Puppa, who has missed the better part of three seasons with back, hip and groin problems, and Tuesday had an MRI on his upper back and neck, has become the odd man out.

It did not help that Puppa is 1-2 with a 4.59 GAA and has not played well since an Opening Night victory over the Islanders.

"We had to evaluate our situation," Dudley said. "You have a 34-year-old goaltender and two young goaltenders. When this team gets to where we want it to be, Daren Puppa is not here."

Puppa said from Tampa he needed time to "digest" the news.

"Right now, I don't know," he said. "This is the first I'm hearing about it. ... That's about it."

Puppa's agent, Steve Reich, said Dudley had told him the move was a possibility.

"Even if you're somewhat prepared for it, it's extremely disappointing," Reich said. "I think it's a little on the rash side and a little too quick.

"But those are the decisions the club made and we have no choice but to live with them."

Reich said Puppa has lived the better part of two weeks with neck and upper back pain that has caused "extreme discomfort."

Reich said the MRI did not explain the cause of the pain and Puppa will have a bone scan today, then consult Dr. Robert Wadkins, the Los Angeles surgeon who repaired his herniated disc in November 1996.

Coach Steve Ludzik said he did not know of Puppa's condition until Tuesday.

"He tried to play through it," Reich said of the pain. "He didn't want to say, "I'm hurting.' He figured everybody would get alarmed."

Reich said if Puppa can get healthy, he will not refuse a minor-league assignment. "Daren wants to play hockey," Reich said. "If there's any doubt he wants to play, he really does."

Puppa played impressively during the 1995-96 season, going 29-16-9 with a 2.46 GAA and five shutouts.

"The Lightning had one shining moment in its history and he is responsible for that moment more than any one player," Dudley said.

Despite that, Dudley, who coached Puppa in Buffalo, said the decision was more academic than emotional.

"This is not a personal thing," Dudley said. "It's us moving in a direction."

That direction includes an expanded role for Cloutier, 23, who Ludzik said is the goaltender "we're going to rest our hat on the next few years," and Hodson, 27.

What direction Puppa's career takes is yet to be seen.