The Lightning are getting awfully comfortable with their goaltending situation, with Dwayne Roloson playing like a man possessed, while Dan Ellis is playing the more suitable sidekick role. This situation forced the Lightning to make a decision on Mike Smith on Tuesday, placing him on waivers, with the intention of sending him down to the minors, without fear that he would be claimed for a job with another club.On Thursday morning, Smith cleared waivers and will be sent down to the AHL in order to play. If he is called up by the Lightning, he would then have to clear re-entry waivers and teams could have him at half his remaining cost.
It's been another tough year for Smith, as he just can't seem to find a way into the win column enough times to realize his potential. When the Lightning had signed him to a contract extension, his potential value was still very high, thinking that he would be a pretty good fit for the Lightning, especially if he plays well enough to take the number one job. In 3+ seasons with the Lightning, Smith has only won 40 games, including only 10 games in the 2011 season, giving him only 20 points in the pool this year. He is currently on pace to match his regular season totals, but he'll need playing time in the NHL to do it.
This move will only have an impact in the draft until Monday, when the waiver draft picks will go into effect, as Ryan M. has effectively swapped one Lightning goaltender for the other, picking up Roloson for Smith. The timing of everything could not have come at a better time for Ryan... well, except if it happened on Sunday and Smith played until then.Link to the Injury/News Page
No comments:
Post a Comment