Tampa Bay Lightning Insider Mailbag, edition No. 1

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
January 17, 2017

TAMPA, Fla. – I’d like to start a regular rotation here on taking your questions in a mailbag format.

This is something which requires audience participation from you, the audience. So to get in your questions, you can reach me via Twitter and use the search tag #LightningInsider or you can email me at Erik@LightningInsider.com with your questions. Anything is game (within reason) and I’ll do my best to answer it as I can.

So here is the first of what I hope will be many of these interactions.

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@Erik_Erlendsson #BoltsInsider what's your opinion on Peca being Sent down after playing so well? Some moves continue to puzzle fan base.

— Petey Paolillo⚡?? (@Fyrmanpete) January 15, 2017

Answer: In some ways, seeing some of these players come up for a game or two (or three or five) is reminiscent of what took place during the 2013 season as the management and coaching staff get a chance to look at some of their players who have been in the minors for a year or two without getting a look at the NHL level. While injuries have played a big factor in to the number of personnel that have come up this season – including four players who have made their NHL debuts in Brayden Point, Adam Erne, Tanner Richard and Peca – it’s about more than just filling in spots due to injury.

There is an evaluation all organizations have to do in assessing exactly where they stand when it comes to organizational depth. And to get a stronger idea, one way or the other, young players get put in to situations to see if they are capable of making the jump to the NHL. We saw this with Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Radko Gudas, Mark Barberio and Richard Panik getting looks in 2013, in a chance to assess their readiness for the NHL or how much they are valued when it comes to possible trade situations..

So for me, it was a bit surprising to see Peca sent back, but after he played just seven minutes against Columbus on Friday, I wasn’t shocked. I think they got a good feel for where he’s at in his NHL readiness and sometimes it’s all in the plans to give these guys a small tasted of things, allow them to get a feel and understand what it takes and then send them back with the instructions to improve on certain elements to help round out their game so they are more prepared the next time they come up.

#BoltsInsider have your heard from any experts regarding Cally's injury and if this setback could be career ending

— Roger Battistoni (@rsbattistoni) January 16, 2017

A:I have not spoken to any directly regarding Callahan’s situation, but when I was able to ask Callahan about it the last time, all the doctors and his surgeon were on the same page when he returned in late October. Callahan mentioned that the compressed schedule might have been the issue that caused the aggravation at that time, so he was shut down and they tried to restrengthen the area. But there has to be some concern as he’s now shut down again for at least four weeks, so I would have some concern about how this is going to affect his career moving forward. But I think it’s a big step to suggest right now it’s career threatening, though it’s certainly wise keeping an eye on moving forward after he comes back.

From Gary Perkola, who asks: Of the Crunch defenseman, who do you think is closer to being ready to come up and and stay in the NHL?

Answer:I guess you have to say Slater Koekkoek since he’s the most NHL ready prospect in the minors. He has NHL skating and based on his performance in the playoffs last year, he’s most likely of all the defense to stick in the NHL the soonest, as odd as that sounds with his ups and downs to Syracuse this season. But if we don’t want to say Koekkoek because he’s spent a good portion of the season up with Tampa this season, then it’s probably Dominik Masin who was a second round pick in 2014. He’s in his first year pro, but it speaks to the lack of strong depth at the defense in the organization at the moment that a first year pro fits this category. Jake Dotchin might be a close second particularly in light of his callup and the fact he’s a right-handed defenseman in his third year.

@Erik_Erlendsson who would you think is on the trading block? #BoltsInsider

— Liz (@palmettohockey) January 17, 2017

A:Pretty easy to suggest that there are very few that are considered untouchable on this team – Stamkos, Hedman are probably the only two that come to mind of the bat in that category. As far as who might be on the trading block, it’s just speculation, but if Tampa Bay wants to land a Top Four defenseman, then you have to look at the possibility of guys such as Namestnikov, Johnson, Killorn, etc. as potential targets to move in any deal. Please, don’t take that to mean those guys are on the block, I’m not suggestion that in any manner, just speculating on what it would take to get the type of defenseman they are likely targeting and that’s using the depth at forward to bring that type of player in to the fold.

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