Is it just me or is it possible we've seen the last of Marc Denis as a starter this season? The guy has gotten so many chances and it is obvious after Tuesday night's game Torts' confidence in him is so low, perhaps he just gives Johan Holmqvist the last five starts.

You get the feeling Torts always has believed Holmqvist has more upside than Denis. And, really, Denis hasn't done much to disprove that notion. Funny thing about Denis. Every time you thought maybe, just maybe, he was ready to turn a corner, he took a step back.

Perhaps it is just the pressure of expectations. He certainly didn't have much when he was with the Blue Jackets. Anything he did was gravy as was anything the team did in the standings. He is with a better team with the Lightning with more weapons. The only difference seems to be the expectations.

Worse, we know it is in him to do it. We have seen him play well. We have seen him play spectacular at times. Where it goes when the pressure is on is anyone's guess. It is too bad too. Marc Denis works hard, can't take that away from him. He cares deeply. He just could not turn that into success.

It is going to be interesting to see what happens over the summer. His $2.9-million cap hit is a lot to carry. Do you package him in a deal and hope someone can take his salary off your hands? Do you come to camp and give him a shot to win a spot? Only if you are prepared to send him to the minors if he fails and perhaps get a team to pick him up on waivers like Sean Burke.

The Marc Denis story already is 1 season old but it is just beginning.