So, this is what the Lightning has in store for Steven Stamkos, according to coach Rick Tocchet.

The team wants the 6-foot-1, 184-pound rookie forward, last summer's No. 1 overall draft pick, to strengthen both his upper body and lower body. To do so, Stamkos will hit the weight room more, have one-on-one on-ice training sessions with assistant coach Wes Walz, especially on days when Tampa Bay has several clustered off days. But Stamkos also may sit out games to make that schedule work, and the first of those games is tonight against the Ducks for which Stamkos is a healthy scratch.

Coincidentally, it was the same day Stamkos found out he will play in the Young Stars game Jan. 24 in Montreal as part of All-Star weekend.

"We've got to start building his leg strength like an 18-year-old should," coach Rick Tocchet said before Friday's game at Anaheim. "I want to start the process now, instead of June or July. He's going to be a hell of a hockey player. His speed is NHL caliber right now. I just want to get the other parts of his game, which we will achieve with this process, clicking for him right now."

"Obviously, it's a new experience for me. I never really had this happen in my career," Stamkos said of being benched. "There's a first time for everything. I'll use it as a learning tool. ... You have to try to draw a positive. You have to keep working harder than before, obviously. It wasn't good enough if you're not playing. I have to change some things up, work off the ice in practice. They explained to me their plan and I'm going to follow it to the best of my capabilities."

Tocchet said Stamkos will play Monday at Los Angeles, but he spent a grueling hour on the ice Friday after the team's skate, working with Tocchet, Walz and assistant Cap Raeder.

Stamkos has struggled for a while, now. He has four goals and 14 points, but is minus-11 and has just a goal, two assists and 28 shots in his past 16 games. Only three times in that stretch has he played more than 15 minutes, and not in his past 12. He played 10:49 in Thursday's loss at Phoenix. Stamkos also has struggled with puck possession and dealing with bigger, stronger defenders. That is why Tocchet said it is time to build some muscle.

"He'll get a lot of time in the gym with our strength coach," Tocchet said.

Tocchet said this is not an admission Stamkos should have spent another season in the minors.

"We're looking at a schedule with the strength coach and we'll go through the schedule and see what games he'll play, which will be a lot," Tocchet said. "Definitely this is better in the long run for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos, no question."

Tocchet said this is not an admission Stamkos would have been better off spending another year in junior.

"I disagree with that," he said. "Certain kids, yeah, but not Steve Stamkos. I think him playing his first year in the NHL, this is a huge development for him. I just think, with 42 games left, we should start this process for his development. But he can compete in the NHL, no question. I would not think going back to junior was a good idea. His development and learning curve, and being the player he's going to be, is better with him being up here."