Tampa Bay Lightning GM Lawton says final roster will be based on performance, not contracts

ATLANTA — Let's start with this, Lightning general manager Brian Lawton said:

"We're intent on keeping the best team that gives us the best chance to win, irrespective of contracts."

It is a bold statement that says the financially strapped organization is willing to send players to the minors even with deals that guarantee NHL money. Then again, it may not have a choice.

That is what happens when a team has 29 players in camp two days before a Wednesday league deadline for filing 23-man rosters.

It is what happens when, at forward, players such as prospect James Wright, fresh out of juniors, and wing Brett McLean, in on a tryout, push hard for roster spots.

It is what happens when a team retools its blue line, perhaps leaving little room for some who played last season.

"We're not trying to send a message, per se, to any particular people," Lawton said. "I've had a lot of discussions with the leaders of the club. They know where we stand. It hasn't been acceptable the last two years, and we have to do whatever we can to get better and win. That's the bottom line."

So who's on the bubble?

Based on who suited up for Sunday's preseason finale against the Thrashers at Philips Arena — a lineup coach Rick Tocchet said is "pretty close, as close as you're going to get" to what might be seen on opening night Saturday back in Atlanta — the list includes forwards McLean, Brandon Bochenski, Ryan Craig and Adam Hall, and defensemen Matt Smaby, David Hale, Matt Lashoff, Lukas Krajicek and Mike Lundin.

The defense poses the most interesting dilemma. If the Lightning keeps eight defensemen to dress six, as Lawton has said, five players are fighting for the last two spots, including Smaby and Krajicek, both of whom played regularly last season. Both also have one-way contracts that guarantee NHL money — Krajicek at $1.475 million — as does Hale. All would have to clear waivers to get to AHL Norfolk.

Forwards Bochenski, Craig and Hall also have one-way deals and would need to clear waivers to go down. McLean would have to be signed to stick around.

Tampa Bay could also make trades to thin its ranks, and it wouldn't mind shedding Krajicek's salary or the $550,000 owed Bochenski.

In other words, a lot still can happen by Wednesday. Players the team wants to send to the minors must be on waivers by Tuesday because it takes 24 hours to clear.

"We haven't made final decisions, but we all realize the deadlines," Lawton said. "We're going to sit down after (Sunday's) game. … By Tuesday, we'll have it wrapped up and finalized."

They'll do it by using much of the information gleaned on the five-game, seven-day road trip that ended Sunday. The condensed scheduled was a grind but useful because it put those fighting for jobs on display in physically and mentally stressful situations.

"I definitely got a fair opportunity," McLean said. "Rick had me play in every situation, and I appreciate the opportunity. I hope it worked out."

"Whoever earns it, stays, and whoever doesn't, won't," Lawton said. "That's the nature of the business. The players understand that. There's a lot at stake."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.