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LIGHTNING

Herniated Disc Keeps Craig Out Indefinitely

Published: Sep 25, 2007

TAMPA - What was originally thought to be back spasms for Lightning C Ryan Craig turned out to be a herniated disc, and Craig is out indefinitely.

It's the latest in a growing list of preseason injuries for the Lightning, who have been fortunate in recent years in terms of avoiding serious injuries to key players. Coach John Tortorella acknowledged his team's previous good fortune, but at the same time didn't want the injury situation to become an excuse.

"We're not used to it," Tortorella said. "We've been very fortunate as far as [remaining] injury-free as we've been the past few years. … This is part of it. And I will not talk about it any more, because I think it ends up talking players into using it as a crutch."

An MRI Monday revealed the herniated disc, which added Craig's name to the list of walking wounded that already included D Dan Boyle (sliced wrist tendons), C Chris Gratton (cornea abrasion), RW Michel Ouellet (hamstring), RW Andre Roy (bruised tailbone), LW Jan Hlavac (bruised instep) and D Brad Lukowich (ankle tendinitis).

Boyle and Gratton remain out. Ouellet practiced Monday morning for the first time since Wednesday but did not dress for the 4-3 preseason victory against Detroit at the Forum.

Roy, Hlavac and Lukowich all played Monday.

IN BOYLE'S ABSENCE: Tortorella said the team expects to have Boyle back on the ice "immediately," although he won't skate with a stick any time soon after undergoing surgery Sunday to repair three tendons cut by a falling skate after Saturday's game.

Boyle will miss four-six weeks, and Tortorella was optimistic that the period of absence would be closer to four weeks than six. In the interim, Boyle's defensive partner, Paul Ranger, will skate primarily with Lukowich, while Shane O'Brien and Filip Kuba slide into the role of No. 1 defensive pairing.

"All of us are going to step up our games," Ranger said. "We have to. And when Danny comes back, we'll be that much better."

Boyle's absence also creates more of an opportunity for D Bryce Lampman, D Mike Lundin and D Matt Smaby, who have competed for the sixth and seventh defenseman spots. Lightning GM Jay Feaster is believed to have made inquiries about trading for or signing a veteran defenseman, but it appears the team is more likely to choose from among the players currently in camp.

RAMO'S CHANCE: After giving up goals on two of the first three shots he faced Monday, Lightning rookie G Karri Ramo saved 19 of the next 20 and finished 20 of 23 in his preseason debut.

"He settled himself down. There's things to work on," Tortorella said. "But he made some big saves at key times through the middle part of that game. Again, I'm up in the air as far as goaltending. I still don't know what's going to happen there. I've got a couple more exhibition games, nine-10 days, and we'll make our decisions from there."

NUTS AND BOLTS: Prospective new Lightning owners Oren Koules, Jeff Sherrin and Doug MacLean of Absolute Hockey Enterprises witnessed the morning practice Monday and met with financial advisers as they move toward finalizing the sale. … The Red Wings left behind 14 of their regulars, including G Dominik Hasek and D Nicklas Lidstrom, for Monday's game. … Lightning RW Andre Roy scored his first preseason goal and got into his first preseason fight (with Red Wings RW Aaron Downey) about a minute apart in the first period. Roy said he was experiencing back spasms after the game, but wasn't worried that it would cost him playing time.

Carter Gaddis