Bolts stack their D

Last year, the Tampa Bay Lightning had a roster full of forwards and no defenseman. This year they are trying to compensate for their mistakes - they have signed an experienced backup goalie in Antero Niittymaki and d-men Matthias Ohlund, Kurtis Foster, Matt Walker as well as Victor Hedman, this year's second overall pick. They also still have the RFAs Matt Lashoff, Mike Lundin and Matt Smaby left to sign. Returning from last season are Andrej Meszaros, Paul Ranger, Lukas Krajicek and goalie Mike Smith.

The Smith-Niittymaki tandem has the potential to surprise everyone during the season. Smith was brilliant in autumn, but a concussion forced him to miss half of last season. Niitymaki is a former Olympic star, who seemed to regress after securing a roster spot with Philadelphia - this might have been caused not only by chronic hip injuries, but also by Reggie Lemelin, the recently fired Flyers' goalie coach, who was widely criticized for his inability to correct the goalies' technical mistakes without causing new ones. If the Finn leaves the injuries behind, he might challenge a healthy Smith for the starting spot.

On defense Victor Hedman seems to have a guaranteed spot, probably beside the veteran Matthias Ohlund, who was brought to Tampa to be the younger Swede's mentor. Meszaros is also safe and his abilities allow him to be paired with both an offensive and a defensive player. He should end up beside the two-way Paul Ranger or the stay-at-home Matt Walker. The battle for the sixth spot should be interesting - Lukas Krajicek is the most versatile and has a lot of potential, so he should have the inside track, but Lashoff, Boston's first round pick in 2005, really impressed as a power play quarterback last year. Foster cannot be discounted too - he has both skill and size to win this battle. If Lashoff doesn't make the top 6, it is safe to assume that one of the older guys - Foster or Krajicek gets the no. 7 spot.