Sam Hitchcock: The Lightning's Defense is Dominating

I thought this game would have been a good opportunity to see Cal Foote to make his NHL Debut. I don't understand what the lightning plan on doing with him. From what I've heard/seen he is ready for the NHL, or at least ready enough to be given the chance. But instead they go with Luke Schenn who didn't help the Lightning at all.

I thought this game would have been a good opportunity to see Cal Foote to make his NHL Debut. I don't understand what the lightning plan on doing with him. From what I've heard/seen he is ready for the NHL, or at least ready enough to be given the chance. But instead they go with Luke Schenn who didn't help the Lightning at all.
- MeatTitan

What game were you watching? Schenn not only played a good defensive game but brought much needed physical presence against a physical team. He was in there clearing the front of the net during and after the play. I haven't been impressed with Schenn this year but that may have been his best game.

As for Foote, the front office clearly doesn't think he is ready. The Lightning do not rush prospects. Cal is needing more development time.

What game were you watching? Schenn not only played a good defensive game but brought much needed physical presence against a physical team. He was in there clearing the front of the net during and after the play. I haven't been impressed with Schenn this year but that may have been his best game.

As for Foote, the front office clearly doesn't think he is ready. The Lightning do not rush prospects. Cal is needing more development time.
- LightningMcKing

I thought he had poor puck movement in the defensive zone. He is not fast enough to keep up with this team. Maybe I am biased because of how poor he's been all season but I don't see the reason to play him, when we have younger players who should get a chance. If Cal is not ready, why not another defense man? It is a bottom 6 pairing, there's not much to lose.

I thought he had poor puck movement in the defensive zone. He is not fast enough to keep up with this team. Maybe I am biased because of how poor he's been all season but I don't see the reason to play him, when we have younger players who should get a chance. If Cal is not ready, why not another defense man? It is a bottom 6 pairing, there's not much to lose.
- MeatTitan

If the prospects are not ready, you don't rush them. That's been the bolts philosophy. The two closest prospects are Masin and Foote. FO must not think they are ready (Benoit Groulx recently said as much with Joe Smith). That left calling up Gauce for emergency and letting our 8th defensemen (Schenn) play. For an 8th defensemen, I think he played well enough to keep his job.