Tampa Bay Lightning look for goaltending answer in Riku Helenius -NHL Update
Not having had a solid goaltender in net during the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season really hurt the Tampa Bay Lightning, forcing them to be ousted of the playoffs after making the Eastern Conference Finals a year earlier.
With Dwayne Roloson getting closer to retirement, Tampa Bay does not having goalie that is able to lead them the way he has done so for in the two seasons he has played for the Lightning.
Recently observing one of their previous prospects, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager, Steve Yzerman, was impressed with Riku Helenius, a 24-year-old goalie playing for Finland in the World Champions at the moment.
Yzerman came out on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, and expressed his interest in the goalie making a comeback on to the Tampa Bay team. Even though he is not expecting a star studded performance from him right away, Lightning are hopeful he will eventually grow
into a leadership role.
"Helenius had a very good season,'' Yzerman said.”We have interest in him returning.''
Riku Helenius, a native of Palkane, Finland, was picked up by Tampa Bay Lightning at the 15th overall draft pick during round-one of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft but was never really given a chance in the major league to show his worth.
He came in for just seven minutes for the Lightning back in the 2008-2009 NHL regular season and blocked two shots.
Helenius continued to play in North America with minor leagues before returning to Europe to continue his career with the Swedish Elite League. In 33 games played, Helenius registered an impressive 1.64 goals-against average along with a .936 save percentage
and 1.73 goals-against average and .947 save percentage in 13 playoff games.
In an addition, general manager Steve Yzerman also pointed out that contract negotiations will be under way with Helenius if he decides to return, but not with 2010 draft picks Geoffrey Schemitsch or Adam Janosik.
At the moment, Tampa Bay Lightning has three goalies under contract. They are Mathieu Garon, Dustin Tokarski and Pat Nagle. Dwayne Roloson is still under negotiations and is not confirmed to be available for the upcoming season as of yet.
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