Lightning re-assign Ryan Craig and Matt Smaby to Norfolk

November 16, 11:51 AMTampa Bay Lightning ExaminerAlthea Pashman

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Ryan Craig and Matt Smaby
re-assigned to Norfolk by the Lightning
(TBL Media File) 

Though the announcement came on Monday with the move happening on Sunday, the Lightning has sent Ryan Craig and Matt Smaby back to Norfolk of the AHL.

Smaby who has not played in any games this season returns for a second conditioning program where he’ll get the opportunity to play on a regular basis instead of taking a seat in the pressbox during games.

As for Craig, he played in three of four games upon his recall averaging just over nine minutes of ice-time.  He returns to the Admirals as their leading scorer.

The roster now sits as 21, which is two under the limit of 23. There is no word if the team will recall any players to fill out the roster.

Here is the official press release sent this morning from the Lightning.

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning re-assigned forward Ryan Craig to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League and also assigned D Matt Smaby to Norfolk for conditioning on Sunday, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.

Craig, 6-foot-1, 215-pounds, has played in three games with the Lightning this season after being recalled on November 5, recording five shots on goal and five penalty minutes. He has skated in eight games with Norfolk this season, recording seven goals and nine points. Craig is second on the Admirals in goals and sixth in points.

A native of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Craig has played in 184 career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay, recording 32 goals and 63 points. He has also scored 11 career power-play goals. Last season he played in 54 games with Tampa Bay, recording two goals and six points while registering a career-high 60 penalty minutes.

Craig was selected by the Lightning in the eighth round, 255th overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
Smaby, 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, has played in 57 career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay. He has recorded four assists and averaged 17:22 in ice time during his career.

Smaby made his NHL debut in 2007-08 after being recalled on March 17, 2008. He has played in 152 AHL games with the Norfolk Admirals and Springfield Falcons, recording five goals and 28 points with 141 penalty minutes.

A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Smaby played in a career-high 43 games with the Lightning last season, recording a career-best four assists and 50 penalty minutes. His 19:05 average ice time was also the highest of his career and was fourth among NHL rookie defensemen with 20 or more games played. Smaby ranked fourth on the Lightning in hits with 122 and blocked shots with 68.

Smaby was drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round, 41st overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.