Two years after losing his starting job to Pekka Rinne, goaltender Dan Ellis signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. At this point we will not know whether he landed a starting role or will tandem with incumbent Mike Smith but he should see some added time between the pipes.
Interestingly enough, the two split time back when they were farmhands of the Dallas Stars with Smith taking the majority of the starts in the 2005-2006 season before Ellis took over the role the following season.
These facts in no way should be any indication of their future roles, as Smith lost his job to now Shark Antero Niittymaki this past season and led the Lightning to actively seek a new ‘tender.
In Ellis, they receive a player with experience playing in a tandem role. His 2007-2008 season where he ousted veteran Chris Mason also suggests he can steal some games and perhaps permanently play in a starting role.
