Out of playoffs, Admirals' goals more modest

They're in last place. Any realistic playoff dreams died weeks ago. Even a .500 record looks like a long shot.

So as the Norfolk Admirals approach their final 11 games of the 2008-09 season, even their most diehard supporters must wonder, "What's the point?"

In fact, for both the organization and several individual players, there's plenty at skate in these final games, according to Admirals general manager Mike Butters.

"And number one on that list is pride," Butters said. "This organization has a lot of pride. This team played hard all season.

"And I expect that to continue."

While it is small consolation, the Admirals, who begin a seven-game homestand tonight against Binghamton at Scope, have indeed been more competitive than their record - fourth-worst in the 29-team AHL - would suggest.

Admirals radio play-by-play man Pete Michaud, who breaks down the team's results in painstaking detail, noted Norfolk (27-35-3-5) has been tied or ahead in the third period in 52 of its 69 games.

In addition, the Admirals have lost 14 times when leading in the third period, including nine in regulation.

Almost doesn't count in the standings, though, so the Admirals are resigned to chasing considerably more modest goals. Among them:

- Franchise record for points. Remarkably, in five years of being the sole supplier of prospects to an AHL franchise, no Tampa Bay organization has earned more than 65 points. Norfolk has 62 points.

Two more victories and this Admirals team will stand alone in Tampa Bay's futile AHL history.

"It's something," Butters said. "But obviously, we still have a long way to go to get where we want to be as an organization."

- A .500 record. Obviously, the Admirals must win at least seven more games. But they also can't afford to lose more than two times in regulation if they want to finish at the break-even mark.

- Playing spoiler. Butters doesn't care for the term and prefers the Admirals draw motivation from within. But he did note that every team on Norfolk's remaining schedule is either positioning itself for the playoffs or trying to make a postseason run.

"These are still important games," he said.

Then there are the players. Some Admirals are under contract for next season. But many are some form of free agent. Among those are Admirals stalwarts Radek Smolenak, Justin Keller and Blair Jones, who are at the end of three-year Tampa Bay deals. A big finish for any of the free agents could solidify an otherwise uncertain future.

"It's safe to say that any of the free agents are playing for their jobs," Butters said.

Paul White, (757) 418-1447, paul.white@pilotonline.com