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Goalie Riku Helenius' immediate options for continuing to play professionally do not include the Syracuse Crunch.

(Kevin Rivoli | krivoli@syracuse.com)

The professional hockey future of Syracuse Crunch goalie Riku Helenius officially dropped into limbo on Tuesday when parent club Tampa Bay told him his services are no longer needed.

Julien BriseBois, assistant general manager of the Lightning, said Tampa Bay asked Helenius to accept an assignment to Florida of the ECHL. Helenius declined, as is his right as a player beyond his entry level contract.

BriseBois said he told Helenius he was no longer required to practice with the team and to stay home for now. Helenius is not suspended and will still receive his full $650,000 salary.

Helenius became the odd goalie out earlier this month when Tampa Bay recalled promising rookie Kristers Gudlevskis from Florida, teaming him with Cedrick Desjardins in the Crunch rotation.

Helenius kept practicing with the Crunch but did not play. Teams usually don't like to keep three healthy goalies on a roster because playing and practice minutes are difficult to divide so that everyone remains sharp.

"There is no plan right now (for Helenius) on our end. Now, he's thinking about what he wants to do going forward,'' BriseBois said Tuesday. "He's a good guy. He didn't do anything wrong. We've decided to go with Cedrick and Kristers. In all fairness to them, it's tough to go with three goalies.''

BriseBois said the team has tried to move Helenius, but right now there's no deal to be made.

"If we can find another spot for Riku, we will gladly do that,'' BriseBois said.

Helenius could not be reached for comment.

"Obviously, he was disappointed. But I don't want to put words in his mouth,'' BriseBois said. "He told me that he didn't want to go to Florida today. Whether that changes down the road, only he knows.''

Helenius, in his second season with the Crunch, is 2-3 for the team this year with a 3.43 goals-against average and a .875 save percentage.

"Riku completely understands the situation, and he's been completely professional about it,'' Syracuse coach Rob Zettler said after practice Tuesday. "He's just trying to figure out what's best for him right now. I'm sure he's disappointed. I can't say enough good things about him. It's just one of those situations.''