Third jersey

Here are the dates the Lightning will wear its new third jersey:

November 23             New Jersey Devils
November 26             New York Rangers
December 6              Buffalo Sabres
December 18            Colorado Avalanche
December 30            Montreal Canadiens
January 19                Dallas Stars
January 30                Philadelphia Flyers
February 14              Washington Capitals
February 22              Boston Bruins
March 3                    Pittsburgh Penguins
March 17                  Toronto Maple Leafs
March 21                  Atlanta Thrashers
March 29                  Ottawa Senators
April 7                      Pittsburgh Penguins

Vinny Lecavalier's charity wine tasting

From the team:

Join captain Vinny Lecavalier and teammates on Monday for Toast 4 Charity. Toast 4 Charity is a culinary and wine extravaganza featuring wines of the world’s finest regions, varietals and styles plus one of the Bay area’s award-winning chefs.

Toast 4 Charity will take place from 6-8 p.m. in the Channelside Club at the St. Pete Times Forum.  The event will feature regional wines and Hawaiian fusion cuisine from Roy’s Executive Chef Kiel Lombardo, who will present dishes designed to complement the wines being offered.

If that’s not enough, plan to be tempted by exciting, one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment packages available through live and silent auctions.  You could take home a Lecavalier autographed All Star Jersey or game-used stick, or a chance to meet Lecavalier following a Lightning game. All proceeds will benefit the Vincent Lecavalier Foundation and the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children’s Hospital, scheduled to open Fall, 2009.

Each guest who purchases a ticket for Toast $ Charity will also receive a lower level ticket to the December 4 Lightning game against the Boston Bruins.  Wine Connoisseur sponsorship packages are also available and include four tickets to the wine tasting with reserved table seating, a photo opportunity with Vinny, and four tickets to the Dec. 4 game vs. the Bruins.

A little stability right now is a good thing

GM Brian Lawton wants to see what he's got on the roster and how it reacts to coach Rick Tocchet. That is why Lawton said he does not foresee any big moves in the near future. "There might be some things on the fringes," he said.

But he wants some stability to let the team and the coaching staff grow together. Of course, nothing is in stone, and if something falls in Lawton's lap he will react. (We're still waiting to see if long-shot Mats Sundin decides if Tampa Bay is one of three or four teams with which he will negotiate to play.) But for now, it sounds like there might be some relative calm for a while, and that's fine with Tocchet.

"It's a big thing," he said. "When you have a team like ours and you're trying to find who we are right now, I think you're always going to tinker. But what Brian is saying, the stability part, and seeing what we got here for the next couple of weeks, it's a good thing for the guys to know that. They can go out there, relax and go out and play."

Tocchet said he knows the next little while is not just to evaluate players.

"It's an evaluation period for me, too," he said. "Obviously, you wish you had training camp; this is kind of like our training camp. But you're judged by wins and losses, too. we have to start putting some wins together."

From the morning skate: Tocchet said he will stress that players get to the net on the power play, the home version of which is the league's worst at 10.8 percent. It might even be something with which he rewards playing time. "We're going to start going, if you're not going in front of the net, you can't play," Tocchet said. "We need results and we have to start getting traffic. I told the guys, when I watch the power play, I want to see three or four (Lightning) shirts after shots, not just one guy waiving at it. If you look at all the god power play, they always have somebody in front, always." ... Tocchet said Marty St. Louis will continue to play the power-play point but tonight likely also will play at forward. While Tocchet said he still likes St. Louis at the point -- "He calms things down and makes good decisions" -- he believes he can provide some need firepower too. Also defenseman Steve Eminger is proving capable at the point, which gives Tocchet another option. ... It's a ways down the road, but Tocchet said he would like to see Steven Stamkos perhaps play the point. ... Center Chris Gratton (lower body) is a game-time decision. Left wing Gary Roberts (upper body) is out. ... Tocchet will keep rotating his lines, he said, but try to keep two-man combinations together such as Vinny Lecavalier and St. Louis, Jussi Jokinen and Mark Recchi, Vinny Prospal and Radim Vrbata, and Adam Hall and Gratton. "It keeps guys alive on the bench," Tocchet said of the line changes. 

Tampa Bay claims David Koci

The Lightning has claimed tough guy David Koci off waivers from the Blues and is headed for the Lightning because another team also put in a claim. Had another team not gotten involved, Koci could have been sent to the minors.

It was not a slam dunk Tampa Bay would get Koci. Because the team finished last in the league last season, it had first dibs on players through waivers, but only until Nov. 1. Since then, it has gone by points in the standings.

Koci, who had zero points and 13 penalty minutes in five games with the Blues, has an interesting story. The Lightning had him on the roster through the two season-opening games in Prague. But he was put on waivers Oct. 21 and claimed by the Blues. At the time, then-coach Barry Melrose, bemoaning the loss of toughness from a team that does not have an enforcer, hoped Koci could be re-claimed in the future.

Adding Koci increases Tampa Bay's roster to the 23-player limit.

As you asked: Comment registration

In response to your concerns about inappropriate comments and impersonators on this blog, tampabay.com is now implementing comment registration. In order to leave a comment, you will need to first register for a TypeKey account.

This is a way to authenticate and protect your online identity. Once you've registered, your name appears as a hyperlink to your profile. It is free, and you can share as much or as little personal information as you like. That way, readers will be able to tell which posts are from you and which are not. Many of you have registered for this service already, recognizing its benefits to you.

Once you've registered, your account works on all of tampabay.com's blogs, as well as other typepad blogs. Here's some more information on TypeKey, should you have any questions.

Tocchet doesn't like the shootout

I report this only because I now feel a lot better about my rant a few weeks back about how the shootout is a gimmick, a terrible way to decide a game and a disservice to the players who have knocked themselves out for 65 minutes.

"I know the people who don't know hockey that well, they sit in the stands and they love it," Tocchet said. "We're a sport that needs people to come and we have to market it. That part, yeah. But as an old, traditional guy, I don't like that part of it. But I understand the marketing part of it. It's an entertainment business."

It also is an aspect of the game at which the Lightning needs to be better. It is 1-4 this season. So the team had a breakaway contest at practice today. Out of 19 skaters (Gary Roberts sat out with an upper body injury), only Jussi Jokinen, Radim Vrbata, Marty St. Louis and Andrej Meszaros scored in the first round.

I thought Tocchet's take on how players view shootouts also was instructive and adds to the incredible weight on the side of shootouts being a terrible gimmick.

"I know when I had a breakaway or a penalty shot years ago, you're nervous," Tocchet said. "I don't think guys are nervous now. I'd like to create some kind of urgency 'We have to win this game.' It's now like guys aren't trying. But it's like, 'It's a shootout.' I don't think there's that overtime feel that if I screw up we're going to lose two points. There's not that urgency."

Asked if that was because a shootout really isn't part of the game, Tocchet said, yes.

"It's weird," he said. "I've seen coaches joking, 'Who do we put out?' like it's a fun thing. So we need to create that urgency."

One method he mentioned: in practice, if you don't score, you skate.

Tocchet said he might try Vrbata in the shootout rotation to replace one of the three who have been staples: Vinny Lecavalier, St. Louis and Jokinen.

"You want to give the proper guys the ball, but there's got to be a time when you say, 'Okay guys, sorry, we have to get some fresh blood in there.' "

Other stuff: Looks like left wing Ryan Malone will play tomorrow against the Predators. ... Evgeny Artyukhin will play left wing with Lecavalier and St. Louis. ... Rookie Steven Stamkos will start at center between Vrbata and Vinny Prospal. Stamkos played so well with Vinny and Marty Tuesday against the Panthers, seemed a bit curious. But Stamkos also played some with Prospal and Vrbata and Tocchet said showed a lot of jump. Generally, though, the changes are Tocchet still trying to find permanent lines. As for Artyukhin, Tocchet said Arty's starts have been slow and wants to put him with linemates who play a fast game to get him involved sooner.

Vinny denies again

Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier for the second straight day denied an accusation he was part of a player revolt that on Friday got coach Barry Melrose fired.

Melrose, himself, made the first accusation when he said in several media interviews that players who "didn't want to be accountable," but who he would not name, went to ownership and pressured for Melrose to be fired, an accusation denied by owner Oren Koules and general manager Brian Lawton. On Saturday, Hockey Night in Canada's Al Strachan said in an unsourced report, "I heard Vinny Lecavalier went in to ownership and said, 'I didn't like it under (former coach John) Tortorella. This is worse under this guy and you've got to get rid of him' "

"I didn't do it. I don't know what else to say," Lecavalier said Wednesday. Later, he reiterated, "I'm telling you, I didn't say anything. I don't think any of the guys did. He's just saying that."

Asked if he worries his reputation can be tarnished by such accusations, even if they are not true, Lecavalier said, "To tell you the truth, I don't. (Strachan) said what he had to say ... but there weren't facts."

New Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said he never heard any rumblings about a player revolt. As for accusations hurting Lecavalier's reputation, he said, "I don't think Vinny really cares. ... They're always looking for stories. With him, they're not there."

What is probably there: conversations with players as management and ownership tried to get a handle on its coaching situation. No matter what anyone says, I can't imagine either management or ownership signing off on firing a coach without first at least taking the pulse of the locker room. Does that rise to the level of a revolt or is it players just giving an honest opinion? Until somone offers proof of an organized revolt, I just don't buy it    

To be fair to Strachan, he said he tried to call Vinny but had not gotten him on the phone before he went on the air. Supposedly, Vinny's side of the story will air this Saturday. I don't know what other "side" there is. Lecavalier has denied it twice. Will be interesting to see what else he has to say that he hasn't already.

I did find interesting, though, that the report said Lecavalier found it worse under Melrose than Tortorella. Obviously, someone was not around when things were at their worst with Vinny and Torts. I mean, it was so bad, Vinny asked for a trade. I know Vinny's ties to the community are a lot stronger now, but, outwardly, there was no indication Lecavalier's relationship with Melrose had soured to that extent.

Here's my plea: Melrose would not name names and Strachan's report was anonymous. If someone goes on the record with this stuff (see Tom Jones' Page 2 today), I'll listen to anything. Until then, stop forcing Lecavalier to answer to reporters while those who accuse him hide. 

Stuff from practice: Left wing Ryan Malone (leg) said he believes he could play Friday against the Predators. ... Forty-somethings Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts were given the day off by Tocchet, though both worked out in the training facility at the St. Pete Times Forum. ... The third jersey will be worn Sunday against the Devils.

Lightning puts 4 more games on TV

From the team, which now has 69 games on the tube:

The Lightning and WTOG Channel 44 (CW 44) in Tampa Bay are combining to bring Lightning fans four games of hockey excitement on Saturday nights during the 2008-09 season. Dubbed “High Voltage Saturday Nights,” these games (all of them on the road) will augment the team’s 65-game package brought to fans across the Lightning’s Florida television territory on Sun Sports. The first High Voltage Saturday night game will be Tampa Bay’s game at Colorado on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 9 p.m. ET.

The entire High Voltage schedule:

            Nov. 29             Tampa Bay at Colorado                         9 p.m.
            Dec. 20             Tampa Bay at Atlanta                            7 p.m.
            April 4               Tampa Bay at New York Islanders          7 p.m.
            April 11             Tampa Bay at Atlanta                            7 p.m.

“Our agreement brings four great weekend games to Lightning fans, two of which come right at the end of the season as we make our playoff push,” said Oren Koules, owner and governor of the Lightning. “We appreciate the partnership WTOG-TV Channel 44 is offering us to not only bring ‘High Voltage Saturday Nights’ to our fans but also to help better promote the Lightning in the Tampa Bay market to a key demographic for us.”

In addition to the four-game broadcast schedule on CW44, the station is creating twice-monthly on-air “watch and wins,” as well as a link on its website for High Voltage Saturday Nights. It is also offering pre-promotion for each of the games to be aired on WTOG and purchasing radio spots to promote game broadcasts. CW44’s Gossip Girl, Courtney, will also get involved by talking to Lightning fans for the station’s website.

“WTOG-TV Channel 44 has a long history of providing quality sports entertainment to its viewers that dates back to the inception of the station,” said Laura Caruso, station manager at WTOG. “We understand the important role sports play in our viewer’s lives and we have an obligation to provide those viewers with programming that brings them closer to our local sports teams so this was a natural fit. Both the Lightning and WTOG are dedicated to providing the Tampa Bay area with quality sports entertainment so we are very excited about this partnership.”

Let's talk about Mats Sundin

First, though, let me say that despite a 4-3 shootout loss on Tuesday, you have to be very happy with what you saw on the ice. Yeah, there are some blips. The penalty kill has to be a lot better. It has allowed six goals in 21 chances in its past four games, and wouldn't you like to see someone just level an opponent in front of the net, just once? And wouldn't it be nice if these guys could finish?

But the jump was outstanding and you finally saw of what Steven Stamkos is capable. He didn't score but he was the Lightning's best player. Helps to play with Marty and Vinny, but still. It's about time he put on a show.

So, one subject that kind of got glossed over with all the Barry Melrose stuff and that I took a few days off over the weekend, was the news that the Lightning has kept in contact with free agent center Mats Sundin. His agent, J.P. Barry, said Tampa Bay was one of 10 teams who have shown interest and that he believes of the Lightning, "There's sincere interest there."

Owner Oren Koules spoke to Sundin at least as early as last week in Los Angeles.

What are we to make of this?

Obviously, if Sundin were to decide to play for Tampa Bay, and that decision might not come for weeks, the team will have to be in a playoff hunt. No way the 37-year-old will play for a non-contender. Perhaps that is another reason the Lightning pulled the trigger on Melrose.

So what are the pros?

Sundin will be a skilled addition and can play the power play and will be motivated. He also will be fresh, having missed training camp and perhaps the first two months of the season.

The cons?

he's 37 with a history of hip problems. He is not one to be a dressing-room leader. So says Ken Campbell, senior writer for the Hockey News who covered the former Maple Leafs star for the Toronto Star. He is, though, a leader by example. Sundin also will cost, about $7-million pro-rated to whenever he signs is the best guess. That will force the Lightning, with 14 forwards and a salary cap number of about $52-million (the limit is $56.7-million) to make some harsh personnel and salary decisions.

So, what do you think? Is he worth the investment? Remember, many things must fall right for Tampa Bay to pull this off, and we haven't even heard, officially, if Sundin is interested. But the agent says the Lightning has "sincere" interest, so we might as well speculate.    

    

Melrose: "I'm going to move on"

First, let me thank those of you who e-mailed to inquire where I was over the weekend. I know there was a lot of news going on but the weekend was a long-planned break and my first days off since Aug. 31, and I thought Joe Smith kept everyone up to date.

Now, it's time to wrap up this Barry Melrose thing. Talked to him today and he reiterated what he has said during the weekend, that he believes the players revolted against him, though he said he would not name the players he believed were involved. That was a little disappointing, I have to say. Not that I want to start a he-said, she-said, but I just think if you're going to make an accusation like that, you should say to whom you are referring.

Instead, Melrose, who said he is going to be back in broadcasting "pretty quick," offered this when asked if he could say to whom he was referring:

"Nah, I don't think so. I'm done with it now. It's water under the bridge. I'm going to move on with what's going on."

For what it's worth, both Marty St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier, the team captain, said they had not spoken to either owner Oren Koules or Len Barrie or GM Brian Lawton about Melrose's firing.

"We were not involved in any decisions," Lecavalier said. "I don't think anybody went up there and talked to ownership about it. It was their decision. It's their team."

Melrose said one of the biggest bones of contention he had with ownership and management was the minutes played by No. 1 draft choice Steven Stamkos.

"It was a constant battle between me and the owners," Melrose said. "They wanted Stamkos to play more. They wanted (Radim) Vrbata to play more. They wanted Roberts to play more. Every day was a constant battle. Every conversation was about it. I wouldn't do it. I'm a big believer you have to earn your ice time. If you're not one of best guys, you don't deserve to play, no matter how much you make."

Melrose said Stamkos will be a "great" player. "But he's not a great player right now. ... What you teach is the better he plays the more ice time he gets. That's how you teach people."

So, what have we got here. The bottom line, as Melrose said of Koules and Barrie, "I wasn't a fit for these guys."

But it went both ways. I spoke to enough players today who said Melrose's on-ice structure wasn't what it needed to be. The game certainly is not any more about throwing the puck on the ice and let the best players win. It is about giving players detailed instructions. If this happens, you go here. If that happens, you go there. It's systems. There is a lot to be said for that. I don't think anyone will argue the Lightning was the best team in 2004, but under then-coach John Tortorella, it had the best structure. The players bought it, and the team thrived.

The Tortorella regime also made extensive use of video. Did Melrose? The sentiment was, perhaps not enough.

Melrose's response: "It's (BS). we were one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. We gave up fewer goals in the first period. How do you do that if thet eam doesn't have any structure?"

Melrose is actually correct on the point about first-period goals. Entering tonight's game, Tampa Bay has allowed nine, lowest in the league.

Still, take these two quotes from new coach Rick Tocchet for what they are worth. Neither was in response to any question about Melrose. in both instances he was speaking generally.

"You have to let players know exactly where they are supposed to go and supposed to be. There are no excuses now. For whatever reason, we didn't battle as hard as we should have, and it didn't look like we knew what we were doing on the ice."

And this:

"There won't be any excuses on this team. Guys will know what is expected and what their role is, and once they hit the ice, that's all they'll have to worry about is their play. They don't have to worry about where am I going, I don't know what I'm doing. They're going to have a ton of information."

In a related matter, Melrose said he does not want to coach again. "It was really perfect. My last game was against the Detroit Red Wings, the organization I started with. I think God was trying to tell me something."

So we move on to tonight's game with the Panthers.

Tocchet said an MRI exam on Ryan Malone's injured leg was negative, but did not say when the left wing, who skated briefly this morning, is expected to return. ... Mike Smith is in net. ... F Ryan Craig will be scratched. ... Tocchet spoke of a two-player setup in which he will try to keep two players together to develop chemistry (such as Jussi Jokinen and Mark Recchi) and rotate a third player onto a line. " ... Tocchet said Stamkos will take shifts at right wing with Lecavalier and St. Louis but also play some center. "We have to get him a little more minutes and see what he can do," Tocchet said.