Halpern to captain Team USA

You may have already heard, but the USA national team continues to take on a Lightning hue, as center Jeff Halpern has been named captain. John Tortorella, of course, is the head coach.

Halpern, who turns 32 on Saturday, came to the Lightning from Dallas in the Brad Richards trade and promptly went on a scoring tear. The Princeton University product scored 10 goals and added 8 assists in 19 games.

Mark Stuart of the Bruins and Zach Parise of the Devils are alternate captains.

Team USA beat Sweden Monday 5-1 in Portland, Maine, and begins play in the World Championship tournament Friday in Nova Scotia.

Want to see how Vinny's doing?

There is a short video presentation on Lightning TV, which is part of tampabaylightning.com. It shows Vinny starting the rehab from his April 15 surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Recovery time is believed to be three to four months which means the star center should be ready for September's training camp.

The surgery was done by noted orthopedist James Andrews.

Vinny, who is shown working with assistant trainer Jason Serbus, says all the right things about how it is "going well" and how he is "excited to be back to 100 percent." But the funniest moment is when he talks about how the surgery made him realize "how important your arm is, from cutting your food to getting dressed."

He says it with a smile.

To see the video, click here.

 

Melrose: No contact about Lightning

The rumor, as put out there Saturday night by Al Strachan, former Toronto Sun reporter and now a contributor to CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, is that coach John Tortorella will be fired this summer after Hollywood producer Oren Koules takes over as team owner, and ESPN analyst and former Kings coach Barry Melrose will be named coach.

Before anyone jumps to any conclusions, remember this is the time of year when there is all kinds of talk. Expect more of it this summer because of the unsettled nature of everything having to do with the team, most of it stemming from the proposed sale from Palace Sports & Entertainment to Koules. And as Melrose said, "The last I heard, John Tortorella was the coach there, so there's not much I can talk about."

Still, it is enough to log in that the rumor is out there.

Melrose said he has not spoken to Koules or any representative from the Lightning about the Tampa Bay job. In fact, he said he did not know of Strachan's comments until some "buddies" called him Saturday night to inform him.

Still, Tortorella's job security is uncertain after he recently told GM Jay Feaster that perhaps it was time he stepped down. Tortorella took that back, of course, and said he now wants to stay for the last year of his contract.

As for Melrose, who coached the Kings from 1992-95 and led the team to the 1993 Stanley Cup final, he said he knows Koules through players such as former Kings star Luc Robitaille and Kings defenseman Rob Blake, both of whom played for Melrose. As for coaching again, he said, "I've said it several times, I would love to coach again. You're always watching, always talking, what you would do in situations."   

It's awards season

You've probably already heard that Marty St. Louis is a Lady Byng finalist. In case you missed it, the story is here.

Sunday, we plan to run Damian's votes for all of the postseasons awards on page 2C, so you might want to look for that. On the same page Damian will also take a look at how this team managed to go from Stanley Cup winner to worst team in the league. It has been hashed and rehashed here and elsewhere, but we try to boil it down to the essential components.

Moves in the minors

Another announcement from the team. Wouldn't be surprising if this isn't the last of the moves.

Norfolk Admirals head coach Steve Stirling has been reassigned to a full-time college scouting position, it was announced today by Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Jay Feaster. In addition, Feaster announced that the Lightning will not exercise their option on Norfolk assistant coach Darren Rumble at this time. The search for a new head coach in Norfolk will commence AFTER the closing of the pending sale of the Lightning to OK Hockey.

            “For the past 15-years, we have very badly needed a full-time scout devoted to college hockey,” Feaster said. “Over the years we have utilized part-time people as well as full-time pro and amateur scouts to fill the void, but we have never had a full-time scout to properly mine the talent at the college level. Given Steve's extensive background and connections at the collegiate level, combined with his coaching history in the AHL and NHL, we are confident that he is the right person for the job and we appreciate his willingness to switch gears and assist the organization in this critical endeavor.

            “In light of the pending sale of the Lightning to OK Hockey, we will defer the search for a new head coach in Norfolk until after the closing on the sale transaction. However, finding the right person to lead our team in Norfolk will be a key priority for us this summer. Once a new head coach is named we will work with that person to ensure that the new coach has significant input into the hiring of an assistant coach for Norfolk as well.”

Prior to joining the Lightning organization as head coach of the AHL’s Springfield Falcons in 2006, Stirling spent eight seasons as a coach in the New York Islanders organization and was named Minor Pro Coach of the Year in 2001-02 by The Hockey News after leading the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to a 43-25-8-4 record and a spot in the Calder Cup Final. His coaching career began at Babson College in Massachusetts in 1978, and he was named Division II/III NCAA Coach of the Year in 1980 and 1982. Stirling then moved on to Providence College, leading the team to the 1985 NCAA Final, before returning to Babson as head coach and athletic director.  Stirling’s 15-season collegiate coaching record is 290-129-28 (.692).

Stamkos mania

In case you can't wait until June 20 for your draft fix, here's something to whet your appetite. Saw this website www.seenstamkos.com in an ad in TBT.

Ranger has surgery

The team reports that defenseman Paul Ranger underwent successful arthroscopic surgery this week to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. The surgery was performed by orthopedist Dr. James Andrews at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Andrews performed a similar procedure on Vinny Lecavalier last week.
Ranger has begun his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Lightning medical staff and he’s expected to be ready for next season.
Ranger, 23, hurt the shoulder March 19 when he was checked into the glass by Buffalo's Daniel Paille. He missed the rest of the season, finishing with 10 goals and 21 assists.

Tortorella drama: going or staying?

So, what are we to make of the drama that erupted Wednesday concerning coach John Tortorella? Seems the coach in his postseason meeting with general manager Jay Feaster, said perhaps it was time, after seven seasons, he step down. But in a subsequent meeting with feaster, Tortorella told the GM, he wants to stay.

"I want to stay here and fight and try to make this team better with the new ownership group and Jay Feaster,'' Tortorella said. "I want to be part of the retooling.''

But the dynamic has turned interesting. An ownership change from absentee Palace Sports & Entertainment to ultra hands-on Oren Koules seems inevitable, and neither has commented on Tortorella's job status. And a statement by president Ron Campbell was not a ringing endorsement. And Tortorella and Feaster, who always had worked so well, strongly disagreed on how Tortorella handled situations with Andre Roy and Shane O'Brien.

Roy was suspended three games by the league and then scratched for 12 after an incident in Philadelphia. O'Brien was scratched for the final seven games, apparently for poor play.

"I'm embarrassed that it's turned into this," Tortorella said. "The whole situation as far as my meeting with Jay and now it's coming out; this is my fault how this has happened. I have to give a bunch of skin for the season. It starts with me. I'm not afraid of that."

On the other hand, he added, I don't want to give in. I believe Jay Feaster and I can work with the new ownership coming in. We can turn this around. We're not far away."

Read the entire story in Thursday's paper.

Sale specifics emerge

In the end, the deal that everyone hopes finally will end the long, torturous saga of the sale of the Lightning, was one of necessity. With the global credit crisis making it difficult to nail down financing (Hollywood producer Oren Koules and his OK Hockey group lost two potential financing deals), Lightning owner Palace Sports & Entertainment decided to team with Galatioto Sports Partners, a New York sports investment bank whose president, Sal Galatioto, was trying to broker the sale of the team for Palace Sports.

Nobody is talking publicly about the details, but a few still emerged Tuesday. The complete story will be in Wednesday's paper, but here are a few highlights:

OK Hockey apparently has raised $100-million of the $200-million purchase price for the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5.5 acres near the stadium. Galatioto Sports Partners has agreed to add slightly less than $50-million. Palace Sports will hold an interest-bearing note for the rest.

OK Hockey would be responsible to pay the interest on the note.

Palace Sports would get $150-million up front (the $100-million from OK Hockey and about $50-million from GSP) and wait for GSP to find financing for OK Hockey to pay off the note. If the credit market does not thaw, in a worst-case scenario, though highly unlikely, Palace Sports could foreclose and return as owner with $150-million in its pocket as it tries to find another buyer. That certainly would help the bottom line given Palace Sports bought the team in the summer of 1999 for about $100-million and claims another $80-million in losses. More likely, though, it would extend the agreement and wait for the market to thaw.

Like I said, a more detailed version of this will run in tomorrow's paper. But thought the basics were interesting.

 

Koules gets his financing

Hollywood producer Oren Koules, who has been trying to close a deal to buy the Lightning for four months, has some light at the end of the tunnel thanks to two helping hands that will provide $100-million in financing for the $200-million deal. 

Lightning president Ron Campbell said Monday that owner Palace Sports & Entertainment and Galatioto Sports Partners will share the financing Koules needs to make the deal work. Campbell would not go into specifics, but it is believed that Palace Sports and GSP, a sports investment bank in New York, will contribute half the sale price for the deal that includes the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5.5 nearby acres.

Final paperwork still must be signed but that is expected to happen relatively quickly.

That Koules apparently has raised 50 percent of the purchase price among his investors should smooth the NHL's approval process.

Campbell said the financing deal came about because of the worldwide credit crunch. Koules, who heads OK Hockey, had previously lost financing through Societe Generale, France's second-largest bank, which shut down its U.S. Sports lending business. It also recently saw a proposed deal with CIT Group fall through.

"To move the process along and make it as efficient as it can be and gain control of the process, (GSP) and Palace Sports stepped in and said, 'We'll finance it now until the credit markets get corrected,'' Campbell told the Times. "At such a time, and we'll be patient, (OK Hockey) will pay us back when they get traditional financing.''

It was unclear how the $100-million in financing would be split. Neither Koules nor Sal Galatioto, president of GSP, which has brokered the sale of the team since the days of Absolute Hockey Enterprises' lost deal, would comment.

The financial deal will not close until the NHL's Board of Governors gives its approval. Given the league's usual timetable of four-to-six weeks after financing is secured, the deal could be done by early June. That could be important as Koules certainly will want to take control of the team before the NHL draft, June 20-21 in Ottawa.

If things progress, it would be the end of a long saga to sell the team. Absolute Hockey's bid began in August and ended in November amidst investor wrangling. Koules, who was part of that group and is a former Western Hockey League star, put together OK Hockey with business partner Mark Burg, former NHLer and developer Len Barrie and California banker Russell Belinsky. He has had exclusive negotiating rights since late April.

We'll have more in Tuesday's paper.

   

Halpern on PA's competition committee

The NHL's Players Association announced Monday that Lightning center Jeff Halpern was named to the organization's competition committee. According to the Players Association, the role of the committee, which has 10 voting members, is to evaluate and make recommendations to the PA's executive board and the NHL's board of governors on matters relating to the game and how the game is played.

Others named to the two-year term were San Jose's Brian Campbell, Buffalo's Ryan Miller, Anaheim's Mathieu Schneider and Ottawa's Jason Spezza.

Players were chosen by the executive boards from among those who submitted their names to be considered.

Speaking of the way the game is played, was curious if anyone had a problem with the NHL changing its rulebook when it put in the so-called Avery Rule that penalizes players who stand face-to-face with a goaltender and waves their hands or stick in the goalie's face.

Not saying I oppose the rule, but I'm not sure about changing rules in mid-playoff.   

Artyukhin proposes two-year deal

Mark Gandler, the agent for Russian power forward Evgeny Artyukhin, said Friday he has sent the Lightning a proposal for a two-year deal to prove to the Lightning his client is committed to the team. If you remember the past two years of contract squabbles that led Artyukhin, drafted 94th overall in 2001, to play the past two seasons in Russia and last year demand a trade, Tampa Bay was critical of Artyukhin's commitment.

But as Gandler said, "Arty is committed to the team. We made a proposal, and it's for two years, because we don't want to be judged as he's a transient player. We want some permanency there."

Gandler would not go into specifics about the terms of the deal, but considering he and the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Artyukhin asked for $1-million previously, it seems a good bet they are asking for the same amount in each of the two seasons. Asked if the two sides could overcome the acrimony of the past two seasons, Gandler said, "I hope we would be past that."

Gandler said the Lightning made the first move by contacting him. Now he is waiting to hear back from Lightning GM Jay Feaster. Tampa Bay has declined to comment.

"For me, I believe in the right circumstance, his future, his talent, is best served in the National Hockey League," Gandler said. "His size and skating ability make him a package that is best served by him playing in the National Hockey League. It's going to be a package they are very happy with."

Gandler said Artyukhin, who is playing for the Russian national team, would not be affected by the lack of a transfer agreement between the NHL and Russia because his contract in Russia has played out.

    

Lightning, Artyukhin: Burying the hatchet?

That seems to be the case, if you take what agent Mark Gandler said on Thursday. The representative for Russian freight train Evgeny Artyukhin said he and Tampa Bay are talking about a contract. This would be a good thing for the Lightning as the 6-foot-4, 254-pound left wing would provide some muscle and forechecking power to a team that, for the most part last season, lacked a physical edge.

The Lightning was mum Thursday, but Gandler said, "Both sides want to see Evgeny back playing in Tampa next season and for the next few seasons."

Of a contract, he said, without giving specifics, "It think it's doable and it should be done."

This is an interesting turn of events, if it happens as the relationship between team and player, drafted 94th overall in 2001, has been contentious. After playing 72 games for the Lightning in 2005-06, Artyukhin, after a contract dispute, played 2006-07 in Russia for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv and had five goals, 13 points and 183 penalty minutes in 44 games. At the time, whispers were Artyukhin wanted $1-million a season. The Lightning offered one year at $600,000 and two years at $1.2-million ($500,000 and $700,000).

More contract squabbles in May led Artyukhin, though Gandler, to demand a trade. The Lightning, which had offered the league minimum $475,000 (a sum Gandler said was to punish his client for turning down the 2006-07 offers), said no. And Artyukhin split last season between Omsk and Russia's Central Army team.

Both sides, though, seem drawn to each other because of need. Artyukhin, though getting big money in his native Russia (probably in the $1-million range), has never flourished there. The Lightning would make the argument that his game, playing in an inferior league, has likely taken steps back. But Tampa Bay needs more of a physical presence. These needs might just be enough to bring the sides together. We'll see.

Lightning: Lecavalier surgery successful

The team announced that Tuesday's arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in Vinny Lecavalier's right shoulder was successful and a full recovery is expected. The star center, after a 12- to 15-week rehab, is expected to be ready for September's training camp.

The day apparently got off to a much later start than anticipated as noted orthopedist James Andrews was running behind schedule. Lightning assistant trainer Jason Serbus accompanied Lecavalier to Birmingham, Ala., where the surgery was performed at St. Vincent's Hospital. Serbus observed in the operating room.

"It went very well. That's what Jason told me," Lecavalier's father, Yvon, said. "We were a little concerned. Now we're very happy.''

Lecavalier, who turns 28 on Monday, was injured in an April 3 game at Washington on a check by the Capitals' Matt Cooke. The team said Lecavalier's rehab protocol will be determined by Andrews' office and be supervised by the Lightning medical staff.

Arthroscopic surgery on Lecavalier's painful right wrist is expected to be scheduled at a later date. 

Lecavalier surgery on Tuesday

Lightning star Vinny Lecavalier will have surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The injury was sustained in a late-season game against the Capitals on the illegal hit by Matt Cooke. Noted orthopedist James Andrews will perform the surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Ala. Lecavalier will have surgery only on his shoulder. His painful right wrist, for which he likely will require only an arthroscopic procedure, will be done at a later date.

Lecavalier, who turns 28 on Monday, is expected to need 12 to 15 weeks to recover, meaning he should be ready for the start of training camp. He is expected to do most of his rehab in his native Montreal.

The lucky numbers: 2-7-5-6

Okay, I know I said no more posts for a while, but this was too good to let wait for Wednesday's paper.

The numbers that came up Monday night in the draft lottery that gave Tampa Bay the No. 1 pick in the draft, which most certainly will be Steve Stamkos, were 2-7-5-6.

Anyone who plays those numbers on our own lottery, bets on a horse or a dog or something, and wins, let me know at cristodero@sptimes.com.

Cheers.

The sale is the thing

Okay, guys, this probably is going to be my last post for a while unless something dramatic happens because, after nine months of almost daily work, I need some time off. Hard to describe what this season was like because there was so much going on beyond what was happening on the ice: the sale of the team, the injuries, the intra-team dramas. It was unlike any season I can recall, and I covered these guys back in 1999-2000, when they were awful.

Anyway, have a good story in tomorrow's paper about how drafting Steve Stamkos will be nice, though until the sale of the team is complete, the business of the team is at a standstill. As GM Jay Feaster said, "The biggest thing we have to get is a sale transaction complete. That's the first order of business. ... It is difficult to plan until we know exactly where we are as far as that goes.'' Later this week, we'll have something about how the team fell so far so fast and what must be done to set things right.

For today, though let's tie up some of the loose ends:

Andre Roy: The chances of him coming back to the team seem remote at this point. It can change but can't imagine, after all that happened this season, that the coaching staff read this morning he has no regrets over what happened in Philadelphia and will welcome him back with open arms. Roy could be an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Shane O'Brien: Why was O'Brien benched the final five games of the season? In coach John Tortorella's eyes, he was making the same mistakes over and over. He also lost a small bit of control over his weight, came in one day a couple pounds over his prescribed weight. Both things combined got him benched. O'Brien said the air is clear after Monday's meetings, but he won't forget the embarrassment of being benched. "Fuel for the fire,'' he said. Tortorella, I believe, equates O'Brien with Pavel Kubina. Kuby turned out well, but it was a struggle to get player and coach on the same page.

Jeff Halpern: Depending on where Stamkos fits, he either stays on the second line or drops to the third. Likely to bump around, either way. But a great pickup for the Lightning.

Stamkos: Didn't you love the stuff the kid said in the paper this morning? Worked hard on his skating last summer. Considers himself a complete player so works as hard on defense. Knows you can't be successful in the NHL without playing both sides of the puck. Sounds mature and he has the skills. Can't wait to see him in camp.   

Defense: Will be very interesting next season. Tortorella already has said Picard will make next season's team. He joins Dan Boyle, Paul Ranger, Filip Kuba, Brad Lukowich and ... who? O'Brien will have to win back favor. Mike Lundin may get some time in the minors, though he is so good with his stick, and now that he started getting power play time, he might force his way back on the team. Doug Janik is likely out. Might O'Brien be traded? How about Kuba, if anyone would take him and his $3-million salary, or Luke. A nice little drama coming next season.

Forwards: Looks like Andreas Karlsson and perhaps even Chris Gratton will be gone. Too bad about Gratton, but with Vinny Lecavalier, Halpern and Stamkos as the top three centers, do you think Gratton will be happy with fourth-line duty? Tampa Bay also wants Craig MacDonald back, another center, and center Ryan Craig should be back as well, though he could play wing.

Goaltenders: As soon as Torts said Karri Ramo should start in the minors, Ramo raised his game. Mike Smith has the tools to be a number one, just needs to be more consistent and stay in net once in a while. Note to Mike: If it's going to be icing, don't play the puck. Two young guys like that as a tandem. It could work, but the nets will be a point of concern again.

A final thought: The season was so bad and so full of bad luck, Feaster said before the draft lottery that there was "no way in hell'' Tampa Bay would win the No. 1 pick. But one of the Lightning's 250 assigned numbers (out of 1,000) came up. Feaster said is was nice, for once, for some sunshine to break through the dark clouds. Think about it, though, perhaps the Lightning's luck began changing at the trade deadline. As much as losing Brad and Vinny Prospal was a blow, the Lightning did very well to get Picard, Halpern, Smith and Jussi Jokinen. Now they probably get Stamkos. Look at the Flyers last season who went from 30th and 56 points in 2006-07 to sixth and 95 points this season. That is why the summer is so important and that is why this sale has to be done.

Lightning gets No. 1 pick; will choose Stamkos

Given the way the year has gone for the Lightning, GM Jay Feaster said this afternoon, "There's no way in hell,'' we're getting the No. 1 pick.

Well, something was working in Tampa Bay's favor as the Lightning, which finished 30th in the 30-team league, retained the first pick in this summer's draft in Ottawa, and all indications are it will draft NHL-ready center Steve Stamkos from the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario hockey League.

"If I'm the guy that they want, it would be a great honor for me,'' Stamkos said on Versus draft lottery coverage.''

Said former Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk, who represented Tampa Bay at the draft lottery, "As an organization we're very happy. We have a kid who is going to be a superstar. We're excited. We're really looking forward to that.''

Better odds than we thought

Credit to Dan for pointing out a mistake in an earlier post about the draft lottery. The No. 30 team has retained the No. 1 pick five times since 1995, not three. That was me not being as precise as I should have at the end of a long season. What I should have said was only three times has the No. 30 team been picked as the draft lottery winner. Two other times, the No. 30 team retained the No. 1 pick even though that team was not "picked'' in the lottery.

So, to set the record straight:

Teams that have retained the No. 1 pick were the Senators in 1995 and 1996, the Bruins in 1997, the Lightning in 1999 and Blues in 2006.

Thank you for your patience.

   

Feaster slams Capitals coach Boudreau

Lightning general manager Jay Feaster had some pointed words for Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, who has maintained that his player's hit on Vinny Lecavalier was a mistake in that Matt Cooke was going after puck-carrier Michel Ouellet before Lecavalier got in the way.

The hit resulted in a dislocated right shoulder for Lecavalier, who will have surgery in the next week or so and then be out for 12 to 15 weeks while rehabbing. Lecavalier is expected to be ready for training camp.

Cooke was fined $2,500 by the league for the hit that the league acknowledged should have at least garnered an interference call.

"Every time I read Bruce Boudreau's comments that Vinny just happened to step in front of a train,'' Feaster said. "First that's what it was because (Lecavalier) wasn't looking. Then it was he didn't see him coming. I think he embarrasses himself every time he opens his mouth about the subject. I think they should be happy Matt Cooke is in the lineup tonight, it's only a $2,500 fine.

Feaster continued: "I just wonder how different the reaction might have been if we substitute (Nick Tarnasky) for (Cooke) and then substituted (Alex Ovechkin) for (Lecavalier), and it was Ovechkin getting hit and being out for the next 12 to 15 weeks as opposed to Vinny. I wonder if it would have been one of those happenstance type of things."

There was more.

"This is a northing from their perspective,'' Feaster said. "I wonder if that's what it would have been if it had been Tarns hitting Ovechkin and Ovi being out 12 to 15 weeks. Might have been the end of the world.''

Never a dull moment.

Lecavalier to have surgery on injured shoulder

The Lightning announced Saturday that star center Vinny Lecavalier will undergo surgery, likely in the next seven to 10 days, to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder that was dislocated during Thursday's game with the Capitals.

The delay in the timing of the procedure is so that swelling in the shoulder can be reduced. The Lightning said it expects a 12- to 15-week recovery process, which would mean Lecavalier will be ready for next season's training camp.

Lecavalier could not be reached for comment, but the Lightning released this statement:

"While I'm disappointed to be facing surgery at this time, I'm looking forward to working hard during the summer to be ready for training camp in September,'' Lecavalier said. "I'm luck to have good people like Lightning athletic trainers Jason Serbus and Tommy Mulligan around to help me through the process. I'm confident I'm in good hands.'

Tortorella softened a bit his view of the hit by Washington's Matt Cooke that was thrown when Lecavalier did not have the puck. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau has said Cooke, who was fined $2,500 for the hit, was trying to check Michel Ouellet when Lecavalier got in the way.

"I don't think it was a vicious hit, and I certainly don't think he was trying to hurt him,'' Tortorella said. "But (Lecavalier) was in a vulnerable position, didn't see it coming, didn't have the puck. I wonder what would have happened if we were in a playoff run and something like that happened?''

Other stuff from this morning: With Lecavalier out, the lines that will start the game were interesting. Jeff Halpern centered for Marty St. Louis and Mathieu Darch; Jussi Jokinen was between Michel Ouellet and Jason Ward; Craig MacDonald centered for Nick Tarnasky and Junior Lessard; Andreas Karlsson was between Doug Janik and Karl Stewart. ... How far is Andre Roy in coach John Tortorella's doghouse when, with a lineup spot open, he goes to Stewart instead of Roy? Seems like Andrea's time in Tampa is just about over. ... Shane O'Brien, too, was a healthy scratch. Keep an eye on his situation over the summer. With Alex Picard already penciled into a spot for next season, it may come down to how much confidence the team has in Matt Smaby's development or if Mike Lundin needs some minor league time to determine if O'Brien is still wanted or could be used as trade bait. ... Tortorella said Smaby had a rough outing against the Capitals but has overall improved and is playing a much more physical style, which they like. ... Captain Tim Taylor skated at the morning workout, his last time on the ice as a Lightning player. The center, who missed the entire season because of preseason hip surgery, is calling it quits after 13 seasons and Stanley Cup titles in 2004 with the Lightning and 1997 with the Red Wings. Taylor said it was the right thing to do, but still regrets not playing in Saturday's game, something Tortorella gave him the option to do. "I'll never be on the ice as a player again,'' Taylor said. "That's tough.'' ...

Cooke fined $2,500

Washington's Matt Cooke, whose hit on Vinny Lecavalier caused the Lightning star's shoulder injury, was fined Friday $2,500 by the league. There was no suspension. The league decided Cooke's open-ice hit on Lecavalier, who was not carrying the puck, should have been an interference call. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau reiterated to D.C. reporters Friday that he believed Cooke was trying to check Tampa Bay's Michel Ouellet, who had the puck along the left wing boards. 

"I don't think he was trying to check Vinny,'' Boudreau said. "I think he was going after the puck carrier. It was shoulder to shoulder. It's not like Vinny didn't see him. He saw him. We've seen the replay 30 times. There was nothing dirty about it.''

   

NHL reviewing hit on Lecavalier

Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said NHL disciplinarian, Colin Campbell, has asked for a medical report on the injury to Vinny Lecavalier; the logical speculation being the league is investigating whether the Capitals' Matt Cooke deserves punishment for his hit on the Lightning superstar.

Lecavalier's right shoulder may have been seriously hurt in the third period of Thursday night's game after he was checked by Washington's hard-hitting forward with an open-ice hit. Lecavalier, who had been skating without the puck, bounced off Cooke and then smacked into teammate Michel Ouellet, who was nearby carrying the puck along the left wing boards.

Lecavalier was on the ice for several minutes before skating off the ice. The team said Lecavalier was hurt on Cooke's hit not when he fell to the ice as was originally believed.

No penalty was called, and Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said after the game Cooke was looking to hit Ouellet until Lecavalier skated in front of him. Cooke did not speak after the game and did not attend an optional practice Friday, and has yet to comment. But Feaster said Friday that Campbell told him he believed the hit warranted a "five-minute major for interference.'' A call to the NHL was not immediately returned, but if discipline is handed down, it will be announced before Washington's game Saturday with the Panthers.

"His comment was it deserved a five-minute major for interference,'' Feaster said. "I would suspect that he asked for a medical report means he's reviewing it. Whether they decide there's any supplemental discipline warranted, I don't know. But the fact that he asked for a report means at least he's taking a look at the incident.''

Lecavalier, 27, one of the league's top players did not accompany the team to Atlanta for Saturday's season finale against the Thrashers. Instead he went back to Tampa for more tests with team physician Ira Guttentag. Feaster said Lecavalier had an X-ray after the game in Washington. All he would say is, "It's not a bump.''

More information is expected Saturday.

vinny back to Tampa

Lightning superstar Vinny Lecavalier flew back to Tampa today for further tests on his injured right shoulder. The center was hurt in the third period of Thursday's game with the Capitals on a hit by Matt Cooke. The team said the injury occurred on the hit not the fall to the ice as originally believed. Lecavalier will have an MRI exam and be evaluated by team physician Ira Guttentag. It was not clear if any more information will be available today.

Torts: Hit on Vinny an "absolute cheap shot''

Vinny Lecavalier will have an MRI on Friday on his injured right shoulder, hurt in Thursday's game with the Capitals as he fell after a hit by Washington's Matt Cooke.

Regardless of the outcome, coach John Tortorella said Lecavalier will not play in Saturday's season finale against the Thrashers.

"It's an absolute cheap shot,'' coach John Tortorella said after the game. "It's a guy in a vulnerable position. It's interference. The puck isn't anywhere near him and it isn't called. It's an absolute cheap shot."

Tortorella said he got no explanations from referees Dan O'Rourke or Tim Peel about why no penalty was called.'

The injury occurred 6:50 into the third period when Cooke threw his body and hit Lecavalier, who bounced off the hard-hitting Cooke an then smacked into teammate Michel Ouellet, who was carrying the puck near the left wing boards. Lecavalier tried to brace himself with his right hand as he fell. He said that is how the injury occurred.

Lecavalier didn't say much as he left the arena after the 4-1 loss.

"No puck, I'm not looking and no penalty,'' he said.

Cooke did not speak to reporters after the game but Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said Cooke was trying to hit Ouellet and "Vinny stepped in front of him.''

What was impressive was Jussi Jokinen of all people going after Ovechkin in retaliation. Jokinen cross-checked Ovechkin to the ice. he took a penalty on which Ovechkin scored the winner, but he said a statement had to be made.

"It's pretty hard when your best player goes down,'' he said. "You have to respond.''

Tortorella liked what Jokinen did and that Junior Lessard stepped up and fought Matt Bradley.

"It's good stuff as far as Vinny and the stuff at the end of the game as far as trying to help one another out,'' Tortorella said.   

More bad stuff as Lecavalier is hurt

Vinny Lecavalier went down with 6:45 into the third period Thursday night against the Capitals, and though he skated off the ice, his face was contorted in pain as it seemed he was clutching an arm, and word is the injury is to his right shoulder.

Lecavalier was on the ice for several minutes being worked on by trainer Tommy Mulligan after a weird situation in which he was checked by Washington's hard-hitting Matt Cooke and then smacked into teammate Michel Ouellet.

Draft lottery is Monday

The draft lottery is at 8 p.m. Monday on the NHL Network. Since the Lightning has a chance at the No. 1 overall pick, I figured this is a good time to explain how this thing works. It is not simple.

   

The drawing involves the 14 non-playoff teams or the clubs that acquired the first-round pick of those teams. They are ranked in reverse order based on the fewest number of regular season points. No team can move up more than four spots. That means only the five worst teams have a chance at the No. 1 pick. And no team can fall more than one position. If the drawing were held today, the Lightning would start in the No. 2 spot, meaning it would be guaranteed one of the top three picks.

Fourteen balls numbered 1 to 14 will be placed in a lottery machine. Four balls will be spit out. The resulting four-number series will be matched against the 1,001 possible four-number combinations divided among the 14 clubs. One of the combinations will be dropped to even the percentages, which are as follows:     

30th team: 25 percent (250 combinations)

29th team: 18.8 (188)

28th team: 14.2 (142)

27th team: 10.7 (107)

26th team: 8.1 (81)

25th team: 6.2 (62)

24th team: 4.7 (47)

23rd team: 3.6 (36)

22nd team: 2.7 (27)

21st team: 2.1 (21)

20th team: 1.5 (15)

19th team: 1.1 (11)

18th team: 0.8 (8)

17th team: 0.5 (5)

So, for example, if one of the combinations assigned to the No. 17 team comes up, that team would move to 21, teams that had been 21-18 would become 20-17 while all other teams remained the same. The lottery has no bearing on the draft position in subsequent rounds

Here is where finishing 30^th is a huge advantage. Since the last nine teams cannot move into the top spot, their combined 232 four-digit combinations work in favor of the 30^th-place team. That means 482 (250+232) of the 1,000 combinations will give the 30^th-place team the No. 1 pick. That is a 48.2 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick which almost everyone assumes will be NHL-ready center Steve Stamkos.

Still, only three times since the lottery began in 1995 has the No. 30 team retained the top pick: the Blues in 2006, Bruins in 1997 and Senators in 1996.

Boyle: Core must set an example

Members of the Lightning's core group of players, that is forwards Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis, and defenseman Dan Boyle are in a place they haven't been since 2002, trying to find some self motivation while playing out what to Tampa Bay are generally meaningless games. But Boyle said that is no excuse to mail it in, which, kind of, is what happened Monday against the Thrashers. Boyle said it is up to the core guys to set an example for the rest of the team.

"If we give up, it certainly doesn't send the right message to the young guys we have,'' Boyle said. "The last four years we haven't had to motivate ourselves most nights. The last three weeks you have to find a way to motivate yourself to play.''

Certainly you can't have stats like these: St. Louis has zero points in his past five games and is minus-5. Go back even further for St. Louis and it gets even worse. He is minus-23 since Feb. 16. Lecavalier has one assist in his past five games and is minus-5. He is minus-20 since Feb. 16.

Coach John Tortorella agreed in the bigger picture, these games are tough. As he said. "I can't wait till this (bleep) is over.'' But he said he does not agree that you give in to a situation.

"It disgusts me,'' he said. I don't agree with it and I never will. You play to the bitter end. We're going to fight as a coaching staff to the bitter end, and I think players should be that way, especially in a young group that we have with the core being our leadership. They need to set an example.'

It better start tonight, which begins a back-to-back against two very motivated opponents, the Hurricanes and Capitals, who are fighting for the division title and a playoff spot.

"Obviously, we have pride,'' Boyle said. "We have to match their effort.''

Other stuff from this morning: MIke Smith is in goal again after a game against the Thrashers in which he showed some self control when it comes to handling the puck. Interesting Torts said how the coaching staff has brought Smith and the defense together for meetings to make sure both sides understand what they need from the other in terms of moving the puck. "What I've explained to him,'' Tortorella said of Smith, "is you don't have to play every puck. Sometimes you may just stop it for the D.'' ... Torts has become very high on defenseman Matt Smaby who has gotten stronger and stronger in his seven games and on Monday played a career-high 19:40. ... Mike Lundin will continue getting power play time, mostly for the experience. ... Tortorella said center Jeff Halpern has agreed to play for the United States at the world championship. ...