Career decisions for Lecavalier

Had an interesting talk with Kent Hughes, the agent for Lightning star Vinny Lecavalier. He said he is keeping track of all the changes coming to the Tampa Bay organization -- Oren Koules' OK Hockey taking ownership and Barry Melrose apparently taking over as coach -- but said he does not believe it will affect the team's commitment to sign Lecavalier to a long-term deal.

More than that, Hughes said his impression is the Lightning wants Lecavalier "to finish his career with the organization."

"I've had no specific conversations," Hughes added, "but the inferences I've drawn is the team's intention is to keep Vinny in the organization. Whether that is with a series of contracts or one contract, it's too early to tell."

Lightning general manager Jay Feaster has said the Lightning wants to lock Lecavalier in. Koules is believed to want the same, preferably before Lecavalier becomes a free agent after next season. Teams can sign their players to extensions beginning July 1.

That the Lightning will work to lock in Lecavalier for the rest of his career is not earth-shattering news; it really is a no-brainer. But it is the first time it has been publicly stated. That should be welcomed news for Lightning fans who are watching the reshaping of their team and aren't quite sure at this point where all the chips will land. And after the trade of Brad Richards, keeping Lecavalier is probably like throwing a life line to fans who have suffered through the free fall.

Hughes reiterated what Lecavalier has said before.

"Vinny," he said, "wants to stay in Tampa."

Now, can I please start my vacation? 

Torts, Melrose? Time to end guessing game

I'm in New York through next week visiting family, so this will be my last post for a bit. But now that it appears Oren Koules and Len Barrie are all but a lock to be approved as the Lightning's next owners, it seems time to address the coaching situation; not when approval comes at the June 18 board of governors meeting, but now.

It would do both the team and coach John Tortorella some good.

Consider the team, which has to make personnel decisions this summer based on what kind of style the Lightning will play. If Torts is still the coach, it will play one way, if not (and the so-far undenied rumor is that Barry Melrose is ready to jump in), perhaps it plays another. Not all players do as well in every system. As for Torts, the guy helped lead the team to the 2004 Stanley Cup title. He was coach of the year. The team went to four straight postseasons with him behind the bench, give him his freedom, if that is the plan, and give him as much time as he needs to look for a new job.

Not that Torts will be out of work for long. The Senators, Maple Leafs and Sharks have been mentioned as possible landing areas. Another job also would take Tampa Bay off the hook for the $1.3-million left for the last season of Tortorella's contract.

The point is, everything goes smoother once the elephant in the room is shooed away. As it is now, the only part of the equation with any traction are persistent rumors that Melrose, the ESPN analyst, former Kings coach and friend of Koules, is waiting in the wings.

With the ownership situation all but wrapped up, there seems no reason to wait in announcing the direction the organization wants to go.

    

Koules says meeting a success; one step to go

The NHL declined to comment, but if the smiles on the faces of Oren Koules and Len Barrie were an indication Thursday, they could have control of the team by the June 20-21 draft.

Koules, the Hollywood producer, and Barrie, the former NHLer turned real estate developer, met for 60 minutes with the NHL's executive committee at its Sixth Avenue offices in New York. Koules called the meeting "a very good step" and Barrie said, "We're excited."

The last step in OK Hockey's proposed $200-million purchase of the Lightning is a June 18 vote by the league's board of governors, which must approve the transfer of ownership from Palace Sports & Entertainment. The board takes its cue from the committee.

That's why the meeting was so important and probably why Koules and Barrie seemed a bit nervous going into the meeting. I was in New York, anyway, visiting family, so I arranged to meet them on the street in front of the NHL offices.

Koules was wearing a blue suit, a white shirt and a metallic-blue print tie. Not remarkable in and of itself, but Koules made it seem as if he prefers more comfortable clothes. "It's the last time you'll see that,'' he said as he smoothed the garments.

Too bad, though, I was not allowed to actually go into the offices. I got as far as the 15th-floor lobby when Bernadette Mansur, the league's senior VP for communications, politely told me the NHL never comments on pending transactions and maybe I should visit the NHL store on street level.

Spent the next hour standing on the sidewalk in front of the building, waiting for the meeting to end. There was nowhere to sit in the building lobby, and it was such a fine day (75 degrees, no humidity, light wind), I figured I'd rather wait outside, where I was approached by numerous people trying to sell me prepaid phone cards and was able to watch a fleet of fire trucks answer what apparently was a false alarm on the next street over.

But enough of the scene setting. Koules, Barrie and Palace Sports CEO Tom Wilson came out and talked briefly before getting in their hired cars. All were positive about the process going forward. They said questions were pointed about the financing. OK Hockey apparently has come up with about $100-million. The other $100-million is being financed by Palace Sports and Galatioto Sports Partners, a New York sports investment bank.

There were broader questions about why Koules and Barrie want to and, more broadly, about why they want to buy an NHL team.

"It was a good meeting," Koules said. "There weren't any questions out of left field. We're excited, hopefully, to take the next step."

"It was very positive,'' Wilson said.  "We're going forward."

   

Koules likely faces the NHL Thursday

We apparently have reached another milestone moment in the proposed sale of the Lightning to Oren Koules as the Hollywood producer on Thursday is expected to meet in New York with the NHL's executive committee. Why is this important? Because the committee has the information about the league's due diligence regarding Koules (left) and primary partner Len Barrie, a former NHLer and a developer in Victoria, British Columbia. The committee also will recommend to the league's board of governors whether to approve the transfer of ownership from Palace Sports & Entertainment. The board, which is scheduled to vote June 18, usually acts on the committee's recommendations.

Palace Sports CEO Tom Wilson also is expected to attend. Neither committee members nor Koules, Barrie or Wilson are expected to make any statements, though that Koules' group has gotten this far in the process would seem positive.

Koules' OK Hockey includes Barrie, Koules' business partner Mark Berg, California banker Russell Belinsky and several unnamed minority investors from the Tampa Bay area. The $200-million deal for the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and about 5.5 acres of nearby land, includes about $100-million in financing. It is believed slightly more than half is coming from Galatioto Sports Partners, a New York sports investment bank. The rest is coming from Palace Sports.

With the June 18 vote, Koules is hoping to have control of the team by the June 20-21 draft. But if the recent contract negotiations with Russian power forward Evgeny Artyukhin were an indication, Koules already is hip-deep in team business. Artyukhin's agent, Mark Gandler, said Wednesday that Koules' phone call, in which he explained to Gandler how Artyukhin could be used (on a crash line with center Chris Gratton and wing Nick Tarnasky), was crucial in the agreement on a two-year deal. Gandler said Koules also canvassed some players to ask about Artyukhin. It is believed one was Vinny Lecavalier.

Said Gandler: "It was good for Oren to get involved. He refreshed the negotiations. His intervention ... was beneficial and necessary."

By the way, Lecavalier, finally out of his sling after surgery on his right shoulder for a torn labrum, will be honored for his community service at tonight's Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final in Pittsburgh.

[Ken Helle, Times files]

This can't be good

If it is bad luck to touch the trophies teams win on their way to the Stanley Cup, what kind of luck can these guys from the Spokane Chiefs expect after they BROKE the Memorial Cup while celebrating their Canadian Hockey league junior championship.

The best part of this video is the crowd reaction after these guys fumble the trophy, so turn up your volume a bit.

Enjoy.

Welcome to Stamkos' world

Steve Stamkos, by all accounts, is a great kid. I have to tell you, I was skeptical when I started calling his family, friends, teachers, scouts and former coaches to fill me in. I had heard before Stamkos was kind-of a golden child; good student, humble, thoughtful and a great player. Surely, no one is that good. But more than a dozen interviews later, I'm convinced.

If character counts for anything, Stamkos, 18, is just what the Lightning is looking for as it prepares to make him the No. 1 overall pick of next month's draft. As Blue Jackets scout Andrew Shaw said in today's paper, "This is one of the most special kids I have ever come across, and I've been around the game for 20 years."

Shaw should know. He billeted Stamkos in Sarnia, where Stamkos played for two seasons as a junior and scored 100 goals in 124 games, and told stories about how Stamkos bonded with his foster kids and how he never refused a kid who came to the door asking for autographs.

Dave Turner, the athletic director at Brother Andre Catholic High School, from which Stamkos will graduate on time in the top 20 percent of his class, said Stamkos never even has been sent to the principal's office, "Unless (the principal) wanted an autograph."

So, read the story and I think you'll get a good feel for what this kid is about. I have so much material on Stamkos, much of it did not get into the paper. Here is some more:

- Joe Bowen is the Maple Leafs radio voice and has known the Stamkos family, which lives in Unionville, a suburb of the town of Markham near Toronto. He even plays softball with Stamkos' father Chris. Asked if there was anything more we should know about the kid that hasn't been written, Bowen told the story of how Chris' team of older players "beat the pants" off Stamkos' team of youngsters in a local softball league.

- Stamkos support system was overwhelming, from his parents, Chris and Lesley, to his community league coaches, especially a man named Paul Titanic, who coached Stamkos from ages 9-15. Stamkos said it was Titanic who first taught him to play a complete game and be responsible on defense. Chris and Lesley said Titanic fostered the right culture on his teams.

"We had a team of good people," Titanic said. "One thing that we did, myself and the manager of the team (Stephen Gaunce), we demanded the kids be respectful of everybody and everything involved in the game, to the referees, to their own teammates and coaches. That was huge for us, that they were respectful and unselfish."

Lesley couldn't say enough.

"Paul Titanic taught these kids at a very young age how to behave on and off the ice," she said. "We just sort of supported that and it seemed to compliment each other. We were both on the same page when it came to school work and hockey and how they handled themselves off the ice, respecting adults and respecting the players. We've been very fortunate."

Titanic put the credit right back on the parents. He also credited Stamkos for understanding what it takes.

"When you're the best of the best, and you're still behaving respectfully, and unselfishly, Steven was the lead guy with that," Titanic said.

- Funny story about Stamkos' grandmother Mary Walker, who, with husband, Joe, used to have a place in Seffner. In fact, when Stamkos was 2, he made his only trip to Florida to see his grandparents (the parents of Lesley) and the family made a stop at St. Pete Beach, which is where the baby picture of Stamkos that ran in today's paper was taken.

Anyway, Mary and Joe eventually sold their place in Seffner. Mary, Lesley said, is a huge hockey fan and bought the OHL television package to make sure she saw all of Stamkos' games for Sarnia. Lesley said when Mary heard her grandson likely would be drafted by the Lightning, "She was quite upset that she sold her place."

- Stamkos is so respectful that when I asked him what he preferred, Steve or Steven, he left it up to me. So, here was the calculation. His parents always have call him Steven. His buddies and teammates, he said, always call him Steve. Since I'll be seeing him more around the rink, I called him Steve.

- He wears No. 91 because 19 already was taken when he got to Sarnia. He chose 19 originally because he likes Joe Sakic. He said he likely will stick with 91 in Tampa if he makes the team. Good idea, considering some of the raw feelings about the trade of Brad Richards, who wore 19.

- Here are some words to live by from Stamkos:

On handling the hype: "That's one of the major things that can help you  be successful in life is if you don't get caught up in all the media attention and, in my particular case, the rankings coming out and stuff like that. Just stay focused on my game and try to help the team win."

On finishing high school: "That was very important. Once again my parents are pretty strict on the education part of it. And when it came to Sarnia, that was an organization that took schooling very important. There were consequences if you weren't passing your classes. It resulted in less ice time or missing a game or a practice, something of that magnitude. So, in my whole career, education has been very important to me."

On the web site the Lightning has set up touting his coming: "I thought it was pretty funny at first. I actually didn't think they were the ones who put it up. I thought it was just a web site some fans had put together. But once I realized Tampa had put it up, I thought it was pretty cool. It's great to see what they're doing to get fans excited, and I hope they end up taking me."

On who is going to the draft in Ottawa: "I got a whole bunch of people. I think my family ordered 100 tickets; tons of family, tons of buddies and friends. It's going to be a great experience."

On his expectations: "Well, obviously, my main goal right now is to, hopefully, play in the National Hockey League. Like you said, anything can happen between now and the draft. But if Tampa does select me, it would be a great honor for me and, hopefully, I can go in there and prove that I can play at the next level and, hopefully, stick with the team for the whole season as an 18-year-old."

It was a fun few days for me talking to Stamkos and his family and hearing the stories and learning a little bit about a kid whom the Lightning is counting on. Can't wait to see him on the ice.

            

Artyukhin agreement official, contract to wait

As expected the Lightning and big Russian Evgeny Artyukhin struck an agreement Friday on a two-year contract.

"I am more relieved than anything that we have finally concluded this discussion that we've had for two years," Gandler said.

It was unclear how much Artyukhin will be paid, but the 6-foot-5, 254-pound wing had asked for $1-million a season. At one point Thursday, the sides were believed to be about $100,000 apart.

Artyukhin, whom Tampa Bay drafted 94th overall in 2001, last played for the Lightning in 2005-06. He has played in Russia the past two seasons because of the contract dispute. He had eight goals, 14 assists and 282 penalty minutes in 67 games in his homeland.

All that is left is for Artyukhin to sign, but that won't happen until July 1. Because Artyukhin is a restricted free agent who did not play for his parent team last season, he cannot sign until July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Gandler said he has asked the NHL Players' Association to review the rule next week with the NHL to perhaps carve out an exception.

It is believed prospective owner Oren Koules wants Artyukhin to play on a line with center Chris Gratton, who also must be re-signed, and Nick Tarnasky.

"Arty," Gandler said, "is very excited." 

Artyukhin, Lightning expect agreement Friday

Both the Lightning and the agent for Russian freight train Evgeny Artyukhin said Thursday night they expect an agreement on Artyukhin's contract will be reached on Friday.

"I have to say I am very optimistic that things will get resolved (Friday),'' agent Mark Gandler said. And Tampa Bay spokesman Bill Wickett said he expects "an agreement in principle."

But because of a collective bargaining agreement rule, Artyukhin, 25, a 6-5, 254-pound wing who has played the past two seasons in Russia, cannot be signed until July 1. Rule 50.8(d) states a restricted free agent such as Artyukhin, not under contract in a previous season, cannot sign until July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

It is believed the deal will be for two years. Artyukhin has asked for $1-million a season. It was unclear if the demands were met.

Artyukhin was the 94th overall draft pick in 2001. His only season with Tampa Bay was 2005-06. He has spent the past two seasons playing in his homeland while negotiations stalled. We'll have more on this in Friday's paper.

Lecavalier honored for community service

A nice honor for Vinny from the NHL. Here is the release sent out by the league:

The National Hockey League Foundation today announced that Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier and Canucks center Trevor Linden are co-recipients of the 10th annual NHL Foundation Player Award in recognition of their commitment and service to charities in their communities.  It is the first time that two players have been selected to receive the award.  The NHL Foundation will present $25,000 to the Vinny Lecavalier Foundation on behalf of Lecavalier and $25,000 to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice on behalf of Linden.  Both players will be honored at a special NHL Awards presentation on Wednesday, May 28 at 2:00 p.m., ET, at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, prior to Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.    

“We are honored to award both Vinny and Trevor with the 2008 NHL Foundation Player Award,” said Bernadette Mansur, Executive Director, NHL Foundation.  “Their dedication to helping others is a great example of the commitment all our NHL players have in giving to their communities.”

In October 2007, Vincent Lecavalier announced a $3-million commitment to build The Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL.  Scheduled to open in 2009, the Center will be one of the largest pediatric cancer centers in Florida, occupying half of the seventh floor in the new All Children’s Hospital.  Its 26,500 square-feet will include 28 individual patient rooms with accommodations for parents to stay overnight with their child. Patients receiving life-saving blood or marrow transplants can also be cared for in these rooms. Playrooms will include an area specifically geared toward adolescent-aged patients.  The entire Center is designed with a special HEPA-filtered positive pressure airflow system, allowing young patients whose immune systems may be suppressed due to chemotherapy the chance to move freely about the unit rather than being restricted to their rooms.  More than half of the funds will be gifted through the Foundation by Lecavalier and Foundation legacy partners.  The remaining dollars will be raised through the community and Foundation efforts such as Lecavalier's annual Texas Hold’Em Celebrity Poker Tournament, which has netted more than $250,000 in its first two years.   

Drafted by the Lightning in 1998, Lecavalier always has made community giving and charitable work a part of his career.  He partnered with Kane's Furniture to create an on-ice performance initiative to benefit All Children’s Hospital.  For every goal he scores at home, Lecavalier and Kane’s Furniture donate $1,000; for each assist, $300.  Due to his on-ice success during the 2007-08 season, this year’s $32,000 contribution surpassed all previous years.  To date, Lecavalier and Kane’s Furniture have donated more than $120,000 to All Children’s Hospital.

In 2003, Lecavalier created the Vinny Lecavalier Foundation, which was formed to stimulate the positive development of youth and families in the Tampa Bay, FL and Rimouski, QC communities through charitable outreach projects.  In partnership with Kane’s Furniture and DEX Imaging, Inc. of Tampa, the foundation has contributed significantly to local children’s hospitals and charities through contributions and personal support. 

“Even at a young age, my parents, Yvon and Christiane, always stressed to me the importance of helping others,” Lecavalier said. “Through the lessons they taught me I had the opportunity to learn so much about the important things in life, such as being a giving person. Since the day I became a member of the Tampa Bay community 10 years ago, I knew I wanted to find an important project to focus my energies on. The pediatric cancer center at All Children’s Hospital is that place, where special people are working tirelessly to have a life-changing impact on our community’s most precious commodity – the children.  I am honored to share this recognition with Trevor, and I’m humbled by the opportunity I have to help make a difference for those in need.”

Linden has played the majority of his 20-year career with the Canucks and continues to be regarded as a heroic and endearing leader to Canuck fans both on and off the ice.  He has earned this respect by continually exhibiting commitment to his team and the community of British Columbia. 

Since 2004, he has been the Honorary Chair of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Cops for Cancer bike tours helping to raise more than $8 million for pediatric cancer care and research. Linden was a spokesperson for preventative cancer care campaign with the Canadian Cancer Society throughout BC focusing on the themes of “Eat Well, Be Active, and Use Sun Sense,” and will participate in a BC Cancer Foundation’s June 1st Westside Cycling Classic fundraiser for cancer research with Olympic Cycling medalist great Axel Merckx.  He also is involved in the B.C. Sports Celebrities Festival to honor and raise funds for B.C. Special Olympians and created PSA’s and a print campaign for $1 million dollar BC Children’s Hospital Foundation Jeans Day fundraiser and the Superheroes Capital Campaign, a $200 million initiative that offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a legacy for BC’s children.  He has lent his name to the Michael Cuccione Foundation’s Skate for a Cure for pediatric cancer research and the Terry Fox Family’s Fundraiser, all due to his personal motivation to make a difference for the children of British Columbia.  Through his foundation, the Trevor Linden Foundation, and an annual golf tournament, he granted more than $650,000 to Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtimes, a camp for children and their families living with cancer located in Mission, B.C. Funds were used to construct a gymnasium for the children and it was named in his honor.

Throughout the 2007-08 season, Linden continued his charitable initiatives in the B.C. area by joining his team in many fundraising initiatives for the Canucks for Kids Fund.  He attended the Dice & Ice Charity Gala in support of BC Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and was a key spokesperson for the Canucks for Kids Fund Telethon.  He also participated in the Canucks SuperSkills competition which raised $120,000 for KidsSport BC and Ronald McDonald House of BC and the Jake Milford Canucks Charity Golf Invitational which benefitted both the B.C. Hockey Benevolent Association and the Canucks for Kids Fund.  Through his support of these initiatives over the past 20 years Linden has helped the Canucks for Kids Fund raise more than $25 million in support of BC children’s charities.

Aside from donating his time and resources to raise money for charitable organizations, Linden also makes an active effort to visit children and families at Canuck Place, BC Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House of BC.  The entire team joined him in November 2007 for a visit to BC Children’s Hospital, where they were able to meet young patients and their families.  Linden is known to welcome children he has met during these visits to General Motors Place to visit after games with their parents and siblings.

“I am honored to receive this award and share it with Vincent, knowing that two charities will benefit from this National Hockey League initiative,” said Linden.  “My profession has offered me the privilege and opportunity to give back to children, particularly those with cancer and life-limiting illnesses. My parents, Lane and Edna, instilled in my brothers and I the desire to help those around in need and I am grateful for that gift.  My wife Cristina and I find joy in giving back to children and families of British Columbia as this is our community and the place we both live and work.  The experiences of spending time and listening to the stories of children in need has had a profound impact on my life and taught me to keep my eyes open to those in need.  These children have taught me the magic of living. The little things that we worry about in life seem very inconsequential when you know there are children struggling to live.  I would like to thank the children of BC and feel very blessed to be recognized for assisting them in the obstacles they face.”

Throughout his career, Linden has often quietly and always consistently continued to embody the spirit of community in Vancouver.  TELUS recently honored him with the TELUS Community Champion Award at the 42nd Annual Sport BC Athlete of the Year awards.  The award is presented to the “athlete who through his/her involvement and achievement in sports and community has inspired others to get involved.”

In its 10th year, the NHL Foundation Player Award recognizes an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey – commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community. Past recipients honored for their charitable work were: Joe Sakic (2007); Marty Turco (2006); Jarome Iginla (2004); Darren McCarty (2003); Ron Francis (2002); Olaf Kolzig (2001); Adam Graves (2000); Rob Ray (1999); and Kelly Chase (1998).

The NHL Foundation judging panel consists of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman; NHL Senior Vice President, Communications and NHL Foundation Executive Director Bernadette Mansur and NHL Vice President of Community & Diversity Programming Kenneth Martin, Jr.

Lightning sale heading into home stretch

The seemingly never-ending process that would finally finish the proposed sale of the Lightning might actually be coming to a conclusion in the next few weeks as the league's board of governors likely will vote on the transfer of ownership at its June 18 meeting in New York. Approval of the sale by Palace Sports & Entertainment would give Hollywood producer Oren Koules and his OK Hockey Group control of the team by the June 20-21 draft.

The key, though, will be Wednesday's meeting of the board's executive committee, which will interview the prospective buyers. Why is that meeting so important? Because it does the leg work for the entire board, which likely will vote whatever recommendation the executive committee makes. If approval is given by a three-fourths vote and the financial deal wraps up, the team finally will have new owners.

It's been quite a process since Absolute Hockey Enterprises, of which Koules was a member, originally agreed to buy the team in August. That deal fell apart amidst money issues and infighting among the investors. Koules then put together OK Hockey, which also includes former NHLer Len Barrie, Koules' business partner Mark Berg, California banker Russell Belinsky and several unnamed minority investors from the Tampa Bay area. All in all, the sale of the team, if it is finally wrapped up, will have taken more than 10 months.

The good news for the organization and fans is the team may finally have a direction. We already have seen signs of that with the negotiations to bring back big Russian Evgeny Artyukhin to be on a proposed crash line with center Chris Gratton and Nick Tarnasky. But we finally will know if coach John Tortorella will be back for the last year of his contract, if GM Jay Feaster will be back, and exactly what kind of team Koules and Barrie want. We already know Koules wants Steve Stamkos with the No. 1 pick in the draft, and he wants to sign Vinny Lecavalier to a long-term deal. After that, well, it's anyone's guess as Koules, at the request of commissioner Gary Bettman, has not spoken to reporters.

So, hang on a little while longer. With Palace Sports and Galatioto Sports Partners, a New York sports investment bank, financing about half the $200-million deal, the process seems to be coming to a close.      

Is Artyukhin deal getting close?

Back from vacation for a two-week spurt before heading to New York for 10 days to see family, so there should be a bit more blog activity here the next little while.

So, let's talk Evgeny Artyukhin.

As we read recently http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article511023.ece, the Lightning (well, prospective owner Oren Koules, anyway) wants the Big Russian as part of a crash line that will include center Chris Gratton and Nick Tarnasky. The problem is Artyukhin's agent Mark Gandler has been consistent asking for $1-million a season for whatever length the contract might be, an amount Lightning GM Jay Feaster has declined to meet the past two seasons. Consequently, Artyukhin, 6 feet 5 and at least 254 pounds, has played in Russia.

Gandler, who had proposed a two-year deal he said was to prove his client was serious about joining Tampa Bay, also has said he is getting pressure from Russian teams trying to put next season's rosters together and would love to keep Artyukhin in his homeland. So if Artyukhin is to be signed by the Lightning, we might hear something sooner rather than later. The scuttlebutt is the sides are still talking. The question is, can they bridge the gap and the dug-in heels that developed during two years of failed negotiations?

Doing so would give Tampa Bay the potential of a formidable physical presence, from one line at least. You missed that last season, didn't you? Too many nights the game was played, as coach John Tortorella said, like a ballet. The league did not make it any easier with such an inconsistent standard from its referees on penalty calls. But didn't you love the hard-hitting, fight-filled game with the Canucks? A game the Lightning won, by the way.

Constructing the line also is a plan, one that Koules likes. Since he seems as if he and former NHLer Len Barrie will be running the team by the June 20-21 draft in Ottawa, it is a plan I would guess we will see take shape.      

Open thread

Hi everyone
Things quiet on the Lightning beat for the moment, but the playoffs are getting to crunch time and 'tis the season for coaching changes, so we wanted to give you a fresh place to discuss.
Talk amongst yourselves.

Memories of Philly and overtimes

With the marathon Stars-Sharks game the other night and the beginning of the Pens-Flyers series, thought you might be interested in this  from the Philadelphia Daily News. Those of you who might have seen this game certainly won't forget.

Details on Halpern

Presume you've all seen this elsewhere on the site, but in case you've missed it, here is the full-length Halpern story. Sounds like he pretty much trashed every ligament there is to trash.

Philly columnist on Prospal's contribution

Interesting column here out of Philly that talks about what Vinny Prospal has brought to the Flyers.

Halpern update: Team says surgery likely

This news release just arrived from the Lightning. No confirmation on the ACL, but the fact that the team is acknowledging surgery is likely would seem to square with the early reports. Here's the release:

TAMPA BAY - Tampa Bay Lightning center Jeff Halpern has suffered a right knee injury that is expected to require surgery, it was announced by Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Jay Feaster. Halpern sustained the injury during the third period of Team USA’s 5-4 loss against Canada at the IIHF World Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia yesterday. Halpern is serving as captain of Team USA at the tournament.

            Under the direction of the Lightning medical staff, Halpern will travel to Washington, D.C. today to see Dr. Benjamin Shaffer, team physician for the Washington Capitals. Dr. Shaffer performed surgery on Halpern’s left knee in 2002 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). More information will be available following the results of an MRI and the evaluation by Dr. Shaffer.

Report: Halpern has torn ACL

No verification (or denial) from the team, but TSN is reporting that center Jeff Halpern has a badly torn ACL and will need reconstructive surgery. TSN doesn't attribute the information to anyone, and it's likely Halpern will be flown back to Tampa to be evaluated, so take all that for what it's worth. To see the story, click here.

The recuperation time for that sort of injury/surgery is generally measured in months, making it seemingly unlikely Halpern would be in uniform for the beginning of the season.

Keep checking back, as we'll update as soon as we have more information.

Lightning center Halpern injured in U.S. hockey team's loss to Canada

The United States tried to keep up with rival Canada on Tuesday at the world championships. And the Americans did -- until the final minute.

Dany Heatley scored the winning goal with 46.8 seconds left to lift Canada to a 5-4 victory in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

It was Heatley's second goal of the game.

"We didn't want to wait until the last minute, but we'll take it," said Heatley, who scored his fifth and sixth goals of the tournament.

"In the last minute of periods, we hurt ourselves," U.S. and Lightning coach John Tortorella said.

Meanwhile, U.S. captain and Lightning center Jeff Halpern injured his right knee during the game, Tampa Bay spokesman Bill Wickett said.

Halpern is not expected to play in the Americans' next game, set for Thursday. He will have a full evaluation today, Wickett said, and the team plans to issue a full report.

For the Canadians (3-0), Brent Burns, Jonathan Toews and Derek Roy also scored, and Cam Ward stopped 29 shots.

"We played really hard right to the end," Canada's Ryan Getzlaf said. "We take pride in those kind of wins. We were raised that way."

Zach Parise, Patrick O'Sullivan, Dustin Brown and Jason Pominville scored for the Americans (2-1), who were praised by Tortorella. "I thought they played their a---- off."

After the Americans fell behind early, Parise and O'Sullivan scored 2:17 apart to cut the lead to 3-2.

"I think we showed a lot of people that we're capable of playing at the same level as these guys," O'Sullivan said.

The Canadians extended their lead to 4-2 on a goal by Roy at 3:29 of the third period. He slammed a pass by Shane Doan past Craig Anderson, who replaced Tim Thomas after the second intermission.

"We don't necessarily rely on the pretty play; we don't rely on one individual guy," Doan said. "As a unit we're pretty solid, and we can count on our depth. If it takes 60 minutes, it takes 60 minutes."

Brown and Pominville scored 36 seconds apart on the power play to erase that lead.

In Quebec City, Capitals teammates Alex Ovechkin and Sergei Fedorov each scored, helping Russia (3-0) defeat Denmark 4-1.

Compiled from Times wires

Radio show changes venues

Not what you'd call earth-shattering news, but with not much going on these days as the Lightning waits for the draft, we'll pass along what little nuggets we get.

In this case, it's that the weekly Lightning radio show will move its location. According to a team news release, the show, Lightning Hockey Night, will broadcast live at a different Ker’s WingHouse location each week until July 2.  The show airs from 7-8 p.m. each Wednesday and is hosted by television play-by-play announcer Rick Peckham as well as former captain Dave Andreychuk.

There are nine scheduled dates for Lightning Hockey Night at the WingHouse with the first one this Wednesday at WingHouse of Palm Harbor near the intersection of US 19 and Alderman Road.  Other locations include WingHouse St. Petersburg (May 14), Brandon (May 21), Tampa (May 28), Largo (June 4), Lakeland (June 11), Pinellas Park (June 18), Bradenton (June 25) and New Port Richey (July 2).

Will Vinny be ready for training camp?

Apparently, it is going to be a closer call than what the team acknowledged after his April 15 arthroscopic procedure on his right shoulder. Tampa Bay declared a 12- to 15-week "recovery period," but Lecavalier this week said his understanding is it will be five to six months before he is completely healed. He said it will be 12 to 15 weeks before he can work out without restrictions but five to six months before he can be cleared for contact.

As Lecavalier said, "That puts us into September."

And that could start bumping into training camp. Lecavalier, though, said he is in great hands with assistant trainer Jason Serbus, who is monitoring his rehab. Lecavalier said he can move his arm forward and sideways about 90 degrees, but reaching backwards is a problem. I thought the most telling things from today's story were that the pain has been so bad from the surgery that sleeping five hours straight was a blessing, and that he uses a golf club to help his rehab because his right arm still does not have enough strength. He holds the shaft of the club in his left hand and pushes the head of the club into his right to get some lift.

He also said he is not sure about having an arthroscopic procedure on his right wrist because the rehab on his right shoulder will be so extensive that, "I Just want to get this right." He said he played most of the season with the painful wrist, though it did not worsen, so he might just forgo that procedure all together, if he can.

That point brings up some other topics. Some of you have blogged as to your distaste that Lecavalier was even playing in the April 3 game against the Capitals in which he was hurt. It was a strange circumstance as Lecavalier was scheduled to have the wrist surgery on April 4. But as we know, Lecavalier was hurt against Washington on a questionable check by Matt Cooke.

But Lecavalier said he considered not playing only for "a fraction of a second. ... To tell you the truth. I play because the year is not over yet. That's why I play. I just care. You want to finish the season with your teammates, and that's the most important thing. ... There was talk. The surgery would have been the next morning. I said, 'Let me just play the last game against Washington. Let's do it like that.' ''

As for the hit by Cooke, who apparently was trying to hit puck-carrying Michel Ouellet but hit Lecavalier skating next to him, Lecavalier said he, kind of, doesn't believe it was intentional. Still, he said, "The way I looked at it on tape, (Ouellet) was right behind me with the puck, and (Cooke) is coming at 100 mph. He's not the cleanest player in the league. He's a dirty player. But I think it was just a combination of at the last second trying to go around me but hitting me at the same time, and me pulling up my arm to protect myself. That's what made it."

Whatever the circumstances, Lecavalier may have a tough time being ready for the start of training camp. But as GM Jay Feaster said in a statement, "We remain confident that Vinny will be ready to join us at the beginning of the 2008-09 season."

Our awards ballot

If you're a subscriber to the newspaper you've already seen this list, but we're aware not everyone on here gets the paper. Damian is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. As such, he has a ballot in the various NHL awards and honors voting. This is a look at his ballot, which had to be turned in after the conclusion of the regular season but before the start of the postseason.
Hart Trophy, MVP
1. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
2. Evgeni Malkin, Penguins
3. Martin Brodeur, Devils
4. Jarome Iginla, Flames
5. Evgeni Nabokov, Sharks
Norris Trophy
Best defenseman
1. Dion Phaneuf, Flames
2. Nicklas Lidstrom,
Red Wings
3. Zdeno Chara, Bruins
4. Brian Campbell, Sharks
5. Sergei Gonchar, Penguins
Calder Trophy
Top rookie
1. Tobias Enstrom, Thrashers
2. Patrick Kane, Blackhawks
3. Nicklas Backstrom,
Capitals
4. Peter Mueller, Coyotes
5. Carey Price, Canadiens
Lady Byng Trophy Sportsmanship
and gentlemanly
conduct
1. Pavel Datsyuk, Red Wings
2. Paul Stastny, Avalanche
3. Daymond Langkow, Flames
4. Brad Boyes, Blues
5. Brad Richards, Stars
Selke Trophy
Best defensive
forward
1. Pavel Datsyuk, Red Wings
2. P.J. Axelsson, Bruins
3. Henrik Zetterberg,
Red Wings
4. John Madden, Devils
5. Eric Perrin, Thrashers
All-Star team
Center: Evgeni Malkin, Penguins; Joe Thornton, Sharks; Pavel Datsyuk, Red Wings
Right wing: Jarome Iginla, Flames; Daniel Alfredsson, Senators; Marian Gaborik, Wild
Left wing: Alex Ovechkin, Capitals; Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings; Rick Nash,
Blue Jackets
Defense: Dion Phaneuf, Flames; Nicklas Lidstrom, Red Wings; Zdeno Chara, Bruins; Brian Campbell, Sharks; Sergei Gonchar, Penguins; Scott Niedermayer, Ducks
Goalie: Evgeni Nabokov, Sharks; Martin Brodeur, Devils; Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers
All-Rookie team
Forward: Patrick Kane, Blackhawks; Peter Mueller, Coyotes; Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals
Defense: Tobias Enstrom, Thrashers; Tom Gilbert, Oilers
Goalie: Carey Price, Canadiens

World rosters have Lightning connections

The World Championship tournament starts tonight and you certainly know by now that John Tortorella is coaching the U.S. team and Jeff Halpern is the captain. But the Lightning is well represented elsewhere in the tournament as well.
Finland boasts two Lightning players: winger Jussi Jokinen and goalie Karri Ramo. Marty St. Louis is playing for Canada and Filip Kuba for the Czech Republic.
The US opens against Latvia, while Canada plays Slovakia. The Czechs face Denmark and Finland plays Germany.
The 16-team tournament continues through May 18.

Another step for Lightning sale

NHL spokesman Frank Brown said on Thursday the league has begun its due diligence into the sale of the Lightning to Oren Koules' OK Hockey. That is a crucial step for a process that got a huge boost last month when owner Palace Sports and Galatioto Sports Partners, a New York sports investment bank, agreed to  provide about half of the financing for the $200-million deal.

There is an NHL Board Of Governors meeting right after the June 20-21 draft. But Koules is hoping the league will approve transfer of ownership before that.

Not that it would make much difference in one sense. Koules has been wielding strong influence behind the scenes at least since the trade deadline.