Slovan owner: $14,000 per player if we win

Eric Assimakopoulos always has been generous with his employees. The owner of the HC Slovan hockey team, which faces the Lightning tonight in Bratislava, Slovakia, said he is trying to become the first league owner here to offer his players workman's compensation. He has bought thousands of dollars in equipment for local kids, and he said his team was the first in Slovakia to give its players championship rings.

Now, Assimakopoulos, 38, a native New Yorker and real estate investor who said he still dreams of owning the Rangers,  told the St. Petersburg Times that if HC Slovan beats Tampa Bay, he will give each of his players a 10,000 Euros bonus. That is $14,323.19 at the current exchange rate. Not bad for players Assimakopoulos said make an average of about 50,000 Euros. Multiplied over 20 players, about its $287,000.

"They were really happy," Assimakopoulos said when asked how his players reacted, adding, "If we win, who knows what I'll will do."

Lightning coach Barry Melrose shrugged when told the story.

"No. 1, I've got to see if it's true or not, but it's a good story," he said. "It's different over here. We're going to respect them. It's going to be the biggest game they ever played, just like the guys in Berlin. Our guys are good today on the ice. We have to do the same hings we've been doing and that's to get in shape and hopefully come through this game unhurt."