Vinny could sit out four preseason games

  Lightning superstar center Vinny Lecavalier, rehabbing from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, said his goal is to play the last two preseason games. He stressed that nothing has been determined, but if Lecavalier holds to that schedule, he will miss the four preseason games before the team travels to Europe.

"My goal is to play the last two games," he said of exhibitions against Eisbaren Berlin in Germany and HC Slovan in Slovakia. "We'll see before that. I can't predict how it's going to feel."

Lecavalier worked out with teammates Thursday at the Ice Sports Forum and took several slap shots and wrist shots. And while he said he was testing his new sticks, and not necessarily is shoulder, it was a good experiment, nonetheless.

"I just started again this week and it feels pretty good for slap shots and wristers," he said. "It's mostly when the puck is far away, reaching, it feels a little weak."

Lecavalier said that likely is simply a matter of re-strengthening the shoulder. He has been rehabbing five months and likely won't be cleared for contact before talking to James Andrews, the orthopedist who performed the surgery, before the European trip.

"I would like to," Lecavalier said of playing before the trip. We'll see how I feel."

In other Vinny-related news, coach Barry Melrose, who has said Lecavalier would be "the perfect captain," said he still wants to watch Lecavalier during camp before making a final decision.

"I've got some time I want to spend with him," Melrose said. "Just because you're the best player doesn't necessarily mean you're a leader. But I've been very impressed with him. I think Vinny is really maturing into that leadership role."   

Comments

[Word]

Sorry Chris I didn't see before cuts..Doh!

[Word]

Koci has to catch him first..Hell,Koci has to make the team first...lol

[Chris]

I am looking forward to seeing Matt Cooke's guts laying on the ice at the forum after a pounding from David Koci. Remember this is before cuts so Koci will probably be out there.

[Don in St. Pete]

While I don't necessarily believe Cooke was attempting to injure V4, he most certainly could have avoided V4 and gone after the guy with the puck at least. No doubt in my mind it should have been interference as least. I've seen players get suspended for cleaner hits than that one, but it's the final days of the season and the Caps are headed to the playoffs. If that happens earlier in the season, it probably get's seroius review by the league. Cooke chose to go through V4 to get to the puck cariier and not around. I have to believe he knew V4 had no idea he was about to blind side him when he was off balance. That being said Cooke was just playing his game and not intenionally attempting to injure V4.

[rbc]

whether it was dirty or not, your best player is laying on the ice, nothing happened. This year i am sure it will be different. Thats my point.

[Steve R]

"was Cooke even AIMING for V4?"

Great question leo. Sure didn't look like it to me. Cooke was making a bee line for the other guy and V4 got in the way. It sucks, but it wasn't dirty.

[rbc]

agreed leo, but every now and then it would be nice when the chirpie little punks run their mouth they have to back it up and not skate away, V4 does back it up without the diving also.

[ajax]

The star of your team fighting is great right up until he gets his hand hurt, then, oops shoulda let the fighters fight and the goal scorers score goals. Once a year should be plenty for Vinny.
I hear the Canadi(a)ns are retiring Roy's number. The inside scoop is they really want him to come out of retirement and play 40-50 games to give Price a better chance of holding his own in the NHL vs. the AHL. Just the rumor I hear, don't jump on me. I don't make the news I only report the news.

[léo]

While Kincaid may be laying it on a bit thick, was Cooke even AIMING for V4?
People get hurt. It happens. So welcome to hockey, Turtle.
As for V4 fighting and Crosby not, rbc, I should point out that those players are not MEANT to be fighting.
I'd rather have a Crosby "sissy" on the ice than a V4 "who can take care of himself" in the penalty-box.
MO.
P.

[rbc]

Unlike sissy boy crosby, V4 can take care of himself. He dropped gloves against chara twice, let not forget e cairns and many other players, he can take care of himself. One of the few superstars that dont take jabs at players and then when a melee brakes out goes scampering off, like cindy crosby and the rest of them sissies.

[Nan]

Well said VOTT. I hope our boys make Mr Cooke pay for that one. Mr Cooke may not have intentionally hurt Vinny but he did intend to hit him. The Caps were desperate to win that game and that meant taking out our top gun.

Hey Barry, there is no other choice for captain! And you did say you knew who it was going to be during the town hall meeting.

[geo]

Keep laughing when the run away freight
train is let loose on the caps

[KIncaid]

Cry me a river VOTT. That was hardly a cheap shot and it was V's fault as much as anything for putting himself in that slot.

And retribution from who on the Bolts??Lol

[rbc]

we will be playing the pens soon enough, be interesting to see if mr cooke deals with some retribution. That being said, not long now until the season starts, can't wait. Go bolts. V4 will wear the C.

The newfound indecision is curious, in light of Melrose's having announced months ago at the Palace, the day they signed VL to the big contract, that he had already made his decision. And let's face it, life is full of difficult decisions...this just isn't one of them. It'll probably be the easiest no-brainer decision he'll make in his entire long, happy, championship-filled tenure here as coach

[Jim-NJ]

In regards to V4's leadership: He needs to spend time with Dave. Andrechuk is the highest standard of what a skipper needs to be and anything less is unacceptable for a successful team. Not that Vinny isn't a leader, but he's not a Stevie Y and I for one belive he could be with the right mentors. Of the few things I can say about Melrose is that he does have a strong voice and I hope Vinny adopts that.

[Voice of the Turtle]

I read about Vinny's problem of dealing with his shoulder, and I consider the sheer virtuosity of this excellent player, his amazing potential, and his outstanding character. Then I think about the no-talent punk from the Caps who callously knocked a superstar out of the game and nearly wrecked a great career.

It was an egregious cheap shot for which he never got a suspension. He went on to play while a hockey giant was sent to the operating table. And, now, these many months later, Vincent Lecavalier is still struggling to get back into the game.

It seems so irritatingly unfair. Perhaps one day the NHL office will rid itself of the plastic political characters who now run the show and attain some modicum of responsible leadership to deal with issues of this kind.

[Thunderbug]

His shoulder looked fine at Flemings last Saturday! lol. Take it easy V4. I am heading to Prague and paid for great seats to watch you and the gang play. Make sure you're ready for that please!

GO BOLTS!!!

[vickie]

How about Paul Ranger. Can we get an update on him too Please :)

[mcgz]

Vinny needs to get completely healthy before getting back on the ice during a game period. No need to risk further injury if the shoulder is not healed completely or strong enough to compete at a high level.