Halpern, Malone ready to return

Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said center Jeff Halpern likely will play Thursday at home against the Avalanche. It will be Halpern's first game action since May when he injured his right knee playing for the United States in the World Championship. The debate was whether Halpern would play a game first for AHL Norfolk. Tocchet said he would rather Halpern jump right in to the NHL game, and when Halpern said he would do whatever the team wanted, the decision was made to play him Thursday.

Tocchet said left wing Ryan Malone (upper body) also is ready to return. That is a good sign for the Lightning's puck hunting ability that Tocchet continued to question on Monday. Tocchet said the team's "tenacity on the puck" must improve.

"Maybe it's a technique thing," Tocchet said. "I hope it's not a courage thing."

The Lightning had a mini training camp Monday. It worked in split squads from 10 a.m. to noon and then at 4 p.m. for an hour on special teams. Tocchet said the message was one of repetition (there hasn't been much with all the game), getting players on the same page and, amazingly, conditioning. It isn't hard to figure out why after Saturday's awful 2-0 loss to the Senators. As Tocchet said:

"I'm probably more peeved than any game ever was that Ottawa game. It was ridiculous to have that effort. It was all set up for us to play well, and we did not. To me, you have not smart hockey players or guys who don't care. It's as blunt as it gets."

And this:

"You're caught between a rock and a hard place because you want to make sure these guys get rest. I would have loved to give a couple guys a day off, two days off because they're playing a lot of minutes. Unfortunately, they have to suffer because of bad play by other players."

As for the team's conditioning, Tocchet did not use former coach Barry Melrose's name, but said, "We still have some guys who aren't up to pace, and that starts in September and October. By this time you should go through a 40-minute practice and not breathe heavy. We have guys breathing hard."

They continue on Tuesday.

Comments

[SignGirlAmy]

Halpie is a great guy, and I think he will help this team. I saw what he did last year after the Richards trade, and he did a great job of leading a terrible team then. Best of luck to him, we still miss him in Dallas. It'd be nice to have a checking line center here...

[leo]

Nothing wrong with being cool. But like my pappy always used to say "Bein' cool won't help you in Hell, boy. Bein' FAST just might."
Be fast. Be quick. Be tuna.
Quick Tuna

[Oscar]

Ah no, I cannot lay claim to the great wit that was Tuna.
I’ve already bared my past nom de plume et al, and that should telestrate my severely limited mental faculties.
I picked up on a short burst from a Leo post the other day and was just wondering the same thing.
Whatever happened to that character?

Whichever one of us the Tuna was, Phantom thought you were cool, man.

Go Bolts!

[poledancer]

3rd line checking center is welcomed.
Hope he's able to remain consistent.

[Patrick]

Halpern was pretty much carrying the team to near competitiveness last year. Oulette finally started producing once he played with him. He scored 10 goals and 18 points in 19 games on the worst team in the league last year.

We don't so much need him to start producing like that again, but just to play the same way - drive to the net. It's what Tocchet has been preaching and probably why him wants him back so quickly. Question is whether he's able to bring that intensity again after an injury like that. Our team really needs it though. Malone can help in that department as well.

[D]

Halpern might not be an impact player on ice but he could be an impact player in that room. He's the closest thing we have to a captain. Vinny L is and probably always will be the greatest Bolt ever but I've come to seriously doubt him as a captain. You watch his body language and it's hard not to get the sense that he makes sure he works out there but no one is following him as the man they have to answer to. Does he remind anyone of Derrick Brooks in that respect or Evan Longoria? Not every great player is a leader.

[D]

I appreciate Tocchet's candor. I wish he would get more pointed. Anyone who watches this team can see that it's exactly lack of heart, character and courage out there. And it's time to dump the garbage. Names names. Vinny Prospal for one. Mr. Dump and Halfheartedly Chase It. Those are called turnovers in most NHL cities. He needs to go. Bring him back in 2 years when he's playing for his next contract. I miss Torts. He wouldn't be mincing around with these clowns.

[PD]

Keith, couldn't agree more, these guys are, uh, Professional hockey players. Is it too much to ask that they put in 20 minutes work every couple of nights?
Mind boggling.

A lot of them would be working at Publix for 5% of the income if they didn't play hockey, (not that there is anything wrong with that).

It starts and ends with your best players. Anyone watch Ovechkin play regularly?..he's 200% every shift.

Great that Halperns back, he would be a Tocchet type player but shouldn't be counted on to be an impact guy. He never was.

[keith]

If the players Tocc is referring to were everyday working stiffs like us, they would be fired for "not caring". Its a damn disgrace to be paid as much as they are to play a game, then not show up come "work time".
As far as Halpern, all we can do is hope his return is awesome. Hopes are pinned on him right now because we havent seen him play yet. Its Jeff Halpern....not the second coming.

[hyjyljyj]

Yay Halpern

One of the few bright spots from last year's pathetic outing

But the negs assured us he would NEVER return. All you naysayers who said Halpern was toast and would not play another hockey game in his life after two knee reconstructions, let's hear from you now. Where you at? Anything to say in celebration of your wrongness and in celebration of his return?

I thought not.

Cowards

[leo]

It's "Get real. Get QUICK. Get Tuna," Mikey the 13th.
You know that.
P.

[mike p]

I seriously hope they are not trying to shop him as he is one of four players on this team who plays with heart. Call him an underachiever, call him whatever you want...but he brought energy and jump to a last place team last year and that's exactly what we need out of a third line center. Tampa bay has been seriously lacking energy.

[Mike13]

Oscar. You're the "Get real. Get Tuna" guy? Cool. I remember that from a couple of years ago. (I think).

Anyway, I tend to agree with Halpern. Give him a game or two in Norfolk, then bring him back. Absolutely no reason to rush. Unless they want to get him ice time so they can shop him...

[Oscar]

Y’all know I’m hard against Halpie returning so soon after major trauma.

Have to disagree with Coach, I feel it’s best to wait until mid-January and have no one holding their breath when he gets or delivers a hit.
After further strengthening, he can start a game or two in Norfolk.
That would be comfortable for him, being a Chesapeake Bay guy and all.
(I hope he went home to drink plenty of whole milk from the dairy he drank as a lad. It’s good for the bones and the soul. Worked for me in New England, then I got the heck out of there, again..)
After a slight rest from the initial trial, then bring him into the Big Barn.

Why take chances and rush Malone also? He’s going to be a major cog in the engine as we re-tool, so why assume needless risks?
Oh yeah, we want to play .750 ball in order to back in to the playoffs.

Get real. Get Tuna.

Go Bolts!

[Boltflasher]

Thanks for some positive news PD. Yes, we might want to keep on eye on those two...

[PD]

Well thats the thing isn't it Brittany, Stamkos could have really benefitted from playing on that team.

For sure it's good to get a goalie steal with the 122nd pick.

[Brittany]

Coach Bill, I may or may not be able to make it there. We have a family friend coming into town on Thursday so it seems we will be heading to the game right from the airport with him. I'll try to stop by if I get there in time.

PD, I noticed that this morning. First time since Brad Richards that one of our prospects made it onto Team Canada (Stammer wasn't our property when he made it). I have to say that Tokarski has been looking mighty good for his team this year, and could turn out to be a big steal for us in the draft. I wish them luck (except against the US of course...)

[Jim- NJ]

Coach bill- reminder to all to tip this time LOL!

[Vickie]

hey eric. i'm going.

[PD]

Since Bolts could use some/any good news, I pass on that the Team Canada World Jr. team was announced today and included two Tampa draft picks. Most of the kids that make this team go on to be pretty good NHL'ers.

The two are:
Dana Tyrell Forward L/G 5′9.5″ 182 04/23/89 Airdrie, AB Prince George (WHL# TB ‘07 #2, 47
Dustin Tokarski Goalie L/G 5′11″ 189 09/16/89 Watson, SK Spokane (WHL# TB ‘08 #5, 122

[Jim- NJ]

Torts was right. N everyone blasted him for "being too hard". These guys need mental AND physical conditioning!