Tocchet meets with Lecavalier

Lightning coach Rick Tocchet met with captain Vinny Lecavalier for about an hour after Tuesday's practice at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Tocchet did not get into specifics about what they spoke, but said the meting was a good one. Broadly, the coach said the discussion was about how the locker room can better police itself, especially after Saturday's dreadful 2-0 loss to the Senators in Ottawa.

"He cares. He's a great kid," Tocchet said. "He's learning what it takes. It's not only about him playing. It's about what his team should be all about."

Tocchet talked about cleaning up some sloppiness in how the Lightning is conducting itself on and off the ice.

"You've got to be in a situation where you can't let your team be sloppy," Tocchet said. "What I mean by sloppy is sloppy with your sticks on the ice, taking stupid penalties, little trivial things, late for the bus. It has to come from the room. The coach has to mandate it, but it has to come from the room."

In other practice stuff: Tocchet, trying to push the team out of a 0-for-26 power play slump, tried five forwards on the first unit during practice. Mark Recchi and Marty St. Louis were at point. Lecavalier, Vinny Prospal and Ryan Malone were up front.

"We're trying to find the leader back there on the point," Tocchet said. "Mark Recchi has done it before. I'm not saying he'll be there all the time, but you've got a man advantage. Why can't you have five forwards?"

Tocchet rotated a lot of people around during practice. He had Steven Stamkos up front and on the point. He had Jeff Halpern and Jamie Heward on the first unit. He practiced six-on-five. Defenseman Marek Malik, who had taken some turns at the point during games, was not on the point during practice.

"Right now, we're searching," Tocchet said.

Center Zenon Konopka (flu) and center Jussi Jokinen (body maintenance) missed practice. ... Forward Dana Tyrell and goalie Dustin Tokarski will play for Team Canada at the world junior championship.

Comments

[Mike13]

sm,
There is certainty in both views. Great leaders certainly have what you are talking about. That will to never be broken, etc. But, nearly all leaders must also go through some sort of learning process - learning what to say, when, and how. Having the guts to say it is something that can't usually be taught.

Here's an interesting article by Wally Bock about leadership: http://www.threestarleadership.com/articles/bornormade.htm

Some main points of the article:

- It turns out to be a little of both. Leaders are sort of born and they're always made.

- Some key abilities that are not learned: A leader needs to be smart enough, they can help other people achieve results, they want to achieve objectives, they are willing to make decisions.

- Some key things that are learned: They learn from watching other leaders and emulating their behavior, Leaders improve by getting feedback and using it, Leaders learn by trying things out and then critiquing their performance

- if you select potential leaders with the essential traits, then support them with training, feedback, on-the-job learning and development experiences and hold them accountable for results, you'll have the leaders you need

[hyjyljyj]

I wouldn't say rarely is it the top scorer:
Nash
Crosby
Iginla
Marleau
Toews
Sakic
Alfie
Richards

Missed one PD

I'm surprised it isn't more than 1/3, though...

[leo]

Who is the AUTHORITY on this team?
If the coach has to basically ASK PERMISSION from his players to buy into his system, there's a big, big problem.
No, it's not "good" that V4 DECIDES if the team plays or not. If the standings were rent UPSIDE DOWN, then we could talk.
But the coach coming like a mouse before King Cat Vinny?
That's not gonna work.
Yeah, yeah, I know; I'm just a hater and negative and all I want is V4 in Mtl or your entire TEAM as a replacement for the Nordiques, yeah, yeah, I know.
But it STILL ain't gonna work.
P.

[Boltflasher]

Sorry, that ATL-OTT score was 4-1.

[Boltflasher]

Try Joe Thornton and Joe Sakic instead...

[Boltflasher]

PD, I mostly agree with that list except Marleau, he nearly got himself traded due to lackadaisical play and underachieving...

[Boltflasher]

Keith, would not count on a win in ATL, whereas they easily handled the Lightning's mirror image team, Ottawa 3-0.

[sm]

Mike 13,

I disagree that leaders are made, not born. Any great leader has an unquantifiable quality that is hard to pinpoint. Look at the great leaders, past and present, in hockey. Does Vinny share the same qualities? I am not saying that he doesn't, but to date, if he does have them, they have not surfaced.
Also, great leaders are tough to break. If Torts broke Vinny as you implied, could that not be evidence showing he is a terrific player, yet not a leader?

[Jim- NJ]

Pd- u really think Crosby is captain material? LOL. And how many of those skippers have rings?

[mary]

I like what Mr. Rick is doing with this team, i would like to see him get a full season with the team, and see how it works.

As far as Vinny being the captain, I think he still needs to learn,it almost looks like he's afraid to be mean or tough with the guys, but Im sure that with time he is going to be a great captain

[Brittany]

I have to say that so far I like what Tocchet is doing. He is honest in his answers to the media and he seems like enough of a hard a*s to whip the boys into shape. I am hoping for better results on Thursday before I go out of town for the holidays (for Christmas I am hoping for a Lightning winning streak! I know, I know, don't hold my breath). It will be interesting to see how they react to the mini-training camp they had these last couple of days.

I also like that he is sitting down with Vinny and telling him exactly what he expects from him. I think everything is very black and white with Toc, and I think that is just what this team needs.

[Adam]

Good to hear about that meeting with V4. It took Vinnie a couple of years to develop into a top player, perhaps it will take a little time for his "captainship" to develop as well. I'd love to hear he and Dave A. had a meeting to discuss the qualities of being an effective captain.

On another note, I've heard from many a coach and commentator that if anybody can turn this team around, Tocchet can. He seems to understand the turnaround is not going to be overnight and has exceptional patience.

ok...that's all from me. Pardon me while I take off my rose colored glasses.

[HockeyBay.com]

Maybe Tocchet asked the Captain; Why do the players suck ? and maybe it would be a good idea to drink a case of Redbull prior to each game?

[keith]

Going to ATL on Saturday, surely I can see a win there.....ya' think!

[keith]

I remember just a few short seasons ago the Pens being in this same boat. I think we spanked 'em 11-1 or some outrageous score at SPTF. Their team looked like ours does now....but, from the owners down, it was declared a rebuilding time. A couple of years later, they played for the cup.
While cowboy Barrie fed all the opposing locker rooms with motivation at the outset of the season, declaring TBL would win the SE Div, I think its time to take a more philosophical approach. Rebuild the team, its concept on the ice and give both Vinny and Tocc some time to grow in their respective new roles. Still a long way to go, but hard to think the season is not done. 17 points off the lead!!!!! I think some of the players feel that in their hearts, hence the lack of effort on somes part each night. BBUT.....they still have to do their jobs!!!!!3
GO BOLTS

[PD]

I wouldn't say rarely is it the top scorer:
Nash
Crosby
Iginla
Marleau
Toews
Sakic
Alfie
Richards

But you are so right , those guys all have the eye of the Tiger and that's something that can't be manufactured.

[PD]

Vinny doesn't stink jax, he's just really not a leader or captain.

Funny you mention the Wings PP , reminds me a lot of the one here many moons ago with Vinny, Marty, Richie and Boyler,racking them up, no?

Ah the good old days.

If anyone gets a chance check out Jason Blakes Leaf winning shootout goal tonight.

[ajax]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NHL_captains_and_alternate_captains
Here is a list of all the NHL captains.
It certainly is a mixed bag, but more often the captain is not the go to scorer on the team. There is a certain intangible and I agree it is hard to manufacturer. Often it is a defensive player or the veteran gritty forward. It is usually the guy with the terrific all around Hockey 101 skills . But, scanning the list, rarely is it the teams top scorer. Personality wise, Vinny will probably never fit the mold. He is to quiet of a guy. You can see that it is difficult for him to even talk to the refs. They made once again, a headline choice versus a wise choice, but get use to it. I do not know why it is even discussed. Zero chance of being changed. Vinny is a scorer and sadly sometimes plays like a scorer. My vote was for Marty, he is a different animal, and the results he has produced, for being a cast off non-drafted "little guy" commands respect from everyone. I think VL4 is not 100% mentally, as much as physically. He needs to thrive on contact and he just hasn't been that guy. He doesn't have that eye of a tiger he had for two seasons straight. Some of it is mental and that can't be ignored. I for one thinks he has been volumes better the last three weeks. The first 10 games I thought he was petrified to put his shoulder into a play. But make no mistake it is very hard to play 110% when you are playing on a last place team. Sorry, you can say all you want about leadership and duty and money, when you are very talented and only see the puck three times a game I am sure it wears on you. Does your job way on any of you?? I go back to Ottawa and the flax their big 3 are getting. I read an article about Spezza and his non-effort. Ottawa got shutout by Atlanta tonight. They have 3 goals in their last 4 games and two of the games were against us and Atlanta. The big 3, I didn't even know they were playing against us. No transition means no results. I think it is remarkable the numbers VInny has put up with the worst scoring(by far) team in the league. Rambling a bit, but I take criticizing of Vinny personel. I watch Detroit play and see the opportunities Zetterberg and Datsyuk get and I say man o man. To put VL4 on that PPlay with Homstron in front of the net and Rafalski and Lindstrom on the point. It would be a pinball machine!!! When Criticizing Vinnie remember our Pplay is on a 0-26 run. I read rave after rave about Zetterberg and yet in the last 2 1/3 seasons Vinnie has 37 more even strength points that Zetterberg playing on Detroit with 10 Olympians. Datsyuk had 90 points last year, 30 of them were PPlay assists!! Detroit has 35 pp goals we have 19. I just get wound up. I think back of last year and Marty and Vinny playing every other shift, 5 minutes more a night than any other all-star. Any his effort is so often questioned. Scarry!!And, AND those two killing penalties and creating ESPN hilites while killing penalties. No other superstars even came close to the effort that Vinny and Marty had to put forth the last two years to even make their team competitive. We stink. Vinny don't.

[Randy C]

I have to agree with Ajax on this one. Seems to me that each game we have different players buying in to the system, gradually the number is increasing. When all buy in consistantly we will see a product we all like. It starts with our leaders playing every game like they did in montreal, then they can hold the others accountable and we'll see the good team the Bolts are! (I Hope)

[Randy C]

I have to agree with Ajax on this one. Seems to me that each game we have different players buying in to the system, gradually the number is increasing. When all buy in consistantly we will see a product we all like. It starts with our leaders playing every game like they did in montreal, then they can hold the others accountable and we'll see the good team the Bolts are! (I Hope)

[Jim- NJ]

Btw this is not Vinny n martys team. This is the Lightning's team. Roberts n recchi need to stand up as it took this long for v4 to do it finally. A bit too late

[Jim- NJ]

Leaders are born AND made. Vinnys good for an A but dave was born for the C.

[PD]

Not sure about that one Mike.

Can't think of too many man made leaders, leadership of a team is an intangible heavily doused in guts, desire and charisma.

[Mike13]

Leaders are made, not born. I know we all had high hopes that Vinny would have evolved before getting the "C", but he didn't from a leadership standpoint. Perhaps Torts crushed him too much. Who knows? Who cares? What we care about is that Vinny take the reigns and start kicking some butts in the room.

Not a bad idea Nan. Perhaps the Toolman or Chuck-Chuck could sit down with him over dinner and give him some pointers.

[Nan]

I like what Tocchet is doing here with the team and with Vinny. Hey maybe Tocchet should have Dave A. talk to Vinny about how to police the room. Tocchet sure seems to be a better choice than Melrose but then again that is yet to be determined as the wins have not come so far. Hopefully this mini-camp will get them all on the same page and playing as a team.

[ajax]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Akkg1oQrnI_fKqwatWqYFRI5nYcB?slug=dw-tonydungy121608&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Had to cut the above article. Everything in that article is what I want in the Lightning. Stay the course and stick to basics. Tort's screaming got old. Melrose, ah yeah Melrose (can we seek an annulment?) Preach a system and hold everyone accountable from day one. I see better things ahead with Tocchet at the helm. Hope I am right. And yes, as talented as he is, VL4 can't take off every so often. Silly me but I do see things pointed in the right direction and I will be along thru the UPS and the downs.

[Oscar]

Woo Hoo, Coach and Captain meet and discuss issues. Hope there is a positive to emerge from that and all are on the same page. If not, the next 'meeting' could be in the Hofti house in Reykavik.

Vince needs to grow into the role much the same as the group needs to grow into a functioning NHL calibre unit. That's unit, as in 20 act as one. Captain takes the helm. Seeing Lecavalier skate is often reminiscent of a young Jean Beliveau, who was no pug but an elegant force.

Much as I feel Vinny Baby needs a kick in the pantaloons, we are danged lucky we get to watch him.

All right Kid, don't make me look stupid(er) for typing that...

Go Bolts!

[olin]

...thank's for keeping us posted, DC.