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Bolts Showing Signs Of Life

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By MARK EMMONS Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 13, 2009

Updated: 01/13/2009 11:11 pm

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Although the toughest challenge of a five-game road swing still awaited the Lightning later Tuesday night, the trip already was looking like a success even before the team took the ice against the Sharks.

"We're doing a nice little road show right now," Coach Rick Tocchet said Tuesday.

The 3-1 victory over the Kings on Monday night was the third victory in four games. The contest against the Sharks, who had the NHL's best record at 31-5-5, was the last stop of the trip. Winger Ryan Malone said before the game that Lightning players were becoming more comfortable with one another - on and off the ice.

"It was such a revolving door earlier in the year," Malone said. "This trip, the guys are really coming together and learning each others' personalities. Early on, guys were just trying to figure out their roles. Now, we're more like a team."

The days off in Phoenix and in Los Angeles, Tocchet added, provided a chance for team bonding that might be starting to translate to how the team plays.

"You like seeing 15 guys go out to dinner," he said. "That brings a camaraderie that maybe we did lack. We've got a lot of new people, and we're starting to connect the dots more."

STAYING FOCUSED: The rumor mill continues to crank out reports that Bolts captain Vinny Lecavalier could be dealt before his new contract with a no-trade clause takes effect July 1.

"Obviously, it's a little bit of a distraction," Lecavalier said. "There's always rumors. But now I've got buddies calling me to remind me about them. It's not the worst thing in the world. But I just have to focus on the games."

Lecavalier said he had no way to gauge the validity of the reports. But down the hallway at HP Pavilion in the Sharks' locker room, ex-Lightning D Dan Boyle offered his own opinion.

"Where there's smoke, there's fire," Boyle said. "Isn't that the saying?"

THE GOOD LIFE: Life is good for Boyle. He was selected to the upcoming All-Star Game. The Sharks are on pace to eclipse the all-time single-season points mark held by the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens (132). And he and wife Amber became parents in November with the birth of daughter Eastin Sky.

Just don't ask him about the Lightning.

He's still upset about how the July 4 trade to San Jose was handled by team ownership. Boyle had signed a six-year, $40 million contract extension with a no-trade clause last February. But then team owners had a change of heart and Boyle has said he was threatened with waivers before agreeing to the summer trade to San Jose.

"It was such a negative thing that happened to me, and I don't want to keep going over it again and again," Boyle said. "I'm trying to keep the focus on this team, the future and all the positives that come with it. That was such a bad situation for me that I just don't want to keep it around in my mind."

QUICK PROMOTION: The Lightning called up D Kevin Quick from AHL affiliate Norfolk. He was expected to arrive in San Jose in time for the game against the Sharks.

The Lightning only had five defensemen against the Kings, and Paul Ranger suffered an undisclosed upper-body injury in the game. Ranger is listed as day-to-day.

"Did he think he was going to get his chance in the NHL this year?" Tocchet said of Quick. "Probably not. But now we get to see what he's made of."

Mark Emmons

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