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Almost Back To Normal For Bolts

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 17, 2009

TAMPA - A sense of normalcy returned to the Lightning locker room Friday.

Gone was the media throng that had descended on the Forum the day before. Missing was the air of doubt surrounding iconic center Vinny Lecavalier and a possible trade to his hometown Montreal Canadiens. Absent were members of the Montreal press corps, who flew down to get the scoop before swooping back out of town.

Still present was Lecavalier, who will suit up to captain the team tonight against Florida, and he wasn't fielding questions about the nearly week-long trade talk.

While the rumor frenzy has fizzled a bit, it hasn't completely dissipated, despite denials from Lightning general manager Brian Lawton on Thursday morning.

Former Tampa Bay center Brad Richards went through a similar process in February before he was dealt to Dallas. Richards said Friday that he has spoken to Lecavalier about what's going on, although he didn't offer specifics.

"It's something he shouldn't have to deal with," Richards said. "He's done so much for the organization. To deal with all the media and B.S., and I can't imagine - I'm not from Montreal. With all that media there, it's tough.

"I've never heard him once in his life say he wants to leave Tampa and give up on the team. The people who know him know what's going on."

The players in the locker room also know what's going on, with one player declining to discuss publicly what Lecavalier means to the Lightning.

But others had no issues talking about the void that would be in the locker room if the rumored move were to go through.

"He's the face of this organization, he's been here since he was 18 years old," goaltender Mike Smith. "He's a leader, and although he doesn't say a whole lot, he leads by example, and when he does talk, guys listen. It's important to have a guy like that on a team, and every team needs that."

Veteran winger Mark Recchi said Lecavalier means everything to the team.

"He's our captain, and he's the face that everybody really knows when they think of Tampa Bay," he said. "Vinny is the guy who originally put this franchise on the map, and he's been wonderful. I know by his standards it hasn't been his best year, but people forget that he's coming off major shoulder surgery in the offseason and couldn't really do much over the summer.

"But I think he's getting better every day, and he's a big reason why we're doing well and I know he wants to do well for the team and the players. He has our trust, and that's the most important thing."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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