New owner motivated to succeed

Winger Todd Fedoruk walked out of the Lightning's meal room following a team meeting with new team owner Jeff Vinik on Friday and saw a circle of young teenage hockey players stretching.

"I didn't think he would replace us that quickly," Fedoruk quipped.

In reality, Vinik's 10-minute speech to the team had nothing to do with sweeping changes. Rather, Vinik spoke about expectations, the same expectations for winning and returning the franchise to glory he discussed during a news conference earlier in the day.

With a chance to experience the playoffs once again this season - Tampa Bay is three points out of the playoffs heading into tonight's game against Atlanta - and a new owner able to provide some stability, perhaps it can serve as a needed shot in the arm for a Lightning team in dire need of a lift.

"Guys are excited. He just seems very humble, down to earth and I think everybody got the same impression," captain Vinny Lecavalier said. "I think it will motivate guys and it starts from the top down. He's motivated to win, he wants the team to win. Right now we are in a position to do it and I think it can boost everybody some more."

A lifelong hockey fan, Vinik has kept a close eye on the team's fortunes not only by watching home games in person, but also on television when the team has been out of town. He says that hockey is a passion he's had since he was a kid growing up in Deal, N.J..

Despite witnessing a season-worst five consecutive regulation losses that have dropped Tampa Bay from sixth to 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, Vinik said he is not discouraged for the final stretch.

"I've seen a lot of good things the past five games. I thought the team played great (Thursday). I thought the team played strong and that gives us some momentum for the last 19 games," he said.

It's that kind of encouragement from the top that Lightning coach Rick Tocchet hopes can resonate through the locker room.

"Maybe this can give us a little boost," Tocchet said. "Nobody really knows Mr. Vinik and I think it's a nice little shot for everybody to meet him, a solid owner and really a guy that wants to win. I think that's a great thing for all of us."

While having Vinik officially introduced as the fifth owner in team history might provide a temporary boost on the ice, Lecavalier said after hearing from Vinik, that shot in the arm might be for more than just the rest of the season.

"It was just very honest and genuine," Lecavalier said of Vinik's message. "He was just telling us what his vision was and it's nice that the players get to hear the owner's vision. So I think that makes everybody excited about the future of this franchise and this town and I think people, not just the players and the staff here, but the city. I think everybody is going to be happy about this."