So I get to the media hotel in Columbus, Ohio, for the draft and no sooner do I walk into the media workroom I am hit up by two fellow reporters who want to know if the rumors about Brad Richards are true. Seems an Ottawa newspaper wrote that the Lightning center was on the trading block as the Lightning looks to gain the first pick in Friday's first round.

First of all, it is not true.

From everything I believe I know, the Lightning, with six picks starting with No. 47, has no interest in trading up in what is supposed to be a weak draft. Also, in a season in which Tampa Bay wants to go deep into the playoffs, why would it trade one of its best players for a chance to draft someone who may help it several years down the road? Just doesn't make sense.

But just to be sure, I asked GM Jay Feaster. Funny guy.

Of the article, Feaster said, "It also says it was Rick Dudley that drafted Richards. So the rumor is as good as (the reporter's) reporting skills. Once again, Phil Esposito is getting shafted.''

It was Espo, of course, who drafted Richards in 1998.