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Tocchet's first day
Interim Lightning coach Rick Tocchet's first practice this morning was only 45 minutes, but it was very structured and high-energy. From breakouts to chalk talk, everything seemed organized, and you could tell the players felt the intensity, as some were left gasping for air at certain points.
Tocchet made it sound like these kinds of up-tempo workouts would be commonplace and become routine, and he hopes it could energize a group that has struggled with consistency. ... Read more
Another test
Rick Tocchet doesn't sound like a coach coming off a heartening 2-0 victory at Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The Lightning coach has been bait-and-switched by his inconsistent team so far, so he paced it hard in a morning skate at BankAtlantic Center and deemed the first period tonight a test of character. ... Read more
Rick Tocchet signing in slow motion
Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet and general manager Brian Lawton met on Thursday to talk about what is believed to be Tocchet's new three-year deal, but an official signing did not happen. But Tocchet said the process is moving forward.
"We are very close to getting this done," he said. "It should be done by next week."
It does not appear the holdup is anything more than finishing the details, and it likely is not about money. Tocchet, as a first-time head coach, would not command a big salary (relatively speaking), anyway. ... Read more
Lightning coach Rick Tocchet: 'I'm on the clock'
Lightning coach Rick Tocchet on Monday finally got the interim tag taken off his title. And on Sept. 14, he will open his first training camp as an NHL head coach. There was a lot going on around the St. Pete Times Forum on Monday, what with the fan forum and all, so Tocchet's two-year deal that will pay about $550,000 a season got a little bit lost in the shuffle. But he did have time for an interview after his contract was announced, and he hit quite a few topics. Here is what he had to say: ... Read more
Former star Adam Oates does Tampa Bay Lightning coach and buddy Rick Tocchet "a favor"
One of the games greatest passers will be on the ice during the Tampa Bay Lightning's training camp, helping coach the power play. Adam Oates, sixth all time with 1,079 assists, will participate as "a favor to me," coach Rick Tocchet said. Officially Adding Oates to the staff could come later. Perhaps this is kind of an audition.
For now, Tocchet said, his former teammate with the Flyers, Bruins and Capitals will be working for free. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet praises players, rips flabby media (in fun, of course)
The visuals were very similar to season's past; Lightning players on their knees or bent over their sticks, trying to catch their breath after fitness testing on the first day of training camp. But while those previous seasons were punctuated by the overall weight of what players were put through by then-coach John Tortorella, Saturday's power point was about sport specific exertion. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Vladimir Mihalik had a choice to make; he made the right one
Part of tomorrow's story about how many Lightning players, mostly youngsters, went to Minnesota over the summer to work with strength and conditioning coach Chuck Lobe, concerns the makeovers of right wing Steve Downie and defenseman Vladimir Mihalik.
Both took their summer workouts seriously and have transformed their bodies. Downie, who apparently is going to get a shot at playing on a line with Vinny Lecavalier and Alex Tanguay, reduced his body fat from 12 to 7.5 percent, according to Lobe. Mihalik went from 17 percent to 11 percent. It was Mihalik, though, who faced the most dramatic choice about where he anted his career to go. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet says training camp is not like the (good?) old days
Pretty fun conversation with Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet after the morning skate about the differences between training camp and preseason games when he played compared to now.
In a nutshell, he said, "I hate to use the word, but it's a little more civil, I think."
Before we get into more of that, Tocchet said the team likely will make more cuts on Thursday. The camp right now has 47 players. ... Read more
Coach Rick Tocchet says perhaps patience will help figure out Vinny Lecavalier's right wing
We have seen the revolving door at right wing on Vinny Lecavalier's line, and so far there has yet to be someone to claim the spot permanently. On the other hand, even Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said perhaps no one has been given a long enough chance to shine.
Consider the Steve Downie experiment, which lasted one scrimmage. Or the Carter Ashton experiment, which lasted less than a game. Same for Stephane Veilleux. Now, it appears Downie, who on Wednesday played well with Lecavalier and left wing Alex Tanguay gets another shot. But for how long? ... Read more
Is Sunday's Tampa Bay Lightning lineup a preview of opening night?
That is perhaps too simplistic. Still, Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said of the lineup for Sunday's preseason finale with the Thrashers in Atlanta, "It's fairly close. That's pretty well as close as you're going to get."
On the other hand, he also said, "Stuff happens this week," meaning trades or waiver transactions could be made. And, certainly, Tampa Bay, with 29 players still in camp, will try to get several players through waivers to AHL Norfolk.
"On D, you never know," Tocchet said. "We have quality defensemen who are not in the lineup tonight who could be in the lineup a week from now." ... Read more
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