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Andre Roy regrets fallout, not act in Philly

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
In print: Tuesday, April 8, 2008

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ADVERTISEMENT [DIRK SHADD | Times (2006)] Lightning enforcer Andre Roy, fighting Buffalo’s Andrew Peters, says he gets “a little bit overwhelmed” at times.

BRANDON — Andre Roy said he regrets being scratched for the season's final 15 games.

As for his actions in a March 6 game in Philadelphia, where he jawed to such an extent with the Flyers bench he had to be restrained by coach John Tortorella and then was sent home from the three-game road trip, not so much.

"I don't regret anything I did,'' Roy said Monday. "I've got a job to do and sometimes I get a little bit overwhelmed. But that's the job of an enforcer.''

Roy, who can be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, said he did not know if he will be back with the team. He said he told general manager Jay Feaster he wants to return. He said Feaster told him "the door is not closed,'' but made no promises.

The question seems to be whether Roy can co-exist with Tortorella.

"I wouldn't have reacquired him when I did if I didn't think he could co-exist with him,'' Feaster said. "We have to deal with the latest tempest in a teapot, and we'll do that.''

Even so, Feaster said, "It does no good to bring Andre back if he's not going to play. But whether it's Andre or somebody else, we're going to have a player to fill that role.''

ROY SUSPENDED: Roy revealed for the first time he was suspended three games by the league for the incident in Philadelphia. Neither the NHL nor the team announced it at the time.

Feaster said, "I don't think it's the team's place to announce it. Why the league didn't do it, I don't know.''

Roy said he didn't realize he was suspended until payday.

"It was out of my paycheck,'' he said. "That's all I know."

A CLEAN SLATE: Shane O'Brien said of being scratched for the final five games: "I'm not going to forget; fuel to the fire.''

The defenseman, scratched, apparently, because of repeated on-ice mistakes, said his meetings with Tortorella and Feaster seemed to clear the air.

Tortorella said all players begin next season with a clean slate.

"They always have and always will as long as I'm coaching here,'' he said. "For some of them, they need a clean slate, but they're going to get the opportunity.''

STAY THE COURSE: Tortorella said not to expect changes in the team's system or his demanding approach.

"Not a whole bunch is going to change my philosophy in how we play,'' he said. "And I'm not going to be one, because we end up where we are, to make a bunch of changes in how I go about my business. If people above me don't like it, they can show me the door.

"When you start knee-jerking and making a bunch of changes because you're struggling, that's not the way to solve problems."

Feaster agreed.

"I know people are questioning the system, but the system won a Stanley Cup in 2004,'' he said. "It's about accountability and trying to make players the best they can be.''

VIDEO REVIEW: Vinny Lecavalier said he finally watched a replay of the hit by Washington's Matt Cooke that dislocated his right shoulder.

"I don't think he was coming to nail me,'' the center said. "He just caught me in the right spot.

"He could have hit me a lot harder. He kind of even let up a little bit, it seemed. When I saw him I reached out with my hand and he hit me right in the arm and you can see the shoulder give out. I think it was bad luck more than anything.''

ODDS AND ENDS: Lecavalier said given the pain in his shoulder, he can't imagine having surgery on it and bum right wrist at the same time. & Goalie Karri Ramo said, "I think I've shown them I can play these games and win games in this league.'' & Captain Tim Taylor said retirement won't hit him until training camp and, "I'm watching from upstairs and you still have that fire in you but you can't put it on the ice.'' & Defenseman Dan Boyle said he will marry longtime girlfriend Amber Esposito (no relation to Phil) of Indian Rocks Beach in the summer.