TAMPA — Coach Rick Tocchet spoke for an extended period with captain Vinny Lecavalier after Tuesday's practice at the St. Pete Times Forum.
The subject: how the locker room can better police itself, especially after Saturday's dreadful 2-0 loss to the Senators.
"He cares. He's a great kid," Tocchet said. "He's learning what it takes. It's not only about him playing, it's about what his team should be all about.
"We can't be sloppy with sticks on the ice, taking stupid penalties, little trivial things, late for the bus. When things are sloppy it has to come from the room. The coach has to mandate it, but it has to come from the room."
WHAT'S NEXT?: With the power play on an 0-for-26 streak, Tocchet is trying five forwards on the first unit: Mark Recchi and Marty St. Louis on point, Lecavalier, Vinny Prospal and Ryan Malone up front.
"We're trying to find that leader on the point," Tocchet said. "Mark Recchi has done it before. I'm not saying he'll be there all the time, but … why not use five forwards?"
ODDS AND ENDS: Prospects F Dana Tyrell and G Dustin Tokarski will play for Team Canada at the world junior championship. … C Zenon Konopka (flu) and C Jussi Jokinen (body maintenance) missed practice.
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