TAMPA — Vinny Lecavalier said his hourlong meeting Tuesday with coach Rick Tocchet was a good one and they are on the same page.
"Tocc is talking to players. He's listening to players," Lecavalier said Wednesday. "He's telling us things and how to be better. It was a good conversation."
Tocchet wants the leadership group, but especially Lecavalier as captain, to clean up "sloppy" areas around the team such as being on time for busses, meetings and practices.
"It's not like we're out of control, but we can be more precise in what we do," Lecavalier said. "If there's a 12 o'clock bus, be there at 11:55, not 12:01. Little things that might not look like a big deal, but at the end, it is. The way you act in the dressing room and toward your teammates translates to the ice."
Lecavalier, 28, acknowledged he has to help set an example.
"That's what we talked about, too," he said. "It's not only the coaching staff that has to tell guys to be on time, when the bus is, and all the other stuff that surrounds the locker room. It has to be the players. Myself as team captain. I have to do that."
"There's no question he was absorbing," Tocchet said of the conversation. "He understands it. He knows there are some things he has to do better, and he's willing to do it."
ODDS AND ENDS: Tocchet said goalie Olie Kolzig (upper body) will not play tonight against the Avalanche. Karri Ramo will be called up from AHL Norfolk to back up Mike Smith. … Left wing Ryan Malone (upper body) is expected to play. … Center Jussi Jokinen (lower body) missed practice.
Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.
News
