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Q&A with NBC's Pierre McGuire on Lightning

 
BOSTON, MA - MAY 14:  Television personality Pierre McGuire seen before Game Seven of the Second Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens at the TD Garden on May 14, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts.  (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 14: Television personality Pierre McGuire seen before Game Seven of the Second Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens at the TD Garden on May 14, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)
Published Feb. 27, 2015

TAMPA — Pierre McGuire said the Lightning is one of the most fun teams in the league to watch.

The NHL analyst for NBC gets a pretty good view from his post between the benches for broadcasts.

And Tampa Bay will be on the big stage with two of its next three games on national television, including tonight's showdown with the Blackhawks on the NHL Network (the game will be shown in the Tampa Bay area on its usual channel, Sun Sports). On Tuesday, the Lightning hosts the Sabres on the NBC Sports Network.

Though Tampa Bay hasn't been at its best on national TV this season (1-4-0), it has garnered a strong reputation in the league.

"They're one of the more respected teams in the league," McGuire said. "I talk to each coaching staff, and they all say the same thing: 'Fast, deep, way underrated, deep in goal, well coached, not a lot of fun to play against.' "

With 20 games to go and sitting in second place in the Atlantic Division, the Lightning knows it will be in a sprint to the finish.

"This is where teams like L.A. and Boston throughout the years … take their game to another level," captain Steven Stamkos said. "That's why they've had success in the playoffs. We want to establish ourselves in that regard."

The Tampa Bay Times caught up with McGuire for a look at the Lightning, how far it can go and what it should do before Monday's trade deadline.

What did the Lightning show you on its recent West Coast trip (going 3-2-0 with wins over Anaheim, San Jose and Arizona), especially for a young team?

They're a young team, yes, but they've got some real good coaches behind the bench, and one of the best leaders in the game in Steven Stamkos. Everyone knows how great a player Steven is, but everywhere Steven has gone, no matter what the sport, going back to when he was in grammar school, he's been a winner at everything. He leads a lot like (former Red Wings captain) Nicklas Lidstrom, just the way he carries himself, and has a personality that doesn't alienate teammates.

Do you think the Lightning needs to make a move before Monday's trade deadline?

I think if they had a Christmas list, probably have a defenseman right at the top of it. I think everyone is looking for a veteran presence on the back end. There's a lot of people trying to add a veteran if you can so you can go on an extended run.

Do you think the Lightning will ever get a chance to be part of a Winter Classic or outdoor game, even as a visitor?

I would love it. This is great, especially with the star power they have in Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson and Victor Hedman. They've had a lot of really positive things going on, and if they can have an extended playoff run — which I think they can — it makes them a more marketable team in the league. That opens up an opportunity for a Winter Classic type of game or outdoor stadium series game. Heck, yeah, Nashville and Tampa are very similar. I called Nashville "must-watch television," and I'd say Tampa is the same way.

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What has surprised you about the Lightning?

Their depth in goal with (Ben) Bishop and (Andrei) Vasilevskiy is tremendous. Vasilevskiy and (the Ducks') John Gibson are two of the better young goalies. I think people down the road are going to know a lot about Vasilevskiy, just like they're going to know about John Gibson. For (the Lightning) to make a first-round pick (a goalie), not a lot of teams do that, but (Vasilev­skiy, a 2012 first-rounder) has got a chance to be a huge star in the league.

ICE CHIPS: Hedman left Thursday's practice early, but coach Jon Cooper said he was expected to play tonight. Defenseman Matt Carle (abdominal surgery) continued to practice in a red noncontact jersey, but Cooper indicated it might be a few more weeks before he returns.