Believe it or not, the Tampa Bay Lightning are ranked as the team
with the fourth most improved record after 20 games of the
1998-99 season. That is hard to believe since they have won only
one of their last 13 games, and rank number one in goals allowed
with 99.
After losing to the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on December, 8, coach
Jacques Demers said that he is hopeful for the future. Citing
the fine play of youngsters Pavel Kubina, Vincent Lecavalier, and
Darcy Tucker, Demers said that these players are the future of
the team, the players that will one day be the leaders of the
club, both on the ice and off.
"Kids are the only hope we have," said Demers. "Ottawa tonight
made me think about that. The hope we have with these kids is
what is going to keep me going, and it will make me, more than
ever, watch when I am going to make a trade."
And trade is the word which has been buzzing around the Ice
Palace. Rumors have circulated about a deal involving
disgruntled Toronto goaltender Felix Potvin. The name most often
mentioned to be heading north is Mikael Renberg. Latest reports
have indicated that the Leafs have asked for Renberg, defenseman
Cory Cross, and a draft pick for Potvin. Demers confirmed that
he is talking with Toronto, but would divulge any names.
"I've talked with our people about this and there will be no
breaking down. If it's not Felix Potvin, then we'll go after
somebody else. We have to move forward with our goaltending
situation," said Demers to the Tampa Tribune.
Demers' dissatisfaction with the goaltending is not solely due to
their play on the ice, although Bill Ranford has been a
disappointment since his arrival from Washington, but more to the
fact that Ranford and his partner, Daren Puppa, are both
sidelined with injuries. In fact, Puppa has missed 128 games the
last two-and-a-half seasons due to various ailments, a
fact which concerns Demers.
On another note, John Cullen's comeback from cancer has ended
when the 34-year-old center announced his retirement before the
November 27 game against the Florida Panthers. At the time,
Cullen was playing for the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the
International Hockey League. He remains with the Lightning as an
assistant coach.
"I was going crazy all week to decide what I was going to do,"
said Cullen. "To finally pull a trigger on this, to say it's
over, was tough. To get into a new territory (coaching), it's
scary."
After battling cancer for the past two years, Cullen made Tampa
Bay's opening night roster. But after four uninspiring
performances, he was assigned to the Lumberjacks.
"Family was big. I asked myself, is it worth it to me being away
from my family that much and not knowing if I'd get to the NHL,"
Cullen said to Associated Press. "I didn't have the passion there
I knew I should have. If I don't play that way, then I might as
well forget it."
Although he is no longer playing, Cullen firmly believes that his
return to the rink, although a brief one, was inspiring to many
individuals. At the moment, he is focusing on his new career.
"How many players can retire and jump into the NHL right away as
a coach? That's the opportunity I saw," Cullen said. "When you
retire, it's usually the door is shut and see you later -- thanks
for everything. I'm very lucky."
