Love is in the air at the Lightning offices ... really.
General manager Jay Feaster even sang the opening line from John Paul Young's song when asked about Tuesday's meeting between him, president Ron Campbell and coach John Tortorella.
The gathering in Feaster's office at the St. Pete Times Forum came a day after Tortorella said he was so disappointed with his contract situation he would not talk about a new deal until after next season and was prepared to let his contract expire.
The coach, whose contract runs out June30, 2004, had been rebuffed, for now, in requests for multiyear extensions for himself and his staff.
Feaster said the meeting, called to clear the air, was a good one.
"It's a lot like a family, and families have squabbles too," Feaster said. "Sometimes family squabbles are the best you ever see. But at the end of the day you come back to what you have in common and what you share. And what everyone in that room shares is a love of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey club and the commitment to it. That's a pretty good common ground to have."
Tortorella also has been outspoken about wanting the Lightning to re-sign points leader and unrestricted free agent Vinny Prospal.
Still, the flareup does not appear to have immediately threatened Tortorella's job. He is expected to be with the team when training camp opens Sept.11.
The coach declined comment, though it is believed his position on his contract has not changed.
Said Feaster: "Ron Campbell, Jay Feaster and John Tortorella all share a love of, and a commitment to, the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey club and the people that comprise that group. With what has transpired and the issues that are out there, everything is fine."
Anyone know Kumbaya?
Lightning signs prospect
Defenseman Gerard Dicaire signed a three-year deal at about $150,000 a season. He is expected to play for AHL Hershey. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder had 15 goals and 44 assists in 72 games for WHL Kootenay. Dicaire was a fifth-round pick (162nd overall) in the 2002 draft. He was selected in the second round by the Sabres in 2000 but could not strike a deal and returned to the draft.
Around the league
FEDOROV MOVING ON: Sergei Fedorov has decided not to re-sign with the Red Wings, agent Pat Brisson said.
"We're basically making it official now: Sergei won't be back in Detroit," Brisson said. "Nothing personal against the Red Wings. He's just moving on."
General manager Ken Holland got the news as he was making calls on other unrestricted free agents. The Detroit Free Press reported that defenseman Derian Hatcher was the Wings' top target.
"Sorry to hear that," Holland said of Fedorov's decision. "Obviously he was a great player for us for a lot of years."
Fedorov spent 13 seasons with the Wings. He scored 400 regular-season goals and 50 playoff goals. He won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player in 1994 and the Selke as the best defensive forward in '94 and '96.
BLACKHAWKS: Jason Strudwick, who played defenseman and forward last season, re-signed. He had two goals, three assists and 87 penalty minutes in 48 regular-season games.
COYOTES: Goaltender David LeNeveu, selected by Phoenix in the second round in last year's draft, signed a multiyear deal.
HURRICANES: Free agent Joey Tetarenko signed a one-year contract worth $450,000.
- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.
