Still a hot topic in Ottawa, the Lightning left wing copes with his slow start.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published December 11, 2003
OTTAWA - Need to find Andre Roy today at the Corel Centre? Look for the large gathering of reporters.
It has been 21 months since the Senators traded Roy to the Lightning, but the left wing still commands attention in Canada's capital. Even when the Senators visit Tampa, reporters covering the team seek him out.
Not surprising. Roy was one of Ottawa's most popular players. He speaks colorfully and loves to kid around.
"I think they're glad when they come to see me because they know it's going to be different," Roy said Wednesday. "Whenever they see me, it's like, "Let's see what Andre is going to say this morning."'
Roy said facing the Senators is no longer the emotional experience it was when the trade was fresh.
He will be disappointed if his sprained left knee keeps him out of his fifth straight game. Not because it is against Ottawa but because Roy was hitting his stride in the three consecutive games he played after being scratched in 11 of Tampa Bay's first 18.
Those scratches so concerned Roy, he met with general manager Jay Feaster and coach John Tortorella to make sure he still was in the team's plans.
"It's not something I want to drag up and make a big story about, but I was frustrated," Roy said. "I thought I had a good camp and when I didn't start, I didn't understand why. It was just tough for me. I wanted to play and be in the lineup and help our hockey team win."
Feaster said he would not have signed Roy last summer to a two-year, $1.75-million deal if he didn't want him around. He understood Roy's concerns but what was to be done?
The team got off to a great start and, Feaster said, "I think we're all reluctant to make lineup changes unless there's a reason. We were going well and that limited his playing time."
Nothing more.
"We have told him we believe he is a very important part of our team," Feaster said. "He brings a totally different dimension. When he's in that lineup, he's a real physical presence. Andre likes to hit and guys need to be aware of him coming because they know he's going to hit and finish his checks."
Roy's career-highs last season of 10 goals and 17 points distinguished him further. The combination of brawn and skill was so enticing, it disturbed the Lightning when Roy sometimes took himself out of games with bad penalties at bad times. The team made it a condition of his playing time that he curtail those moments.
He has made significant progress. Roy is not a pussycat, but his fights have been purposeful, not emotional. When finished, Roy has gone to the penalty box without incident.
He was particularly effective in the three games he played before his injury Dec. 2 against the Canadiens. Roy had three shots, was plus-1 and had two fights to protect teammates. He had no points, but he was good for the team.
"It's situational hockey," Feaster said. "It's recognizing times on the ice and situations and recognizing when you can and can't do certain things. Clearly he's working at it. He's a good team guy."
"I'm really comfortable here now," Roy said. "I like everybody, the coaches, they're the boss. I work for them and I'll do whatever it takes. But the main thing is I want to play, but that's up to me, too, to make sure I'm not put out of the lineup."
Continuing to strike a balance between playing within Tampa Bay's team concept and his emotions is insurance.
"Sometimes it's hard," he said. "I have to step on my pride. I'm very emotional."
Not as much, though, when facing the Senators.
"Ottawa is just another team," he said. "When I came back the first time, that was a little special, a little different to play against my old teammates. Now, it's almost two years. I want to play well, and I get fired up. But I get fired up for other games, too."
