Decision on return might not be captain's

By TOM JONES
Published July 16, 2005

BRANDON - Captain Dave Andreychuk's decision to return for a 23rd season or retire has been one of the burning offseason questions for the Lightning.

But the decision might not be entirely his.

"Andy and I had a very honest conversation," Lightning coach John Tortorella said. "It's not just going to be David's decision as far as coming back. I don't think it can be right now with the (new salary) cap and the number of people we need to sign."

Tortorella would love Andreychuk to feel well enough to play. But even Andreychuk, who turns 42 in September, isn't sure he can knock off a year's worth of rust and play another season.

The plan now is for Andreychuk to continue training in Buffalo and check in with Tortorella every week or two until training camp. It's Andreychuk's goal to suit up when camp opens. But Tortorella said Andreychuk's return will depend not only on Andreychuk's health, but where the Lightning stands with the salary cap. The Lightning has several high-profile free agents, including goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin and forwards Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier.

"We're going to find out exactly where the whole lay of the land is as far our budget is concerned," Tortorella said. "Are we going to lose David in the organization? No chance. We want him in this organization."

It's assumed Andreychuk will be a Lightning assistant if he doesn't return as a player. He made $1.8-million in 2003-04, but likely won't get that kind of money if he returns as a player.

"With all the respect in the world to David," Tortorella said, "it just can't be a player saying, "I want to play.' David is a special situation. He's our captain. He's our leader. He did great things for us, but we have to understand where we are in the real world here and not get caught up in the emotion.

"We're trying to make decisions based on what's best for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Will Andy be in this organization? You're darn right he will be. I hope it's as a player. I really do. But we have a lot of work to do here and we'll have to see how it all works out."

TRAINING CAMP: The team, assuming that the new collective-bargaining agreement is ratified next week, has a date in mind for the opening of camp. The players will report at 6 p.m. Sept. 12 for meetings then take the ice Sept. 13. Camp will be held at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. "We're not changing our mind-set as far as how we feel we want to run our camp," Tortorella said. "The first half of the camp is really going to be a heavy load of conditioning. From there, as we always do, we'll slowly integrate our team concept."

AUDITIONS: The Lightning is taking audition tapes for national anthem singers. Interested parties are asked to check tampabaylightning.com and fill out the form to submit an audio cassette, videotape or CD of their a cappella rendition of the U.S. and Canadian national anthems. Tapes may also be mailed to 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, Attention: Anthem Auditions. All material must be received by Aug. 12. All items submitted will be viewed but will not be returned. Only those who are called back will be notified.

In addition, the Lightning is holding auditions for the 2005-06 Bolt Brigade on July 30 at the St. Pete Times Forum in tampa. Auditions are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and candidates must be 18 or older. Those interested should preregister at tampabaylightning.com before the date of the audition. Registration at the audition costs $10. The Bolt Brigade performs at Fanland on the Chrysler/Jeep Plaza of the Times Forum before all home games, in the stands during the games and on the ice during intermissions.

OBITUARY: Alex Shibicky, a member of the Rangers' 1940 Stanley Cup team, died Saturday in British Columbia, the Associated Press reported. He was 91. He played with the Rangers from 1935-46 and was credited with the first slap shot in a game in 1937.

[Last modified July 16, 2005, 00:25:11]