Tortorella shows in Grahame, he trusts

By TOM JONES
Published October 10, 2005

TAMPA - Lightning coach John Tortorella can be hard on his players. He scolds. He benches. He screams.

But, generally, players like his honesty and, over the weekend, he gave a perfect example of why they like playing for him.

On Friday in Sunrise, goalie John Grahame played well in a game that was scoreless and appeared headed to overtime. Then Grahame gave up a soft goal with 2 minutes, 27 seconds left and the Panthers added an empty-netter to win 2-0.

When Saturday arrived, everyone assumed veteran Sean Burke would play. The bet is Burke would have played had the Lightning won or tied on Friday.

But Tortorella went right back to Grahame. That showed two things. First, Tortorella thought Grahame had played well and wasn't to blame for Friday's loss. But more important, it was Tortorella's way of telling Grahame he still trusted him.

"We're still in the situation of finding more out about Johnny Grahame," Tortorella said. "I have my thoughts."

Tortorella thoughts? He loves Grahame's mental toughness and had a feeling Grahame would respond with a good effort Saturday night.

Starting Burke would not have sent the wrong message to Grahame because it was the second game of back-to-back nights and no one expected Grahame to play. But playing him sent the right message to Grahame and the rest of the team.

For his part, Grahame, still trying to prove he can replace Nikolai Khabibulin , responded with a great effort against Florida in a 2-1 victory.

It was just one game, but Tortorella's decision and Grahame's effort could have an effect that lasts for a long time.

ON THE OTHER HAND: While Grahame was happy to play Saturday, Burke must have been disappointed. Three games into the season and he hasn't played a minute. Certainly, that isn't the duty he signed up for when he joined the Lightning in the offseason.

"I know Burkey is (ticked) off now," Tortorella said. "He wants to play. I think Burkey is (ticked) off in the right way."

Tortorella hasn't said, but don't be surprised if Burke is in goal tonight against the Bruins, especially because the schedule opens up a bit. After playing three games in four days to open the season, the Lightning plays four times in the next 11 days. He doesn't want either goalie to rust.

"We're concerned about Burkey," Tortorella said. "We want to get Burkey some games because he's going to have to play. Burkey will play."

TRADE TALKS: The Avalanche is shopping defenseman Bob Boughner and the Lightning might be interested. Rookie Timo Helbling has done a nice job as the sixth defenseman in the first three games, but it's no secret Tortorella would love to have someone with more experience on the blue line and Boughner, a veteran of nine seasons, fits that bill. But he's making $950,000 and the Lightning would prefer someone making a little closer to the league minimum of $450,000.

[Last modified October 10, 2005, 01:19:14]