'It's fitting that I went down swinging'

By TOM JONES
Published January 13, 2006

[Times photo: Dirk Shadd]

Former Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk doesn't look like a man without a team as he holds his news conference. His hope is a new job with the team.

TAMPA - In his perfect world, Dave Andreychuk would have played one more game. When it was over, he would have waved his stick to a packed arena and thanked the fans who supported him for the past 23 years.

Instead, he had to settle for saying his farewell in a restaurant across the street from where he won his only Stanley Cup. The 42-year-old Lightning captain, who was waived this week and likely won't play again, said this was not an ending but simply the beginning of the next stage of his life.

"I really don't want this to be goodbye," Andreychuk said Thursday from the bar-and-grill that bears his name. "I'm not leaving anywhere. I'm still going to be around."

The end did not come as he had hoped. Instead of retiring on his own terms, he was cut loose by the Lightning. But he figured it would probably end this way anyway.

"I feel I went right to the end until someone else had to tell me that it was enough," Andreychuk said. "It's fitting that I went down swinging. The Zamboni had to drag me off the ice."

The ending could have been better. Rumors that he was being placed on waivers and/or being shopped around the NHL swirled late last week. As recently as Saturday's game in Boston, however, Andreychuk felt good about his future with the Lightning and was encouraged by his play.

But then came a rough 48 hours that included a meeting with general manager Jay Feaster and coach John Tortorella, Andreychuk's placement on waivers and the realization that his playing days were over when no other team claimed him.

"A lot of mixed emotions," Andreychuk said. "But that was 48 hours. After that 48 hours, I was able to reflect back on 23 years. So I'm not going to let 48 hours spoil my fun."

While he admitted he was angry over being let go by the Lightning, he said the final 48 hours didn't erase his good times in Tampa Bay or his feelings toward Feaster and Tortorella.

"I have no regrets with this organization at all," Andreychuk said. "The underlying story? There is none. They gave me a chance to extend my career. I have an awesome relationship with John Tortorella going back to my Buffalo days and I don't think anything has changed there. I'm very thankful to have been given that opportunity."

And another opportunity likely will be coming his way. Andreychuk said he expects to talk the Lightning about joining the organization in some capacity, perhaps as an assistant coach or team ambassador. That meeting likely will take place after the wounds of his being waived are healed, perhaps joining the club next season.

"I hope so," Andreychuk said. "I'm not leaving the area. I've got to do something. I can't just sit at home and bug my wife every day. I'm looking forward to starting a new life and looking forward to being a part of this organization if they want me to. Obviously, there's got to be some settling and then I'll get back and see what they want me to do."

[Last modified January 13, 2006, 01:46:17]