Players try to ignore off-the-ice rumblings

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published December 2, 2007

TAMPA - Lightning defenseman Brad Lukowich claimed he had not read that general manager Jay Feaster warned players ownership might cut payroll if things don't turn around by Christmas.

"I try not to read the media," Lukowich said.

Right wing Marty St. Louis apparently knew of Feaster's comments but said before Saturday's matchup with the Bruins, "I'm not going to get involved with that. I'm getting ready for a game."

Players have heard the threat before; from Palace Sports &Entertainment in January, before a successful playoff push to end the 2006-07 season. But that does not necessarily mean its effects will be mitigated.

After Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings, players did not dismiss the notion of a shake-up.

"You're always worried when you lose," center Brad Richards said. "It's not fun, and there are a lot of things that go through a player's head."

But St. Louis said, "We can't think about that. We're just going to worry about what we can do to help this hockey team win. That's what I worry about. Right now, I'm worried about myself and how I can help this hockey team win."

Left wing Vinny Prospal also said he can't concern himself with what the brass is thinking.

"We, as players, have to get ourselves out of this," he said. "We just can't wait for something to happen.

"We have to be the ones to do it on the ice."

REPRIEVE: Michel Ouellet, with zero points, just four shots and diminishing ice time the previous three games, was supposed to be a healthy scratch. But the right wing played because forward Craig MacDonald and wife Amanda had their second child, a girl, Emerson Grace.

Ouellet, who had five goals and 14 points in his first 25 games, played just 8:06 against the Red Wings. He said he has overlooked things such as efficiently getting the puck in and out of the zones and making plays when he has the chance.

"It's tough," Ouellet said when he believed he would sit out. "But the only thing I can control is to work hard and get back to the way I was before."

ODDS AND ENDS: Several players on Monday will join 68 students from Tampa's Metropolitan Ministries for a shopping spree at Dick's Sporting Goods in Brandon. Each student will get a $100 gift certificate. ... Forward Andreas Karlsson played after four straight games as a healthy scratch.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 23:00:22]