Tortorella: Nucleus will stay in place
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published December 11, 2007
TORONTO - Lightning coach John Tortorella said he heard the trade rumor and simply shook his head.
Tampa Bay star Marty St. Louis for Stars goalie Marty Turco?
"It's absolute expletive," Tortorella said Monday.
Not that the coach is surprised by the talk. He knows there is a belief the Lightning might have to sacrifice a top player to fill some of its holes.
But Tortorella said he knows what players such as St. Louis, Vinny Lecavalier and Brad Richards have meant to the franchise.
"These guys are going nowhere," Tortorella said. "They've done so much for this organization, and they will continue to do things for this organization to get us out of any jams we're in. That's what they've matured to, and they are a huge part of our success."
Still, general manager Jay Feaster said during Tampa Bay's recent six-game losing streak that without a turnaround by Christmas, ownership could decide to cut payroll by the trade deadline.
Tortorella said he was unaware of exactly what Feaster said, so their comments should not be connected. Besides, Tortorella added, he was talking hockey, not economics.
"I just think they are at the core of our team," Tortorella said of the Big Three. "This is a big reason why we have become successful. No matter what is being talked about out there, this, that or the other thing. I just don't see it happening."
JOB DESCRIPTION:Andreas Karlsson is getting more penalty kill time, and that suits him fine.
"You get more involved, and you get more ice time," the forward said.
Karlsson's ice time has not exploded. He entered Monday averaging 6:36. But the extra skill makes it more likely he is in the lineup.
"When you get more responsibility, you can grow with that," he said. "It's encouraging."
NOTHING PERSONAL: Toronto's Pavel Kubina said that despite injuries and lackluster statistics, he has no regrets about leaving the Lightning as a free agent.
"I prefer to play for one of the best hockey towns in the world," the defenseman said.
He said that is not a knock on the Tampa Bay area.
"What I've always said about Tampa is football is always first," Kubina said. "Here, the whole town follows hockey. Everybody cares and knows what's going on around the team. I like that a lot."
ODDS AND ENDS: Kubina said Lecavalier is the game's best player. ... Center Craig MacDonald was a healthy scratch.
Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.