Sale talk means big four likely to stay

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published December 14, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Ken Helle | Times] Oren Koules, a potential new owner, previously cited the Lightning's four stars for his interest.

TAMPA - If nothing else, the attempt being made by Hollywood producer Oren Koules to buy the Lightning put on hold any decision owner Palace Sports & Entertainment could make about cutting payroll.

That means any discussions about trading Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, Brad Richards or Dan Boyle are, for now anyway, off the table.

General manager Jay Feaster said earlier this month that Palace Sports could cut payroll if the team did not turn it around by Christmas. But Feaster also has said one reason Koules, a former minor-league player, is interested is the team's star-studded core.

Neither Koules nor Palace Sports CEO Tom Wilson commented. But assuming that is the case, it would not make sense for Palace Sports to jeopardize a potential $200-million deal with drastic roster moves despite stated projections that its Tampa operation this season could lose $5-million to $7-million if the Lightning misses the playoffs.

Richards said the players cannot worry about things "out of our control."

"There's nothing we can do about it," he added. "We're very happy here. We like all the personnel here. We just hope we can keep working together."

Feaster said the roster is not frozen and he is open to smaller-scale deals that can help the team.

"You are never not looking at those things," he said. "We're out there scouting every night. We're getting reports every day. We're watching the waiver wires. We're having conversations."

While the sale of the team is being negotiated, though, none are likely to include the big four.

OUELLET HURT: Wing Michel Ouellet left the game in the second period with an unspecified left shoulder injury.

LIVING IN THE PAST: Players from both teams said the 3 1/2 years since Calgary's last visit to the St. Pete Times Forum, Game 7 of the 2004 Cup final, made Thursday just another game.

"Being back in this dressing room and on the ice makes you want to get back to the finals," Calgary captain Jarome Iginla said. "It makes you appreciate how much fun it was, and the passion was awesome. But as far as the game, for us it's about momentum. We're just trying to get rolling and back in the playoffs."

BACK TO THE BENCH: If goaltender Marc Denis hoped to start consecutive games after Tuesday's dazzling effort against Montreal, he was disappointed. Johan Holmqvist, who entered Thursday 11-3-2 with a 2.11 goals-against average at home, started against Calgary.

"As quick as it is, it's now part of the past," Denis said of his 28-save shootout victory.

Denis replaced Holmqvist in the first period.

ODDS AND ENDS: Seven first-period goals tied the second most for a Lightning home game, one fewer than in a 6-3 win over Winnipeg now Phoenix on Dec. 19, 1995. ... Flames and ex-Lightning defenseman Cory Sarich has the league's longest active-games streak at 419. ... Eight Flames and seven Lightning players remain from the 2004 Cup final. ... Lightning center Craig MacDonald was a healthy scratch.

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

[Last modified December 14, 2007, 00:59:30]