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By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 20, 2001
TAMPA -- There is no easy way to define defenseman Pavel Kubina, probably because the 23-year-old, like many young back-liners, is a work in progress.
As such, it is not surprising that the native of the Czech Republic does some things very, very well. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has a booming shot that can hit the corners from the blue line. He blocks shots. He is durable, and wants -- no, yearns -- to be the guy who makes the big play.
It also is not surprising that Kubina needs to work on a few things. His skating, for example, especially backward (key for a defenseman, by the way). And his positioning, in particular on down-low, one-on-one and two-on-two coverages.
Even more crucial for Kubina is his physical and mental preparation. How he handles those areas of development will signal if he is serious about taking his game to the next level.
"It's not just showing up at 5:30 for a 7:30 game," coach John Tortorella said. "We're talking summertime and training camp. If he wants to be a star in this league and get star money, it has to be all the time. And he has a lot to learn about that."
The Lightning wants Kubina to stay in the United States this summer to work on his skating with Paul Vincent, the team's special skills instructor.
When asked about it, Kubina said he had not spoken to management but believed a month's work in the Czech Republic with his personal trainer would do the trick.
Wrong answer, Kuby.
This probably sounds like Pick on Pavel Kubina Day. After all, many other Lightning defensemen show many of the same deficiencies.
But Kubina is older and in his third full season. And because of the team's expectations, he is held to a higher standard, much like Vinny Lecavalier when his development is considered.
To be fair, Kubina is a much steadier player than he was at the start of the season. His defense is more consistent (he is minus-10 overall but plus-2 in his past 14 games), and when he does make a mistake, he hustles to get back into the play.
He also puts in more ice time -- an average of 24 minutes, 47 seconds -- than any Lightning player.
"It's coming," general manager Rick Dudley said. "He's starting to assert himself. He's starting to be a very effective guy."
But Kubina's skills demand he do more, demand that the shortcomings be addressed and corrected. Kubina said he will get better as the team improves. But how about improving so he can help the team get better?
Kubina could get a good look tonight at what great skill combined with hard work and perseverance can produce.
Defenseman Chris Pronger, who might return to the Blues after arthroscopic knee surgery, was traded by the old Hartford Whalers to St. Louis when he was 20 years old for popular Brendan Shanahan.
Blues fans were so bitter, they booed Pronger every night.
"By February, I dreaded going to the rink," he said. "It was pretty tough. They were upset. They lost a fan favorite, but that wasn't my fault."
Pronger roomed with veteran Al MacInnis. He listened, learned, applied the lessons and last season, at age 25, won the Hart Trophy as the league MVP.
"Any time you go through an experience like that, you get valuable experience in handling that type of pressure," Pronger said. "It makes you a lot better player and helps you handle pressure situations."
How did Pronger do at Kubina's age? He was having a breakout season.
Pronger had nine goals, 27 assists and was plus-47 in 1997-98. But he had played 281 NHL games going into that season. If Kubina plays Tampa Bay's final 22 games this season, he will have played 225 going into 2001-02.
Dudley is not going to trade Kubina, though, he said, "I can make 29 phone calls (to other general managers) and have 29 takers."
And he is not going to say Kubina is the next Chris Pronger.
"But," Dudley said, "he has a chance to be something very special."
Like we said, a work in progress.