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By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 10, 2001
TAMPA -- Just because the season is over doesn't mean the business of the Lightning comes to a halt.
Coach John Tortorella has mapped out next season's possible line and defensive combinations, and how he plans to run his first training camp as head coach.
The training staff has fashioned summer workout programs, and Tortorella met with each player Monday at the Ice Palace to discuss what is expected.
Here are some things to watch for this summer and next season.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: The team has 24 players to sign, including minor leaguers. Most will be taken care of with 10 percent pay raises, the minimum offer needed to retain the rights of restricted free agents making less than the league average of $1.4-million.
Some could go to arbitration. Players whose contracts are up and have that right are goaltender Kevin Weekes; forwards Matthew Barnaby, Brian Holzinger, Ryan Johnson, Stan Drulia, Dan Kesa, Jason Podollan and Kaspars Astashenko, and defensemen Jassen Cullimore, Stan Neckar and Adrian Aucoin.
Others whose contracts are up and are potential restricted free agents are forwards Vinny Lecavalier, Gordie Dwyer, Nils Ekman, Alexander Kharitonov, Konstantin Kalmikov and Dale Rominski, and defensemen Cory Sarich, Andrei Zyuzin, Mike Jones, Mikko Kuparinen, Mario Larocque and Marek Posmyk.
Tampa Bay's only potential unrestricted free agents are Drulia, Podollan and goaltender Wade Flaherty.
DUDLEY FACTOR: General manager Rick Dudley knows it's his you-know-what if the Lightning is not in the hunt for the playoffs next season. To get there, the team ideally needs two wings who can score and a gritty faceoff man.
That last one could be difficult because you don't want to fill a roster spot with a specialist. But either through trading or free agency, Dudley has to make some moves.
WEEKES FACTOR: If Weekes can accept playing 20-25 games as Nikolai Khabibulin's backup, the Lightning wants him. But if Weekes indicates he won't be happy in that role, the team could consider packaging him with another player (the underachieving Todd Warriner, maybe?) or a draft choice and trade them to the Penguins or Rangers. Both need goaltending and have firepower to spare. And Weekes' play has certainly upped his value.
DRAFT CARD: If the Lightning gains either the first or second choice in the June draft at today's weighted lottery drawing, Dudley will use it to pick either Jason Spezza or Ilja Kovalchuk. If Tampa Bay picks third or below, Dudley could work a deal for immediate help.
RICHARDS, PART II: It will be interesting to see how center Brad Richards reacts to his second NHL season. The 20-year-old had 21 goals, 41 assists and 62 points, and led rookies in goals, points, assists, power play assists (19) and power play points (26).
It's one thing to put up big numbers when no one knows who you are. It's another thing to do it with the weight of opposition defenses bearing down on you. Just ask New Jersey's Scott Gomez.
CONDITIONED RESPONSE: Tortorella was displeased with the Lightning's conditioning and already has put the players through fitness testing. Whatever workout program players get, you can bet the coach will watch to see who shows up by early August to prepare for training camp. This isn't college. Participation will count.
UNIFORM RESPONSE: The Lightning's third uniform will have red in the color scheme and a new logo. Also, the numbers and lettering on the main uniforms will be changed to easy-reading block type.
PARTING SHOT: No matter what the NHL says or Lightning management tells you, the team lost 52 games this season (47 in regulation, five in overtime). And though it will not go into the record books, Tampa Bay is the first team in league history to lose at least 50 games in four consecutive seasons.