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Coach confronts pleasant problem

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 2, 2001

TAMPA -- Names and numbers are scribbled in a variety of combinations all over Lightning coach John Tortorella's lineup card, evidence of his ongoing personnel dilemmas.

And he loves it.

For the first time in many years, the Lightning has more talented players than places to play them.

"It's healthy," Tortorella said. "It makes it more difficult to put your team together. But when you look at the big picture, it's more depth. There's more depth within the club right now."

The Lightning's active roster is at the league maximum of 23 players, but that does not include injured defenseman Jassen Cullimore or holdout Vinny Lecavalier.

Several changes likely will be made before Friday's season opener against the Islanders.

Tortorella said he expects to activate Cullimore from injured reserve and recall forward Ryan Tobler, who was reassigned Sunday to Springfield of the American Hockey League.

Among those making the decisions difficult are a trio of wings: Gordie Dwyer and first-year players Jimmie Olvestad and Nikita Alexeev, the Lightning's top draft choice in 2000.

Also, forward Glen Metropolit, picked up Friday in the waiver draft, needs a place in the lineup.

"There is a lot of competition for jobs because all the players want to play," said Olvestad, who earned a spot in training camp on the third line with Tim Taylor and Juha Ylonen.

"Everybody is fighting hard to get a spot on the team. If we can keep that going, it would be real good. It's fun."

And confounding, but Tortorella is not complaining. He will continue to mix and match players in his search for the best combinations.

"You did lineups last year, and you were just trying to add people to fill your lineup," Tortorella said.

"I have 15 different lineups that I cannot make heads or tails of what I want the four lines to be or who the six defensemen are going to be. There are so many different things that are good, it's confusing. But it's great."

LECAVALIER CONTRACT: Lecavalier and his agent, Kent Hughes, are expected to meet today in Montreal with general manager Rick Dudley to discuss a new contract. Dudley has said he is bringing options but is not there to negotiate.

The Lightning has offered three years, $6-million to its 21-year-old captain. Lecavalier's side proposed three years, $9.45-million.

FEELING GOOD: Cullimore and forward Brad Richards completed Monday's two-hour practice, leading Tortorella to believe both will play in the opener.

Cullimore missed all five preseason games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, and Richards did not play in two weekend games because of a groin strain.

PRATT OUT: Defenseman Nolan Pratt will miss two weeks with a bone contusion in his right foot. Results from an MRI, CAT scan and X-rays did not show a fracture. Pratt likely will go on injured reserve when Cullimore comes off, which means Kristian Kudroc will remain on the roster as the seventh defenseman.

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