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By Times staff
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 6, 2000
GOALIES
DAN CLOUTIER
AGE: 24.
HT/WT: 6-1, 195.
LAST SEASON: Was given the No. 1 spot in early November when Daren Puppa was lost for the season with a back injury. He was 9-30-3 with a 3.49 goals-against average in 52 games.
THE SKINNY: Cloutier made an all-out assault on his conditioning and goaltending technique over the summer and came away in the best shape of his career. Cloutier was hampered last season by groin surgery that never completely healed. He also admitted losing technique in an attempt to snap himself and the team out of a prolonged slump. But under the direction of goaltending coach Jeff Reese, Cloutier, who can be spectacular and has the potential to be one of the game's best, seems to be on the right track. He and Kevin Weekes are expected to share the goaltending duties.
AGE: 19.
HT/WT: 6-0, 167.
LAST SEASON: Played for Ak-Bars Kazan in Russia.
THE SKINNY: Konstantinov came into camp and took it by storm. Looking confident and completely unaffected by his surroundings, the 1999 third-round draft pick was strong during practice and even stronger during games. He was especially effective Sept. 21 against the Panthers. Playing a little more than a period after starter Dan Cloutier was thrown out after a fight, Konstantinov made nine saves, three of the wow variety. Cat-quick, he will make the team as insurance in case Weekes' back flares up. When that is cleared up, he will likely be sent to the IHL's Detroit Vipers with whom he will play regularly.
AGE: 25.
HT/WT: 6-0, 195.
LAST SEASON: Played in 56 games with the Canucks and Islanders, going 16-27-8 overall with two shutouts and a .901 save percentage.
THE SKINNY: The Lightning will be Weekes' fourth team in four years after stints with the Panthers, Canucks and Islanders. But Lightning general manager Rick Dudley said Weekes is the reason New York passed Tampa Bay in the overall standings last season. And Hall of Famer Billy Smith, who coached Weekes when he was in Florida, said Weekes has the stuff to be a No. 1. Smith's caveat, however, is that Weekes sometimes get burned when trying to make the easy save look spectacular. Athletic and acrobatic, Weekes' upside makes him worth the gamble of trading a No. 1 pick.
JASSEN CULLIMORE
AGE: 27.
HT/WT: 6-5, 235.
LAST SEASON: After a stint with Providence of the AHL, he appeared in 46 games for Tampa Bay. He had 1 goal and 1 assist and was a plus-2.
THE SKINNY: By the end of the season, Cullimore was the Lightning's most-consistent defender. He also is big, something general manager Rick Dudley covets. Despite his size, Cullimore is not a big hitter and his offensive skills are limited. Still, he gives an all-out effort whenever called upon, doesn't try to overextend himself and doesn't complain.
AGE: 25.
HT/WT: 6-1, 195.
LAST SEASON: Played 28 games before going down in December with a season-ending knee injury. Had 2 goals and 3 assists and blocked an impressive 46 shots.
THE SKINNY: Gusev's skills have never been questioned, nor has his heart. The question is whether Gusev can recover from serious and extensive knee surgery. Gusev has been given good marks by the medical staff, but his skating is not yet confident and he may start the season on injured reserve. Before he was hurt, Gusev showed a fluid skating motion and fine shot. The Lightning believes he can be a top-four defenseman.
AGE: 23.
HT/WT: 6-4, 230.
LAST SEASON: had 8 goals and 18 assists in 69 games.
THE SKINNY: The former seventh-round draft pick has a chance to be a star, or at least a top-four defenseman. Big, strong and with a mean streak that accounted for 93 penalty minutes, Kubina's only problem was trying to hold his offensive instincts in check. He has a nice shot from the point and tied for the team lead with six power-play goals. But the Lightning wants him to worry about defense first. Any offense will be a bonus.
AGE: 21.
HT/WT: 6-4, 210.
LAST SEASON: An expectation-producing rookie season in which he had 7 goals, 11 assists in 54 games.
THE SKINNY: Mara was on the ice a lot (he averaged more than 22 minutes) and showed the skills that some say will eventually make him a superstar. The 1997 first-round pick (seventh overall) isn't afraid to throw his body around, check out his 73 penalty minutes, is smart and has a nice passing touch and a powerful shot from the point that produced four power play goals. Look for him to be even more physical this season. Experience should make him even more effective.
AGE: 27.
HT/WT: 6-4, 220.
LAST SEASON: After 2 goals, 3 assists in 11 games for the Blackhawks, he had 1 goal, 1 assist in 30 games for Tampa Bay.
THE SKINNY: Muir is coming off one of his most frustrating seasons as he tried to adapt to a new team while missing 29 games over two stretches with ankle injuries. Not overly physical, considering his size, the Lightning expects the now-healthy Muir to be a stay-at-home, stability-providing element.
AGE: 22.
HT/WT: 6-5, 209.
LAST SEASON: Had 1 goal, 2 assists in 18 games for Tampa Bay after being acquired from the Maple Leafs.
THE SKINNY: Big boy who has size and can hit. He also fits the mold of defensive defenseman the Lightning likes. Last season was his first in the NHL and considering Tampa Bay's glut of defensemen, he may get some time in the minors to gain some experience. On the other hand, he had a great camp and could stick, especially if Gusev goes on IR.
AGE: 22.
HT/WT: 6-3, 193.
LAST SEASON: Had four assists in 42 games for the Sabres before being acquired by Tampa Bay, for which he had two assists in 17 games.
THE SKINNY: Don't look for big offensive numbers from Sarich, who the Lightning see as a battering ram in the mold of New Jersey's Scott Stevens. Sarich obviously enjoys that role as he picked up 42 penalty minutes for Tampa Bay. There are some rough edges. Sarich had 75 giveaways and has played just 63 NHL games. But general manager Rick Dudley definitely sees star quality.
AGE: 34.
HT/WT: 6-2, 198.
LAST SEASON: An all-star season in which he had 2 goals, 23 assists in 70 games. He was only minus-11 on the second-worst defensive team in the league, a stunning achievement considering his average playing time of 23 minutes.
THE SKINNY: The team's best defenseman and teacher, who has been credited with Kubina's development. Svoboda had a magnificent first half last season and was named to the World All-Star team. He slowed as the season wore on, but blocked 124 sots and had just 47 giveaways. The Lightning thinks him so important, it signed him to a new two-year contract. Collected an uncharacteristic 170 penalty minutes, but was a stabilizing factor on the ice and in the locker room.
AGE: 22.
HT/WT: 6-1, 210.
LAST SEASON: Had 2 goals and 9 assists in 34 games before going down with a shoulder injury.
THE SKINNY: The last player left in the trade that netted Zyuzin, Bill Holder, Shawn Burr and Steve Guolla from the Sharks. For general manager Rick Dudley's money, however, he was the most important part. The 1996 first-round draft pick (second overall), has offensive skills to burn. Dudley said he thinks Zyuzin can be an elite player. He did not play in preseason, but skated regularly and looked good as camp wound down.
STAN DRULIA
AGE: 32.
HT/WT: 5-11, 190.
LAST SEASON: Had 11 goals, 22 assists in 68 games.
THE SKINNY: Drulia is one of the team's unsung heroes. As a long-time member of the IHL's Detroit Vipers, Drulia was familiar with coach Steve Ludzik's system and, as an older player, was a calming influence for a very young Lightning team. More than once Ludzik said Tampa Bay seemed to lose a step when Drulia was not in the lineup. General manager Rick Dudley called him the team's smartest player. Drulia knows his capabilities, doesn't try to play beyond them and rises to any challenge. He even played some defense in a December game against the Rangers after injuries depleted the back line.
AGE: 22.
HT/WT: 6-3, 216.
LAST SEASON: Had two assists and 147 penalty minutes in 27 games with Detroit (IHL), and one assist and 135 penalty minutes in 24 games with the Lightning.
THE SKINNY: Dwyer never met a physical confrontation he didn't like. In fact, if Dwyer's NHL penalty minutes were extrapolated over 82 games, he would have been assessed 461, just 11 behind Dave Schultz's season record. Fearless and eager, Dwyer can fill any hole in a pinch and do it with a thud. He took that a little too far in a preseason game against the Capitals, though, and is serving a 23-game suspension.
AGE: 21.
HT/WT: 6-7, 250.
LAST SEASON: Had one assist and 203 penalty minutes in 52 games with Detroit (IHL), and no points and 39 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Lightning.
THE SKINNY: Huge size and a nasty attitude, Freadrich proved himself a heavyweight fighter of distinction last season with a memorable ruckus against the Blackhawks' Ryan VandenBussche. But he's not a mindless thug and can check without instigating a brawl. Freadrich worked hard on his skating during the summer. Even though general manager Rick Dudley loves Freadrich's fists, they alone will not hold a roster spot.
AGE: 23.
HT/WT: 6-1, 183.
LAST SEASON: had 11 goals, 20 assists in 41 games with Louisville (AHL). Did not score in six games with the Panthers and had a goal and an assist in 13 games after being traded to the Lightning.
THE SKINNY: Still trying to find his niche. He is gritty and willing to do some of the dirty work like standing in front of the opponent's net. He also came into camp in great shape and impressed management with his work ethic. His pass that resulted in a Paul Mara goal in the final preseason game was pure gold. Could find a spot on the fourth line.
AGE: 28.
HT/WT: 5-11, 190.
LAST SEASON: Had 7 goals and 17 assists in 59 games with the Sabres. Had 3 goals, 3 assists in 14 games after being traded to the Lightning.
THE SKINNY: Uses speed to his advantage and is reliable. Not very physical but that's not why the Lightning acquired him. Never really got on track after the trade. Will likely be more comfortable with a training camp and a good look at coach Steve Ludzik's system under his belt.
AGE: 26.
HT/WT: 6-2, 200.
LAST SEASON: Had 11 goals, 14 assists in 52 games with the Maple Leafs. Had 10 goals, 12 assists in 28 games after being traded to the Lightning.
THE SKINNY: The rap on Johnson coming out of Toronto was that he disappeared for long stretches, but that never manifested itself with the Lightning. Paired with center Vinny Lecavalier, Johnson flourished. He has nice hands, knows the game and uses that knowledge to get open without drawing attention to himself. With a little luck and a full season with Lecavalier, Johnson could become an all-star.
AGE: 24.
HT/WT: 6-1, 200.
LAST SEASON: Had 4 goals, 12 assists in 66 games with the Panthers. Had 2 assists in 14 games after being traded to the Lightning.
THE SKINNY: Speed, speed and more speed. You notice Johnson when he is on the ice because he tries to hit everything in sight. He may not take people out but he is disruptive. Plays hard and had an impressive camp. Can play forward or wing and made management forget a poor performance last season after coming over in trade from the Panthers.
AGE: 24.
HT/WT: 5-8, 170.
LAST SEASON: Played 35 games for Moscow Dynamo with 14 goals, 20 assists.
THE SKINNY: Kharitonov made a name for himself when general manager Rick Dudley said he outdid Russian teammate Alexei Yashin in the World Championships. In fact, Dudley said Kharitonov was the Russian team's best player. Speedy, hard-nosed and with god stick-handling ability, Kharitonov fit in well from the start of camp.
AGE: 20.
HT/WT: 6-4, 205.
LAST SEASON: A breakout effort. Lecavalier's 25 goals, 42 assists were 39 points better than his rookie season. He tied for the team lead with six power play goals and was named captain midway through the season.
THE SKINNY: Those around the NHL believe Lecavalier could be the league's next superstar and there is every indication they are right. Lecavalier took huge steps in almost every aspect of his game last season. He passed, he shot, he fought and he led, mostly quietly, but effectively. There is still some questions about the his defense, but Lecavalier made every one of his linemates better and he respects the team more than his own stardom. The expectations are high, but Lecavalier said he relishes the challenge.
AGE: 28.
HT/WT: 5-9, 175.
LAST SEASON: Had 1 goal in two games with the Senators. Had 5 goals, 7 assists in 57 games after the Lightning claimed him off waivers.
THE SKINNY: Martins never stands still and every now and then will dazzle you with his stick-handling. But his greatest talent is being a pest. Martins, who could find a place on the fourth line, has a thick, strong body which allows him to take abuse, keep moving, disrupt, keep the opposition in check and maybe draw a penalty. Plays hard every shift. Was slowed in camp by a sprained ankle.
AGE: 26.
HT/WT: 6-4, 220.
LAST SEASON: Had career-highs of 22 goals and 26 assists in 80 games.
THE SKINNY: Modin is a 30- or perhaps even a 40-goal scorer waiting to happen. He is big, strong and is tough to move once he establishes position. More to the point is Modin's 104-mph slapshot, which doesn't get nearly the airing out it should. Modin took a team-high 167 shots last season, but that's a relatively low number for a goal scorer. No doubt Modin will be fed the puck consistently this season. The Lightning hopes he blasts away.
AGE: 24.
HT/WT: 6-3, 225.
LAST SEASON: He had 5 goals, 7 assists in 41 games with the Sabres. He had 2 goals, 3 assists in 17 games after being traded to the Lightning.
THE SKINNY: Primeau was switcehd from center to right wing in camp and made the transition look easy, paring with Fredrik Modin and center Brad Richards. Primeau knows his game and plays within those parameters. His size and good skating ability allow him to effectively match up against the bigger players in the league.
AGE: 20.
HT/WT: 6-1, 187.
LAST SEASON: Had 71 goals and 115 assists in 63 games for Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Was MVP of the Memorial Cup tournament.
THE SKINNY: The jump from juniors to the NHL is huge, but if anyone can do it, it's Richards. The center showed his resolve at Rimouski where, challenged by Lightning general manager Rick Dudley, he improved his skating and then made the Memorial Cup tournament his own with a big contract hanging in the balance. Richards, a candidate for the second-line center, is a playmaker and is getting a shot at point on the power play.
AGE: 25.
HT/WT: 5-9, 185.
LAST SEASON: Had 3 goals and 15 assists in 56 games for the Flames.
THE SKINNY: St. Louis played on a checking line with Calgary; surprising considering his offensive skills. But St. Louis said focusing on that part of the game improved his overall skill. Signed as a free agent, St. Louis has good speed and is a deft stick-handler. He will go to the net and isn't afraid of contact. Can provide a spark.
AGE: 24.
HT/WT: 6-1, 193.
LAST SEASON: Had a goal and 2 assists in 23 games with the Capitals. Had 5 goals, 5 assists in 29 games after being traded to the Lightning.
THE SKINNY: Has great speed and scores in streaks. The problem is, Svejkovsky can disappear for long stretches during games. He played markedly better for Tampa Bay than he did with Washington, but consistency is a key. Arthroscopic knee surgery right before training camp will put him on injured reserve for start of the seasons.
AGE: 26.
HT/WT: 6-1, 200.
LAST SEASON: Had 3 goals, 1 assist in 18 games with the Maple Leafs. Had 11 goals, 13 assists in 55 games after being traded to the Lightning.
THE SKINNY: All signs point to a breakout year. Warriner came alive last season when paired with center Vinny Lecavalier. Tough and smart, Warriner will go to the net and knows how to get open. With Lecavalier feeding him on a regular basis, the 1992 first-round selection (fourth overall) of the Nordiques could have his first 20-goal season.