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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 6, 2001
TAMPA -- Turning around the Lightning has turned into a bigger project than expected, but Tampa Bay's ownership group remains committed to a long-term plan for success.
"We're behind our projections because we thought we would be further along on the ice than we were last year," said Tom Wilson, CEO of owner Bill Davidson's Palace Sports & Entertainment, which lost an estimated $10-million on the Lightning last season.
"To get fans out here and sell season tickets you have to really give them something. We've given them glimpses of hope, but we haven't given them something to really grab on to."
Wilson expects that to change this season. Following Ottawa's small-market blueprint for success, the Lightning hopes to play meaningful games in March for the first time in five years.
The Senators got rid of pricey veterans in favor of raw, young talent. Once future stars were in place, management brought in affordable veterans to be mentors.
"Ottawa did it with a payroll that was (near) the bottom of the league by making good draft choices, making good trades and being competitive," Wilson said. "If we follow that blueprint, we can become a good club."
Young stars Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Nikita Alexeev are in the system. The Lightning acquired three free-agent veterans to be mentors this season: wing Dave Andreychuk, center Tim Taylor and defenseman Grant Ledyard. The trade for goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin is considered the linchpin.
This season, Wilson said, is critical, but ownership's investment is in the future.
"If we were just in it for money ... but you don't buy a sports team if you don't get some enjoyment out of it," Wilson said. "Bill Davidson has never been the kind of guy who likes to be mediocre."
DEBUT DELAYED: Alexeev, the rookie wing who was the Lightning's top draft pick, was scratched from the lineup, proof the team has more depth. "This is good for Nikita," coach John Tortorella said. "You hate telling that young kid, 'You're not playing tonight.' He's one of our bright young stars. But this is all part of the learning process of making an NHL team."
Alexeev was disappointed, but understood.
"It's the home opener and a lot of pressure," said Alexeev, a native of Russia. "I'm still a rookie; I'm 19. I just have to go every practice hard and show I want to play."
Wing Ryan Tobler and Ledyard also were healthy scratches.
PRESSURE POINT: Many are saying that if the Lightning is to challenge for a playoff spot, Khabibulin has to be spectacular.
Khabibulin accepts it as part of the territory.
"I think me and (backup Kevin Weekes) have to be good," he said. "Any team right now, if you don't have good goaltending, you're not going to go far."
As for any pressure, he said, "I don't mind it."
Besides, he said, "I don't read the newspapers so it keeps me focused on hockey more than the other stuff that goes on."
FIRST CALL: Center Brad Richards said Lecavalier called him two minutes after Lecavalier agreed to his new contract.
"It's the happiest I've heard him in a long time," said Lecavalier's best friend. "He wanted to be here but he couldn't say that as much as he wanted to. He was missing being here in the room, talking to the guys and knowing what's going on."
Richards said Lecavalier was hopeful of a deal since general manager Rick Dudley went to see him Tuesday in Montreal.
"He was giddy the last three nights," Richards said. "He thought something was going to get done every night. Finally, he said, 'This is it.' He was ready to go."
7:30 Sunday night, Ice Palace, Tampa.
TV: Sunshine.