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Lightning benefit from offseason makeover

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 30, 2001

It's time to give Rick Dudley a hand. Well, since it has been just 10 games, maybe polite applause.

Working with an oppressively tight budget, the general manager remade the Lightning in the offseason, and the early returns are promising.

There is still a long way to go and things could fall apart (remember this is the Lightning). But this is a team that has benefit from the influence of conscientious veterans, the enthusiasm of youth and coach John Tortorella's insistence that players be accountable to the system and each other.

There is praise for last season's acquisition of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, which may turn out to be the most important move of Dudley's two-plus years with Tampa Bay.

Okay, so he looked like he should have been playing for the AHL's Springfield Falcons during Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Thrashers. But no one can analyze his previous eight games and say he hasn't been a force.

So where do the newcomers stand?

DAVE ANDREYCHUK, LW, FREE AGENT: He is 38 years old, is averaging 16:18 of ice time and has two winning goals. He also is a large presence in the locker room. Hey, the guy is tied for second all-time with 237 power play goals and is third among left wings with 574 goals. You would listen to him too.

MATHIEU BIRON, D, ACQUIRED WITH A SECOND-ROUND DRAFT PICK FROM THE ISLANDERS FOR ADRIAN AUCOIN AND ALEXANDER KHARITONOV: He was supposed to be Springfield bound when Cory Sarich returned from a bruised right knee. But the 21-year-old did so well, he gained a reprieve. In six games, Biron is averaging 10:22 of ice time and has an even plus-minus. He is raw and may be sent down when Nolan Pratt comes back from a broken right foot, but the 6-foot-6, 220-pounder made his presence felt.

KHABIBULIN, G, ACQUIRED FROM THE COYOTES WITH STAN NECKAR FOR MIKE JOHNSON, PAUL MARA, THE RIGHTS TO RUSLAN ZAINULLIN AND A SECOND-ROUND DRAFT PICK: The 29-year-old is playing at a statistical level that, if maintained, will be one of the best by a Lightning goalie. Khabibulin's 2.50 goals-against average and .920 save percentage compare favorably to the 2.46 goals-against average and .918 save percentage Daren Puppa had during the 1995-96 playoff season.

GRANT LEDYARD, D, FREE AGENT: He turns 40 on Nov. 19, and was acquired more as a teacher. But injuries, poor play by some teammates and a nicely spaced schedule have put Ledyard on the ice for an average 20:42. He was minus-6 in his first four games. In his past four, he is plus-1.

NECKAR, D, ACQUIRED IN KHABIBULIN TRADE: The 25-year-old was thought a trade throw-in, but proved himself rugged and steady. After a slow start, his plus-3 leads Tampa Bay's defensemen.

JIMMIE OLVESTAD, LW/RW, THIRD-ROUND DRAFT PICK (88TH OVERALL) IN 1999: The 21-year-old is a joy to watch. He dives and he scraps and his 11 hits are tied for third on the team. He has given away the puck only once during an average 13:35 ice time.

PRATT, D, ACQUIRED FROM THE AVALANCHE FOR A SIXTH-ROUND DRAFT PICK: Has not played because of broken right foot.

VINNY PROSPAL, C, ACQUIRED FROM THE PANTHERS FOR RYAN JOHNSON AND A SIXTH-ROUND DRAFT PICK: The 26-year-old wants to put last season's five-goal effort behind him. With four goals and three assists, he is on his way. Prospal's 12 takeaways are three more than any Lightning player. His 56.6 winning percentage on faceoffs is excellent.

TIM TAYLOR, C, ACQUIRED FROM THE RANGERS FOR NILS EKMAN AND KYLE FREADRICH: Steady on defense, the 32-year-old has helped on faceoffs (he has a 50.5 percent winning percentage) and in the locker room. He has not given away the puck once in an average 15:25 of ice time.

JUHA YLONEN, LW, ACQUIRED FROM THE COYOTES FOR TODD WARRINER: The 29-year-old is not flashy nor especially physical but knows his role: defense. He is smart with the puck and tough to knock off it. He needs to get a goal, but his unflinching commitment to the grunt work is noteable.

Tampa Bay is 4-5-1 with a sense better things are ahead. At this point last season, it was 2-6-1-1 and the sense was, well, you know.

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