Lightning Roundup

First off, congratulations are in order for several players on teh Lightning... Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis, Vaclav Prospal, Pavel Kubina, Freddie Modin and John Grahame have all been named over the last several days to their respective Olympic Teams (Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Sweden and Team USA). They all will be journeying to Turin, Italy to take part in the Olympic Games this February. No word yet on Team Russia but that shoudl be announced soon.

There has been an ugly rumor circulating for the past few weeks about Brad Richards... The rumor has him heading out to Calgary and of couse: Flames fans are salivating at the idea. Yet if we learned anyting during the 2004 playoffs and this off season, it's that these rumors have next to no merrit and that the fans get on them regardless... And seeing Brad is the marquee RFA of teh 2006 offseason, the rumors will continue to swell until he is signed - or traded.

Speaking of Brad Richards... Eric at Of Wing Joe Tasca at Off WIng Opinion decided to comment on today's story in the St. Petersburg Times highlighting Brad's charity work.

Too often, athletes get nailed to the cross unjustly. It’s one thing to pick on a guy for supposedly lacking leadership qualities, but to go to town on someone who has repeatedly dedicated his free time to disadvantaged young children is just tasteless. Kudos to Cristodero for penning a fine, and fair, profile of Brad Richards.

These comments were inspired by the Summerside Journal Pioneers Character Assasination attempt of Richards in 2004.

Tonight's game pits the Bolts agaisnt the New York Rangers at MSG. Both teams are reeling... This is one where I hope Pavel Kubina can re-acquire his taste for physical play as he faces off against his foe and fellow countryman, Jaromir Jagr. Expect John Grahame in goal -- but don't expect things to be better just because John is starting again. Last time out Grahame was lit up by the Detroit Red Wings.