Okay, so John Tortorella is a little biased. Still, the Lightning coach was strong Saturday in his comments that center Vinny Lecavalier should be the first forward considered for league MVP.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published March 25, 2007
TAMPA - Okay, so John Tortorella is a little biased. Still, the Lightning coach was strong Saturday in his comments that center Vinny Lecavalier should be the first forward considered for league MVP.
"If it's not a goalie, he should be MVP," Tortorella said. "He deserves it. He has gone through a process and has matured into a legitimate star in this league."
In the Vancouver Province's informal survey of voters, Penguins center Sidney Crosby led. Vancouver's Roberto Luongo and New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, both goalies, were next.
But Tortorella said of Crosby, who leads the league with 108 points, "Sidney doesn't help kill penalties. Sidney is not on the ice in the last minute protecting a lead.
"I'm not running down Sidney, but he has to go through the process. Penguins coach Michel Therrien will do that with him, and eventually, he will be put in those situations."
Of Lecavalier, who entered Saturday with a league-best 49 goals, Tortorella said, "I don't hesitate to put him anywhere at any time. ... So if it isn't a goalie, he should be it."
MASTERTON AWARD: The Tampa Bay chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association named captain Tim Taylor the Lightning's nominee for the annual award given for perseverance and dedication to the game.
"It's an honor," said Taylor, adding with a smile, "It means you're older and you've been hurt."
Taylor, 38, in his 12th season, has put off until the summer career-threatening surgery on his left hip. The injury has cut into Taylor's minutes. He entered Saturday averaging 7:33. But he said a cortisone shot in January has helped, and he was 14th in the league with a 54.8 faceoff winning percentage.
Taylor said he will get another cortisone shot Wednesday.
"He's a pro," Tortorella said. "He knows what to do no matter if he's playing or not as far as his leadership is concerned."
GRILL MASTER: Defenseman Nolan Pratt will be grilling from 6:30 to 7 tonight at bd's Mongolian Grill, 3140B Tampa Road, Oldsmar. The event, with celebrity grillers from 6 to 9 p.m., benefits the Driving for Donors bone marrow drive. Tickets at the door are $30 for adults, $24 for kids.
ODDS AND ENDS: Tuesday's home game against the Panthers is at 7 p.m. ... Forwards Blair Jones and Andreas Karlsson and defenseman Matt Smaby were healthy scratches. Goalie Johan Holmqvist missed his second game because of the flu.