The Blue Jackets had more than a passing interest in left winger Ryan Malone last summer when general manager Scott Howson was in the early stages of making over the roster.
But Malone, then playing for Pittsburgh, made it clear to Columbus, through his agent, that he wasn't willing to negotiate with the Blue Jackets before he hit free agency on July 1.
One problem: Malone never made it to free agency.
The Penguins traded his negotiating rights to Tampa Bay on June 28 and Malone signed a seven-year, $31.5 million contract with the Lightning the following day.
"It was all about talking to the (Lightning) owners," Malone said. "They were very enthusiastic about what they wanted to do here."
It hasn't been an easy ride for owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie or general manager Brian Lawton.
Heading into tonight's game vs. the Blue Jackets, the Lightning has the second-worst record in the NHL.
"I think everyone's learned the hard way with maybe some of the moves," Malone said. "But you learn from your mistakes and then move forward."
Malone has quietly had a solid season. With 24 goals, he's three short of last season's career high.
Does he have any regrets? Malone paused a moment before answering.
"Ahhh, no," he said. "My family is happy. We've met a lot of great people down here.
"The thing I do kind of miss about Pittsburgh is, it's such a great sports town. And coming so close (to winning the Stanley Cup), it was tough leaving. But everything happens for a reason."
Tocchet's take
Tampa Bay interim coach Rick Tocchet does not expect any let-up from the Blue Jackets tonight, even though Columbus, with 10 games left in the season, appears likely to make the playoffs.
"They have to make the playoffs," Tocchet said. "It's kind of critical for these guys.
"I'd put Columbus right there with Florida, in the sense that making the playoffs for them right now is huge. That's why they're bringing their 'A' game every night."
Tocchet also raved about Blue Jackets fans in Nationwide Arena.
"I remember coaching (with Colorado) there in the last home game of the (2003-04) season," Tocchet said. "It was the last game, and they weren't making the playoffs, but the fans gave them a standing ovation.
"That kind of impressed me with their fans, the support."
Short memory
Raffi Torres said he's trying to forget about his two-goal outburst late in Friday's 3-1 win over Florida.
But it clearly was a crowning moment in what has been a difficult year for Torres. He has worked his way back from knee and shoulder injuries to play in 41 of the club's 72 games.
"To be honest with you, the games are just starting to be fun again," Torres said. "There's only one way to look now, and that's up.
"It's been difficult, going through all the stuff you don't want to go through. You just have to play. And as much as I'm feeling better now, I know I can still give more."
Slap shots
Center Manny Malhotra missed his second straight practice because of a sore right groin. Hitchcock said he'll play tonight. Defenseman Kris Russell inadvertently collided with Rick Nash during a practice drill yesterday. Neither was hurt. "Nice finish, Russ," center Michael Peca shouted.
The setup
The Blue Jackets will try to work the puck deep in the Lightning zone for long stretches, putting lots of pressure on Tampa Bay's young defense and goalie. Columbus is 13-3-1 vs. the Eastern Conference this season, the best interconference mark in the NHL. The Lightning was 5-7-4 under fired coach Barry Melrose; it is 18-26-12 under interim coach Rick Tocchet.
But Malone, then playing for Pittsburgh, made it clear to Columbus, through his agent, that he wasn't willing to negotiate with the Blue Jackets before he hit free agency on July 1.
One problem: Malone never made it to free agency.
The Penguins traded his negotiating rights to Tampa Bay on June 28 and Malone signed a seven-year, $31.5 million contract with the Lightning the following day.
"It was all about talking to the (Lightning) owners," Malone said. "They were very enthusiastic about what they wanted to do here."
It hasn't been an easy ride for owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie or general manager Brian Lawton.
Heading into tonight's game vs. the Blue Jackets, the Lightning has the second-worst record in the NHL.
"I think everyone's learned the hard way with maybe some of the moves," Malone said. "But you learn from your mistakes and then move forward."
Malone has quietly had a solid season. With 24 goals, he's three short of last season's career high.
Does he have any regrets? Malone paused a moment before answering.
"Ahhh, no," he said. "My family is happy. We've met a lot of great people down here.
"The thing I do kind of miss about Pittsburgh is, it's such a great sports town. And coming so close (to winning the Stanley Cup), it was tough leaving. But everything happens for a reason."
Tocchet's take
Tampa Bay interim coach Rick Tocchet does not expect any let-up from the Blue Jackets tonight, even though Columbus, with 10 games left in the season, appears likely to make the playoffs.
"They have to make the playoffs," Tocchet said. "It's kind of critical for these guys.
"I'd put Columbus right there with Florida, in the sense that making the playoffs for them right now is huge. That's why they're bringing their 'A' game every night."
Tocchet also raved about Blue Jackets fans in Nationwide Arena.
"I remember coaching (with Colorado) there in the last home game of the (2003-04) season," Tocchet said. "It was the last game, and they weren't making the playoffs, but the fans gave them a standing ovation.
"That kind of impressed me with their fans, the support."
Short memory
Raffi Torres said he's trying to forget about his two-goal outburst late in Friday's 3-1 win over Florida.
But it clearly was a crowning moment in what has been a difficult year for Torres. He has worked his way back from knee and shoulder injuries to play in 41 of the club's 72 games.
"To be honest with you, the games are just starting to be fun again," Torres said. "There's only one way to look now, and that's up.
"It's been difficult, going through all the stuff you don't want to go through. You just have to play. And as much as I'm feeling better now, I know I can still give more."
Slap shots
Center Manny Malhotra missed his second straight practice because of a sore right groin. Hitchcock said he'll play tonight. Defenseman Kris Russell inadvertently collided with Rick Nash during a practice drill yesterday. Neither was hurt. "Nice finish, Russ," center Michael Peca shouted.
The setup
The Blue Jackets will try to work the puck deep in the Lightning zone for long stretches, putting lots of pressure on Tampa Bay's young defense and goalie. Columbus is 13-3-1 vs. the Eastern Conference this season, the best interconference mark in the NHL. The Lightning was 5-7-4 under fired coach Barry Melrose; it is 18-26-12 under interim coach Rick Tocchet.
