Tampa, Florida					Thursday, September 09, 2010

An Administrative Hat Trick, This Was
Monday, January 16, 2006
TAMPA—It was textbook. It was by the numbers. And it worked. There were no losers. All involved and all affected won, including, the fans. Speaking of the Dave Andreychuk Affair. The Affair should be added immediately to the Successful Case Studies of the National Hockey League’s Handbook for Prospective General Managers, as well, as for the Handbook for Players. It’s another reason for the election as quickly as possible, by acclamation, perhaps, of Dave Andreychuk to the NHL Hockey League Hall of Fame. Moreover, the Affair should be included on the resumes of Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Jay Feaster and Coach John Tortorella when they go for their next raises. Again, am speaking of the step-by-step development of the wonderful scenario created when the indomitable 23-year veteran and captain of the Lightning was eased through the schemes which allow him to remain in the organization of which he has been such a cornerstone. The process which allows him to receive his full salary this year, but not be burdened by calling on his aching body to be slapped around longer. The process allows him to get his aging legs to get off the ice now, to relieve him of having to make the painful, public decision to retire, and, at the same give his team a younger talent in his place, perhaps in the nick of time. The Lightning have been in need of help, quickly. Feaster, Tortorella and, in time, Andreychuk, agreed that the way to get that done was to a younger stud, or several younger studs, to take care of the business the aging Lightning star once could do alone. No, it was not an insult to Dave. Involved in the considerations were his age, loss of speed (but not grit), stamina and, of course, well, it was the captain of this team, and certainly still a force in the locker-room and a fan favorite. Remember, Dave Andreychuk was, in part, hurt by the lockout/strike of the NHL last year. He lost precious playing time, though he hasn’t said anything of that in this crisis. Indeed, the captain has been the captain through this emergency when his decisions and demeanor were as important as ever. Give him five more for that. All involved have produced an administrative hat trick, or better. In case you are new, or newish to this drama, Feaster the GM, and Tortorella the coach, even surely Capt. Dave knew like time and tide the aging trend in us all is irreversible. And with the defending champion Lightning not playing as the ownership, coaches, players and fans want them to play to return to another shot at the glory of 2003, well,	principals Feaster and Tortorella, with Capt. Dave’s cooperation, had an idea—put younger, fasters legs into the spot Andreyhuk filled. Yep, it was clear the Hall of Famer-to-be had slowed in a game that has gotten faster. An option, discuss retirement with him. Another option, trade him, or try to do that. Or, waive him. Or, waive him but if he cleared waivers (offer to allow other teams to have a free shot at him), keep him on the payroll and consider him for some future in the Tampa he has come to love, where he now owns a café near The Forum. Trades were out, indeed, there were no takers. Feaster discovered. Also, know this, as Tampa Tribune Lightning beat man, Erik Erlendsson, wrote, “There were no conflicts here, not between player and coach, not between player and player. It was a decision made for the present and future of the franchise.’’ The “decision,’’ was to put this distinguished player on waivers. Then, the decision was that if Capt. Dave cleared waivers, the Lightning would put him on the farm team roster for the rest of the season, but keep him in Tampa at his present salary. Good deal for all, it surely appears. Dave liked it, he said. He wants to live in Tampa. He wants to involve himself in community affairs, tend to his restaurant and help the Lightning in the manner they wish. Whatever that turns out to be, he will do with spirit and surely knowledge. No, no retirement ceremony, yet. Later, when a big deal will be staged, as the Lightning can do, and you know he’ll skate around the Forum rink with the Stanley Cup high over his head, as he has done in the past. Bet here is he’ll burst out of that chute at a speed not seen from him in a while and the place will go nuts. Another upside or two, the Lightning did not say he should retire, instead, as Capt. Dave said, this allows him to leave trying his best on the ice. And they kept him after the cleared waivers, and kept his salary at the big league level. There are more—the Lightning get that new burst on the ice they need so, and, his leadership will be thrust on others who surely are capable. And, as significant as any positive, Dave Andreyhuck is staying around Tampa, like Al Lopez and Wade Boggs did in baseball, like Lee Roy Selmon has in football, like so many others of our Hall of Famers have. Indeed, whirlaway player, Martin St. Louis, said, it all seems to have worked out. Oh, final point of especial interest, none of this could have happened without the okay of the man with the money behind this franchise, Bill Davidson. There have been and will be bills to pay. Neat deal, eh? ##
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