Rick Tocchet Would Like Vincent Lecavalier to Be More of a Captain

Since Barry Melrose was canned by the Tampa Bay Lightning a little over a month ago, the team has claimed victory only two times (in 15 games), and interim-head coach Rick Tocchet seems to think it's partly because the team is sloppy, and lacking leadership from within the locker room. And because guys are late for the bus, or something.

On Wednesday, Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times reported on a meeting Tocchet had with his captain, Vincent Lecavalier, discussing what he's looking for from his leader. Basically, he's looking for him to coach the team. Today, Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune expanded on the meeting a touch more.

"You've got to be in a situation where you can't let your team be sloppy," Tocchet said. "What I mean by sloppy is sloppy with your sticks on the ice, taking stupid penalties, little trivial things, late for the bus. It has to come from the room. The coach has to mandate it, but it has to come from the room."

Lecavalier seemed receptive to the challenge, and admitted that he has to do a better job as captain. But is making sure guys are on the bus on time, for example, really going to help turn this thing around? Is this why Tampa Bay is losing hockey games? Seems to me that's simply common sense, while the rest of the areas, such as discipline (ie: taking stupid penalties) are something that needs to come from the head coach.