Veilleux adjusting to new team and role

Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Stephane Veilleux joined the Tampa Bay Lightning this season.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 11:49 PM

TAMPA, FLA. — Some things just don't change, so it should come as no surprise that former Wild winger Stephane Veilleux is the Tampa Bay Lightning's reining pingpong champion.

Veilleux tops the power rankings with Plymouth resident Ryan Malone "a close No. 2."

"I'm almost there. It's not like he's undefeated against me, but if it's two out of three, Steph's winning," said Malone, the former St. Cloud State standout. "Usually when I feel like I have him on the ropes, he just stands back and slams it in on me."

The one thing that has changed is Veilleux, a staple on the Wild checking line for most his six seasons in Minnesota, is playing on Tampa Bay's second line with Lightning leading scorers Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos.

Veilleux entered Thursday's game against the Wild with no goals and two assists, but coach Rick Tocchet wants him to keep doing what he's known for: providing energy and being a pest.

"Just because you're on a top line doesn't mean you're a top-six forward. He's got to play his style," Tocchet said.

Last summer, Veilleux turned down a two-year deal in San Jose to sign for one in Tampa Bay because Lightning General Manager Brian Lawton told him he'd be a top-six forward. He felt he owed it to himself for the first time in his career to give playing on a scoring line a try.

But it was risky because in San Jose, Veilleux would have played for a coach -- Todd McLellan -- who loved him while coaching him in Houston.

"It was hard to turn that down. Those are the decisions you need to live with," Veilleux said. "I think you need to be positive toward your decision and say you made the best decision. Here we have an opportunity to have a great team. Obviously Todd McLellan had a big influence in my hockey career, so who knows in the future what things can happen."

Veilleux was disappointed the Wild chose not to retain him, but he's over that now.

Foster sits vs. Wild

Defenseman Kurtis Foster, who played the past four years with Minnesota and broke his left femur two seasons ago, was a healthy scratch as injured rookie defenseman Victor Hedman returned to the Lightning lineup.

"He's a guy I know can play better, and he knows it, but he's not far off," Tocchet said.

Foster was disappointed, but he's the victim of a numbers game. The Lightning have eight defensemen, and Minneapolis' Matt Smaby hasn't even played a game.

Foster had a great training camp but sprained a medial collateral knee ligament two shifts into the season opener when he collided with Thrashers center Todd White, a former Wild teammate. Foster lost his No. 1 power-play role that night when Hedman took over.

"My bad luck continues," Foster said, laughing. "But the coaches have been great here. They're very communicative with me."

Homecoming for Richards

Wild coach Todd Richards is well-known in Florida after starring for the old International Hockey League's Orlando Solar Bears for six seasons. He was captain for four, and the defenseman racked up 61 goals and 260 points.

He also won the last Turner Cup ever in 2001.

"That will always be special," Richards said. "But something to remember more personally, my kids were born in Orlando, so I've got two Floridians at home."

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