Former Lightning enforcer Andre Roy said he investigated playing in Europe this season, but at 35, he said, the message was he was too old. So Roy turned to a medium for which he seems perfect: television. Roy is doing occasional analysis pieces for the French RDS network in Montreal, and he worked Wednesday's game between Tampa Bay and the Canadiens. "I try to bring the humorous side about it," he said. "I think they kind of like that because it's different." It is that. Those who remember his Santa Roy portrayal during the Lightning's 2004 Stanley Cup run probably are still smiling. Roy lives in Blainville, Quebec, just north of Montreal, with wife Karine and daughters Maelie, 4, and Eloise, 2. He said a third daughter is due in November. He said he misses Tampa. "I do, everything about it, the team, the town, the fans. 'We want Roy,' I miss that. I watch the games, and I say, 'They can use me,' so I'd love to come down. But I always loved Tampa. I always tell the people how great it is."
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Talking the talk
Former Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said he would like to coach again "if it is the right situation." He would even consider taking an assistant's job.
In the meantime, Tocchet said he is looking forward to rejoining Comcast's television coverage of the Flyers as an analyst. He said he will do 25 games and the playoffs.
"I really enjoyed it," Tocchet, 46, said of working the Flyers' playoff run to last season's Stanley Cup final. "I get to watch the games and scout and watch the players. It's the best of both worlds."
But coaching still is at the forefront, even after a disastrous 2009-10 season in which he feuded with GM Brian Lawton before both were fired on April 12, the day after the season ended, by new owner Jeff Vinik.
"My passion is still to do it," saidTocchet, who lives in Pittsburgh.
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5 questions: LW Simon Gagne
Can an NHL team work again in your hometown of Quebec City? I think so, with the new salary cap and revenue sharing. And they're really close to getting a building.
Were you a big Nordiques fan? Pretty big.
Who were your favorite players? When I was younger, it was Peter Stastny and Michel Goulet, and Joe Sakic at the end.
Describe the rivalry with the Canadiens I don't see too many teams having the same emotion and intensity between them. It's almost like a Stanley Cup final every time those two teams were facing each other.
Did you become an Avalanche fan when the Nords moved to Denver? No.
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Quote to note
"I think his greatest attribute is as a teacher. He gives you a plan on how to get better." - Canadiens defensemanP.K. Subban, on Lightning coach Guy Boucher, who coached Subban on Canada's gold medal-winning 2008 under-18 world championship team
