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Good morning everyone. It was quite an entertaining game last night. That was the general consensus banter around the locker room last night. Lots of hits (33 by Tampa), some good fights, some good saves, some good goals. Really, it was just a well played game by both teams. That’s what hockey is all about at its best. Not this trapping garbage we see or this softness that has crept into the game due to a lot of the physicality being taken out by the lack of inconsistencies when it comes to officiating (players don’t have a clear understanding of what is exactly a penalty anymore, and that’s on a game-by-game basis)
But that’s not the reason I felt compelled to write a morning blog. I was sitting here eating my cinnamon life cereal watching Handy Manny on Disney Channel with my two-year old son and I just happen to come across this message board link which was supposed to be about the possibility of the Lightning trading Dan Boyle.
But it morphed into some skepticism over the mono that Brad Richards has. Now I thought us in the media were some of the most cynic human beings alive, but to read that someone suggests A) this isn’t true or B) this is a plant by the team to somehow explain away some of his struggles this year, I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
First off, not to come off trying to pat myself on the back here, but I am the one who broke the news that Richards has mono, something I discovered All-Star weekend in Atlanta. And yes, it’s true. He’s had it, the doctors believe, since around Christmas. There were days where Richards would just lay on the couch for five hours without moving. He hasn’t been able to get in a good workout for a while now. And there is a sense of relief that being diagnosed with mono explains the way Richards has been feeling lately, as word is he thought it was a severe case of depression.
I’ve never had mono, but I am aware of how fatigued it can make you feel, so it certainly is amazing that he has and is playing through it and still logging 20-plus minutes a game.
And secondly, it is absurd to think the news was planted by the team. When some officials found out that I discovered this, they weren’t happy because they didn’t want it to come out. The Lightning, as we know from the Boyle experience, don’t want anybody in the organization discussing injuries or other such medical situations unless it’s coming through Jay Feaster (not to mention that in some cases it’s a violation of HIPPA laws). I was informed by somebody who has absolutely no ties to the organization in any capacity and did not gain anything by providing the information.
So to say that someone planted this, and to even go so far as to suggest it’s a false plant made up to explain his lack of production is just absurd.
OK, I feel better now. Back to getting my son, Kiernan, ready for his day at his Nana’s house, and to getting myself ready to go to practice and do some work today!!!!!!
Posted by Lisa, Tampa on 02/01 at 09:08 PM
I think that it is amazing that he was not diagnosed prior to this if he has been sick since December. The spleen becomes enlarged and is in danger of rupturing with any contact sport (like Chris Simms: not saying he had mono). If he had been feeling off and actually did sick medical help, it’t pretty bad for a medical provider to miss this diagnosis as in hockey that could mean a significant injury and even death if the injury is not caught in time.
Since mono is contagious, I would hope that the team physicians have taken the appropriate measures and tested everyone on the team.
Posted by lightning friend, tampa on 02/01 at 06:49 PM
Goalman , not for 7 million a year we wouldnt ..we could get two great players for that price.
Posted by Goalman, Sarasota on 02/01 at 05:39 PM
Being in healthcare, I can tell you that it is amazing that Brad could even play. These jokers that think he was faking don’t have any idea what kind of effort it takes to play a professional sport. I can tell you that its something the average person can’t envision.I have treated players in all sports and know of what I speak.
Conn- Smythe trophy winners don’t get paid scale. Stop being jealous because of your own shortcomings in life and get off this guys back. He’s a great player and we would have an unbelievable time replacing him
Posted by Bill, Tampa on 02/01 at 03:42 PM
EE........I watch many of the Lightning Boards and saw the comment on several of them. Knowing the humor of these posters I took the posts as a tongue in cheek joke.
Posted by lightning friend, tampa on 02/01 at 03:20 PM
Looks like Brads mono is getting better...hope its gone for good. As usual , the Big #or 4 get all the credit...when in reality,the Lightning won last night because of the play of the whole team , which to me seemed to fire up and almost challenged the teams stars to man-up. Probably also helps when the top players can get a normal amount iof rest between shifts. Hope Tortorella sees that and involves the whole team for the rest of the season.
Posted by Chris C, Lakeland, Fl on 02/01 at 02:19 PM
Was a great game to watch all around.I thought they came out with a chip on thier shoulder last nite and when Lecavalier got that fight the team really fed off it. Having Dan Boyle back is making a difference up and down the ice.I dont think trading him is the answer..the team needs goaltending...and now.Ramo is still young and It looks like he is going to bed a good one but he needs experience.I’m tired of all the conspiracy theories about trading the big 3. St.Louis and Richards have no-trade clauses and Vinny is the one of the best players in the league. I think once the ownership changes the new owner is just going to add..not subtract.
Posted by Niki, Riverview, FL on 02/01 at 01:33 PM
I too was angered by the ‘made-up’ illness blog. You can’t tell someone has cancer just by looking at them, but would you dare accuse them of ‘making it up’? I have personal experience of severe illness-induced fatigue and I know the usual rules of ‘just work through it’ don’t apply. To keep pushing yourself with these types of illness could result in extending its duration or further complications. I have nothing but respect for how hard Richie is having to work to get out of bed each morning, let alone keep playing. I wish him a speedy recovery.
Posted by Scott, Tampa on 02/01 at 01:28 PM
Thank you for putting some sanity back into these irresponsible blogs. I’ve met Brad a few times (as well as many others on this team) and I don’t doubt for a minute his (or the rest of the team’s) desire to win. If last night was any sign, maybe he’s starting to feel better?
Posted by Eric, Plant City on 02/01 at 12:18 PM
Erik,
Good insight, and I applaud your honesty in reporting what you know, despite knowing it might upset some people.
This does explain a lot to me about Richards. He’s appeared at points to be “not trying” as much, but honestly, mono can kill you due to an organ rupture if you take physical activity, and honestly, it explains a lot.
I’m hoping Brad recovers promptly, and It shows me that he’s a bit tougher than I thought he was.
Again, thanks for the explanation.
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Posted by drew, Tampa on 02/19 at 02:20 PM
It doesnt show me that he’s “tougher” than we thought he was. Having been through mono at about the same as Brad is ... the only way to really push through it and recover is to get the ample rest. As many have detailed already .. it can be and is a serious condition. As his +/- indicates, all he has done is HURT his team by trying to play through it. Take him of the ice for a month to truly recover and how many of those 1 goal games do we actually pick up an overtime point or the 2 points for the win. This only underscores the terrible job torts has done all year in managing this team. They could have and would have uncovered the mono pretty early with a simple blood test.