SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Hockey
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
COLUMNS
NHL
The Teams
Full Schedule
Monthly Schedule
Standings
Statistics
Rosters
Injury list
Movement
Trades
Hits Gallery
INTERACTIVE
JUNIOR
MORE HOCKEY
ALSO ON SLAM!
Friday, October 16, 1998
Lambert singing a different tune
The Nashville Predators knew Denny Lambert had a pretty good set of hands when they selected the Senators' tough guy in June's expansion draft, but they never could have guessed he'd be just as popular for his off-ice talents.
Lambert, 28, scored his first goal of the season in the club's inaugural victory against the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday night. However, it's been his touch with a guitar that has earned him notoriety in the NHL's newest home.
Since arriving in Nashville for camp last month, Lambert has formed a band with teammates Joel Bouchard (drums), J.J. Daigneault (guitar), Darren Turcotte (keyboard) and Sebastien Bordeleau (lead singer).
And while they just got together to kill time, the unnamed gang has already made its debut on stage in front of 80 people at the Wild Horse Saloon where they filmed a national TV spot for the NHL's Cool Shots show.
"None of us are going to quit our day jobs. That's for sure," said Lambert last night from his Nashville home.
"We played a couple of alternative/new age songs. We haven't really gotten into the country music yet, but that's something we're working on. We thought we'd get together and give it a try. It's something we do for fun.
"It's been good. Everybody is excited about hockey here. They don't know as much about the game as they do in Ottawa but they want to learn and they're excited. They ask a lot of questions."
Playing on Nashville's third line with centre Jeff Nelson and winger Blair Atcheynum, Lambert's role hasn't changed much from the one he played with the Senators the last two seasons. He's just doing it in a different uniform.
While Lambert isn't expected to score 50 goals, the Predators are looking for him to occasionally find the net, and it's obvious if the opponent is taking liberties then he'll be sent into settle the score with his fists.
"The difference is here I'm going to get to play a little bit more," said Lambert. "It was a tough at first but once I got picked up by the Predators, the focus was on helping to make this team better.
"It's difficult because you have 26 different guys from 26 different teams. We're all trying to get to know each other and we're all trying to learn the system. It's hard because we all come here from different systems."
Instead of being upset about the NHL system which allows players to be picked up in the expansion draft, Lambert decided he'd look at the move as a positive experience. He's already settled into a community.
Of course, he wanted to be part of the excitement being built in Ottawa. He doesn't hide the fact he misses close friends Bruce Gardiner and Shaun Van Allen. But time heals all wounds and Lambert is happy.
The goal in Nashville is simple: Play solid hockey and give yourself a chance to win. There's no pressure on the Predators, fans in the city like NASCAR, the NFL and, of course, the Grand Ole Opry.
"We want to be as competitive as we can as soon as we can," said Lambert. "People might be laughing at that statement up there, but we're not laughing down here. We look at this situation and we don't feel we have a bad team.
"I look at our defence and that's our strong point. We've got nine NHL defencemen who can play."
In fact, Lambert is getting plenty of exposure to people who can play. However, it's not just hockey. He had to the cut the conversation short because he had places to go and people to see.
"Actually," said Lambert, "the whole team has been invited to (country star) Barbara Mandrell's house for dinner."
No word on whether Mandrell made Lambert and the boys sing for their supper.