Pavel Kubina doesnt hesitate when asked about his closest friend on the Tampa Bay Lighting.
Thats a good question, he replied. Its one of the trainersPoppy.
As in Christian Poppy Rivas, who tended to Kubinas many pre-game rubdowns and nagging injuries.
Trainers are every older athletes best friend in the dressing room.
Kubina, who will turn 35 during the playoffs, gets his first chance to play against his former teammates Monday when the Flyers host Tampa Bay.
Kubina was traded to the Flyers on Feb. 18 for two draft picks.
I dont know how to describe it, Kubina said. Its always a weird feeling to go against guys you have known a long time. It happens.
NHL
You get a little more nervous before a game. Theres a lot of guys from that teammore than half that team is new after all the trades.
Theres a lot of injuries. Half the team I dont even know. Its a little different, like a new team over there.
Kubina told writers in Florida of his shock and disappointment when he was initially traded.
When you spend summers, around 10 years, and win a Stanley Cup with a lot of friends, youre always gonna have a great connection over there and a lot of friends, Kubina said.
It took me a few weeks to get over it. These guys have been good to me. Theyve tried to help me with anything I need. Its a great organization. It made it easier and we were winning a lot of games.
A couple of big hits from the 6-foot-4, 258-pound Czech in his first game against Winnipeg melted the ice a bit for him.
Unfortunately, his initial run only last seven games before injuring a shoulder, which kept him sidelined another seven games.
Then I got hurt and now Im back, he said. It did take a long time. Im still working on the system and everything else and trying to get ready for the playoffs.
Kubina said he understood the new direction Bolts GM Steve Yzerman was moving and that it was a business decision to improve a younger team and not personal.
They got a lot for me back in Tampa and its part of the business, Kubina said.
Kubina is in the final year of a two-year, 7 million contract with a cap hit of 3.85 million.
The Flyers wont have enough room to re-sign him plus fellow free agents, Nicklas Grossmann and Matt Carle this coming off-season.
Im focusing on the end of the season and playoffs, Kubina said. Well see. I havent played much here. Well see what the future is gonna bring.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net