Cedric Paquette's big night latest example of Lightning's depth
TAMPA, Fla. -- Cedric Paquette has no idea where his Dump Truck nickname began. Ask him about it, and he'll respond, "I think it was on the Web or something, I don't know."
He remembers being called Dump Truck soon after the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted him 101st overall in 2012. Center Tyler Johnson said others label Paquette "Dump Truck" because he's someone who plays with grit, and would-be contenders like the Lightning need grinders to become the glue of a strong season.
A little online digging reveals that BoltProspects.com claims credit for the birth of Paquette's moniker. They write that the inspiration struck for these reasons: "Dump trucks aren't pretty. Dump trucks aren't fast. Dump trucks are strong and dump trucks do hard work. That's what Cedric Paquette does. Hard work."
"He's a guy that once he comes up, he just fits right in," Johnson said. "He's a workhorse."
Sure, the Lightning's roster features luxury rides, a slick Porsche, Lamborghini and Mercedes-Benz that are recognizable even to casual fans. Stars like Steven Stamkos, Ryan Callahan and Valtteri Filppula are Tampa Bay's top-line models who draw headlines and attention from on-lookers and opponents alike.
But a memorable season, perhaps a campaign that stretches far into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, can't happen without Dump Trucks like Paquette. All elite teams are diverse. All contenders have grit to go with their glitter, each part necessary to create the depth required to achieve and maintain championship chemistry.
On Thursday, in a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames at Amalie Arena, it was a night for the Dump Truck. The 21-year-old center scored his first two NHL goals, just two days after he was promoted from the American Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch to offer manpower when center Alex Killorn sustained an upper-body injury in a victory over the Washington Capitals last Saturday.
The Dump Truck did his deed. The Dump Truck did what he does best: Work of the blue-collar variety.
"I think I will remember it for the rest of my life," Paquette said, when recalling his first goal.
That goal was no fluke, and the effort honored his nickname well. About halfway through the first period, the native of Gaspe, Quebec, scrapped to win a battle for the puck in a corner before gliding toward the goal and converting a smooth wraparound attempt past goaltender Jonas Hiller. The score snapped Tampa Bay to life after a sleepy start that included Calgary racing to a 5-1 shot edge less than two minutes into the game.
Then early in the second period, Paquette added another goal with assists from center Vladislav Namestnikov and defenseman Jason Garrison. Paquette smiled on the ice. He chuckled on the bench, tickled by his sudden fortune.
There was Dump Truck, living a night of dreams. There was Dump Truck, scratching and surviving to steal the spotlight from the Lightning's most decorated stars.
"That's a guy that wants to win hockey games," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said, "and he was big."
Thing is, nights like Thursday are promising when trying to read if Tampa Bay has the character to meet the preseason hype. The Lightning can't become too reliant on Stamkos, Callahan and Filppula to carry them throughout the season. They can't become too reliant on the Johnson-Nikita Kucherov-Ondrej Palat line to provide a youthful spark. They can't become too top-heavy when searching for production, and so far, their numbers have come from a variety of faces.
Johnson leads Tampa Bay with 15 points and an NHL-best 13 assists. Stamkos is second with 13 points and a team-high eight goals. Kucherov is third with 12 points. Filppula is fourth with 11. Five other players follow with at least seven.
"We've got it going pretty good," Lightning center Brian Boyle said. "I think up and down the lineup, we want to continue that. We want to have more contributions."
The more, the better, because it reveals two things: The Lightning's depth is healthy, and their luxury models don't have to cruise at full speed each night. Some nights, a Dump Truck can do the job just fine. Some nights, an unheralded name can make the most of opportunity.
"It's a great moment for me," Paquette said.
It was a moment that he shouldn't forget soon, and it led to another pleasing result for the Lightning. They polished off a 4-0 homestand before beginning a three-game trip to Columbus, Detroit and Chicago. They have earned 19 points, which places them in a tie with the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins for the most in the Eastern Conference.
Soon, the Porsche, Lamborghini and Mercedes-Benz of Tampa Bay's roster will star again. They're big-ticket names for a reason, and in many ways, the Lightning will go as far as Stamkos, Callahan and Filppula lead.
But the good news for Tampa Bay is that there's room for others to share the shine.
Sometimes, like Thursday's night for memories, someone who embraces grit and the grind can take a bow.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
