Lydman happy to crack Calgary lineup

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000

By Lucas Aykroyd

Perhaps we should qualify the saying that “one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity” in the case of rookie Calgary defenseman Toni Lydman. Derek Morris’s decision to hold out in contract negotiations isn’t exactly a misfortune, but it has allowed Lydman to stake his claim on the Flames blueline this year. The 23-year-old native of Lahti, Finland (also the home of ex-Flame Marko Jantunen) boasts passing and skating skills like those of Morris and brings a physical dimension to the rink at 6-1 and 200 pounds. Drafted as Calgary’s fifth choice (89th overall) in 1996, he split the last four years between Tappara and IFK Helsinki of the Finnish League. He has represented his country five times in international competition, most recently at the 2000 IIHF World Championships in St. Peterburg. And he came very close to cracking the Flames defense last year. EuroReport caught up with Lydman after he logged 22:09 of ice time in a 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place on 18 October.

EuroReport: How does it feel to have finally earned an NHL job?

Toni Lydman: Well, it feels good. But it’s just a start, and I’d like to establish myself as an NHL player.

EuroReport: How much did the shoulder separation you had in training camp last year set you back?

Lydman: It would be easy to blame it on the injured shoulder, but that’s just an excuse. I didn’t play as well as I play now.

EuroReport: What was the biggest key to your making the team this year?

Lydman: I got a good year in Europe last year, which gave me a lot of confidence, and I started healthy, and that’s a real key. I practiced hard this summer and I’m in good shape with no problems so far.

EuroReport: You’ve struggled a little in the plus-minus department with Calgary, entering tonight’s action at –5. Are there aspects of your game you’d like to improve right now?

Lydman: Of course! [laughs] Every aspect of the game I’d like to improve, but most of all, playing in our own end. There have been a couple of lucky bounce-type goals, but still, it doesn’t look good for the plus-minus. I’ll try to be better every day in terms of my defensive game.

EuroReport: How do you like the ice time coach Don Hay is giving you?

Lydman: I didn’t think before I came here that I would play this much. I feel really good.

EuroReport: And how about the chance to play with Steve Smith as your defense partner?

Lydman: Well, it’s great. I respect him as a player and as a person. I’ve been watching him ever since he played with Jari Kurri and the Oilers.

EuroReport: Back in Finland last year, you must have had some fun playing against another old teammate of Steve’s, Esa Tikkanen, in those IFK-Jokerit games.

Lydman: It was good. We also played on the same team for Finland in the World Championships this year. He’s a funny guy!

EuroReport: What did you think of your performance in St. Petersburg?

Lydman: Oh, I wasn’t too satisfied. I think I got better towards the end of the championships and played a good, solid game against Canada. That was about the only good thing for me. But we had a really good team. I thought we had a chance to make it to the finals, but we played a bad game against Slovakia, and we had only ourselves to blame for that.

EuroReport: I understand you wore number 88 for IFK last season. Why?

Lydman: [laughs] Well, that was my second year with IFK. The first year I was there, I played with number 8. A young guy whose father once played for the team with 8 asked me in the summer before training camp if he could get that number, and I promised it to him because it doesn’t really matter what number I wear. So it really surprised me when I got back from Calgary to Helsinki for our first game and there was 88 for me! I asked, “What the hell is going on?” It was the GM’s idea.

EuroReport: So it’s not that you’re a big Eric Lindros fan?

Lydman: He’s a good player, but I’m not that big of a fan!

EuroReport: Growing up in Lahti, did you ever consider becoming a ski jumper instead of a hockey player?

Lydman: [grins] No, not really. I never got too much into that. But I also played soccer when I was a kid, and somewhere along the line, when I was 14 or 15, hockey just felt comfortable.

EuroReport: Who were some of your hockey heroes?

Lydman: Jari Kurri, of course. Then later on, it was Teppo Numminen. He’s a really good guy. I think he’s underrated here, but I really respect him.

EuroReport: Were you taking university courses while you played in the Finnish League, like some players have in the past?

Lydman: No, I just finished what would be the equivalent of high school over here. My last year when I graduated, I was playing in Tampere. It was kind of hard to play professionally and go to school every morning. I was fortunate that the teachers were so understanding, since I didn’t really attend my classes much! [laughs]

EuroReport: And now, what would you like to accomplish in your first NHL season?

Lydman: Of course, stay here, first of all, and get to play and help the team. I still consider myself a young guy and I’m still learning the game, especially here in North America. Then, the big goal is to make the playoffs this year. I watched Calgary struggle last year, so it would be nice to get in.