Mike Commodore Photo by Linda Hamilton

Steve Yzerman added more size and experience to the Lightning’s blueline with his trade deadline moves. Brian Lee and Keith Aulie are already showing off their physicality and solid play.  No offense to the young guys, but when the trades were announced that Monday the one I was most excited about was Mike Commodore.

Commodore is already showing a knack for being in the right place at the right time on the ice and even dropped the gloves last night against Boston’s Shawn Thornton. He also brings a veteran’s knowledge to a defensive squad that is pretty green.

That’s great, but the most important thing that Commodore brings to the Bolts is character. An undervalued trait on the ice, but one that is insanely sought after in the locker room.

It goes without saying that hockey is an intense sport. Fast, aggressive, and insanely easy to get hurt. It’s a long season together and it’s easy to get slogged down in the routine and the physical toll. A character guy helps to lighten that and to take their teammates’ minds off of all the bad stuff.

The most notorious character guy in recent Lightning history is without a doubt Andre Roy. Whether it was his Rappin’ with Roy segments, singing in the shower, or delivering cookies on the team plane while wearing only an apron he had character in spades.

Commodore is poised to take on a similar role and it’s one of the reasons I hope the Lightning give him a shot at a new deal here in the off season.

Between his Twitter, his giant red afro, his big red playoff beard, and his bathrobe there is a lot to like here.

Keep it going, Commie. You’re doing a great job.