Can you use a [[[Counterspell]]] or the like to counter the tap ability or mana ability of a creature? For example, let's say a [[[Prodigal Sorcerer]]] is going to tap and deal one …

If you cast a lightning bolt, and your opponents tries to counter it, can you redirect counterspell to target itself? [[deflection]] [[counterspell]] (Even if not, you can always …

Or, in other words, does exiling a spell (from the stack) counts as countering it? [[Lullmage Mentor]] [[Mindbreak Trap]]

Well, can it? I believe that when you play the creature, it's counted as a spell, and not yet as a blue-protected creature which you can't hit with blue spells. That's the reason …