The perpetual Lightning thread [Archive]

SoCalcaniac

08-06-2006, 10:52 AM

Yawn............Feaster appears to be taking more pages out of Torterella's book- I guess he's real cranky about the fact that he has nearly all of his payroll invested in 3 players........ :rolleyes:

On the other hand- we don't have to deal with Artuykin so it matters not to me- in that regard, just pointing out Feaster's new and 'improved' attitude. ewww......

GM blasts Artyukhin's decision

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published August 6, 2006
Agent Mark Gandler said his client, Evgeny Artyukhin, considers his decision to sign with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Russian Super League a way to eventually get more playing time with the Lightning.
Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster called the decision "a joke."
"This is a player in which we've invested a lot of human and financial resources," Feaster said Saturday. "As far as we're concerned, this decision spits right in our face."
Artyukhin, a forward, signed a one-year deal with Lokomotiv after Feaster said he declined a one-year, $600,000 offer from Tampa Bay and a two-year offer that would have paid $500,000 and $700,000, respectively.
Feaster said Artyukhin, 23, who had four goals, 17 points and 90 penalty minutes in 72 games as a rookie, originally asked for $1-million and later lowered his price to $750,000.
For the Lightning, the circumstances included its internal salary structure.
"We have a young man sitting in our locker room with 15 goals in (48) games in Ryan Craig," Feaster said. "And Ryan Craig is playing at ($495,000 and $95,000 if he is in the minors). . . . We're not going to have that kind of situation in our locker room."
Gandler said he understands but also believes, "Evgeny played a big part on the team. We felt his forechecking and physical ability to take care of himself, basically dominating in these departments, deserved compensation."
Gandler said Artyukhin's decision to sign with Lokomotiv was practical as the 6-foot-4, 254-pound wing, he believes, will get more playing time and return as a better player in 2007-08 for Tampa Bay, which retains his rights.
Feaster said the club never shuts the door, but stressed Artyukhin's absence will give players such as Nick Tarnasky, Darren Reid, Mitch Fritz and Norm Milley a chance to step into that big-body role.
"Every year that goes by," Feaster said of Artyukhin, "it's a year that he's not developing."

corylav

08-06-2006, 09:00 PM

but stressed Artyukhin's absence will give players such as Nick Tarnasky, Darren Reid, Mitch Fritz and Norm Milley a chance to step into that big-body role.

Ah, yes ... Tarnasky, Reid, Fritz and Milley. In order: 9th-round pick who sniffed the NHL and did nothing; 8th-rounder ... same result; undrafted 27 y/o AHL goon; 2nd-rounder who never got over the hump.

NHL Totals:
Games — 48
Goals — 2
Assists — 6

Artyukhin last year:
Games — 72
Goals — 4
Assists — 13

I'd be more scared of Tarnasky, Reid, Fritz & Milley if they were a law firm.

nccanes

08-07-2006, 06:14 AM

:lol: Cory!

Thanks for the add'l info on the others. I don't wonder why Feaster didn't get him signed, but I do wonder why the vitriol? He's a 3rd rounder with more potential than the "law firm".

Makes you wonder how TLT, pinhead(Vinny), and the teether (Brad) make the rest of the locker room feel. I mean - if we're all about treating people so equally.

Lame.

Fghtr4jc

08-07-2006, 11:31 AM

StormShaman

08-07-2006, 05:23 PM

I love this thread, since I'll be in Florida this season. Down with the Lightning! The first away game in Tampa is Oct 16th, I hope we kill 'em. Of course, that's cause I want John Grahame to get a shutout and skate up to his ex-coach, look at him and go "What Now?":)

Even better would be to wtfpwn the Lightning in the playoffs. Can you imagine the look on Torts' face as he'd have to shake hands with the goalie he rogered in the press the season before?

:cool:

puckin_A

08-13-2006, 12:41 PM

"We're no longer the Stanley Cup champions, and it p----- me off," Feaster said. "I have to admit that I did not watch the seventh game of the Finals. I went to bed. I wanted no part of watching that team skate off with our Cup."

agree with SoCal's accessment of this and also, what kind of TRUE HOCKEY person does not watch GAME SEVEN of the STANLEY CUP FINALS (only happened 13 times before in NHL history). Dude, seriously, grow up.

AbNormal27

09-06-2006, 09:35 AM

Finally a good decision from a Florida based hockey team!

Taylor named new Lightning captain

TAMPA, Fla (CP) - Veteran centre Tim Taylor is the new captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tampa's assistant captains will be Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards, the team announced Wednesday.

"From the time we brought Tim into the organization he has consistently brought a quiet, steady leadership influence, unnoticed by the outside, but respected in the locker-room," Lightning head coach John Tortorella said in a statement.

"With the new additions to the team this year, we look for just that in Tim, his steady, honest influence in re-cultivating the tightness needed in the locker-room for us to continue our success on the ice.

Lecavalier had served as an assistant captain the past three seasons, and Taylor wore the "A" the second half of last season following the departure of previous captain Dave Andreychuk.

Taylor, 37, appeared in all 82 regular season games for the Lightning in 2005-06 and played in all five games during the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs.

He had seven goals and 13 points, leading the team in faceoff percentage.

The 12-year NHL veteran from Stratford, Ont., was acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers on June 30, 2001. He has also played for the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins.

Aaryn

nccanes

09-19-2006, 07:47 PM

This is a few days old, but it made me laugh. And yes, I know I shouldn't because we fight the battle between All-ACC and the Canes, but I don't think any of our guys would have said this - so I guess it's a credit to those who have left and how they enjoyed their stays - because surely they *could* have poked a little fun...

http://torontosun.com/Sports/Hockey/2006/09/13/1833843-sun.html

"You always feel pressure," said Kubina, 29, who skated with his new teammates for the first time yesterday. "But it's a great challenge and a new life. I was in Tampa for 10 years and I don't think the pressure there was ever like here."

Not even after his Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004? Surely he and his teammates must have felt the heat to repeat.

"Tampa Bay was, say, football first, then nothing else, and then hockey," Kubina said. "In fact in Tampa I was a little jealous about football. You saw the sports, TV, front pages, it was always football, then hockey."

Only after the Lightning captured the Cup did Kubina notice his team finally -- albeit momentarily -- had usurped the NFL Buccaneers in terms of importance among the local sports fans.

"I think we actually made the front page when we won," Kubina said.

StormShaman

09-25-2006, 01:47 PM

A friend of mine (who, btw, is a Lightning fan) sent me this photochop of a photo from the TBL website last night:

The Lightning's cheerleaders--they even have pom-poms! (http://pictures.greatestjournal.com/userimg/6526460/792039)

Say what you will about the Storm Squad--but they pwn this lot of Bucs Girls castoffs left right and center.

CANESFREAKinDET

09-25-2006, 01:49 PM

LOL@ the Overbaked-Overbleached lot. Is this the new female cast of Laguna Beach?

:laugh: Camel Toeeeeee....

Storm Squad definitely pwns these Cowboys rejects.

Canesluver

09-25-2006, 01:57 PM

What does "pwn" mean? (I've always wanted to know.... I mean I figure it's not a compliment, but I've never been able to figure it out)

puck_it

09-25-2006, 02:25 PM

What does "pwn" mean?

own

StormShaman

09-25-2006, 02:25 PM

In a nutshell:

pwn is a common misspelling of "own" (since p is right next to o on a standard QWERTY keyboard) that started back in the early days of online gaming and first-person shooters (i.e. back when the Canadiens last won the Cup) and has since become part of the ever-expanding interbonics vocabulary.

I always parse it as "own", but of course your mileage may vary. :cool:

SouthernHockeyChick

09-25-2006, 03:30 PM

Canesluver

09-25-2006, 03:37 PM

Thanks

Canesluver

09-25-2006, 03:40 PM

OMG....my brain is on vacation today. It too me a few seconds too long to realize they aren't really called the Camel Toe Queens. :lol: I was trying to relate that back to the Lightning and their mascot and just couldn't. Apparently even redheads can have blond moments.:lol:

You are NOT ALONE! ME TOO! I kept thinking, "Do they have a camel for a mascot? I don't think I've ever seen one....."

Took me awhile, too!

:laugh:

And then... once I figured it out.... I was, like -- "so how can you tell? They're wearing little skirts--not briefs!!" :lol:

apolinar

09-25-2006, 08:29 PM

Anyone got a sharpie marker?

CANESFREAKinDET

09-25-2006, 09:16 PM

Anyone got a sharpie marker?

:laugh: :laugh: :D

Captain Slack

01-05-2007, 07:36 PM

PROSPAL, TORTORELLA BUTT HEADS.

TSN.CA: Darren Dreger reported Thursday multiple sources confirms Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vaclav Prospal and head coach John Tortorella had a "heated exchange" on the bench during the club's 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. They discussed the rift between periods and "finished the game without further incident".

Spector's Note: The pressure is on the struggling Bolts this season, and with rumours of a possible trade hanging over Prospal and Ruslan Fedotenko it's no surprise that something like this should occur. Tortorella isn't going anywhere, so this incident could increase the likelihood of Prospal getting moved before the deadline.

Guess we know who'll be called out in the press next. :rolleyes:

Serendipity

01-05-2007, 07:54 PM

Guess we know who'll be called out in the press next. :rolleyes:

Oooh, Torts has a new whipping boy now. Hope for Prospal's sake he does get traded.

puck_it

01-05-2007, 08:11 PM

whats his contract like? :angel:

nccanes

01-05-2007, 08:13 PM

OMG if we ended up with Grahame AND Prospal....I'd have to choke a *****. :lol:

puck_it

01-05-2007, 08:17 PM

i aint gots nothin against prospal. he always freaking gets points on us :fire:

nccanes

01-05-2007, 08:18 PM

oh - that's a purely emotional reaction. If that wasn't perfectly obvious! :lol:

nccanes

01-12-2007, 09:16 PM

No Lightning news in this post, but my bro-in-law (from Tampa) called this evening and mentioned that Marty St Louis is a regular in my sister's Starbucks (she'd mentioned he'd been once, but I didn't know it was his normal stop).

But the funniest part is that he says "What's the Lightning player's name? Louie St. Marteen?" I nearly lost it on the phone laughing! :lol:

StormShaman

01-13-2007, 03:32 AM

nccanes

01-22-2007, 09:14 AM

President of the Lightning, Ron Cambell gets arrested for DUI

Published January 20, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron Campbell, president of the Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Pete Times Forum, was arrested early Saturday morning by Tampa Police on suspicion of drunken driving, according to authorities.

The 51-year-old was pulled over at 1:10 a.m. on Dale Mabry Highway near Lemon Street, according to jail records. He refused to take a Breathalyzer test. He was booked into the county jail for driving under the influence and released about 9:30 a.m. after posting bail, according to records.

Campbell released a statement through team spokesman Bill Wickett Saturday saying: “The experience is very humbling and embarrassing for me, but more importantly, for my family and the organization. Because of that, I am very apologetic and remorseful.’’

Campbell, who was arrested about three miles from his Sunset Park area home, joined the Lightning staff in the summer of 1999 when Palace Sports & Entertainment purchased the National Hockey League team along with the leasehold rights to the St. Pete Times Forum. He is in his eighth year as president, according to the team’s Web site.

He is responsible for all day-to-day aspects of the organization, including sales, marketing, finance, team operations and arena management, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Tom Wilson and the company’s ownership.

puck_it

01-22-2007, 11:34 AM

he's loaded... couldnt call a limo?

Shell

01-22-2007, 05:42 PM

I was coming to post the same thing, but I like my (nearly identical) article better!

Lightning President Arrested For Drunk Driving

January 22, 2007 1:50 p.m. EST

Pete Flies - All Headline News Sports Reporter
Tampa, FL (AHN) - On Saturday morning, Ron Campbell the president of the Tampa Bay Lightning, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving charges. He was pulled over at 1:10 a.m. and refused to take a Breathalyzer test, upon which time he was taken to jail and released around 9:30 a.m. when he posted bail.

Through the team spokesman, Campbell expressed an apology for the incident.

"The experience is very humbling and embarrassing for me," read Campbell's statement, "but more importantly, for my family and the organization. Because of that, I am very apologetic and remorseful."
Campbell has been with the Lightning since 1999. He serves another role in the city as the sitting chairman of the Tampa Bay sports commission.
The Lightning are 26-22-2 in the current season. The team lost on Saturday night to the Carolina Hurricanes 6-5 in a shootout.
Police pulled Campbell over within three miles of his home. The 51-year-old paid a $500 bond to be released from jail on Sunday morning.

puck_it

01-22-2007, 06:50 PM

too bad we didnt actually win that one.

AbNormal27

01-22-2007, 06:53 PM

too bad we didnt actually win that won.

Yeah, that ONE was a hard ONE to take, eh? ;)

Aaryn

puck_it

01-22-2007, 07:21 PM

WHAT CAN I SAY WINNING IS ALWAYS ON MY BRAIN.

AbNormal27

01-22-2007, 07:36 PM

What can I say, winning is ALWAYS ON MY BRAIN.

Why do I hear Willie Nelson?

Aaryn

nccanes

01-27-2007, 11:00 AM

Oh my - one of my favorite things: John Tortorella going off - and shockingly, it's after his team loses.

It's amazing that coaches league-wide are complaining about diametrically opposite things. Ruff complains that the rules aren't being enforced and Torts is complaining that it's a ballet. And the biggest shock of it all is that these comments are made after their teams LOSE. :lol:

I imagine that the thing that's happened is that the games aren't being enforced anywhere near consistently. Which leaves the petulant child-coaches spouting off when they witness as bad game (in their opinion).

Physicality Gone From Game, Tortorella Says

Published: Jan 27, 2007

TAMPA - Every now and then, depending on a variety of factors - his mood, the question, the audience, what he had for breakfast that morning - Lightning coach John Tortorella will step up onto his soapbox and let it flow.

He is, as has become abundantly clear during his time in the Bay area, an outspoken fellow when the mood strikes. The mood struck Friday, as he revisited one of his pet peeves about the NHL - the relative lack of physical play since the installment of rules designed to open up the game.

"This coach, here, I think the game's going in the wrong direction," Tortorella said. "I think we've done some great things as far as some of the rules changes, in allowing our best players to be our best players. But I think what we've done is we've gone across and gone down the wrong road and taken the physicality out of the game, taking the jam out of the game. And I think we get so hyped up about trying to bring new fans in, we forget about the old-schoolers that are going to be there, thick or thin. And I think we're losing them, because it's a ballet."

This, from a coach whose team entered Friday's game against the Devils as the least-penalized team in the league. :lol: Which means that, as much disdain as Tortorella demonstrates about the "ballet" that the game has become, he and GM Jay Feaster are savvy enough to put together the kind of team that - theoretically - can take advantage of the system in place.

Still, Tortorella yearns for the good old days, when an annoyingly chatty opposing player who opened his yap once too often wouldn't get a free pass up and down the ice.

"I just think it needs to be revisited, as far as what the crux of this game is," he said. "It's hard people playing a hard game. It's no longer that way anymore in my mind. … Let's take a long look at this now and see where it's going. That's all I ask. That's all I'd like to see. I hope we have an open view and see where it's at, and not be afraid to maybe revisit some of the old stuff that was in this game and bring that back."

nccanes

04-23-2007, 08:32 PM

My gosh - has almost a year passed on this version of the Annual Lightning Thread?

Well - lets end with this year's edition of "who is gets kicked to the curb". Apparently it's Rusty Fedotenko.

http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/feds-is-history-in-tampa/

Feds is history in Tampa
Posted By Erik Erlendsson at Apr 23, 2007 at 03:18 PM
Updated Apr 23, 2007 at 03:29 PM

Stanley Cup hero Ruslan Fedotenko is officially out with the Lightning. Though he will forever be known around Tampa Bay as the player who scored both goals in a Game 7 victory against Calgary to clinch the Cup, Fedotenko had a very disappointing season scoring 12 goals after netting 26 last season. He was also benched for the entire game in Game 5 against New Jersey and was a healthy scratch for Game 6.

“Both parties agreed to disagree,’’ Fedotenko said after his meetings with John Tortorella and Jay Feaster on Monday. “It’s time to close the page and see what happens next year.’’

Though Fedotenko is an unrestricted free agent, he will not be extended a contract offer from Tampa Bay.

This is the beat writer's blog, and he says there will be more in the Tues article.

SoCalcaniac

04-23-2007, 09:05 PM

Ahh the memories; the Annual Lightning Thread is in the house......:kiss:

What a surprise eh? someone has to take the fall and it's the Ukranian game 7 hero. Too bad for Fedotenko. But isn't there plenty of blame to go around? namely the GM's boneheaded decisions?

Someone please tell me what they're gonna do with Marc Denis.... and his contract? and just how long can The Trinity ( Hi E;) ) + Dan Boyle can continue to be the only players Torts leans on? Seriously.

SouthernHockeyChick

04-23-2007, 10:38 PM

Someone always has to get thrown under the bus, right? Even after they won the Cup. They didn't just choose not to re-sign Stillman, IIRC, they had to talk about how he just wasn't that great. LOVE that org.

Captain Slack

04-24-2007, 10:35 AM

THE LATEST LIGHTNING NEWS.

TAMPA TRIBUNE/ST. PETERSBURG TIMES: both had the latest reports on potential off-season moves by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Erik Erlendsson reports Marc Denis's future with the club is uncertain, having lost the confidence of the coaching staff to the point where he didn't dress for the playoff games. The club's options would be to either try to trade him (doubtful), demote him to the minors or buyout the remainder of his contract at two-thirds its value spread over twice the remaining length of the contract, counting as $980K per season against the cap for the next four seasons. "The Lightning must re-sign restricted free agents Paul Ranger, Shane O'Brien and possibly Doug Janik on defense, which likely will lose veteran Cory Sarich to free agency; and Ryan Craig and Karl Stewart up front. Feaster also must decide if he wants to retain unrestricted free-agent forwards Jason Ward - a likely candidate to return - Eric Perrin and Andreas Karlsson, goaltender Johan Holmqvist and defenseman Nolan Pratt", writes Erlendsson. If the Bolts can somehow dump Denis's salary they'll have to bring in a quality starter, as it appears they'll relegate Johan Holmqvist to backup status. They could attempt to sign a proven veteran like Dominik Hasek or Curtis Joseph or attempt to trade for one. The club could also use another scoring winger for Brad Richards' line. Erlendsson points out GM Jay Feaster could have his work cut out for him to address these needs if payroll is reduced to $40 million by ownership. Damian Cristodero also reports a reduced payroll could have an adverse impact on the roster. Forward Martin St. Louis feels it would not be a good idea to slash payroll, feeling the club is only one or two players away from being a Cup contender. With over $33 million already tied up in 9 players, Feaster will only have $6.4 million to bolster the roster, and that's creating speculation the club could move one of its high-paid stars to free up cap space. Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards and Dan Boyle are the highest paid on the team, and after July 1st Lecavalier will be the only one without a "no-trade" clause in his contract. Cristodero also reports Ruslan Fedotenko, who didn't play in the Bolts final two playoff games, won't return with the club next season. He's an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.

Spector's Note: Basically, any potential move of one of the Bolts high-paid players could come down to Lecavalier or Richards before July 1st. After that, moving Lecavalier is their only option, and moving the face of the franchise would be a huge mistake, particularly if the club wants to increase its ticket sales for next season. Expect the Brad Richards trade rumours to be flying fast and furious leading up to the June draft weekend, but whether or not he goes is another story. The bottom line here is that unless ownership is willing to maintain or increase payroll, Feaster will have to move either Lecavalier or Richards or face going into next season with a roster even thinner in quality depth than this season's.

The Lighting's garbage has lately been our treasure. Think JR will make a move to sign Fedotenko or Sarich??

nccanes

04-24-2007, 12:18 PM

I guess that's ^ Spector. I find it difficult to read his re-hashes of the news story. Guess I like the source better.

St Pete Times
TAMPA - The catchphrase around the Lightning offices and locker room Monday was "window of opportunity."

Coach John Tortorella was asked about it while discussing a roster he said has "four of the best players in the NHL" in forwards Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Brad Richards and defenseman Dan Boyle.

General manager Jay Feaster used it in reference to the budget crunch the team may face.

"I concur we have a very good core here," Feaster said. "It's a core capable of winning a championship. So from that standpoint our window of opportunity is still open. That's something we'd like to take advantage of."

The question is, will Bill Davidson, owner of Lightning parent company Palace Sports & Entertainment, provide the money to acquire a No. 1 goaltender and a scoring wing, the biggest holes on a team eliminated Sunday from the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season?

Feaster said his preliminary budget for next season is $40-million. That is about $4-million less than this season and could be up to $9-million below the yet-to-be-set league salary cap.

Coaches and players said this is no time to pull back, though CEO Tom Wilson said Palace Sports will lose $9-million on its Tampa operation this fiscal year.

"It would be foolish to spend less," St. Louis said. "You have a lot of key elements of a championship team. Add a player here or there, we could be right there. If they go the other way, what kind of message does that send?" (the message that $$$$ doesn't grow on trees?)

"If we don't progress now in adding pieces to what is a really good core," Tortorella said, "you can spin in the wrong direction and not recoup for a number of years, so timing is everything."

Indeed it is, as Boyle has just one season left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent and hitting the jackpot.

And as St. Louis, 31, said, "I'm not getting younger. I want to win. The guys want to win."

It is a tight squeeze. Tampa Bay has $33.46-million tied up in nine players and a final payment on the buyout of the contract of former captain Dave Andreychuk. That leaves $6.4-million to fill out the roster, and there already is speculation the team may have to trade one of its stars to free some room.

That isn't lost on Lecavalier, who, as of July 1, will be the only of the four without a no-trade clause.

"I do worry," he said. "I read articles, too. But I think they want to keep the core guys together. Having a great defenseman and guys like Richie and Marty, you don't see that everywhere. But it's a new cap world."

A key could be how the team handles goalie Marc Denis, the former No. 1 who did not dress for the playoffs. A trade would remove $2.8-million from the payroll.

Tampa Bay could buy out the $5.9-million remaining on the last two years of his contract. In a buyout, which has to be done from June 15-30, two-thirds of the total is paid and the cap hit is spread over double the remaining length of the contract.

In Denis' case, the $3.93-million would be over four years, meaning Tampa Bay would be on the hook for about $982,000 per season.

Whatever happens, the Lightning needs a No. 1 as it seems to have decided Johan Holmqvist is better suited as a backup.

Look for the team to investigate cheaper free agents, perhaps Dominik Hasek or Curtis Joseph, as short-term solutions. Feaster is more likely to trade prospects and draft choices for a forward.

Whatever the dynamic, a larger payroll would help, something Feaster will discuss with Davidson in the near future.

"I do have a game plan," Feaster said.

Said Tortorella: "What cuts do is cut into your core. It's pretty scary what core you're talking about. It's one of those top four guys. I'm not telling the owners what to do. I'm speaking as a coach."

One whose window of opportunity is closing.

[Last modified April 23, 2007, 23:51:28]

I swear - they don't even try to conceal the fact that the team is 4 guys and the rest is just spare parts.

And I do find it odd that they are lobbying in the press to their own ownership. Once again, thank goodness our guys didn't take that approach in the summer of '05.

SouthernHockeyChick

04-24-2007, 12:32 PM

God. I remember all the talk after they won the Cup of how that org had transformed from a Mickey Mouse organization (no offense, Mickey) to a real, legit org. When I see crap like this, I just don't know if that's all that true. Why you want to go airing your dirty laundry all over the place? Just keep your mouth shut.

That core four better watch themselves (mostly St Louis and a bit of Lecavalier). Keep running your mouth and no other organization is going to be interested in you, no matter how you play.
OK, maybe the Rangers. ;)

Captain Slack

04-26-2007, 08:55 AM

From Spector:

Ellio Terilli sends in the following Lightning news:

"Jay Feaster was on Lightning Hockey talk tonight on sports radio 620. He answered questions from fans, and said he will not break up the big four.Lecavelier, Richards, boyle, and St Louis. :rolleyes: He said that he was impressed with Marc Denis exit interview, but has not made up his mind yet on what to do with the goalie situation, although he would not rule out a veteran goalie that can help until Ramo is ready. He also said that he must find a finisher to play with Brad Richards,and would like to have Eric Perrin and Jason Ward back,but drop them to a 3rd line where they would be more effective."

Feaster either doesn't get it or is a bigger idiot than I thought! He's got to move one of those four to give the Lightning a chance at building a real team. Ever heard of "addition by subtraction", Jay?

nccanes

04-26-2007, 09:07 AM

The reality is that he's got to just take a chance on a player (or players) -- similar to the way we did after the lockout. He's got to get them at bargain basement prices and hope they perform. He's got to do it with his goalies as well.

For us, we got Stillman, Cullen, Whitney, and Gerber on the major cheap and they all played fantastic for us. That's good scouting, good coaching/utilization, and good luck or all of the above. And it doesn't happen very often.

I'm not sure wtf he's gonna do with Denis. I guess everyone is tradeable for the right deal (see: Tverdovsky), but he's got 2 more years on his not-so-cheap contract.

SoCalcaniac

07-05-2007, 08:18 PM

I HAD to post this to add a little humor to the proceedings, given the serious tone on the whole Nylander situation that I stumbled on in the other thread, and to give nccanes and talkingcanes a ginormous chuckle because I know this is their favorite subject. :kiss: ;) There is nothing more hilarious than that fool Torterella- and him going off on people - in this case Eric Perrin, or St. Louis' little buddy.... :lol: From the beat writer's blog:

Torts has no fond farewell for Perrin
For some reason this item from Wednesday's paper didn't make it onto our web site, so for anyone from out of town, here is an interesting little nugget:
Coach John Tortorella wished Eric Perrin well but also said not to let the door hit him on the way out.
"He can kiss my (butt),'' Tortorella said.
Perrin, who in 2004 at age 29 got his first NHL opportunity with the Lightning, which got a recommendation from Perrin's college buddy Marty St. Louis, signed with the Thrashers as a free agent for two years, $1.5-million. That, apparently, was just $150,000 more than the contract offered by Tampa Bay, which also offered a three-year deal worth $1.575-million.
"This organization spent a lot of time with this guy, a lot of time,'' Tortorella said. "Eric Perrin did some really good things for us, and the ice time he got, he deserved, but every year it's nothing but a pain to sign him.''
Said Perrin: "I can imagine them, maybe, being upset, but to me it's nothing personal. You're grateful you get your first opportunity in the NHL, but a lot of things have happened since I've been with the organization.''
Perrin had 13 goals and 36 points in 82 games last season playing primarily on Brad Richards' line. He was slotted next season as a fourth-line center. He said the Thrashers told him he will start on the third line.
"That to me was important,'' Perrin said. "I don't think any hockey player would blame me for making that decision. It's not personal and it's nothing against the experience I had in Tampa because everybody knows how much I love playing there. ... But everybody could see the writing on the walls that I wasn't going to get those opportunities.''
Tortorella was not moved.
"I wish him well,'' he said, "but good riddance.''

nccanes

07-05-2007, 08:31 PM

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

What an ass. I hope Perrin scores 8 goals against them - 1 in each game.

I'm confused by the writer,

signed with the Thrashers as a free agent for two years, $1.5-million. That, apparently, was just $150,000 more than the contract offered by Tampa Bay, which also offered a three-year deal worth $1.575-million.

Huh? Someone is bad at math or has a bad fact checker.

Thanks SoCal - that's hysterical.

nccanes

07-05-2007, 08:32 PM

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

EDIT: wow a double post. I leave the laughs in tho. :lol:

svandijk1

07-05-2007, 08:38 PM

signed with the Thrashers as a free agent for two years, $1.5-million. That, apparently, was just $150,000 more than the contract offered by Tampa Bay, which also offered a three-year deal worth $1.575-million.

That is odd. So TB offered a 2 year deal for $1.35 million or he could have a 3rd year for a whole $225K more?

nccanes

07-05-2007, 08:43 PM

I found this

According to the Tampa Tribune, Perrin, 31, is believed to have turned down two offers from the Lightning, one for two years worth nearly $1.2 million and the other for three years worth $1.575 million. Instead, according to the Tribune, he signed a two-year deal worth $1.5 million with divisional rival Atlanta.

So in short, yes - they were going to give him some chump change for that 3rd year.

I realize all the money they throw around is a LOT, but I can't imagine suggesting that Perrin making 300k more over 2 years is no big deal.

God - I hate it when I generally dislike a player and something happens and I have to pull for them. :lol:

From the same article:

"I'm grateful for everything I've gotten with that organization," Perrin said. "I've had a great experience. This is nothing personal. I'm just trying to make the best decision I can for me as a player and my future."

From SoCal's blog post:

every year it's nothing but a pain to sign him.'

:lol: Perrin made league minimum last year. That's a tough signing alright!

SouthernHockeyChick

07-05-2007, 08:57 PM

LMAO!!! He is just a TOTAL jackass, isn't he?!? :laugh::laugh:

Yeah, I hated Perrin just by association with St Louis but man, I hope he eats Tampa alive next season.

WillLikeWhoa091

07-06-2007, 12:10 AM

Tort has got to be the driving force behind my hatred of the Lightning.

That and Marty St. Louis...

I'm pretty sure the rest of them I like. Vinny, for example, is an excellent hockey player and is earning every bit of his paycheck.

QFT SHC... I hope he eats Tampa alive next season.

nccanes

08-08-2007, 10:15 AM

I LOVE this. Torts even blasts the ownership on their way out! :lol:

Tortorella agreed.

"I welcome this because it's enthusiasm, and it's a passion for it," he said. "Jay and I beat our heads against the wall in the years we worked together that we didn't have the passion from Detroit about this team."

puck_it

08-08-2007, 12:32 PM

lol he's in on it too. i dont see Lavi calling Rutherford "Jim"

corylav

08-09-2007, 10:16 AM

More from Torts:

John Tortorella is an interesting cat.

Already known as one of the most outrageous and outspoken people in hockey, the Tampa Bay Lightning head coach gave an almost surreal interview to Toronto radio station The Fan 590 yesterday in which he ripped the outgoing ownership regime of Bill Davidson, the 83-year-old billionaire owner of the Detroit Pistons.

Now, it's not everyday you hear a coach opine on things this far above his pay grade, and especially not when the parties involved are still very much on board with the team (the sale has yet to even go to the board of governors for approval, and is in the very early stages). That said, Tortorella didn't mince words when talking about team CEO and governor Tom Wilson, who is also the long-time president and CEO of the Pistons (I'm going to quote the interview at length, but there are some gems here).

On the sale:
"I think it's a good thing for our organization; I think we're going to have local ownership, I think we're going to have a little bit of passion within our ownership. I think we were kind of the ugly stepsister of the Detroit Pistons with our prior ownership with Mr. Davidson. He's a great man, but they really weren't too excited about being around the hockey club."

On ownership's role in Tampa:
"Mr. Davidson's a good man, he is a good man. I've had a hell of a time with Tom Wilson, who is kind of the middle guy here. I think Tom has put up obstacles all through Jay Feaster and I's tenure as far as trying to compete in the NHL. But Mr. D is the owner, it's his money, he can do what he wants with it, but I think when Mr. D came into this, it was a pretty safe deal. He had two other partners with him, they [died] pretty quickly after this deal was done, and it's kind of weird what happened... the thing kind of fell apart as the property and development part. I think that's what they were in it for at the get-go.

"They've slowly begun to get involved with the hockey; when you win a Stanley Cup, you can't help but want to be involved with it a little bit. But it's been a battle."

On Wilson's role with the Lightning:
"The only problem I have with Tom is I just felt he was always... trying to steer Mr. D away from the hockey team, and wanting to sell the team, and really wanting no part with us at all. And honestly, it's pretty easy to be around a hockey team when they win a Stanley Cup. And it's really insulting to me to all of a sudden start seeing people pop out of the woodwork when they win a Stanley Cup.

"I'll put it to you in general terms: I don't really think Tom enjoyed the hockey, I don't think he thought it was a good business deal, and I think he really, really – and he was the middle man – [team president] Ron Campbell had to deal with Tom quite a bit. I appreciate Ron Campbell now more than I ever have because he's gone through a lot; he's the point man for us in dealing with Detroit and it was a dogfight trying to stay afloat as a hockey club."

As I said, it's caustic stuff, and may actually mark the first time in pro sports history that a coach has criticized his club's ownership this openly.

If Wilson is thin skinned about any of this, you wonder what recourse there may be to take action against Tortorella. The incoming ownership group has already given the thumbs up to keeping both he and GM Jay Feaster, but I can't see how this constitutes a wise career move.

Honesty can't be the best policy in this situation.

nccanes

08-09-2007, 10:41 AM

Good grief - who the hell does Torts think he is?

What the hell did he want, people kissing his ass at every opportunity? I simply don't understand that someone who gets his paycheck, has the kind of players he's had, and somehow the fact that the guy footing the bill might have other interests and passions is an issue?

Interesting that all those quotes are so vague. What exactly did they do that hurt the Lightining or made it harder for him to do his job?

If I were MacLean and the others, I'd realize that no matter WHAT they do - Tortorella will likely find fault in it when the mood strikes him and go public when it makes him feel better to bad mouth them.

I'm sure Tortorella supports are somewhere saying "I respect a guy that tells the truth", but that's a bunch of bull****. Tortorella is a bully with a temper.

I suspect that the Lightning ownership will probably not stoop to Torts level, just as Artyukin and Perrin didn't. But I'd love it if they fired his ass as their last official act. :lol:

nccanes

08-27-2007, 10:44 AM

Another shot over the bow....

From the "FanFest" Q&A

Lightning coach John Tortorella aired harsh criticism of Palace Sports & Entertainment president Tom Wilson during a Q&A with fans Saturday.

"The guy who I'm glad is the hell out of here is Tom Wilson because he's the one who has put obstacle after obstacle in front of us," he said of the Lightning's outgoing CEO and governor, provided the NHL approves the new ownership group. "Who knows? This deal might not go through, and they'd still be here. I really don't care."

Tortorella said he has no problems with outgoing owner Bill Davidson but said his group "really had no passion for us."

Asked if his fiery personality can mesh with that of future owner Doug MacLean, Tortorella said the relationship can work.

"Nothing's broken here, (hmm, didn't you just say Wilson put obstacle after obstacle out there, yet "nothing's broken") and I'm just hoping the new ownership understands that. And I think they do," he said.

"I'm going to continue coaching this team the way I see fit with the philosophy I have."

corylav

08-27-2007, 11:19 AM

Every time he opens his mouth I'm reminded of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer goes on the test drive and sees how far he and the delaership guy can go before running out of gas ... it like Torts is doing that with his job.

caneshockeychick

12-28-2007, 11:51 AM

Marc Denis Waived...never saw this coming :lol:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=226003&hubname=nhl

nccanes

12-28-2007, 11:52 AM

Good luck with that one. What's his salary...over 2 mil right?

caneshockeychick

12-28-2007, 11:54 AM

^Yep, 2.8 mill

nccanes

12-28-2007, 12:00 PM

OMG - I just read the whole thread. I have a totally unhealthy fascination with this organization! But it's an entertaining read!

Captain Slack

12-28-2007, 12:53 PM

When are they going to realize they've HAVE to trade one of the Big Three for a goalie & some depth?! For a God's sake, three guys does not a hockey team make!

caneshockeychick

12-28-2007, 01:00 PM

Back on 4/24/07 nccanes posted an article from the St. Pete Times. I liked this:

"I do have a game plan," Feaster said.

Sure you do bud :smoke:

Guyute

12-28-2007, 01:05 PM

Feaster is one of the biggest clowns around.
Doing a great job of showing how to take a Cup Winner and run it into the ground though. I just hope we're not trying to follow his model. lol

SoCalcaniac

12-28-2007, 04:11 PM

Ok , who found this thread? I looked for it last night to post on last night's game and it escaped me. :lol:

LMAO- E, I am like you- I just read through this thread too, and I have a wholly unhealthy fascination with the Lightning and their issues. I do believe my fascination with Tampa has now trumped my fascination with all things Toronto. :laugh:

It's a friggin TRAIN WRECK in Tampa. Honestly, all we need is a bucket of popcorn so we can sit back and watch!

caneshockeychick

12-28-2007, 09:55 PM

SoCal, I found it by typing "annual" into the search function and that worked for me :lol:

svandijk1

12-28-2007, 11:19 PM

It actually caught me off guard when I saw it a few minutes ago. Tampa Bay is now tied for last in the division with Washington.

nccanes

12-29-2007, 08:00 AM

Today should be interesting for them. They've owned Philly for a number of years and host them at home. Philly is probably licking their chops for a chance to hand them another loss.

If the Lightning lose this one (and depending on how), I'm not sure how much longer they can continue on w/o change. If they lose in a disinterested way, it makes me think that the players are ready for one too.

If the Lightning win, well, it will take all the fun out of it for me - but it will just be 1 win for now with a long road to go.

Oh - and it's last in the Conference (but I think you probably meant that). :) Only the awful Kings have fewer points in the league!

svandijk1

12-29-2007, 12:08 PM

Oh - and it's last in the Conference (but I think you probably meant that). :) Only the awful Kings have fewer points in the league!

Actually I was only looking at the division standings, but...

BWAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

And it's not even like they've got games in hand on anyone near them.

Tortorella should probably count himself lucky that ownership didn't change recently or he might be the one being tossed in the house cleaning. He should count his blessings that the ownership group he seems to hate so much is still in place.

nccanes

12-29-2007, 01:42 PM

They keep saying that that Saw movie producer guy (Oren something) loves the big three/core/whatever and that's one of the reasons he wants to buy the team. That seems like a pretty short-sighted view on NHL ownership, but whatever. I don't know if that gives the current ownership more patience in keeping the current gang in place as is to try to get the deal done or what. I would imagine that if the new negotiating relationship fails, then it's GOT to be time to move someone.

Canesluver

12-29-2007, 02:15 PM

Well-- Ramo's helping us out! :lol: Any bets how long it will take Torts to throw him under the bus???!!!
4-1, Philly!!

:D

nccanes

12-29-2007, 03:24 PM

Well Torts went all nicey-nicey with them and let them practice with tennis balls instead of pucks yesterday....guess it didn't work out. Too bad. :evil:

Alicia

12-29-2007, 03:39 PM

LMAO!

Alicia

12-29-2007, 09:42 PM

Good luck with that!

Lightning general manager Jay Feaster doesn't expect to make any major moves
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 30, 2007 TAMPA, Fla. - General manager Jay Feaster made it very clear: the slumping Tampa Bay Lightning don't plan to make any major moves for now.
"I think the answers for right now have to come from within," Feaster said Saturday after Tampa Bay lost 4-2 to Philadelphia. "Certainly until we get the resolution of the sale situation."
The Lightning's current owner, Palace Sports and Entertainment, has been talking about a potential sale of the franchise to a group led by Los Angeles movie producer Oren Koules.
Tampa Bay (15-21-3) has lost nine of 11, and are six games under .500 for the first time since the end of the 2001-02 season. Feaster again said the Lightning's "Big 3" of forwards Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards will not be traded.
"That's a non-starter. That's not going to happen," Feaster said.
Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella agrees with Feaster's overall assessment.
"There's no help coming," Tortorella said. "This is our mess. We have to figure it out."
The Lightning open a four-game road trip Tuesday at Toronto. Tampa Bay is 3-13-1 away from home this season.
"It will be a tough," Tampa Bay centre Brad Richards said. "Our back is against the wall. It could be good for us. Us against the world mentality. You just wonder when the puck will bounce your way."

nccanes

01-16-2008, 10:18 AM

It's not even fun to poke fun at the Bolts given how awful we are...

But for the sake of the thread. :lol:

after losing 3-0 to the Avs:

The team was on the ice at 8 a.m. today for the punishment that resulted from Tuesday's dreadful 3-0 loss to the Avalanche.

It was 46 minutes of non-stop skating. It began with two-on-two stick-checking battles for pucks. After that "Herbies,'' which were named after the late coach Herb Brooks and are kind of like suicides for hockey. Players skated goal line to goal line, then to the far blue line and back, then the center line, then the near blue line and finished up with three back-and-forths to the opposite goal line.

More two-on-two battles, another round of Herbies, more two-on-two battles and finally finishing with six laps around the rink at a decidedly slower speed than when the morning began. The team then went into the locker room for what was billed as a two-hour video session.

And Torts said boos weren't enough. He woulda thrown stuff. :lol:

TAMPA - The way coach John Tortorella figured it, Lightning fans fell down on the job during Tuesday night's game at the St. Pete Times Forum.

The boos directed at his team during a dreadful 3-0 loss to the Avalanche? Not enough.

"I would have thrown (stuff) at the team, not boo the team," Tortorella said. "At us; I'm part of them. I would have thrown (stuff)."

Instead, Lightning players threw around terms such as "embarrassing" and "brain dead" and "terrible" to describe a game that wiped away any of the good accomplished in winning two of its previous three games.

Instead, Tampa Bay (17-24-5) continued to build what is now a 3-10-2 streak. It also lost its fifth straight at home, where it is 1-7-1 in its past nine games.

"We didn't get anything accomplished," left wing Vinny Prospal said. "It was like we were brain dead."

Said Tortorella: "It's probably the most embarrassed and disappointed I have been since I've been here with them."

Guyute

01-16-2008, 10:35 AM

The Avs must be LOVIN' their SE roadswing. People just handing them games...

caveman

01-16-2008, 10:45 AM

The southleast division: "We'll cure what ails you!"

SouthernHockeyChick

01-16-2008, 02:48 PM

Tough practice for the Bolts. But, wait....didn't Craig MacDonald throw up?!?

Alicia

01-16-2008, 03:04 PM

Tough practice for the Bolts. But, wait....didn't Craig MacDonald throw up?!?
Nah, he just drove the van. :beatup:

SoCalcaniac

01-16-2008, 03:54 PM

So when all else fails for us and our Canes, we can cheer ourselves up by reading quotes from Torts and reading what happened to their team after a loss.

Unreal.

nccanes

01-17-2008, 10:20 AM

Evidence that CMac was still on his feet during the practice at this point! ;)

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/17/images/xlarge/Sports_Lightni_2427228.jpg

nccanes

02-13-2008, 08:45 AM

OMG, WHY does this bring me so much joy!!!! :lol:

edit: the YOUTUBE! :lol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgfShDZ3f9Y&eurl

TAMPA - Lightning forward Vinny Prospal celebrated his second goal Tuesday night, the winner, as it turned out, by dropping to his knees and pumping his fist.

He then he punctuated the 3-2 victory over the Canadiens by ripping coach John Tortorella in a Sun Sports television interview that also was shown on the St. Pete Times Forum scoreboard.

Well, it seemed as if he ripped Tortorella, though neither Prospal nor the coach would talk about what was said or the 25-minute closed-door meeting they had with general manager Jay Feaster.

"Ah, I'm not worried about that," Tortorella said. "I'm worried about the team winning. ... Athletes who are mad, to me, are good athletes."

Prospal, who tied his career high with 25 goals, told interviewer Paul Kennedy the game was one of the most satisfying moments of his career, adding he felt as if he, to be blunt, shoved it up somebody's backside.

Kennedy asked to whom Prospal was referring.

"I would like to think," he said, "they know who they are."

"They" had taken Prospal off the top line with Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis to accommodate an experiment that began Jan. 29 against the Sabres in which Brad Richards played the line's left wing.

Prospal, centering the second line, saw his ice time decline and played fewer than 12 minutes in three previous games.

"I'm not here to be the happy man and make everybody happy," Tortorella said. "I'm here to make calls as far as the game is concerned."

Back on the top line against Montreal, Prospal found new life. He tied the score at 2 with 40.4 seconds left in the first period and tallied the winner with 8:09 left in the third, both with assists by Lecavalier.

"When I go out there with those two guys, it's like being on the best line in hockey," Prospal said. "Marty and Vinny found me all night."

Michel Ouellet scored his first goal in seven games since returning from a separated left shoulder, and goaltender Karri Ramo made 19 saves, including a stunner on Sergei Kostitsyn with 13.2 seconds left in which he did the split.

It was an important victory as Tampa Bay (24-27-6 and with 54 points) stayed seven points behind first-place Carolina in the Southeast. It also was satisfying as Montreal, with 38 points, entered as the league's second-best road team while Tampa Bay was on a 3-10-1 streak at home.

But the focus was on Prospal, who played 17:50, had a game-high six shots and his second straight winner.

"I hope I'm not done," he said after his fifth goal in seven games. "It feels really good."

As for his Sun Sports comments, Prospal said, "I'd rather not talk about it if you don't mind."

Asked if he sensed relief in Prospal, Tortorella said, "I'm sure there was quite a bit of relief and a few other things, too. That's life. He played really well. Athletes that are upset, they contribute and help the team win, coaches are happy.

"This isn't a touchy-feely thing here or lovefest. This is a game of hockey and we're fighting for our life."

nccanes

02-13-2008, 09:08 AM

OMG, I am still laughing

"I hope I shove it up to somebody's butt".

:laugh:

caneshockeychick

02-13-2008, 09:32 AM

That was hilarious :laugh:

apolinar

02-13-2008, 09:34 AM

Shove it up TO somebody's butt.The word "To" just adds so much more. I am LOL here at work. That is great.

nccanes

02-13-2008, 09:40 AM

I know...it's going to be my new favorite phrase.

Guyute

02-13-2008, 09:46 AM

OMG, TOO funny. /wiping tears.

corylav

02-13-2008, 09:59 AM

Always liked Vinny ... good for him. Torts scares another guy out of TB.

Fghtr4jc

02-13-2008, 10:12 AM

Torts screws over Tampa again. No wonder they have no fans outside the city.

SoCalcaniac

02-13-2008, 11:47 AM

OMG, I am still laughing

"I hope I shove it up to somebody's butt".

:laugh:

I heard them talking about this on XM and just knew surely you'd be posting! LMAO.

Funny, it's been awhile since there has been some Tampa drama- right on cue.

The saga just continues on so many levels- and Torts just shrugs it off like it's no big thang......

What makes this hilarious is the way Prospal said it- the TO part just makes me howl.

Torts cannot be fired. We would have nothing to laugh at on a regular basis.

nccanes

02-13-2008, 11:54 AM

I'm so glad I missed it on XM this morning. I actually went to the St Pete Times site to see if there was any news on the purse snatcher :lol:. Seeing that in print was awesome! :lol:

bitty

02-13-2008, 12:03 PM

You guys think its funny seeing it on youtube. You should have been at the forum last night and seen it on the jumbotron. I almost cried from laughing so hard. The people that sit near me at games and I have a running bet too on what exactly did Andre Roy say to Torts on the bench after the last Florida game here thats got him in the dog house. What ever it was, it seems to have hurt Tort's ego.:laugh:

nccanes

02-13-2008, 12:13 PM

I wondered about that bitty! In our arena, we would have been luck to HEAR anything our audio sucks so bad.

But I think I woulda died with laughter.

This is one of those times that being in a non-traditional market has kept it from being front page news all over the league. If it had happened in a place like Toronto?? :lol:

bitty

02-13-2008, 12:23 PM

Have to admit seeing that live was priceless.
We can't here calls for penaties but alot of people don't stay here to here the 3 stars and the interview was right after that so sound was ok.
I think if something happens with either Prospal or Roy, there will be more in the news. And mostly since Torts said last night before the game that if he has to talk to Roy one more time, he will not be part of the organization anymore. Not sure if that made it online yet, but it was in our papers in print today.
I think Torts is walking a thin line. If something happens, I don't think it will come from Feaster but from higher up than that.

nccanes

02-13-2008, 12:25 PM

Too hard to keep up with the Tampa doghouse bitty!

I thought Roy's return to Tampa was one of those "feel good" stories at the time.

bitty

02-13-2008, 12:32 PM

Too hard to keep up with the Tampa doghouse bitty!

I thought Roy's return to Tampa was one of those "feel good" stories at the time.

I'm here and even can't keep up with it. LOL Though from reading peoples' posting in the Lighting blogs on tbo and stpetetimes.com I think Torts is in the doghouse with a heck of alot of fans here.

SoCalcaniac

02-13-2008, 12:32 PM

Bitty- keep the stories coming!

I agree with you, if Torts does get let go, it'll be from someone over Feaster. And based on the tenuous ownership/non-ownership situation (are those people buying the team or what? I've lost track) and the fan hit that all this crap causes, I can't imagine that the diehard Tampa fanbase thinks this is funny anymore.

bitty

02-13-2008, 01:01 PM

I don't even think most fans here can keep up with how many times Torts changes the lines. That in itself is almost comical.
The whole sale thing, well last that was said is that the bank that Owen Knowles was going to get the money from is now not doing that kind of business anymore becuase of some bad investments.
This is like one big soap opera.

nccanes

02-13-2008, 01:08 PM

Wow, that kind of threat (he'll be out of this org) certainly sounds like a GM wannabe.

Crazy stuff.

SoCalcaniac

02-21-2008, 09:48 AM

Ohhhhh E................... where are you??? :lol:

I was just sure, you would have beat me to this!

It appears the Lightning are now the other Florida team that can't keep it together in the 3rd period, lol. I didn't watch this because the only feed they offered on CI was the BUF one and I wasn't subjecting myself to that crap torture- but saw highlights and read the accounts- WOW:

Win Snatched from Lightning
Erik Erlendsson, Tampa Tribune

BUFFALO, N.Y. - A year's worth of frustration might finally be brewing to the top as Tampa Bay remains at the bottom.

The Lightning saw a two-goal lead evaporate in the final minutes and Thomas Vanek finished off a natural hat trick with a power-play goal 2:25 into overtime to give Buffalo an unexpected 4-3 comeback victory. Vanek also scored twice in 36 seconds, with the second goal coming with 1:45 left in regulation, to snatch victory out of Tampa Bay's hands.

Tampa Bay may have earned a point in its 10th consecutive road game (7-0-3) with the overtime loss and moved to within eight points of the division lead, but it certainly didn't help matters after the game as a 42-save effort from Johan Holmqvist went by the wayside.

Lightning coach John Tortorella didn't hide his feelings in the locker room after the game as he came out of the coach's office and rattled the sinks in the restroom, knocked into the players' sticks at the opposite end of the room and slammed the door to the coach's office shut. But before he made it back to the office, he looked over in the general direction of his core players stating, "You better get it figured out, because I'm not going to be around it."

What a friggin TYRANT....... Who can be around that?

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/feb/21/sp-win-snatched-from-lightning/?sports-lightning

nccanes

02-21-2008, 09:56 AM

Damn! I even watched the end of that game!!! "Thomas Vanek wins it.....in overrrrrrrrtiiiiiiiime". :lol:

Not going to "be around" what? A crappy team? A fragile team? Their stench?

It must be fun to be a non-core player in Tampa -- you are totally off the hook all the time. You get no credit either, but whatever!

Canesluver

02-21-2008, 10:38 AM

Poor, Torts-- he's worried about getting fired.

I'm starting to tear up at the thought..... sniff..... sniff......

:evil:

bitty

02-21-2008, 10:47 AM

Some of us here just wish they would fire him already!!!

SoCalcaniac

02-21-2008, 10:47 AM

More chatter for ya'll start tearing up some more CL! ;)

I just wanna know who on earth has the money for Richard's contract. :crazy:

THN.com Blog: Richards and Torterella on the hot seat in Tampa

Adam Proteau
2-20-08

The Tampa Bay Lightning are basement-dwelling doormats in the Eastern Conference, yet haven’t made any moves – trades, management shuffles or otherwise – all season long.

But that may soon change, according to one NHL agent who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“They’re a mess, obviously,” the agent told thehockeynews.com Tuesday. “They’re paying (Brad) Richards nearly $8 million a year to be their second line center, and (Marc) Denis is making almost $3 million (per season) to not play goal for them. That’s more than 10 large for two guys who aren’t making a difference, and I think management realizes they can’t keep going on like that.”

The agent, who said Richards is “absolutely in play” in the days leading up to the Feb. 26 trade deadline, expects Tampa Bay’s incoming ownership to try hard to retain the services of blueliner Dan Boyle and believes the franchise may still try and re-sign Vinny Prospal, if the winger’s contract demands don’t stretch the boundaries of credulity.

• Speaking of the Lightning – a retired NHLer and one-time assistant coach weighed in Tuesday on the Bolts’ need for a coaching change.

“It’s clear that team has stopped listening to (John) Tortorella,” the former player, who asked that his name not be used, told THN.com. “And that’s not saying Torts has forgotten how to coach. But guys who use his (hard-edged) style only have a limited shelf life. Look at Bob Hartley and the Thrashers; there’s a totally accomplished guy, a Stanley Cup winner, but the Atlanta (players) had enough of him after a while, and there was nothing he could do to get them back.

“Torts is the same type of coach. I think, like Bob, he’ll eventually be successful working somewhere else again. But it won’t be in Tampa.”

KaniacFever

02-21-2008, 11:04 AM

I actually feel bad for the players having Torts as a coach. I hate the lightening and all, but I'm starting to feel sorry for the players. Best thing Tampa can do is send Torts to the looney bin and get these guys another coach.

nccanes

02-21-2008, 12:01 PM

And as much as I poke fun at Brad Richards, I think it stinks that that he's lumped in with Denis as a someone who is "not making a difference". Um, has he had any decent linemates with which to do something? Doesn't he play a billion minutes in all situations that does "something" for the Lightning?

Don't get me wrong, he's getting paid too much, but that's not his fault either.

Mona2006

02-21-2008, 12:06 PM

Wow.. I had no idea Richards made that kind of salary.. but he has always been the "stepchild".. it has always been about Lecavlier and St. Louis. Between the disrepect and putting up with that so-called coach, I am sure he wants out. Torts is the Bobby Knight of the NHL. What a total hole. :lol:

puck_it

02-21-2008, 12:38 PM

torts isnt even bobby knights pinky. Bobby Knight is world better of a coach.

Mona2006

02-21-2008, 12:46 PM

torts isnt even bobby knights pinky. Bobby Knight is world better of a coach.

I was referring to his "coaching tactics"... throwing things around and belittling verbally.. Bobby was good at that.. Torts is too. I will say that I bet Torts has the good sense not to hit anyone in the locker room. Even St. Louis. :D

StormShaman

02-21-2008, 12:47 PM

There's no way he'd hit St. Louis--that little ******* would kneecap him in a hurry!

puck_it

02-21-2008, 12:48 PM

pffft, you aint cool unless you've thrown a chair

Mona2006

02-21-2008, 12:49 PM

^ :lol: Well he knows the d-men would instinctively kick his arse if he messed with their "little man".. :lol: Wonder who's shoulders are "tinier"? His or Briere's?? :lol:

Captain Slack

02-21-2008, 02:34 PM

Everyone who's talking about Tampa trading Richards is forgetting he's got a no-trade. If he doesn't want to leave Tampa, he won't. Can't for the life of me think of why he'd want to stay, but there you have it.

If I were this Hollywood guy who's getting ready to buy the Lightning, I'd throw Feaster & Torts out on their collective a$$es and bring in a fresh management team. Tampa is a case study in how not to run a team under a salary cap.

nccanes

02-21-2008, 02:40 PM

I think Richards can ask Doug Weight about how you end up waiving a NTC even when you don't really want to.

SoCalcaniac

02-21-2008, 02:51 PM

Yep, I was gonna say the exact same thing E. Shameful and unacceptable what STL did - beyond shameful; but yep, Doug Weight can tell anyone all they need to know about the ol' strong arm to waive the NTC.

On the other hand,if I'm Richards, I'm getting the H-E double hockey sticks out of that dysfunctional mess that is the Lightning. A zillion bucks says that if he did, suddenly, he'd be 'that Brad Richards' former Conn Smythe Trophy winner. I think that whole bunch has just grown weary of the whole mess and Richards in particular is a shell of what he was because of it. Phil Esposito has yammered on and on about how Richards has had to play with "the Jason Wards of the world" and that is true. I could see him go out west and suddenly be far worthier of his contract than he is right now.

Basically, it's just the typical Tampa mess. :lol:

nccanes

02-21-2008, 03:10 PM

Yup. If Prospal gets "stuck" with Richards, he wants to shove something up to Torts butt.

I suspect it's harder to be an impact line when you no longer have Stillman and Fedotenko and Modin available to mix and match with the MVP (GAG LOL) line and Richards.

Shell

02-21-2008, 09:02 PM

Some of us here just wish they would fire him already!!!

Not me, I love the entertainment value of his craziness, and would be scared to death of Tampa with a decent coach :D

StormShaman

02-22-2008, 08:10 AM

The anonymous ex-Lightning is right: Tortorella does have a very short shelf-life.

But the end of that shelf-life sure does make for some high comedy! :lol:

Caniac

02-22-2008, 11:04 AM

At this point I figure he's like that dollop of potato salad that was left, but put back on the shelf in the fridge a week or so ago... You'd dump it, but you're kinda scared to take it off the shelf because you know how terrible it is and it's not going to go without making a big stink.

nccanes

02-22-2008, 09:18 PM

I know that our guys probably said the same things in 02 and 03, but I'm amazed they can choke out the words

"It's a crucial two points every night," Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle said. "A lot of this is frustrating no matter which way you go."

Now, if the entire Eastern Conference #1-#14 went off to only play the west except for when they played the Lightning and not a single team won a game versus the West and lost their game against the Lightning....THEN maybe the Lightning could end up in the playoffs.

I swear it's got to already be mathematically impossible for them to make it based on the remaining schedule because half of the teams above them are going to be getting points every night. How the heck to you vault over 6 teams (for #8) or 4 teams (for the SE division) when that's happening.

SoCalcaniac

02-24-2008, 07:26 PM

E- and all my Lightning implosion peeps- you will love this swan song to the Big 3/The Trinity/ The Dudes or whatever they've been called. I'll post the link to the article and give everyone the juicy stuff from last night's loss to the B's and some sort of meeting with Richards after the loss since he's the apparent subject of rumors as the one to go- it's titled "A Possibly Fitting Goodbye":

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/24/Lightning/Possibly_a_fitting_go.shtml

After the game, moments after Richards emerged from a closed-door meeting in Tortorella's office, the coach expressed his frustration.
"There is a lot of stuff going on with this hockey team right now that's unfair to the players," he said. "It's unfair to players who are still trying to compete and play.
"The (expletive) that's going on with this (expletive) hockey club right now, it's inexcusable as far as treating hockey players as pros"

That can't fire him. He's pure entertainment. He tops anything that Oscar Night will have for us. :lol:

Captain Slack

02-24-2008, 07:49 PM

This was a very telling statement:

"The way we're losing games is very frustrating," Boyle said. "We're just finding ways to lose the game."

Almost like they're trying to run their coach off? :shrug:

nccanes

02-25-2008, 04:49 AM

I swear to god that Torts wife must be a freakin saint. This guy has blamed everyone, EVERYONE for their misfortunes and issues. Agents, former players, media, goalies, management.....

I saw that quote and just thought "your team stinks, your contracts are bloated, the trade deadline is days away.....welcome to the NHL Torts".

Mona2006

02-25-2008, 07:15 AM

He has more expletives than watching Ozzy Osborne and family. :lol:

Brad Richards probably came out and thought "f me"... :lol:

Canes4me

02-25-2008, 01:56 PM

If this is true, it appears the new ownership wants to blow up the lightning to the league minimum. Sucks to be Lightning fan if they pull this off.

http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/strange-days-coming-for-bolts/

nccanes

02-25-2008, 02:14 PM

As I mentioned, stripping Richard's salary off the books gets them in that 38 million territory.

Is this guy suggesting that the Lightning do NOTHING to fix their issues? Sure sending away Richards and/or Boyle will annoy some, but if they could spin them for some high picks or prospects and maybe be able to pay a decent goalie?

I just read that whole entry and it is SO fanboy-ish.

Want to send a note out to let potential ownership what you might think if they are willing to trade both Brad Richards and Dan Boyle, leave a comment. It’s you the fans that seem to be left out in this situation. Does one step back this year mean things need to be blown up?

I guess he's ignoring the fact that they got chased out of the playoffs in the first round the last 2 seasons, getting in as 7 and 8 seeds iirc.

But damn that woulda been a fun meeting to be a fly on the wall for!

SoCalcaniac

02-25-2008, 02:25 PM

E- lol. Fan-boyish. :lol: I agree, you're the beat writer, dude, haven't you seen enough??

By the way, Mr. Erlendsson is coming on to discuss 'the Lightning Situation' on Power Play w/ Tatti & Green after the break. I'm shocked they didn't wait til Phil comes on next hour so he could throw in his 2 cents. :lol: Where is my popcorn??? ;)

Canes4me

02-25-2008, 02:26 PM

Agreed. I don't see how they can stand pat with status quo. That team has it's issues with cap movement, but what have they done to improve it. Now ownership wants to make some changes that would put them in a rebuild mode, but hey, that has to be better than sitting through 3 periods of what they have been exposed to lately.

nccanes

02-25-2008, 02:31 PM

Oh my, he's cracking me up.

If they trade Richards it's for the "right reason", but if they trade both he and Boyle it's "for the wrong reasons". I'm guessing not losing a ton of money is a pretty decent reason.

Does he not realize that they can trade Boyle and then re-sign him this summer and have whatever they get for him.

SoCalcaniac

02-25-2008, 02:34 PM

Erlendsson has been their beat writer for YEARS. He's making absolutely NO sense!

"It's a dicey situation right now...... " and "let's hope this is a 'hockey move'" wth?

ok dude. take a pill. :lol: and oh god the Greener has just thrown out "whereby" for the 4th time in a 30 minutes.

nccanes

02-28-2008, 07:11 AM

Gotta feel for Mike Smith....love his candor

No surprise, then, Smith called Wednesday night's matchup against the Wild "probably one of the harder games I've ever played, mentally."

[snip]

Everything that's gone on the last couple of days is new to me," he said, "fighting the nerves a little bit and, mentally, just wandering everywhere."

That said, if not for Smith's 24 saves, three on breakaways, two on Marian Gaborik, the outcome would have been worse. In fact, all the players acquired in the Richards deal, and one in the trade of Vinny Prospal to the Flyers, made general manager Jay Feaster look like a genius.

Center Jeff Halpern had a goal, an assist and three hits. Jussi Jokinen was around the puck and had four shots. Defenseman Alex Picard, acquired for Prospal, played 19:54, had three hits and two blocks.

And you've GOT to love Torts sticking it to someone no matter what. The remaining "core" probably wish they'd gotten a golden ticket like Prospal and Richards. :lol:

"I have no problems with the guys we traded for," coach John Tortorella said.

puck_it

02-28-2008, 08:41 AM

the rest of the quote reads, "...yet"

SoCalcaniac

02-28-2008, 09:24 AM

I feel for that kid Smith. He so did not sign up for this gig with the Lightning- he's a good goalie too; tough deal. He's destined to get lit up by Torts oh, on Saturday night when we stomp them. ;)

E, lol- you know St. Louis and Lecavalier want to be gone out of there- and what's that snide comment about 'no problems with the guys we traded for'? Obviously he had problems with Richards eh?

corylav

02-28-2008, 09:47 AM

Clement hit it on the head on Espo's show last night: Smith's going from a controlled environment with a system that, first and foremost, protects its goalie. They give their goalies a predictability of where to expect shots from. The same can't be said for TB. While I don't want TB to succeed, I hope they don't fail b/c of Smith's play. He's a young guy with a bright future ... one just has to hope Torts & Co. don't ruin him.

corylav

03-04-2008, 08:45 AM

I just read this now ... hysterical

The mercurial Tortorella won't go that far but he did admit the reports are promising.

"I have no idea," Tortorella said at first when asked if Smith was the answer. "I don't know who Mike Smith is. Maybe some time next year you can talk to me.

"I talked to so many people about Smith and they tout him as a guy who can do the job. But he's never done it before so there's always risk, we understand that."

VandyCane

03-04-2008, 09:17 AM

Wow, that didn't take long. The man is nuts. :crazy:

caneshockeychick

03-04-2008, 09:19 AM

What? Hell, I know who Mike Smith is. :lol:

corylav

03-04-2008, 09:29 AM

Just to clarify, this is from when the deal was made.

caneshockeychick

03-04-2008, 09:46 AM

Yeah, but, I still knew who Mike Smith was.

You'd think with all the goalie "issues" they have in TB, Torts would know who Mike Smith was. I mean, he's always done a great job backing up Turco in Dallas (of course, I think Dallas is a much, much better team than TB too and so he probably had a lot more help out there :lol: ).

puck_it

03-04-2008, 12:22 PM

Torts--best coach ever.

livinthedream

03-04-2008, 12:26 PM

Torts--best [expletive] coach ever.

fixed it for ya

puck_it

03-04-2008, 12:38 PM

****in right

SouthernHockeyChick

03-04-2008, 03:40 PM

I nominate him for the Jack Adams.

caneshockeychick

03-04-2008, 05:09 PM

^He's already won once...I'm okay with that ;)

Jay

03-04-2008, 06:26 PM

I nominate him for the Jack Daniels :lol:

Mona2006

03-04-2008, 07:48 PM

^ Since he hates everybody on the team and thinks they are all dreadful..including the people that clean up the arena, the ticket takers etc... he probably knows JD very well. :lol:

Captain Slack

03-08-2008, 10:30 AM

Interesting....

Lightning enforcer Roy suspended by team

TSN.ca Staff

3/7/2008 10:00:50 PM

Tampa Bay Lightning enforcer Andre Roy has been suspended by the team for at least two games.

According to a report in the Tampa Bay Tribune, the club sent Roy home this morning in reaction to an incident in Thursday's 3-2 loss at Philadelphia.

During the game, Roy had to be restrained by a linesman then physically pulled to the bench by head coach John Tortorella after being enraged by the Flyers in-house staff for replaying Roy's second fight with Riley Cote on the jumbo screen. The Tribune reported that with each replay, the Flyers bench laughed at Cote's quick punch that sent Roy to the ice.

''After last night's game, I felt it would be best for the team and for Andre if he went back to Tampa and we separated him from the team for the next few days,'' general manager Jay Feaster said in a statement. ''I will meet with Andre on Monday and we will determine any subsequent course of action at that time.''

Roy will be out of the lineup tonight against New Jersey and Sunday in Columbus.

puck_it

03-08-2008, 11:31 AM

TORTS AND FEASTY DO SOMETHING SMART?!?!?

Caniac

03-08-2008, 12:23 PM

THAT'S UNPOSSIBLE!

Alicia

03-08-2008, 01:25 PM

THAT'S UNPOSSIBLE!
But not unappropriate! ;)

Captain Slack

03-10-2008, 04:21 PM

Now he's been send home for a week with pay.

Lightning tell Roy to take a week off

TSN.ca Staff

3/10/2008 2:14:00 PM

The Tampa Bay Lightning have told Andre Roy to stay away from the team for a week.

Roy was sent home by the Lightning following a March 6 game in Philadelphia in which he had to be physically restrained by a linesman and, after reaching the bench, by head coach John Tortorella.

Roy was agitated after a replay of his second fight of the night with Riley Cote was shown on the scoreboard. The fight had not gone well for Roy, and the Flyers allegeldy jeered him from the bench during the replay.

Roy was sent home the following morning.

Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster released a statement on Monday after the team decided to keep Roy at home for the week.

"Today I met with Andre Roy, and also met with John Tortorella and members of his coaching staff, regarding not just the incident that took place between periods and on the bench during the third period in Philadelphia on March 6, but also other situations that have taken place this season involving Andre," Feater said i nthe statment.

"At this time I have directed Andre to take the week off away from the team, with pay, while our internal discussions and overall review continues. We will not have any further statement or comment to make at this time, and Andre has been asked by the Club not to discuss the matter with the media, until such time as there is a conclusive resolution."

Captain Slack

03-14-2008, 10:06 AM

Personally, I think this guy is bull$hitting. No way can I see Koules moving the Lightning out of Tampa considering how good their attendence is.

Recent Lightning News.

Friday, 14 March 2008 08:04

The silence thus far from incoming Tampa Bay Lightning owner Oren Koules raises questions about the club's future, and Andre Roy recent suspension could affect his future with the team.

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES: Damian Cristodero recently reported the silence from Oren Koules over his future plans for the Tampa Bay Lightning is amplifying trepidation. Among the things Cristodero wants to know from Koules is if he will keep the Lightning in Tampa Bay for the foreseeable future and if he intends to re-sign Vincent Lecavalier.

Cristodero also reported Lightning GM Jay Feaster recently suspended forward Andre Roy for a week with pay while the club contemplates Roy's future. Roy was involved in several incidents during last week's Flyers-Lightning game and had to be physically restrained on the Lightning bench by head coach John Tortorella.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: The Lightning have ranked among the top ten in attendance over the past three seasons (although they've been in slight decline falling from third overall to eighth this season) and it's unlikely the league will approve any plans by Koules to move the Lightning. As for Lecavalier, the fact that Feaster recently suggested he'd open contract talks with Lecavalier this summer indicates he's got Koules' blessing to re-sign him. Regarding Roy, it remains to be seen if he'll be playing out the rest of the season, and he's an unrestricted free agent this summer and probably won't be re-signed.

KaniacFever

03-26-2008, 12:32 PM

Leave it to Torts :lol:

''I'm not crazy about (their) organization,'' Tortorella said of hurting Florida's playoff chances. ''I don't mind at all. Just fine with me.''

SoCalcaniac

03-26-2008, 12:45 PM

:lol: Just when I thought he was going into a shell after him not having any real reaction after they blew that game vs BUF, Torts restores my faith in his jackass-y ness. (is that a word?)

Caniac

03-26-2008, 01:36 PM

It is on LetsGoCanes.com.

Custom dictionary:

asshattery
douchebaggyness
jackassyness

puck_it

03-26-2008, 05:25 PM

it begins.... again.
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning (http://lightning.nhl.com/) recalled goalie Marc Denis (http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8462055) from Norfolk of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.
Denis replaces goalie Jonathan Boutin, who was reassigned to Norfolk a day after the Lightning recalled him from the Admirals on an emergency basis because starting goalie Mike Smith (http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8469608) has a sprained left ankle.
Smith, who was hurt in practice Monday, is listed as day to day.
Denis began the season with the Lightning and was assigned to Norfolk on Dec. 29. He played in 28 games with the Admirals, going 9-15-2 with a 3.02 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.
He has appeared in 348 NHL games with Colorado, Columbus and Tampa Bay.

VandyCane

03-26-2008, 06:07 PM

It is on LetsGoCanes.com.

Custom dictionary:

asshattery
douchebaggyness
jackassyness

It's amazing how those three words describe both Torts and Lindy so well!

corylav

03-27-2008, 09:49 AM

*sigh*

Lightning's Tortorella to coach U.S. at world championships

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, March 26, 2008 10:15 PM

TAMPA — Lightning coach John Tortorella and associate Mike Sullivan will coach the U.S. national team at the World Championships.

Officials at USA Hockey declined to comment. Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett said the team would not comment in deference to USA Hockey's process.

An announcement is expected soon. The tournament starts May 2 in Halifax and Quebec.

Tortorella, 49, will be a national head coach for the first time.

He was an assistant to Carolina's Peter Laviolette at the 2005 World Championships in Austria and is a leading candidate to head the U.S. Olympic team at the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

Sullivan, 40, coached the United States at the 2007 World Championships in Russia, where the team reached the quarterfinals. He was an assistant to Laviolette at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy.

StormShaman

03-27-2008, 09:54 AM

It's cos we will be busy with plxyxffs.

Caniac

03-27-2008, 10:03 AM

Why do they want a coach that can't coach and more importantly seems to no longer be able to win to head the national team?

HEY LETS GET THE GUY IN DEAD LAST PLACE TO GUIDE OUR TEAM TO VICTORY!

LostTexan

03-27-2008, 10:03 AM

Well isn't he the US Born coach with the most wins? I guess that makes sense.

I think this year I'll just cheer for the players as apposed to the team as a whole.

caveman

03-27-2008, 10:49 AM

It's cos we will be busy with plxyxffs.

Hopefully yes, but ugh it's scary to see it in writing:

Peter Laviolette, coach of the Carolina Hurricanes and the U.S. entry in the 2006 Olympics, will be on the short list of candidates along with San Jose's Ron Wilson. Both will be coaching when the NHL playoffs start April 9, while Tortorella's Lightning will miss the postseason for the first time since 2001-02.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3315217

corylav

03-27-2008, 12:16 PM

Why do they want a coach that can't coach and more importantly seems to no longer be able to win to head the national team?

HEY LETS GET THE GUY IN DEAD LAST PLACE TO GUIDE OUR TEAM TO VICTORY!

You didn't hear? Feaster called this year Torts' best work :crazy:

Mona2006

03-27-2008, 01:32 PM

Why would anyone want to play for him? The players will probably fake illness since they know who they are stuck with. I think he totally sucks as a coach... attitude takes the front seat on that comment. :sick:

nccanes

03-27-2008, 02:08 PM

You didn't hear? Feaster called this year Torts' best work :crazy:

Is that a joke? :crazy:

Mona2006

03-27-2008, 02:11 PM

Is that a joke? :crazy:

I agree E... finishing last in the Division as well as tearing his players a new one every week in the press? Yep.. good job. :crazy:

Canesluver

03-27-2008, 05:12 PM

nccanes

03-27-2008, 10:13 PM

They wouldn't ask him if they expected him to be busy with his NHL team after the reg season ended. The Worlds begin at the beginning of May.

corylav

03-28-2008, 07:41 AM

Is that a joke? :crazy:

heh ... no. From March 13.

BOSTON — Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said it is not fair to judge the coaching staff simply by wins and losses and, in some ways, this season has been coach John Tortorella's best.

That's a mouthful considering Tampa Bay is last in the East (out of the playoffs for the first time since 2001-02) and Tortorella was named coach of the year after the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2003-04.

"I think sometimes, in years like this, coaches do their best coaching," Feaster said. "That's something that's unnoticed because all the outside sees — all the public, the fans see — is what the record is. And that doesn't reflect the kind of work that's being done on a daily basis."

The Lightning has dealt with serious injuries, goalie woes, a young defense that was without Dan Boyle for much of the season and the altering of the roster at the trade deadline.

"From the preparation, the individual meetings, the individual preparation, the individual coaching to try and get players better," Feaster said; "from that standpoint, as far as pure coaching and the teaching aspect of it, this season may have been his finest in doing those kinds of things and having the need to do those kinds of things."

nccanes

03-28-2008, 07:47 AM

:lol:

Solracer

03-28-2008, 07:52 AM

Gotta love how they talk about dealing with injuries when this is the first year they have had to deal with any at all.

What a joke.

SoCalcaniac

03-28-2008, 10:24 AM

:lol:

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Seriously. You've gotta be kidding me. His finest? Feaster must do alot of crack.

KaniacFever

03-28-2008, 12:16 PM

Can I please have some of what Feister is smoking.

evan

03-28-2008, 02:37 PM

I'll bet there are a lot of NHL Coaches who wish their bosses were more like Feaster though. lol

Fghtr4jc

03-28-2008, 08:04 PM

I'll bet there are a lot of people in general who wish their bosses were more like Feaster though. lol

Fix'd.;)

PuckinCane

03-29-2008, 05:38 PM

OK, which one of you wise guys sent the rose colored glasses to Thrashers and Lightning management?

"Hi, Thrashers and Lightning front office phones here. Neither team is answering their phone right now because they both are busy cleaning their golf clubs. But, if they could, they'd both know how much their teams sucked. So, go ahead, keep calling. They won't answer and will go on believing that this season was a success and that their teams are heading in the right direction and have weathered adversity"

puck_it

03-30-2008, 12:55 PM

very interesting

TAMPA, Fla. - Lightning captain Tim Taylor (http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8458192) won't play a final game for Tampa Bay before retiring after the regular season ends.
The 39-year old Taylor, who has missed the entire season after undergoing off-season hip surgery, has recently been practising with team. Lightning coach John Tortorella had talked with Taylor about returning for one contest at home
"I'm not coming back" Taylor said during a question-and-answer session with fans before Saturday night's game against Carolina. "I want to remember the good times. I want to remember playing hockey. I don't want Torts to send me out to play two shifts and I'll stand around."
Taylor has 73 goals and 94 assists in 746 career games. The two-time Stanley Cup winner provided key leadership when Tampa Bay won its only NHL championship in 2004.
Two potential replacements for team captain next season are Vincent Lecavalier (http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8467329) and Martin St. Louis (http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8466378).
"I think Vinny will be the next captain," Taylor said. "He's taken some great strides in the locker room."
Taylor plans to remain with the organization, spending most of his time working with prospects and minor leaguers.

Captain Slack

03-30-2008, 01:59 PM

No more saying he threw pucks into trash cans? Awww.

SoCalcaniac

04-01-2008, 02:02 PM

Ok, so I have another break - another vid-conference in a few minutes, so I'm being nosy reading blogs of other teams and such- well I dug this up in the Tampa Trib- I've made my peace with The Wave in our building so ya'll who have issues with that, don't have much to worry about with what they do in Tampa. :laugh::crazy:

A quick note to fans, you guys need to leave the inflatable beach balls at home DO NOT BRING THEM TO A HOCKEY GAME. This is the second consecutive game in which I have seen one being knock around the stands. This might be kind of fun and entertaining, but not at a hockey game. Think about what would happen if Vinny Lecavalier was coming down the ice at near full speed and all of a sudden a ball comes on the ice - just like it did tonight - and cause Lecavalier to wipe out resulting in blown knee or something. Come guys, you are smarting than that. Save those for the baseball games where they are not quite as dangerous. They have no business being smacked around during a hockey game.
OK, that’s my public service announcement for the night, and it was totally unsolicited....

I have to agree- dudes- leave the beachball at HOME.

Erik Erlendsson does a good job of period by period analysis and comments during the game so it's a good read all around- lots of interesting bits that make you laugh (Torts apparently got mad when #4 made a move he didn't approve of to make a play, lol)

and if you scroll to the day before, there is a touching story of a Make-A-Wish child who got his wish to meet Lecavalier, real tear jerker, quite touching. So again hard to hate on that guy.

http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/related/C189/

Ok, fun distraction, back to work. :lol:

caneshockeychick

04-01-2008, 02:04 PM

^awww, how sweet, they took that idea from the Devs fans (and who knows maybe they took that idea from someone else)

:laugh:

ButtersSaysNo

04-01-2008, 02:22 PM

Nice of those *******s to decide last night to play like crap all game and pretty much mail it in. Too bad they could not have decided to do that a game earlier.

Caniac

04-01-2008, 02:24 PM

Horrible teams LOVE to play spoiler. Games that are meaningless to both parties... they couldn't care any less.

SouthernHockeyChick

04-01-2008, 05:54 PM

Horrible teams LOVE to play spoiler. Games that are meaningless to both parties... they couldn't care any less.

Too bad Atlanta couldn't muster that spoiler thing against the Caps a week or so ago. Seems they can only get that going against us. :sick:

Mona2006

04-02-2008, 12:13 PM

Let's hope TB has a complete meltdown tonight and comes out firing tomorrow night to redeem themselves. :evil:

nccanes

04-06-2008, 08:45 AM

Vinny's labrum was torn on the Cooke hit in the Bolts/Caps game.

After the swelling goes down, he'll have 12-14 weeks of recovery. Also has to get his wrist cleaned up.

Found these comments by Torts and Feast kinda interesting....as usual. :lol:

"I don't think it was a vicious hit, and I certainly don't think he was trying to hurt him," coach John Tortorella said. "But he was in a vulnerable position, didn't see him coming, didn't have the puck."

Feaster criticized Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau for suggesting Cooke was less at fault because Lecavalier stepped in front of the puck-carrying Michel Ouellet, at whom Boudreau said Cooke was aiming.

"I read Bruce Boudreau's comments that Vinny just happened to step in front of a train," Feaster said.

"I think he embarrasses himself every time he opens his mouth on the topic. I think they should be happy Matt Cooke is in the lineup and it's only a $2,500 fine."

Feaster said he wondered "what the howl would have been had it been a situation where they're playing (Saturday) for a chance to make the playoffs and their star is out for the next 12 to 15 weeks as opposed to us.

"I wonder if that's what it would have been had it been (Tampa Bay's Nick Tarnasky) hitting (Alex Ovechkin) and Ovi being out for 12 to 15 weeks. Might have been the end of the world."

But it's nice to know that Feast uses nicknames for other team's players too. And I HAVE to laugh at the very last sentence. :lol:

Captain Slack

04-06-2008, 11:07 AM

Much as a I despise Torts, I have to agree with him there.

Also, I see him taking over for Don Cherry some day. Scary thought, I know, but I'm willing to put money on it happening.

AbNormal27

04-06-2008, 02:59 PM

Also, I see him taking over for Don Cherry some day. Scary thought, I know, but I'm willing to put money on it happening.

Sorry, not gonna happen. Don Cherry may be brash, but he's not as stupid as Torts.

Aaryn

corylav

04-10-2008, 03:47 PM

From TSN's offseason guide for TB:

That being the case, an ideal fit like Pittsburgh's Ryan Malone may not be in the cards, so some of the forwards who might help the Lightning among their top nine forwards could be speed guys like Malone's Pittsburgh teammate Pascal Dupuis, Dallas' Antti Miettinen or Chicago's Jason Williams. Even former Tampa Bay winger Cory Stillman, a 34-year-old coming off a 65-point season, could be a decent short-term fix.

Whole article: http://tsn.ca/nhl/teams/story/?id=233975&hubname=nhl-lightning&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_nhl-lightning

Caniac

04-10-2008, 10:14 PM

HEY I NO WE RODE U OUT OF TWN ON A RAIL OK BUT COME BCK NOW PLS WE NEED U!!!!

CORY N TMPA BFF'S 4EVA

Mona2006

04-11-2008, 09:34 AM

I am sure Cory would love to go back there. :crazy:

nccanes

04-22-2008, 12:19 PM

Strike 2 (or however many now) in the sale of the Lightning...it appears.

The worldwide credit crunch appears to have seeped into the world of professional hockey.

According to a report in the Sports Business Journal, Oren Kouleas, the prospective buyer of the Tampa Bay Lightning, has lost his second lender in the last three months.

CIT Group, who was expected to lend Kouleas up to $110 million, has pulled out of the deal. Earlier this year, Societe General backed out of a similar deal with Kouleas.

According to the report, the worldwide credit crunch has made financial institutions increasingly reluctant to lend money after suffering from costly bad loans.

"It is fair to say that the financial markets are strained, as we speak, and we will look to help with the financing of a portion of the purchase price," wrote Tom Wilson, chief executive officer of Palace Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Lightning, in an e-mail. "The deal is still on."

According to his agreement with PS&E, Kouleas had until May 28 to secure financing for the deal.

Captain Slack

04-27-2008, 10:47 AM

Oh please, oh please, oh PLEASE let this happen!!! :laugh:

Coaching Change for the Lightning?

Sunday, 27 April 2008 08:46

Is Lightning head coach John Tortorella on his way out of Tampa Bay? And which well-known TV analysis is rumored as a potential replacement? Find out the latest.

NATIONAL POST (http://nationalpost.pa-sportsticker.com/default.aspx?s=nhl-news-display&nid=A10242791209062122A): reports Tampa Bay Lightning head coach John Tortorella regrets telling management it might be best if he were to step down, now saying he wants to remain and help the club retool.

TAMPA TRIBUNE (http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/barry-melrose-to-the-lightning/): Erik Erlendsson reports Al Strachan recently reported on Hockey Night in Canada's Satellite Hotstove segment that Tortorella would be fired once the sale of the team was completed and would be replaced by ESPN analyst and former LA Kings coach Barry Melrose.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: It's possible Tortorella could be out of a job once the sale of the club to Hollywood producer Oren Koules is finally completed, but I doubt very much Melrose would be hired to replace him. Melrose hasn't been in a coach role since the mid-1990s and has a good gig with ESPN which I doubt he'll part with. Put it this way: Melrose has as much chance of being hired as the Lightning's new head coach as Don Cherry has of succeeding Paul Maurice in Toronto.

nccanes

04-27-2008, 10:53 AM

OMG!

What fodder for the continued longevity of this thread!!! :lol:

SouthernHockeyChick

04-27-2008, 10:59 AM

Melrose!! Re-TOOL is right!! :lol:

A good gig at ESPN? Yeah, just so long as he likes doing nothing and being completely irrelevant. They don't even cover hockey.

Captain Slack

04-28-2008, 10:24 AM

Mullethead is denying it, of course.

The Latest on the Lightning.

Monday, 28 April 2008 08:20

Is Barry Melrose slated to become the next Lightning head coach? What type of players could management target this summer?

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES: Damian Cristodero reports ESPN analyst Barry Melrose denied a recent report claiming he was slated to replace John Tortorella as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning once the sale to Hollywood producer Oren Koules is completed.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Melrose did admit he'd love to return to coaching but I suspect that's not going to happen with the Lightning, at least not this coming season. Melrose has been out of coaching for 13 years now and there are other, better qualified candidates available if the club does decide to replace Tortorella.

Cristodero also recently reported that with Brad Richards and Vinny Prospal gone the Lightning could use two top-six forwards and a steady veteran defenseman.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: That's going to depend on how much Koules is willing to spend this summer. If as rumored he'll only keep payroll at between $42-$44 million they're not going to have very much available cap space to bring in those kind of players via free agency.
Next >

nccanes

04-28-2008, 10:29 AM

have I missed it and Koules has found the financing? Or is there just the presumption that he will by the late May deadline?

nccanes

04-29-2008, 02:50 PM

Ok. This (re: the Melrose rumor) made me LMAO!! :lol:

This is a rumor that's a little too cute for me. Oren Koules is a tv producer, so who does he get as his coach? A tv analyst.

Our new trainer will be Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

Captain Slack

05-26-2008, 11:04 AM

And the Melrose rumor won't die!!

PALM BEACH POST (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/sports/epaper/2008/05/24/a7b_nhlcolumn_0525.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=46): Brian Biggane recently reported on several coaching rumors around the league. One rumor has the Tampa Bay Lightning moving GM Jay Feaster into a lesser role, hiring a new GM and replacing head coach John Tortorella with ESPN analyst and former Kings head coach Barry Melrose.

Biggane also reports the Panthers hiring Penguins assistant coach Andre Savard appears to be "a done deal", not to be surprised if Quenneville ends up coaching the Sharks, Tortorella could be Ottawa bound if the Lightning fire him, there'll be several candidates for the Maple Leafs coaching job but rule out former Leafs coach Pat Quinn, and the Thrashers might consider John Anderson, who coaches their AHL affiliate, as their new head coach.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Hat tip to GJ Berg and RT Beese for the link. I've commented earlier this month on the Melrose rumor and I don't see any basis for it, since Melrose has a good gig with ESPN and hasn't coached in over a dozen years. I don't see how Savard's hiring is a done deal yet since the Panthers can't talk with him until the playoffs are over.

Captain Slack

05-30-2008, 12:23 PM

Dear God, I am starting to believe this is actually going to happen! :eek2:

REPORT: MELROSE RETURNING TO COACH LIGHTNING

TSN.CA STAFF
5/30/2008 12:46:02 PM

The Toronto Star reports that ESPN hockey analyst and former Los Angeles Kings head coach Barry Melrose is set to return behind the bench for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Melrose, who coached the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, would replace John Tortorella, who still holds the post.

According to the Star, incoming team owner Oren Koules has pushed for the hiring of Melrose in an effort to further sell the team and the sport in Florida. His group is awaiting approval from the NHL's Board Of Governors to take over the team, with the vote set to take place on June 18.

The Lightning, which won the Stanley Cup in 2004, missed the playoffs this year and won the first overall pick in the lottery last month for the June entry draft.

Melrose, who has worked at ESPN and ABC Sports since 1996, began his coaching career in 1987 when he led the Medicine Hat Tigers to the Memorial Cup. He also coached the Seattle Thunderbirds for the 1988-89 season and the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League for three seasons (1989-92). Melrose guided the Red Wings to the Calder Cup championship in 1991 and also served as the team's General Manager during his final two seasons.

During his 11 years as a player, Melrose played 335 career games as a defenceman in the NHL with Winnipeg, Toronto and Detroit (1979-86). He also played three seasons with Cincinnati in the WHA (1976-79).

caneshockeychick

05-30-2008, 12:29 PM

I saw that too and went :crazy:

StormShaman

05-30-2008, 01:38 PM

Further proof that Oren Koules has his head up his ass.

crumudgeonly_caniac

05-30-2008, 04:28 PM

:eek::yeah:

nccanes

05-30-2008, 05:04 PM

Maybe it's just me, but I think they should fire Torts first. ;)

nccanes

05-30-2008, 05:06 PM

:eek::yeah:

Further proof that Oren Koules has his head up his ass.

Back when the first deal was announced (with MacLean that later fell apart and he stopped talking), didn't he say something about bringing "Hollywood" style entertainment to the Forum? Perhaps this is the first step. :lol:

puck_it

05-31-2008, 10:59 AM

Melrose was on ESPN last night with Levy talking about the final.. as they left LEvy asked if there was any truth... Melrose respondind with something to the effect of "every season i get calls from various teams asking me to coach, and every year i turn them down. I love what I do at ESPN"

Captain Slack

06-01-2008, 09:34 AM

The latest rumors have Torts out, Feaster staying for now, and Melrose on the way:

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES/TAMPA TRIBUNE: both reported on the speculation that the Lightning's incoming new ownership could replace current head coach John Tortorella with ESPN analyst and former LA Kings coach Barry Melrose.

Gary Shelton (http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article551714.ece) is convinced the move will happen despite the fact it would be surprising, risky, audacious and numerous other adverbs, while Damian Cristodero (http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article552055.ece) suggests the coaching situation could be addressed as early as next week, that next season's payroll for the Bolts won't go below $45 million, that Marc Denis might be bought out and new ownership hopes to re-sign Vincent Lecavalier to a long-term extension. Erik Erlendsson (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may/31/sp-its-been-quite-a-ride-with-torts-on-bench/?sports-lightning) believes Tortorella won't be unemployed for long, but also wonders if GM Jay Feaster might follow "Torts" out the door.

ESPN.COM (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3419417): reports Melrose "brushed aside" reports he would take over as Lightning head coach, saying that while he'd love to coach again he's happy with his current job as an ESPN hockey analyst.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: It appears that, whether Melrose succeeds him or not, Tortorella's days as Lightning head coach are numbered. I can understand the desire for a coaching change; Tortorella is a demanding, vocal coach and after six seasons the Lightning may be tuning him out, but replacing him with a guy who hasn't coached in 14 years and had a miracle run to the Cup finals in 1993 doesn't sound like shrewd judgement, particulalry when there are so many other coaches (Ron Wilson, Pat Quinn, Joel Quenneville, Pat Burns, Bob Hartley and Craig Hartsburg) far better qualified who have coached in today's game. I also believe Feaster could get the heave-ho but not right away, perhaps by next summer. This could also have an adverse effect on Lecavalier's contract talks. He loves Tampa Bay, but he might decide to wait and see how any changes affect the club's performance this coming season. If the Lightning appear headed in the wrong direction, Vinny could bolt.

TAMPA TRIBUNE (http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/thoughts-on-tortorella-and-other-things-relating-to-channelside-dr/): Erik Erlendsson reports John Tortorella is out as the head coach of the Lightning but there's no deal in place yet for his replacement. Rumors had ESPN analyst Barry Melrose taking over the job but Erlendsson reports no definitive offers have been made to Melrose or anyone else as the team is still considering other candidates, nor will the hiring take place anytime soon as the incoming ownership can only deal with time-sensitive matter, which the hiring of a new head coach is not. "Nothing can be done until the board of governors meeting on June 17 in New York. So even if a deal was in place, it certainly couldn’t be announced", reports Erlendsson.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Hat tip to Dave Stewart. Nice work by Erlendsson getting to the bottom of this speculation and where the Lightning stand, although it'll likely to little to staunch the speculation that Melrose will be taking over for Tortorella.

Captain Slack

06-24-2008, 01:49 PM

It's actually happened now & I still can't believe it!

LIGHTNING INTRODUCE MELROSE AS NEW HEAD COACH

TSN.ca Staff
6/23/2008 2:39:00 PM

Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their makeover on Tuesday, naming Barry Melrose the team's new head coach.

It's been a busy few days for the Lightning, who selected Steve Stamkos with the first overall pick of the NHL Entry Draft on Friday and introduced the franchise's new ownership group on Monday.

The eight-man partnership, headed by Hollywood producer Oren Koules and former NHL player Len Barrie, then made its first official move by naming Melrose as the club's sixth head coach.

"We are very pleased that Barry signed on to become the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning," said Barrie and Koules in a joint statement. "We believe Barry offers just what this team needs and it starts with his ability to get all 20 players pushing in the same direction and playing at 100 percent night- in, night-out. We like his enthusiasm and passion for the game and we know the fans of Tampa Bay will take a liking to him."

Melrose, who most recently had served as hockey analyst for ESPN, has not been behind an NHL bench since he left the Los Angeles Kings during the lockout- shortened 1994-95 season. He posted a record of 79-101-29 in two full seasons and part of a third with the Kings, guiding the club to a surprise Stanley Cup Finals appearance in the spring of 1993. The Kings lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games, then failed to make the playoffs the following year and a poor start to the lockout campaign in '95 cost Melrose his job.

"I'm obviously excited to be back in coaching," said Melrose. "I'm especially looking forward to the opportunity to work with great players such as Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Steven Stamkos; they're all such talented and exciting athletes. Most of all, I have missed having a dog in the fight each season, especially at the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs."

Melrose also said Rick Tocchet and Wes Walz would be part of his coaching staff.

During his 11 years as a player, Melrose appeared in 300 career games as a defenseman in the NHL with Winnipeg, Toronto and Detroit from 1979-86, recording 10 goals with 23 assists and 728 penalty minutes. He also played three seasons with Cincinnati in the World Hockey Association from 1976-79.

The Lightning needed to replace John Tortorella, who was fired June 3 with one year remaining on his contract. Tortorella led the Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship after the 2003-04 season, but the club was bounced in the first round of the next two playoffs and finished this season dead last in the NHL, earning the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Tortorella compiled a record of 239-222-36-38 in 535 games after taking over with 43 games remaining in the 2000-01 season.

Captain Slack

06-24-2008, 01:51 PM

No surprise here.

LIGHTNING PLACE GOALTENDER DENIS ON WAIVERS

TSN.ca Staff
6/24/2008 1:18:29 PM

The Tampa Bay Lightning have place goaltender Marc Denis on waivers for the purpose of buying him out. Should he clear waivers on Wednesday, he will be bought out at that time.

It's a disappointing end for Denis in Tampa Bay as he was expected to fill the void left by Nikolai Khabibulin, who left as a free agent after winning the Stanley Cup in 2004. But in his two years there, he only managed 18 wins in 54 appearances.

Denis was acquired by the Lightning from the Columbus Blue Jackets for winger Fredrik Modin and goaltender Fredrik Norrena in the summer of 2006 and signed a new three-year deal.

But in his first season, he finished below .500 with a record of 17-18-2 and a save precentage of .883. Last season, he was placed on waivers and demoted to Norfolk of the American Hockey League. He won one game in ten games.

Denis was drafted in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche in 1995 and went on to be named the best goaltender in the QMJHL during his final year there. But in 348 games in the NHL, he has a less-than-stellar record of 112 wins, 179 losses and 31 ties.

caneshockeychick

06-24-2008, 02:47 PM

^^:eek2:Having Melrose in the SE should be fun:p

toastmasterbone

06-24-2008, 10:24 PM

Especially when he picks us to win the division.

livinthedream

06-24-2008, 10:58 PM

:laugh:

Canesluver

06-25-2008, 10:19 AM

And the guido pin-striped suits presents some continuity from the old coach to the new! :beatup:

corylav

06-25-2008, 10:54 AM

That's a lot of coin ...

The final touches are still being worked on and nothing can be formally announced until July 1, but sources tell TSN the Tampa Bay Lightning and superstar centre Vinny Lecavalier have agreed to terms on a mega-deal that will pay him $77 million over nine years.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241633&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl

nccanes

06-25-2008, 10:55 AM

What will Eklund do now that he can't send Vinny to Montreal weekly?

puck_it

06-25-2008, 12:16 PM

simple...

vinny waives his NTC for montreal (e3)

Caniac

06-25-2008, 09:45 PM

lol

Captain Slack

06-28-2008, 03:06 PM

LIGHTNING GETTING A HEAD START ON FREE AGENT SWEEPSTAKES

TSN.CA STAFF
6/28/2008 1:51:10 PM

The Tampa Bay Lightning's new ownership group vowed to be "staggeringly aggressive' in the NHL's free agent sweepstakes and they are trying to get a head start on that.

The Lightning have traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for the exclusive negotiating rights to forwards Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts, who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

''We said earlier this week we would be aggressive in our pursuit of free agents in order to win and compete,'' Lightning owner Oren Koules said. ''This trade today doesn't guarantee anything, but we believe it gives us a leg up in our attempt to sign these two impact players.''

If the Lightning were to sign Malone, the more coveted free agent of the two, Pittsburgh will receive Tampa Bay's third-round pick in 2009 or they will receive Dallas' fourth-round pick in 2009, previously acquired by the Lightning, if they are not able to sign Malone.

Malone has indicated he intends to go to July 1 to see what the market would bear for his services. Whether this development changes that remains to be seen. It is more likely the Lightning may be able to sign the veteran Roberts, who said during the playoffs that he intended to play again but knew it would not be for the Penguins.

While I don't see the harm in trying, I don't see this working out for the Lightning. Malone will test free agency, as he's likely to make a bundle by doing so. Roberts might sign with the Lightning, but he'll wait till July 1st to do so as I think he wants to play closer to home (Toronto).

nickgregory

06-29-2008, 01:58 PM

according to the lightning blogger on hockeybuzz, both roberts and malone have agreed to a contract with TB

SoCalcaniac

06-29-2008, 03:23 PM

So here's the backstory on Malone moreso him and Roberts; having family members up in PIT who are nervously reading everything Penguins- this showed up in an IM to my hub this morning from our nephew, who's obviously not happy.:lol:

We couldn't figure out the whole Lightning trade, but this article explains it all:

Lightning strikes for Malone, Roberts

By Rob Rossi
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Ryan Malone first suspected his days with the Penguins were numbered in late March, when his hometown NHL team's contract extension offer provided only a modest raise on his roughly $1.38 million annual salary.
Three months later, Malone had no choice but to accept the cold, hard facts of the salary-cap hockey world.

"If money wasn't a factor, I'm sure he'd love staying in Pittsburgh," general manager Ray Shero said Saturday after he traded Malone and fellow left wing Gary Roberts to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a fourth-round pick at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. "It's hard. This is a big contract for him."

Malone, the first Pittsburgh-born player in Penguins history, and Roberts, a wildly popular player in his brief time with the team, are set to become unrestricted free agents in two days.

However, Malone's agent, Mike Liut, spent much of yesterday afternoon attempting to work out a long-term contract for his client with the Lightning. Tampa Bay owns exclusive negotiating rights with Malone and Roberts until noon Tuesday -- the start of the NHL's free-agent season.
The Penguins' compensation for this trade will become a third-round pick at the 2009 NHL entry draft if Malone signs with the Lightning.
Calls to Malone and Liut were not returned.

Talks between Malone's camp and the Penguins essentially halted June 17, when Malone announced his intention to test the free-agent market.
Not happy with the Penguins' latest proposal -- a multi-year deal thought to be worth $3 million annually -- Malone's declaration ruined any plan by the Penguins to shop his rights for a coveted early-round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The Penguins did not own a pick until the fourth round. The Columbus Dispatch reported discussions between the Blue Jackets and Penguins involving a swap of Malone for a second- or third-round pick only a few days prior to Malone's vow to exercise his restricted option.
"We aren't talking to anyone until (July 1)," Malone said.

Something apparently changed -- and that something may have been Tampa's recently approved new ownership hiring Brian Lawton as vice president of hockey operations. Lawton had spent the previous 14 years as an agent -- the past 10 with Octagon Athlete Representation, which employs Liut.

Another factor working in Tampa Bay's favor is ownership's desire to acquire a proven winger to play with Steve Stamkos -- a heralded center selected first overall by the Lightning at last weekend's NHL entry draft.

Malone has spent considerable time each of the past three seasons
playing with young star centers Sidney Crosby, 20, and Evgeni Malkin, 21, and the Lightning view him an ideal match for Stamkos, 18.

But if Malone does not sign with Tampa, he is expected to draw interest from several clubs. Vancouver and Columbus will likely offer a long-term contract at $5 million annually or more.

Malone, 28, tallied 27 goals and recorded 51 points this past season -- both career-best totals. He added six goals and 16 points in 20 playoff games, though he did not score in six Stanley Cup final contests.

Malone was the first player born and trained in Pittsburgh to play in the Cup final. His father, Greg, was a longtime member of the Penguins organization as a player and scout.

Roberts, 42, scored 10 goals in 57 regular-season games with the Penguins and became a cult hero. "What would Gary Roberts do?" became a rallying cry for fans from the moment he joined the Penguins following a trade with Florida on Feb. 27, 2007.

Roberts was limited by several injuries last season, but his two goals in the Penguins' first playoff game set the tone for their run to the Cup final.
Roberts is reportedly interested in playing another season with either Toronto or Ottawa. But his agent, Rich Curran, did not rule out Roberts signing with Tampa Bay.
The Penguins have 10 players slated to become unrestricted free agents -- most notably right wing Marian Hossa and defenseman Brooks Orpik. Those two players recently declined contract offers from the Penguins.

KaniacFever

06-29-2008, 03:32 PM

according to the lightning blogger on hockeybuzz, both roberts and malone have agreed to a contract with TB

a 7 year deal for Malone according to TSN

SoCalcaniac

06-29-2008, 05:06 PM

Hmm- 59 did you see it on the front page of TSN? I just looked over there and didn't see anything. :huh:

I refuse to go to hockeybuzz, cause I just don't believe anything that comes from there, lol. I know there are legit people there who blog on that site- but I just can't go. :lol:

nickgregory

06-29-2008, 06:42 PM

both the pens and lightning blogger are claiming that it is a done deal..sportsnet states almost

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/06/29/lightning_signings/

KaniacFever

06-29-2008, 08:14 PM

Hmm- 59 did you see it on the front page of TSN? I just looked over there and didn't see anything. :huh:

Before they just had a title "Malone agrees to 7 year deal with Tampa". I just checked now and its confirmed:

Ryan Malone has agreed to a seven year, $31.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Malone, who would have drawn considerable interest from around the NHL as an unrestricted free agent, will earn between $7 and $8 million in each of the first two years of the deal.

Tampa Bay traded a third-round draft pick in 2009 to the Penguins in exchange for the exclusive negotiating rights to forwards Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts on Saturday. On Sunday, the Lightning and Malone's camp got a deal done.

Adding some intrigue to the story, last week the Lightning hired former Penguins' player Greg Malone as their head pro scout. Greg Malone is the father of Ryan.

Malone, a 6-foot-4, 224-pound Pittsburgh native, played in 77 games with the Penguins last season and recorded 27 goals with 51 points. He also appeared in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2008 and tied for eighth in league scoring with six goals and 16 points as he helped Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup Finals. Malone set career highs for goals, assists, points, power-play goals (11) and game-winning goals (6) in 2007-08. He led the team in game-winning goals, ranked fourth in goals and third in power-play goals, while also ranking fourth among Penguin forwards in average ice time with 19:04.

The 27-year-old has played in 299 career NHL games, all with the Penguins, and amassed 87 goals, 169 points, 27 power-play goals, 11 shorthanded goals and 11 game-winning goals. Malone scored at least 20 goals in three of four NHL seasons.

I'll be honest, I haven't watched enough of Malone, really only paid attention to him during the playoffs, but some Pens fans on HF think this is too much for him. So SoCal what do the relatives think?

svandijk1

06-29-2008, 08:21 PM

$7 and $8 million in each of the first two years!?!? I'm speechless.
I know it drops, significantly, from there, but still...

puck_it

06-29-2008, 08:24 PM

Malone - the new Brad Richards

ontheboards

06-29-2008, 09:34 PM

The guy is being overpaid-- 27 goals and 51 points last season was a career high-- on a team with Malkin and Crosby. The cap hit over the term of the contract is $4.4 million-- a bit high for what he's accomplished, but it's the length of the contract that's a real question mark-- 7 years. No mention of a NTC? He's only played in the NHL for three seasons, so chances are he will peak while in Tampa, but that's still a heck of a contract. Maybe those numbers will improve with Lecavalier, St. Louis and Stamkos. I do like Malone, just wish he'd gone west. Don Cherry said that while Crosby wore the "C" it was Malone who set the tone in Pittsburgh's lockeroom.Tampa now has the physical element it lacked last season with the addition of Malone and Roberts.

With Malone's signing, I am reminded "To whom much is given, much is expected."

SoCalcaniac

06-30-2008, 06:44 AM

I'll be honest, I haven't watched enough of Malone, really only paid attention to him during the playoffs, but some Pens fans on HF think this is too much for him. So SoCal what do the relatives think?

They're just glad the Pens didnt' do that deal. ;)

Hometown boy or not, Malone is indeed the new Brad Richards- they have WAYYYYY overpaid for Malone, who had a career year last year, and that was playing with Crosby or Malkin at either turn, and being in and out of Thierrien's doghouse over the course of 2 years. (yeah, everyone has been in the Frenchman's doghouse, but anyway...) Malone, is a big body- some have (Pens broadcasters specifically) compared him to our #26, but without that Erik explosive speed- and I think Cole, has better hands; but a grinding power foward. Malone's 27 goals won't be duplicated in Tampa. I just don't see how that can happen even with Lecavalier and Stamkos in the mix. Malone worked in Pittsburgh, just like Matt Cullen works here, and not with the NYR. It just does.

I know this Koules dude wants to make a splash and he's all Hollywood in his pursuit of this "splash". I just don't see how Ryan Malone is going to be the difference maker in Tampa when clearly they have other needs to address and at that price? Holy crap, what does that say for the rest of these impending free agents?

Captain Slack

06-30-2008, 02:43 PM

$7 mil for Malone?! No wonder he decided not to test free agency! This deal is going to come back to haunt them.

SouthernHockeyChick

06-30-2008, 06:48 PM

Cole has better hands than Malone?!? Damn. If that's true he sure as hell is overpaid cause Cole's hands are his biggest weakness, IMO.

corylav

06-30-2008, 06:51 PM

let's pencil in TB for "free agent losers" now ... before the UFA period even begins.

KaniacFever

07-01-2008, 08:52 AM

Looks like Tampa couldn't woo Rolston enough, according to TSN he turned down their offer and will hit the Free Agency.

svandijk1

07-01-2008, 09:26 AM

Looks like Tampa couldn't woo Rolston enough, according to TSN he turned down their offer and will hit the Free Agency.

I've honestly never understood why anyone wouldn't at least wait until July 1st just to listen to what others had to offer. I mean, would a team seriously threaten to pull their offer and not negotiate with you at all after July 1st? With 29 other potential "buyers", would you care even if they did? These guys pay the price to last long enough to achieve UFA status. I won't take that privilege lightly by casting away the opportunity to cash in on that one big payday.

WillLikeWhoa091

07-01-2008, 12:50 PM

Radim Vrbata for 3 years $9 Mil?

$3 Mil a year for Radim Vrbata?

Excuse me, what?

If the circus before didn't prove the new lightning owners were nuts, this will definitely help them out.

livinthedream

07-01-2008, 06:26 PM

If I heard it once I heard it 100 times and I know those of you who were listening to XM today heard it too but it still made me LMAO to hear them talk about the Lightning spending money like drunken sailors. :lol:

nccanes

07-01-2008, 10:19 PM

Damn, I missed that (only about 30 mins of XM time and 10 of that was the Cole interview). So thanks for sharing it!

According to one of the $$ counting sites, they are up to nearly 52 mil.

Captain Slack

07-02-2008, 09:47 AM

Ryan Craig re-upped.

LIGHTNING STAY BUSY, RE-SIGN RYAN CRAIG

TSN.ca Staff
7/2/2008 9:49:50 AM

A day after inking Radim Vrbata, Adam Hall and Olaf Kolzig, the Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed restricted free agent centre Ryan Craig to a two-year contract on Wednesday.

Contract terms not disclosed.

Craig missed 72 games last season with back and knee injuries. He notched one goal and one assist in seven games.

"We are glad Ryan has agreed to come back to the Lightning for two more years," said owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie upon making the announcement. "We like his versatility, strength on the puck and ability in front of the net. Ryan has worked diligently and tirelessly to come back from his knee injury and we know he will fit well on our team. We look forward to seeing him out on the ice at the start of training camp."

Craig, who was selected by the Lightning in the eighth round of the 2002 draft, has collected 30 goals and 57 points in 127 NHL games. The 26-year old is tied for the second-most goals by a rookie in franchise history with 15 in 2005-06.

For certain the Bugs will have a new look next year. Whether they become the next Philadephia or the pre-lockout Rangers remains to be seen.

Mona2006

07-02-2008, 11:57 AM

For certain the Bugs will have a new look next year. Whether they become the next Philadephia or the pre-lockout Rangers remains to be seen.

Once a stinky turd, always a stinky turd! :D

caveman

07-02-2008, 12:52 PM

well, i for one think their trade for and signing of Janne Niskala is a good move. lots of offensive upside and solid international experience.

LeslieK

07-03-2008, 04:57 AM

The drama continues...http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242326&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl
The Dan Boyle trade rumours have resurfaced.

Sources also say the Tampa Bay Lightning have contacted the Boyle camp to alert them to the fact a deal may be in the works. Whether or not the Lightning have officially asked Boyle to waive his no-trade clause is unconfirmed, however a source close to the player says they have.

Amid swirling speculation Boyle is a trade target, the Lightning reached out on Tuesday following a very active day of free agent signings around the NHL and told Boyle they had no intention of trading him.

Less than 24 hours later, things have changed and Dan Boyle's future in Tampa is very much in play. Sources say the Lighting are close to a deal with three teams, however as many as five teams may be in the mix.

Boyle only played 37 games this season after his wrist was cut by a skate in a freak accident, but he put up 25 points on four goals and 21 assists.

nccanes

07-03-2008, 07:16 AM

I think they are currently around 3 million from the cap (not budget cap, cap cap). I guess they feel like the crappy season they had sans Dan Boyle was not at all related to his absence.

nccanes

07-03-2008, 09:51 AM

aha - correction, they are sniffing the cap already

But the Lightning has work to do.

With 25 NHL contracts next season worth $56.3-million, including bonuses that must be factored into the salary cap, Tampa Bay is just $400,000 under the limit.

That means trades this summer that will cut payroll — Koules said the team ultimately will be in the middle of the pack when it comes to salaries — and get back some of the draft choices used in deals that helped stock the roster.

"We're very comfortable where we will be," Koules said.

both beat writers for Tampa say that the Boyle trade rumor has legs. Also said that Boyle married a Tampa girl and just had a baby....and has a NTC in his 'signed in Feb' contract. Guess he holds some cards...

PS - as a side note, because the CBA can be 'reoponed' in Sept if the players choose to, all incentive bonuses have to count toward this year's cap #s. So the hit for Olie is the full amount, rather than his base and the earned incentives going to next year's. Interesting factoid.