MacLean at home

Hope you guys got a little insight into Doug MacLean from the weekend story. Sounds like there's potential there for a wild ride. What did not make it into the story was a conversation I had with the mayor of Summerside, MacLean's hometown on Prince Edward Island. I was just looking for some background, called Mr. Basil Stewart on his cell phone and got him while he was having lunch with two city councilman, both of whom also knew MacLean.

So there they were passing Mr. Stewart's phone back and forth between them while they had lunch. Much of hat they said was what I had heard before. That MacLean can be one of the most engaging and gregarious people you ever meet. But they also spoke of his volatile nature when it comes to hockey.

Passion, they called it. MacLean wants to win so badly and puts so much of his emotions into the game that if things don't go well, he can explode.

"There's no question about that. He can get fired up on the bench,'' Stewart said. "He has proven that in the past no matter what team he is with. You know he's around. He's a very passionate person about the game.''

Next the phone went to Barry Chapel, who is MacLean's neighbor on Shelton Beach where both have cottages. In fact, Chapel said he has cut MacLean's grass ever since MacLean asked him to do if for him one day long ago when MacLean's wife Jill ordered MacLean to do it, though MacLean wanted to play golf with the boys.

"He was always a great man growing up,''  Chapel said. "He hasn't changed. He's a top-notch person.''

Said friend Bill Schurman, who was the third at the lunch: "He still has the same character that he had when we played road hockey or minor baseball or minor hockey together. Doug always had a great sense of humor, a very charismatic smile. If there was anyone who was going to play a prank or hear a laugh that was recognizable, it was going to be Doug. He's one of those people you want to surround yourself with.''

Okay, I know, none of this means anything as far as MacLean being a hockey man. But it is telling. The guy obviously can have a short fuse when it comes to hockey, and being a hands-on owner, I don't know how that is going to work (if the sale of the team from Palace Sports to Absolute Hockey Enterprises goes through). But it's nice to know the guy has a human side.

And a dogged side as he helped put together a purchase proposal that was accepted in principle in just seven weeks. Not bad after his firing from the Blue Jackets as the only GM and president the franchise had ever known.

"I'll tell you what the last seven weeks have told me how Doug MacLean is,'' Schurman said. "I hope I can grow up and be like him in a way. He was the father of that franchise. Many of us would have licked our wounds, took our salary buyout. But he took his buyout and risked it doing this. If I was in Tampa Bay, I'd say 'Geez, there's a guy in the trenches.' ''

   

Comments

[Lightning rod]

Da Rangers. An organization with a ton of money, and seeking ways to spend it.
Lots of offense, but weak on defence.

Who stays and who goes will be very interesting. After years of watching them at MSqG, and who runs the team, my bet is that it will be defensemen that will go.

In NY offense is king, no matter how old and/or disruptive the "star" players are. After all it's NEW YORK, and keeping the fans unhappy and sports writers employed are musts.

[goldenbolt]

Now we are talking mbab....... we could sure use the 500 season ticket base from the Rays...... that would fill all our pockets with a roll of pennies.
Money honey is the game in sports..... BTW Looks like the Rangers are being questioned on the 'extra deal' they did with lundqvist(sp). Supposedly a gentleman's agreement to re-do the contract come January might be just a tad illegal under the cap rules. Time will tell on that one. I did do the recent look at the books they are now in the 55mil range with salaries it will be interesting who they jettison.
Took the skates out the other day...... shook off the dust getting ready for the torture chamber. cya

[mbab]

would everyone just try to get along....it is almost HOCKEY TIME....from now on i am just going to ditto satch......he's the man.....here are my "serious" thoughts....boycott all buc and devil ray games.....eventually they will both move and we will have all the area revenue going into hockey!!!!then the owners will be rolling in dough and we will spend spend spend....somewhere jay feaster is smiling!!!anyone want my buc tickets....real cheap!!!!

[Satch]

Theresa, the Lightning still has it's local deal with sun sports. Apparently bear hybernates in the winter and is unaware of the long affiliation.

It's a good thing that this team could print it's own money in Winnipeg. They would need to do that. That city couldn't support it's first team and I see no reason to believe anything has changed.

just sayn

[Teresa]

No local TV contract? Is Sun Sports no longer broadcasting the games?

[Lightning rod]

Bear. Have looked at hotel and retail cap. rates lately? I have and the market is very good. By the way, I appraise for a living, and have at one time or another, appraised and/or researched almost every parcel in downtown Tampa. I understand your point, but I just have to much experience with people like Sherrin, including knowing his reputation, to think that moving is an option.

[bear]

Lightning Rod..you really fall for those attendance numbers?

Try revenue numbers (stink)
Try no corporate base
try no local Tv contract.

That was also with a contending team, this one might not be one with just one injury.

And real estate you say?

Please, real estate is a long way back right now and for the immediate future.

This team could print its own money in Winnipeg.

Just sayn.

[Lightning rod]

Bear, with all do respect, you don't move a team with the 3rd highest attendance in the US. You would not move a team, when you have the possibility of making $100M or more on developing land next to the arena, which will take at least 4 to 5 years. Just google Auburn Hills, which is one of the main reasons why Davidson moved from being a multi-millionaire to becoming a billionaire.

Not many people know that the City parking garage, next (west) to the arena, was designed/constructed to accommodate more vertical expansion (i.e. the new Embassy Suites or parking). It's been sometime, since I looked at those documents; but I believe that it's in the range of 8 more stories. Guess who has the basic right of first refusal to build on top of this City parking garage? The Marriott Waterside is one of the most profitable hotels in the chain; and they have a lot of hotels. The new Embassy Suites land was assembled at a price of $114 to $150 per sq. ft. of land 2+ years ago. An acre is 43,560 sq. ft. My point is, and the math tells me, this group is not going anywhere, at least for a long long time.

All the issues aside regarding this group's passion to own a NHL hockey team, which I believe to be the case, Mr. Sherrin has a history of knowing a money making deal when he sees one. At $200M, the Lightning purchase is a steal. The Nashville sale is at $193M, and there is no adjoining land to develop, nor is that arena one of the top 10 to 25 grossing venues in the world. In addition, the new local/regional contacts made from their ownership will likely result in other real estate deals, that's part of the package. A winning team will only increase/add to all of this group's up-side potential.

[bear]

Patty I think they tread water for two years. Then move.

[Patty]

I have mixed emotions about the new ownership. I do like that some of them will, apparently, be local. I like their enthusiasm for hockey and the (presumed) marketing prowess of Mr. Koules. However, I am very nervous that Mr. MacLean, in the throes of his reported passion for the game, will whip out a chainsaw to effect drastic changes to this team and/or management, rather than a scalpal to make precise ones. Also, Mr. Davidson is a billionaire and the new owners appear to be, at most, millionaires. Not exactly chump change, I know, but will they be able to withstand the continued monetary losses that PS&E "claim" they incurred every season but one, until the vacant land is developed and income-producing? Or, will they raise ticket prices through the roof?

[Manny]

The more I hear about Doug MacLean, the more concerned I get. If his passion for winning causes him to lose control of his emotions, it is then possible that his actions could spell problems for Torts and Jay.

As long as the Lightning does well, Doug will not interfere with its progress. But if the goaltending and defense start to falter, since not much has really been done to improve those areas, then I see Doug wiping the slate clean and bringing in someone he is more comfortable with as coach and GM.

I hope I’m wrong, but right now I can see the handwriting on the wall.

[Nan]

MacLean has already been a coach and a GM. He needs to keep his nose to now being an owner and let Torts do his job and let JF do his. If MacLean has any smarts and I assume he does, he will not mess around with the management that got this team to a Cup and four playoff years. I am sure that this is going to be very difficult for him to do and it remains to be seen. With so many owners though, what will MacLean be doing?

I don't envy JF at all. He is going to be between Torts and MacLean. He may be needing to call upon all of those negotiating skills that he is known for. JF was the guy that kept Torts and Vinny together, lets see what he can do with Torts and MacLean.

I just hope that Torts or JF can keep MacLean away from the players at least for a while. They already have to deal with a brand new young (and I think fiery) assistant coach, now a passionate hockey owner. A lot to digest! I wish them all the best of luck!

I agree, let the games within the games begin. This is either going to turn into to a great season or a disastrous one. I can't wait for the season to start. Go Bolts!

[Another Joe]

I think its a good thing to have local owners who are hungry to keep things going in the right direction. Lets not forget its 3 seasons since our cup and things need to be shakin up a bit.

I was tired of hearing about the money problems of PSE. 20,000 a night should equal more of a payroll. PSE really handcuffed this team imposing a 44 million payroll. I understand not spending to the cap to leave some wiggle room but how about a 46 million payroll budget. One more 2 million dollar player could really help this team.

Also lets look how PSE has gotten away with this whining about money. We win the cup with a payroll of 34 million. Then the lockout then a 39 million payroll to the cap. Then a 43 million payroll last year and this year. So three years after winning the cup and countless sellouts and playoff appearances, have they really rewarded the team and fans with anything.

They have only increased payroll 9 million over 3 years after winning the cup. Theres no reason they couldnt have given Feaster 46 million this year for payroll.

As for me I upgraded my season ticket package to show my support for the new group.

Lets go Bolts. Cant wait till October 4th.

[Tony]

It will be an interesting ride. While it will be good to have a passionate owner here in town I also hope ownership keeps him busy enough to not meddle too much!

From what I have read about him his relationship with Torts will be very interesting to watch. They are both fiery and passionate and tend to blow up quickly. But the word on Mclean is, he is over it the next day. Not so sure about Torts. JF will be an interesting buffer between them. He seems more level headed and even keeled and could be the glue that hold the trio together.

[Tim A]

The tale of two coaches and two GM's will presumably be the story for most of the upcoming season (referring to Doug Maclean). I don't know if I like the idea of hands off owner or a hands on owner better at this juncture. I'm hoping that the Bolts don't go the way of the Washington Redskins and have a "Daniel Snyder" type approach to the game. Washington is still reeling from Snyder's knee jerk reactions and his passion to win right now at any cost.

If the apple-cart gets overly upset in Tampa Bay it could be years before a winning formula is discovered again. Its hard to argue with 4 straight play-off appearances and a Stanley Cup. If anything, the new ownership should stand back and watch the first season and provide the much needed support and money to win as the season progresses. If things don't work out this season then come in swinging sticks and throwing pucks at the proper time. With the current chemistry of the Bolts, they are just a tweak away from another Cup run. With the right support I know they can win it again this season.

[Joe]

After years of Davidson and Wilson, doesn't MacLean sound refreshing? Neither is he an empty suit nor is he a guy who would go to a Piston game while the Lightning play the Redwings in Detroit.

It appears that Doug intends to immerse himself in the job and call the shots; so, we shall observe either some subordinated egos among the heretofore principal Lightning decision makers or, likely, watch their forced departure.

Let the games within the games begin!