Koules: Rolston talks not about money

Lightning owner Oren Koules said he has had one conversation with Brian Rolston about money. Koules said Rolston, whom the Lightning are trying to sign by midnight before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, is more concerned about quality of life issues.

"He's excited about it," Koules said Rolston's opportunity to play with Tampa Bay. "It's lifestyle things. He's 35, he knows this might be his last contract. He wants to figure out where he wants his family to lives. You know what? I don't blame him."

There is something to what Koules says as the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Rolston, who had three straight 30-goal seasons for the Wild, wants to play in a "hockey city" with great youth hockey for the benefit of his son, Ryder, 6, an apparent budding star. 

Koules said he is certain the Lightning will be in the mix even if Rolston does not sign and enters free agency at midnight.

"They're literally meeting right now," he said of the team and the player.

Comments

[Bryan]

Just show them an image of Anna Maria Island in the middle of November, that usually seals the deal.

or the image of maria sharapove in sarasota

[Boltflasher]

Maybe its time for Andreychuk to show him around...but I don't like the sound of this...

yes , especially wearing her tuxedo model

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Just show Rolston what he wants to see: kids having fun on ice and learning hockey. Also show quality of life in general (beaches, Publix, schools for the kids,) then show him the money. Show him enough quesadilla's until he's forty.

This could be our second coming of Andreychuk, and we're going to let him go to the Rangers? Or coincidentally, the Penguins?

Nab him, show the love, and off to the Show we go (adding one more D-man first.).

[Don in St. Pete]

A local under 13 team recently won the national championship. You'd think they could pull this stuff up. Marty St. Louis and many other players have their kids gearing uop to play locally. The kid is only six not 13, let's give it our best shot.

[Don in St. Pete]

I agree with Elwood, Since you've already spent the pic and this is the guy you want, pull out the stops. Fly him down, Have Andreychuck or Brads call him, they're older family men for Pete's sakes. Tell him to call Scotty Bowman and ask about the quality of life. Rock on OK! GO BOLTS!

[Boltflasher]

Well, we'll know in a few hours whether the stork will deliver this baby...

[Boltflasher]

I just Dick Vitale and Barry Melrose on ESPN giving plugs for the Rays (which they deserve)...hey, since Rolston over to Vitale's place...

[Boltflasher]

I guess I'm getting tired...just saw Vitale and Melrose on ESPN giving plugs for Rays...maybe we can send Rolston over to Vitale's...

[Elwood P. Dowd]

This was nice...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG-3rKIQtfc

[wahls]

Come on Brian, we Floridians have a great life! Sure we don't naturally have ice down here, but who needs that when it can be man made? I'm sure your boys can find a quality hockey team down here, I think I remember hearing that Tim Taylor's daughter played. Marty is teaching his boys how to play (you can use the Forum's ice whenever you want! they won't mind). And like Don said, the local under 13 team won the championship. Just think of it this way, once you retire you won't even have to move! Plus, what kid doesn't love the beach and water?

Who would have ever thought that we would have signed Malone and be going after Rolston all in the same off season? And before free agency even begins! It is a good time to be a Lightning fan, this is more exciting than every other off season combined. Some one pinch me.

[Badbud]

When they say it is not about Money,,It is all about the Money,if it wasn't he would have been signed today.
He is looking for 8-9 Million a season,it is all about the money,This is his last shot at Big bucks.

Don't blame him at all, Just dont try to pee on my leg and tell me it is raining. go get what you can where you can.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

As one of Brian Rolston's biggest fans, I want him to come here for many reasons. However, Rolston who will make his decisions based on his family needs, will still have my respect as a player and as a great person what ever he decides. I just wish he would sign here to make this hockey team a serious force again.
Hats off to the new management and ownership for at least trying to get one of the best veteran players in the game.

[Don in St. Pete]

Rols, What we lack in quantity we can make up for in quality. Your kids and yourself for that matter can enjoy our beautiful Florida weather year round. It's great for training and for relaxing, Just ask Marty, Vinny and Dan. Why make your home anywhere else. We love you, we want you and we want your family to join our community. let's get her done Brian! Rock on OK! GO BOLTS!

[Shaun]

sounds like a typical psycho parent who thinks their kid is gonna be in the NH at f'in 6 years oldL....the AA teams around here are more than adequate.

[Patrick]

I haven't watched the Wild much or seen much of Rolston. Three straight 30 goals seasons is pretty darn good, but I won't be too upset if we don't sign him. He is 35 and most athletes start to lose it pretty quick at that age. He is 35 and looking for that first big contract - whoever gets him is probably going to give him a longer contract than they should.

It seems like we are trying to skip the rebuilding phase via free agency. Buying teams in offseasons usually doesn't result in championships and often results in compromising the future for the present. We're going to have a new coaching staff, probably a new system, and from the looks of it so far, one or two new forward lines of players. That is a whole lot of change that is probably not going to gel together overnight.

Not trying to be a downer in the middle of what is probably the most exciting offseason in team history, but I just want to see that our team's vision remain focused on the future as well as the present. Right now I am not sure what type of owner Koules is - a Mark Cuban or a Daniel Snyder.

[Don in St. Pete]

fans, Don't worry! We'll be getting lots of pics and maybe players back after we trade the excess assets we have. Columbus, New York Islanders AND la AT THE LEAST WILL BE LOOKING FOR guys that can contribute and cost very little. I'm not going to wait this one out but I pray I have good nes when I check the blogs in the morning.

[The Teacher]

My site Habs inside/out wonders why you are stealing all of our players we in Montreal wanted. First Vinny, Malone, and nowRolston, you already have enough centers as well as Stamkos. Please, focuson a goalie, and leave a centre for us.

[The Teacher]

My site Habs inside/out wonders why you are stealing all of our players we in Montreal wanted. First Vinny, Malone, and nowRolston, you already have enough centers as well as Stamkos. Please, focuson a goalie, and leave a centre for us.

[Shaun]

It's all in response to Leo, Teacher.

[harvey]

With all due respect Bud, Rolston wants 8 to 9 mil? Ya... well I want a foot long, Courtney Cox, and 9 million dollars too.

None of those things will happen. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever! If that's what he wants, he'll wait in line with me. I'll have Courtney the day he gets that kind of money.

[Twinebulge]

I call fishy. It's as if Rolston's thinking Hmmmm, this is South Miami Beach, not a rink in sight. I'm 35 now, and my boy's six. When he's 16 and I'm still starring for the Lightning here in swampland......hmmmmmm....

Too bad there's no local franchise of the famous Teddy "Bear Knuckles" Nichols Hockey Indoctrination Camp and Military Boarding School for Tiny Toughs, Age 3-9 (The Formative Years).

That'd be a lock.

[Steve]

Youth hockey isn't bad around here. One of my friend's has a son around that age, his youth hockey coach, John Tucker(former Bolt). By the time he is 9 Rolston can move him wherever he wants, he will be retired. I don't blame him for taking his time though, UFA is a tremendous opportunity for any NHL player.

[bingo]

Ok Hockey Rock's...... As a long time fan and member of the in house audience....... This is unreal. In our wildest dreams we did not see the SAW man coming to town with this verve. So many all year long jumped on this group as a financial joke wanna be's and many other vindictive I know everything comments. Well all I can say is to quote Vinny Prospal from that faithful night at the Palace. I hope this shoves it up the Butt of Someone...... LOL.
Let us hope that they all come back and bow at the feet of OK and what he has done for the team in quick order. For once we have a man of his word what a refreshing cool breeze of hope and class at the St. Pete Times Forum. Oren, Len and other members - you will be rewarded by the fans with the purchase of ticks. It will be hard on many of us due to the economy but we will work it out. Do you know of any good bankers for a loan on premium tickets!!!!!!!

Go Bolt's!

[Badbud]

Lets see what you have to say about Ticket Prices next season,someone has to pay for all the $$$ that Hollywood has thrown around,It won't be him.

Got no problem with players he has brought in,,It is just he has not fix the problem of this team,putting to puck in net was not it,Keeping the puck out of it's net was Huge problem.

Look at all the games that were lost after 2nd & 3rd.

Yeah Bolts can now score like crazy,hell on fan excitement,alone such get 4-5 a game,but if you give up 6-7 guess what.

ummmm....free agnecy does not start TODAY UNTIL NOON, not midnight last night. Rolston wants to play in a "hockey city." The beat writer for the Lightning doesn't even know when free agnecy starts...perplexing

[Stacey]

Saw on TSN that Rolston made his decision this morning that he was going to free agency. Don't know if that's absolute but it probably is. COME ON, get some of the family men on the phone and set him straight, please? He could still come here, we just have to duke it out w/ everyone else now. Expletive!!!

[Hockey Mom]

There is great youth hockey in the bay area. Northern kids learn in backyard rinks, our kids learn in rinks with coaches.

We have A, AA Tier II and High School hockey. One former player signed with Michigan, another played at St. Lawrence & is now in the Lightning Minors. We also have Junior B & C hockey. They have consistently won championships at Nationals.

A number of kids are playing junior A & B up north in the Met League and in prep schools. Almost every major Florida college has both Ice and Inline Clubs playing at a decent level of competition.

I agree, if he is so concerned about the level of play for youth hockey here, he could step up and give us a hand. I am involved in High School hockey here and we sure could use some help. Otherwise, it is a poor excuse.

[Tackleberry]

I grew up in S Dakota. Yes it's flat but still hockey country. My son is in hockey in Brandon. I find it harder here to get indoor ice time. I struggle to get 3-4 hours of ice time per week for my kid. He is in mini-mites, skating lessons and does open-skate. It is difficult to get ice time and it is more expensive. The kids I was with, when I was young, got 6-7 hours ice-time per week (indoors) and numerous more (outdoors). We need more rinks in the area.

I do agree that there are high schools here that have hockey teams, but the ice time is less than 1/2 that of the "hockey-belt" states. In short, if my son was 10-12 yrs old, and is a hot prospect, I would consider moving north. I think that hockey players from Florida dont get the recognition as the northern players.

So, I dont think that Rolston's main reason was for his son. I think it is about the Benjamins. Whatever contract he picks up, he will look for a 4-7 year contract, a $3-5 mil per/yr contract. Dont know if the bolts will give him that. He is right about family considerations. Dont blame him for that.

[Tackleberry]

Badbud,
I think prices for seaon ticket holders will vary in increases. My tickets are the same (1/2 season, sect 206). I would say that Box-office tickets will likely go up.

I can also see Koules doing some HEAVY marketing this season.

Popcorn, soda, hotdogs, and parking may go up in price. I hope not. My kids eat too much.