Melrose introduced as Lightning coach

The NHL's worst-kept secret was revealed this morning when the Lightning introduced former Los Angeles Kings coach and ESPN analyst Barry Melrose as its new head coach during a news conference at the St. Pete Times Forum.

"This is a move we've been really excited about,'' said Oren Koules, co-owner of new Lightning owner OK Hockey, before joking, "and I think we've done a fabulous job of keeping this secret.''

Melrose replaces John Tortorella, who was fired June 3 with one year remaining on his contract.

"I'm thrilled to be here,'' said Melrose, 51. "I'm very excited with what's going on.''

Koules and co-owner Len Barrie are friends with some of Melrose's former players. According to Koules, the new ownership group was looking for someone who was a positive thinker and would get ''20 guys pulling in the same direction.''

Barrie said he was convinced Melrose was the right fit after a conversation with defenseman Rob Blake, who played under Melrose in Los Angeles.

"I think we got a good person first, and a good coach, second,'' Barrie said.

Melrose, who led the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens, said he missed the passion and the competition on the ice.

"I hate being a guy on the outside looking in,'' he said. "I want to be an insider again.''

Melrose said his children's ages and Tampa's southern location ("I had a tougher time talking my wife into going to Edmonton than to Tampa,'' he joked.) were other factors in his decision to return behind the bench. He also was sold on the new ownership group, which is expected to be hands-on.

"I'd much rather have people in charge who care than people who don't care,'' Melrose said, "and, believe me, these guys care.''

Melrose said he believes in energy, speed, aggression and letting guys be creative. All he asks in return is that they play defense.

He vowed that opponents will no longer be comfortable when they come into the Times Forum and fans will get their money's worth.

Asked what he liked most about the Lightning, Melrose singled out Vinny Lecavalier, whom he called "one of the five best players in the world''; Marty St. Louis, whom he sees as a role model for top draft choice Steve Stamkos; big defensemen; and the ownership group's pledge to be aggressive in free agency.

Melrose identified Rick Tocchet and Wes Walz as two of his assistant coaches. He said the organization is "working on" one more.

-- Frank Pastor, Times Staff Writer

(Above left: Barry Melrose, left, and Len Barrie, right. Above right: Melrose. Times photos -- Carrie Pratt. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[jason]

Barry will be fine and Smith has the capability to step up because I have seen him stand on his head for Dallas. Exciting times for TB!

[Tom M]

I heard Rick "The Gamblin Man" Tocchet already signed a deal to be the official spokesperson for the Seminole Indian Casino.

Honestly, the circus is only beginning here...

[drew]

and all those who say they wont renew theyre season tickets?! oh well another fan who is bigger than you can get it. boo hoo go cry at home and enjoy the game this team will be better than your sorry coach torturella oops torterella lol .

[drew]

you all are band wagon jumpers and a disgrace to any sports franchise. just cause you loose a coach who won a stanley cup its the end of the world? pls what has he done since then? NOTHING!thats why you probably wouldnt last in canada as a sports fan. this guy knows hockey inside out and has won in the past. the man has a solution and doesnt treat players like kids. hes a players coach so give melrose a chance . go bolts! this is melrose place now!

[BP]

Ok most of the people have never been involved in the NHL and I have. The idea on almost any ice hockey organization that has finished in a sub-satisfactory season should start the next season off with CHANGE. There are TONS of people that have an effect on how players are motivated and how they perform. I believe that our city of Tampa Bay has a very passionate fan base to help the bolts through a very positive season. In my honest opinion I feel that Mike Smith may have very good handling skills but Kari Ramo should be given a good shot atleast through 30 games. I feel that Ramo has the best vision through crowded traffic and Mike Smith make too many mistakes by trying to be the hero with his puck skills. Melrose will be good, don't worry you haters and the owners seem very passionate. I love what I see so far. As long as VL4 signs a long term contract we will have a team worth watching every home game in my opinion! Go Bolts!

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, Thanks for clearing that up. I agree with you whole heartedly on the lockout. Nobody was up front and personal with the cams to jeopardize their ability to land a coaching or announcing job.Our own Espo, who is known for being outspoken was as quiet as a clam. I think we'd be better off chasing Commodore ( as many people on this blog have suggested to their credit ), Carney, Orpik or Sopel. Cullimore might also be a good risk, he's played here before, knows the team and was a stud last year for the stinkin' Panthers.

[léo]

I didn't say they were chokers, Don.
In fact, I was VERY surprised at Streit because he had SINGLEHANDEDLY beaten Team Canada 2yrs ago. Turns out he was hurt; he didn't go to the worlds afterwards. Ok. He was hurt. Then get off the ice!
As for Redden, I attach the same tab we've ALL attached to the Senators as a WHOLE, for not taking advantage of their window of opportunity, which is gone forever. Yet, I sure wouldn't call Alfie a choker. Is Redden? How should I know?
Do I need to push Redden on you? What, you've never seen the guy? He's still a reliable defender, yes or no?
I wouldn't mind Redden on Our team. 4th D? No prob'. But, looks like We got Our eye on Campbell. As fer Streit, I'd LOVE to keep him, as a 3rd line defensive forward and not a defenseman.
Hey Lockout,
Gretzky's claim to fame has NOTHING to do with him taking the rattle out've one baby's hand and sticking it in another during the lockout. Where was Orr for that matter? Or Bobby Hull? Or Jean Béliveau? Ridiculous, Lockout. Stick to hockey.
Dissin' the greatest who ever was and the greatest who'll ever be is blasphemy.
P.

[Hockey Chic]

Okay guys and gals it is time to as my son would say simmer down.

I know everyone including me did not want to see the mullet as the coach of the TBL. But let me just say this, in all I have read and heard to Barry's credit (did I just say that) he is a players coach.

Fellow fans and players that is what we need. We do not need bashing, name calling, be littling or berating any longer in this town or on this team.

We need a leader someone who will take it to the mat so to speak for our guys. Stand up and tell everyone to step back and give Barry a chance. We were freakin last in the entire NHL last year folks or did we forget? I did not and I for one as I am sure the team is tired or losing. It is time to stand up and stand behind this team including Melrose as the coach.

I for one am not a weary fan and have renewed my tickets and did so before the old crappy **(&*^*_)_)&*(& season finished.

I am standing with and behind my guys the Tampa Bay Lightining with rosies in hand and freakin pom poms and the hockey stick in case anyone get smart and am ready to cheer this team on as far and as high as they can go. I believe in my Bolts!!

Go Bolts!! Go Barry!! and Go OK Hockey!!!

[Don in St. Pete]

Andre, We love you dude! However it's hard to score from the penalty box, the locker room or the bench so you have to learn again to be a hockey player first and an antogonizer second.

[Andre Roy]

I never did like Torts

[Lockout]

Hey all you Gretzky lovers. During the lockout where was he? Anyone?
Come on, talk to me. Yes indeed, he is the "great one" but during the lockout, he was very much the "silent one". In times of true turmoil, true leaders always step to the forefront. When that happened, Wayne was gone!

[Don in St. Pete]

BR549, I hope you will still follow the team on TV. All of us should just step back and take it all in. The damage is done and it's out of our control. Let's give them a chance to right the ship and earn our respect. The team was broken under Tort's and may still be but at least we can give them a chance to prove they can fix it. We have a lot of talent here, though we all know it was hard to see it last year a new coach, a new system and a new level of respect may play great dividends in adittion to what they've said they do during the free agency period. I love the assistant coaches. Tocchet, anyone who's played the game as I have you have to admire the guy. He left it all on the ice and he did it all for the fans and for his teamates. There were a lot of times last year when a punk like Chris Neil gave one of our guys a facewash and nobody responded. We need to reiterate that each guy has got the others bach and that their playing for each other and the fans. Wes Walz was only one of the top defensive forwards in the league for about 10 or 12 years straight. I think it's a brillant move to bring a guy in like that to help in one of our weakest areas. These guys are smart......you may not like their style, their attitude or their delivery, but as a previous poster said they know hockey and they want to win. Expect The Pillsbury Doughboy to stay on strictly to negotiate contracts and to advise on salary cap issues for the upcoming season, probably to be gone before the draft next year. I'd also expect our scouting system to be shook up over the course of the upcoming season. Leo! Why do you keep trying to pawn off the supposed chokers, Redden and Streit on us? I think they'd be more comfortable in the Habs organization, given their performance over the last ten years or so.

[William Nuzum]

"We don't need a #1 golie. We need a veteren golie to play in the minors and step up in case of an injury"

Marc Denis.

[slapshot]

We don't need a #1 golie. We need a veteren golie to play in the minors and step up in case of an injury.

[BR549]

Its hockey night in tampa starring our own version of Don Cherry, Barry Melrose.
It'll be hard hitting action from start to finish.
Just teach Boyle to play D and have some promotions like "Mullet night",BYOS(bring your own saw),it sounds exciting doesn't it? Too bad I will not be joining you, I wasted my money on season tickets the last three years and can't see turning over anymore money for Jay FEAST-er to squander.

[jimmy z]

Mullets and jorts are rad!

Totally getting season tickets now!

This is so far out!

[William Nuzum]

It's a great hiring. I like his passion and what he will bring to the team. I like the praise I have heard from Wayne Gretzky and Rob Blake. With so many young players on our roster I think he will bring the perfect style to this organization. It's an exciting time to be a Lightning fan.

[léo]

Great post,Marv!
P.

[léo]

Besides,
With all due respect to the Great One,
What does he know about coaching?
Ouch.
Yo.

[Boltflasher]

and, yes, that was me on the above post...

Ajax, better post today...agree with this one...very unsure of a guy who has not coached in a number of years...actually will miss seeing him on ESPN...this coaching staff, as does the ownership, still has a lot to prove to win over a lot of the fans, though, OK is off to a good start (but this coaching decision is a real question mark) and Praise The Lord, Denis and his cap space is headed out of town soon...and, yes, PD you can pat yourself on the back about Smellrose..

[Marv]

Maybe we should give these guys a chance before we are all doom and gloom. How about waiting for about 20-25 games into the season to see what happens. There are a lot of positives with the new owners. These guys are not stupid and while may love hockey, its a business and are not here to lose money.

Some of you guys apparently think Smith should stop every puck. While he probably should stay in the net more, maybe he does it in self defense since he doesn't have a lot of help from the D men at times. He gave us a lot of good games while some of his team mates took the night off... on a regular basis!

[db]

Thanks Don, a voice of reason. How about Gretzky's subtle slam on Torts in his description of Melrose...

"He treats his role players with a great deal of respect. He treats those guys just as good as he treats his top players," Gretzy said. "I think that's a fine line and important because guys who don't play as much ... they need to have that reassurance that they're part of the team also."

I believe that "The Great One" saw Torts for what he was.. A great Coach who had worn out his welcome. He's right.

[Marko]

Welcome to Tampa Barry. Please remember to put on sunscreen when you hit the golf course.

[Mike13]

New Jersey might be a good fit for Redden.

[Mike13]

It is what it is. The new owners wanted their own guy. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

Hopefully, Melrose & Co., will do a good job. If not, let's hope the ownership is humble enough to realize the mistake and correct it quickly.

[léo]

You might be right, Ajax. But I come back to my earlier question: Who NEEDS Redden? Who is TARGETING him? Nobody, I think. He's a stay-at-home defenseman with no razzle and hardly any dazzle, who HAS BEEN KNOWN to fold under the pressure.
Is this a big mystery? No. Everybody knows this.
Plus! The spotlight is too much for him. It's too much. That's why I think Redden HIMSELF may want to play in TB, AND give a discount to boot.
15mil for 5yrs. It's worth a shot, no? Bump it up, if you want. 17,18mil, I dunno.
But he will NOT be a priority for anyone and he shouldn't cost the moon. MO.
Yo.

[pd]

Tend to agree with you Ajax, Melrose as propheted by Strachan way back, hardly seems the fit to me either.

He also seems to be the GM de facto in waiting, after Feastie. scary

[Bob]

Whoopdee Freakin Doo!!!! All we needed was another mullet in the area.

[karma]

http://lightning.nhl.com/ext//PDFs/6-24_Melrose.pdf

NHL.com link to the transcript of the presser.

[ajax]

I for one have a zillion mixed emotions from the past 7 days. I find it hard to believe anyone, ANYONE, really can find anything good about this smellsrose situation. He is not the guy. For me, I am 110% sure of that statement. Enthusiasm doesn't make up for knowledge and experience and hard work, especially hard work, and Melrose won't do the time. We had hit rock bottom, and lots of smiles and handshakes and tans have everyone shook up.
Leo, are you saying Wade Redden will sign for 3 million? No way, much more. I think that was a typo, I hope.
Smith will be a difference maker for our team. Throw out the last 15 games of the season, FOR EVERYONE. There was so much wrong, the roster was a mess, everyone hated Torts and everyone gave up. Vinny and Marty were like a minus 15 the last 15 games. Everyone quit on Torts (6 jobs, 0 interviews) Picard was like minus 13 in the 20 games he was here, heck Boyle was like minus 25 in just 25 games. But the season was gone and the spirit was clearly gone. Smith is lite years better than Homer and Denis, just wait and see.
I wish I could find some ray of light with this Melrose thing. I got caught up in the enthusiasm myself, who wouldn't? so much good news the past week, but credibility and character are almost always what counts in the long run. Melrose just doesn't ever fit that description. Gang he hasn't had a real job in what, 13 years?? You just can't ignore this huge statement. It is mind boggling that the keys to the place have been put in his hands. SHOCKING.
Feaster?? What to do with Feaster?? They should buy him out but that would be a huge chunk of green. The "hands on" of the new owners seems to be a good thing, but buyer beware, somehow I quickly have gotten the opinion that they want to do everything. Yowsers that scares me.
They are going to be super agressive with free agents?? So many questions to ask, we'll just have to wait and see. Where is this money coming from?? I am getting more and more the feeling that they are young guns with a pot of money (and attitude) and just maybe these gunslingers are going to shoot their foot off sometime soon. Hope not, really really hope not, but my business brain tells me, that after the tidal wave of smiles, just might come the real storm.

[Don in St. Pete]

You all need to just clam up. We have new owners and it's their perogative to hire the coach they want. Let's give the coach and the new owners a chance before we throw them all under the bus, and the goalie's and defensemen too for that matter. It's a whole new season and ownership has committed to being quite active in free agency. let's give them a chance to hold true to their word and see who they bring in. I'm excited at the prospect of a whole new second line with Stamkos and a couple of snipers on the wings. A good offense could help the defense dramatically by keeping the puck in the other teams zone and pressure on the other teams goalie. Smith will be a star and I think he comes into a whole different situation than the one he walked into last season. I'm hoping that Smith will shine and make all of you eat a little humble pie.

[GP]

Joey:

I have been involved with pro hockey. So you're naive to think that some people on here do not know what they are talking about. I agree that a lot don't but there are some really astute hockey observers who offer quality opinions. I alos think some people just throw absurd comments out there to piss people off.

[Mike S.]

The end of the world as we know it. If the expectation is to fill seats, one might want to consider how many old Lightning fans are still around. We remember the comments by mullet head toward the Lightning. "Person first... coach second," wonder how that's going to pan out.

[shootmyselfinthefacenow!]

This is it. The end of the world. I'm going to shoot myself in the face now. I cant go on in a world that accepts a Hollywood num-skull and a greasy mullet and "saviors" I like my mullets smoked and on a cracker, not coaching my hockey team. Excuse me, I have to go shoot myself in the face now. BANG!

[Pd]

Melrose--Al Strachen (3 months ago ),nailed it to great chagrin here.

[nhlman]

Smith is a joke so far, he thinks he is still in Dallas and that he's Marty Turco when it comes to playing the puck, stay in the damn net Smitty, you don't have Dallas "D", you gave up a least a goal a game trying to play the puck like Marty, focus on stopping the puck, insted of trying to be a forward. Let's get an actual #1 goalie (when available) and let Ramo and Smitty play it out for back up, because if Reese has his way, Smitty will be another Denis.

[Blindside Czech]

Joey:

Unless your last name is Sakic, Thornton, Mullen or Kocur, it's my guess your link to "pro hockey" consists of sorting your hockey cards in the back bedroom of your momma's trailer in Pinellas Park.

Aint it time to check in with your parole officer?

[Patty]

Can't even begin to say how dismayed I am by the new ownership's choice of coaching staff. So, Wayne Gretzky endorses him cuz' Melrose made "all the Kings' men" feel warm and fuzzy? Awwwwww - THAT should be enough to win it all, right? Never mind that he hasn't coached in 13 years and is (apparently) bringing in his own personal bookie as an assistant.

[jiffy]

this blows! the sullivan will be missed.

feaster must have been at the buffet...

[dave]

I say we let Smith and Ramo decide who will be #1.

Even though I detested the Cincinnati Stingers, I'm willing to give this guy a chance but I think Walz might be the best of the three.

It seems like coaching in the NHL has become a lot more techincal since Melrose left but he's got plenty of help and I like that he mentioned defense along with creativity.

[Roy]

Is it just me, or was Jay Feaster noticeably absent? Not sure what to make of that.

[léo]

Workin', Bryan. (yeah,yeah) Just finished my poutine. Feh. Not enough gravy.
Numbers cannot be used for short-term analysis. I'm sure we can find a 5-game streak where Brodeur sucked even worse.
End'o'the season don't mean nuthin' either, you were already out.
Consider that it was My Boy who won player of the last week and last month of the season with the final results that we all know.
You're certainly right by saying that Dallas had the support to help Smith, sure, but he still had to do the job. Consistently. It's because he has that extra experience that makes him more reliable than Ramo, who, frankly, has consistently shown that he was inconsistent. I may be wrong, but Bryan, c'mon. 2-2-1. What is that? I'll tell you, same as 10-10-5. A num2 job.
We'll see.
P.

[léo]

Markov, O'Byrne and Plecanec.
For Stamkos.
How's that sound?
Yo.

[léo]

Sorry Don.
Your team's "motivations" and such are beyond me. That's y'all's call.
Like I explained to Hockey Chic, I know what your house looks like but not your living room. Got no idea what the inside plans are or should be for the new cats in town.
I can go all day about the Habs but this is not the blog fer that.
As fer rumors, I picked up hockeynews.com, the rumor round-up says that 4 teams, INCLUDING TB, that are interested in Streit. That was it. Don't know how true that is.
I say: Good. Redden would also be Good. More I think about it, Redden would be an excellent choice for TB. He is NOT a spotlight player. The spotlight SCARES him. TB would be PERFECT for him and I think he would EXPLODE for your team.
3mil. I'm sure of it.
Streit is an excellent puck-transporting player, vision, slick passes, nice shot. Our knock was that in the defensive-zone, he gets outmuscled. Consistently. On offence; he's a terror. Defensively; he's a liability.
Which is why We transformed him into a 3rd line defensive winger. To keep him on the move and not bogged in Our corner. This is HOW he got his 62 points + the PP; not by playing the defensive blue-line, I can tell ya.
He's a 3rd line defensive winger EXTRAORDINAIRE.
But he wants to be a defenseman.
Either way, he'll cost too much for Us. We would've paid. We would've. But he disappeared in the playoffs. The MAIN knock. Unacceptable. So we won't miss'im as much when he leaves. Too bad, great guy. (Especially if We get Campbell! Hello!)
Markov disappeared too. And I think he might be trade-bait now.
You interested?
P.

[Bryan]

PS: Mr. Melrose... you better come up with some good #*#$ to make up for all the bashing you've done over the years. You've dumped on this franchise time and time again and you're not coming in here with open arms. You better get some results, fast.

[Bryan]

At this point Ramo is the better goalie than Smith, even though Smith has a more versatile skill set. Frankly, either one is a great choice in my book right now. We need to PLAY DEFENSE before looking at the goaltenders and blaming them for the garbage that was put on the ice this year. You send your D men deeper than forwards and nobody gets back to recover for bad positioning? No wonder the goaltenders look terrible. I still get the feeling Ramo will be the better goaltender.

Leo - Its a big day today! Shouldn't you be out eating poutine? :D

[JOhn]

Yes! Much better coach! You've gone clean shaven but the mini-mullet has to go. How about going high-n-tight on the hair? That would make an impression!

[Steve S.]

The inmates have officially taken over the asylum. The good news is that the Lightning can't get any lower than their disaster of a season last year.

I give Barry and the Clueless Koules gang 3 years tops. I AM NOT IMPRESSED.

[Brian B.]

Smith can do what Ramo does, and more? And by what evidence can you cite to support that wild claim there Leo? See heres the thing, Smith went 0-5 at the end of the season, giving up 17 goals on 126 shots, which if you do the math gives you a .865 save percentage... from a guy who has been in the NHL 3 years and is 27 years old!

Ramo, who is a rookie by the way at 22 years old, went 2-2-1 in the last five games of the season he appeared with 15 goals on 176 shots for a .915 sv%.

And before you start telling me Smith has better career stats than Ramo, lets not forget the man played two and a half years with the playoff consistent Dallas Stars. Makes a big difference having a stable team playing in front of you.

The point I'm trying to make is that Smith is NOT the savior of Tampa, and I hope our new ownership (with now Tocchet and Walz on board) recognize the need for a new goaltender coach and the need to pick up a decent, seasoned, goaltender.