News from the press conference

A lot of information that came out of today's news conference we already knew. But there were a few new nuggets.

As far as on the ice, new owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie confirmed that the deal with Vinny Prospal is done. It's just awaiting his signature, because he's in Europe with his family.

Expect a news conference Tuesday to announce the new coach, all but certain to be Barry Melrose.
They also said they'd be "staggeringly active'' in the free agency market, and made fairly clear that their emphasis would be on offense. They said they are confident Mike Smith can be a No. 1 goalie and said they like their young defense. But they spent some time emphasizing that they want to find wingers for No. 1 draft pick Steve Stamkos.

They also had lunch with Vinny Lecavalier Sunday and said everything was "fine'' on that front. (They said Vinny paid, if that means anything.)

In terms of their objectives, "Failure isn't an option. Success is what's going to happen here,'' Barrie said.
A couple of times they said this isn't an organization that is broken. It just needs to be tweaked. They also spent quite a bit of time talking about having fun.

As far as the ownership group itself, we finally have the entire list of owners. Koules, Barrie, Mark Burg and Russell Belinsky have been known for months. We reported last week the name of Kane's Furniture CEO Irwin Novack.

Add to those names these three men:
Craig Sher, executive chairman of the Sembler Corp., a local development firm; Jordan Zimmerman, founder of Zimmerman Advertising in Fort Lauderdale; and Richard Lehman, an orthopedic surgeon from St. Louis. None of the investors other than Koules and Barrie were at the news conference.

Oh, and they emphatically reiterated that the team is staying put.
"We will never move this team,'' Koules said. "Amazing fans, amazing base.''

Comments

[léo]

Bryan,
Have you been watching Ramo at all?
No one is disputing that he's an excellent goaltender. He uses all those qualities you enumerated with absolute brilliance.
But what is the Prime Directive in the NHL?
I will tell you: CONSISTENCY.
Ramo is not consistent. He's an excellent goalie. But inconsistent. For 1½yrs.
This is enough time to arrive at the inevitable conclusion that Ramo will NEVER be a num1. Hey, I'd take him on my team anyday...as my num2.
It took you less time to relegate Denis to the minors and to trade Holmer. C'mon. You know this. You wanna keep giving Ramo chances, that's fine, but you're right back to playing musical chairs with your goalies, and then you'll have NO num1 goalie. Again.
Smith is your boy. You traded your goaler and Brad Richards for him and now you wanna put Ramo in net??? Impossible. If you were coach and made that move, you'd get a call from a frightened management employee who'd tell you that the GM and the owners want to see you in the president's office. You'd walk in to find them glaring at you. "Close the door; we have to explain some things to you."
I believe you about Ramo (and hey, maybe you're right) but there's no way Smith ain't playing after what TB did to get him.
Give Smith a chance!
Dallas will RUE the day they traded him for Richards; mark my words.
Yo.

[Bryan]

Well i'll have to take your word for it, Don! Someone needs to fill the spots on this team and I guess he wouldn't hurt.

[Don in St. Pete]

Bryan, I could be wrong about Vrbata...he was a bust in Carolina, but he had a solid breakout year last season. He was a +6 on a poor Phoenix team and can contribute at both ends of the ice. Plus he is flat out blazing fast, which I think would be a great benefit on a line with Stamkos. He could also helped mentor Stamkos as he was a high draft picked who was hyped to be an immediate contributor in Carolina, but took a while to find his NHL game.

[Bryan]

I hear ya Don, and yeah, I went from C to D over the last two seasons I played as I headed into college.

Vrbata just... I get this impression when I see him that he just won't fit here. There's something I don't like about him. I just don't see him becoming a 35 goal guy at all, but perhaps i'm losing my mind at an early age. ;)

Goaltending I feel great about but I go against the way most feel - Smith isn't the answer, but Ramo is. He's very bright, he watches the puck through traffic EXTREMELY well, and just seemed to get better and better the more they threw at him at the end of the year. Real workhorse. Smith very much has potential but like the saying goes - you can draft talent but you can't teach him hockey sense. Smith makes bad decisions, far too much, and I think that may also have something to do with his vision... he's not catching the whole 360 degree view. Hopefully he breaks out of this, as his ability to handle the puck is huge.

Mihalik I doubt is ready, but I think he's closer than most think. Kid can glide now, doesn't have that i'm-way-too-tall-for-my-height akwardness about him. I pray to the hockey gods that someone looks at him and tells him to go keep people out of his yard, because that is what he is built to do, nothing fancy, just straight up physical defense. Smaby too. He didn't look terrified at the end of the year like he did at the start. And then, he looked like he got angry, and its a beautiful thing to see.

[Twinebulge]

Right on Rod

I hope one of these guys can handle it but will not be surprised to see a different goalie some time this season. Smith and Ramo both recently promoted from the AHL, both show flashes of brilliance, not yet consistency needed for reliable solid performance. Give 'em a chance and see what happens under our NEW GOALIE COACH for a change (that's an absolutely spectacular bit of news that's gotten lost in the hubbub, kind of flying under the Raeder). If they do great as we all hope, that'll be an excellent thing. These new owners can't be expected to just gnaw and choke on the mold-encrusted remnants of Feaster's huge burnt stuffed turkey (the Marc Denis move and our goaltending since Khabibulin), settle for 2nd best and swallow mediocre netminding for long with the team it seems they want assembled, but one of these current kids could certainly rise up and be a #1 either now or in the future. Can't base much on last season with all the injuries. I'm stoked to see what they do with their totally clean slate.

[harvey]

lrod, you da man. To be fair, we have all voiced our frustration over the last couple of years. Me included. No doubt I have been less than happy about what I've seen. Sometimes the bigger the fan, the more the emotion. Happens that way. I have at times spoken out of passion here. At the same time, I have also said that I'm not a negative person by nature and have always hoped for the best. No matter what the outlook. Very tough at times but I guess I look for the best. Maybe to a fault.

Don't worry about handing out crow. Right as you might, or will be, it won't have much effect. Just keep posting with us and forget the negative crap from whomever it comes from.

Welcome back!!

[LIGHTNING ROD]

God, it's absolutely great. A real deal #1 pick, new owners, new coach; and reading all the opinions. Everyone appears to be energized.

I did notice a view posts by some that appear to be back tracking from their past negative positions on either/or the past and now new owners, the past and soon to be new coach, everyone in the front office, the entire scouting staff, every player on the team at one time or another, the equipment staff, the entire minor league team/coach/staff, and all the way down to the water and bat boys. Oops, wrong sport, I just got carried away. However, it's still apparent that there are those who remain ever so dedicated to kicking the deadest of dogs.

I sincerely hope that OK continues to follow through, so I can write some detailed crow to a few regular naysayers to eat. There no hope for the dead dog kickers, as a crow is a bird; and they only see, look for, and beat dead dogs.

Here's some crow for some to start with. OK hockey actually purchased the Lightning, and they paid $100m of it with their OWN money. Next, Mr. Barrie confirmed that the real estate in the deal helped made it work. I look forward to further crow postings in the up-coming weeks and months ahead, since there is a long list of folks that only talked from the dark side, and now need to eat some bird. As a drummer friend told me awhile back, "you got to pay to play". Well it's time. Oren and Len I already love ya; and keep bringing it on. Make my day on the 2nd of July.

[Don in St. Pete]

Bryan, You must have been a defenseman. Finger isn't bad but I think we can get more cheaper. Cullimore is available and he was a stud for the stinkin Panthers this year. Mihalik is the real deal but at only 21 he may need another year of seasoning but he was second at Norfolk ( behind Jay leach +12 ) in plus minus at +9 on a horrid team. I heard opposing players ended up all on the other side of the ice after being on the recieving end of a couple of his checks. I've also heard his skating has improved dramatically and I'm sure we'll all get a good look at him this fall during camp. We are very deep on D in the system and it seems help is on the way for the O. Another good draft next year when we'll have about 10 picks would be helpful for the pipeline. In the short term we have 4 defensemen with some offensive skills so I'm more inclined to go with a breakaway scored like Vrbata than Williams. He's just touch upon the talent that was hinted at this past season, but I'll bet he scores 35 if he lands on a team with decent linemates this year.

[Bryan]

I don't think Malone gives a damn about anything but money and women, so it'll just be who opens the wallet more on the first.

Ryder I think is a GREAT project. Off year... people are down on him - but he has produced before. He'll only take a small chunk of money and you can grab him for maybe 2-3 years. A few cheap years, and if he returns to form (say Prospal money) at 30 goals... brilliant.

Williams is also another sleeper. He does it all and does it all fairly well. Not amazing, but does all the little things right. Just the kind of influence and presence the team needs.

D men - Streit, Finger, Orpik, if they feel like spending in that department. Frankly, i'd like to see how Smaby and Mihalik can play when told to put someone through the glass. I think they'll shine.

[Lauren Burg]

OMG!!I'm sooo excited for the future of the Bolts!!!Sad Torts was fired but everything else I've seen done by the new ownership I LIKE!!!The Bolts ARE a great team & I am ECSTATIC to know they will be staying in Tampa!!!

GO BOLTS!!
=)

[Don in St. Pete]

Good thoughts Harvey and Leo. I EXPECT us to sign Malone. Have you ever been to a Pitt game at the St. Pete Times Forum? Half the fans are wearing Penguins jerzees. I think he would jump at the chance to cover a kid like Stamkos' back and get that publicity. Expect Stamkos' other linemate to be Vrbata. Ryder and Williams are fine but neither can match the speed, open ice ability and defensive skill of Vrbata. I'd like to see us sign a veteran D-man and Streit is one I've suggested as well as Carney, Commodore, Orpik, Salvador and Sopel. There are options but I think the linemates for the kid are #1 priority and if you get good 2 way wingers, then maybe we hold off on the D until the trade deadline.

[léo]

I agree with you on your first point, Harve. In theory. But the grapevine doesn't give two squirts about fines. The grapevine still leaks grape juice. You KNOW this. And that's how we know that Boston is gonna pitch big for Hossa and that Columbus is gonna pitch big for Malone.
I am in Total agreement with you about Hossa in TB; waaay too expensive and y'all got bigger fish to fry.
For Malone, that's just it. 4mil might be what he asks (which is too much) but HERE is not where he'll take it unless you raise it up to say, 4.5.
Williams would be BRILLIANT. That's a good idea. His style of play would mesh perfectly with V4's on PP.
In fact, I'd take Williams in TB BEFORE Malone for that precise reason. Good call.
But yeah, I think the D should be the priority, IMHO, TB fans, as an "outsider".
Try for Campbell. Try for Redden. Get Streit.
P.

[harvey]

Come on leo, you of all people should know that even mentioning a players name before July 1st carries fines and loss of draft picks to the offending team. You can't do it. Period! Wait a week and you will know who is a target.

Hossa doesn't want to sign here? Cool!! Then I don't have to worry about the new ownership doing something stupid. It was reported he was offered 7 mil per from Pitt and turned it down. Sign him here and handcuff this team? That's asinine!! Can't make me feel bad that, as you said, he won't sign here. Who cares? We don't need him. There are other fish to fry.

Malone doesn't want to come here? Maybe. Maybe not. If all it takes is 4 mil I say grab him and run. Not only would he produce, provide some physical presence in the top 6, he would cover the rooks back. He's a perfect fit. For us anyway. For him? Who knows. To me 4 mil is cheap. Add J. Williams for 2.5 and we have a top 6 again.

Ya ya, I know, I've suggested Williams here before but he makes perfect sense. Right handed shot, something we lack. Speed to burn, Has run the powerplay from the right point in both Detroit and Chicago, has picked up nearly a point a game when healthy, and allows Boyle to not have ot play all 2 minutes of a PP. A perfect pickup im my mind.

But hey........who the heck am I? Just another armchair GM as we all are.

Love the thought though!!!

[Herb]

Well said Tom of Barry Mullethead. He is a first rate dummy (keeping it clean). That move pisses me off. I think you give him too much credit as far as his hockey knowledge.

[chux2]

Tampa Bay Mullets?
Can't we see if Scottie has another couple of years left in the tank?

[john]

looks like a done deal...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3457480

[tom]

I must admit if Melrose is named the coach that bothers me a bit. I love his knowledge and insight of the game on ESPN but he hasnt coached since 1995 when the Kings let him go. Thirteen years is a long time. Having Wayne Gretzky on your team would make anybody look good. Plus, does anybody remember back in 2004 all he talked about was how the Flyers outsized us and were going to manhandle us in the eastern conference finals? then he literally bent over backwards, kissing Jarome Iginlas butt and the Calgary Flames were gonna bring back the Cup to Canada?! Now, he's going to be down here coaching our team? Boy, are memories short, huh? Hockey 101 superstition: You dont get to touch the Cup unless you win it. Last time I looked Lightning players have touched it many times over and have a Stanley Cup ring, Barry doesnt. If he doesnt win right away i think the Lightning fans will ride him out of town on a rail! In the words of radio dude Dave Mishkin....SCORE!!! and GO BOLTS!!!!

[Ed]

karma--Go to NHL.com and see the intros/read the articles with further info on meeting the new ownership. Don't be afraid of change. This franchise was not Davidson's first order of business in his empire, not even 2nd or 3rd...I think this ranks a bit higher with this group.

[Bill]

Sharon, are you smoking crack again? That old "we need a goalie" crap was an excuse by Tortorella and Fat Feaster for the problems their own ineptitude caused. We had good goaltending, have it now. The goalies were only as good as their last game, and Torts would yank them too quickly. That was/is demoralizing and destabilizing to the team and the goalies. We don't need goalies. This team is now in fine shape to develop again. Once Koules gets Fat Feaster out of the mix, things will be great. The goalies were snakebit by poor coaching and a defense not willing to play for that tyrant Torturella.

[léo]

Smith will do ok, Sharon. Watch.
As for dropping names, sure you can, fellas. Letting it be known that you're interested in a player is not tampering.
Everyone knows that Campbell is talking to MTL, OTT and NYR. Everyone KNEW We were after Brière last year. Of course you can drop some names! You just can't OFFER A CONTRACT til Jul 1st.
Hey, guess what? Boston wants Hossa! Surprise!
Moving on,
Hossa a cancer in the room??? Who? Marcel? Marian Hossa is a very soft-spoken fella, always smiling, NEVER making waves. Disagree totally on that. Incindental really; he won't sign in TB.
Jagr is NOT a cancer. He's Jaromir Jagr. He's paid his dues. Far as I'm concerned; he's entitled to act the prima-donna. That being said, I agree you should leave him be.
Satan? Really? That I don't know but with a name like that, how can I be surprised? I think Satan would be GREAT in TB. Wouldn't cost too much either. Maybe 12mil for 3yrs? For Satan? No?
Ryder would be GREAT in TB. He's just LOOKING for an outlet; mark my words.
Redden? Hmm. Go for it. I would. 3mil a year; I think he'd take it. Who DESPERATELY needs Redden? Nobody. Yet a solid defenseman he remains.
Streit would be my MAIN defensive objective, though. He wants to be a general on the blue line but his main attributes are vision, seeing-eye passes and a precise slapshot.
Malone? He wants at least 4mil/yr for 4yrs. I think you would have to up the ante AFTER THAT to get him to come to TB, cuz for the same money, he'll go to a hockey-climate.
Aw heck wit dis.
Drop some names already!
P.

[Mike Creyton]

Today's conference was very similar to the one Stu Sternberg had when he bought the Rays. We are very blessed to have such young, energetic, and forward thinking owners running our franchises here in Tampa Bay. I was a little nervous at first, but today calmed a lot of me fears. Go Bucs, Bolts, and Rays!!!

[dave]

The blue line is young. Not bad. They played like crap because they were young. The talent is clearly there. Be patient. Ranger, Picard and O'Brien are fine. Smaby is ready, too. And you have to like what Lundin showed as a raw rookie last season. This group has the potential to be upper echelon in a year or two.

[buck]

Our defense has been bad in front of the goalies since 2005. I am hopeful that this is going to change now with a new system. Too bad this could not have happened 3yrs ago.

[tom]

In response to sharons comments about needing a goalie: Defense and netminding go hand in hand. Our defense was awful in front of whoever the goalie was last year. Plus, Boyle cuts his wrist on a falling skate in his locker! I loved what i saw from Smaby and Picard, two big defensemen who arent afraid to hit the opposition at the blue lines. Lets give Smitty and Ramo a full year in goal and i believe this team is on the way up. Go BOLTS!!

[matt]

I like the way you are thinking Dave. I agree both of those guys would be huge up-grades.

[dave]

The warriors love hockey, too.

[savwa]

How can all of this be going on in a country which is at war?

[dave]

Ryan Malone is one they should go after to put on Stamkos' left side. He's 6' 4" 228. He's a 20+ goal scorer. He's only 28 and he's used to playing with young centers with huge upside. If not him, then Brian Rolston.

I think Michael Ryder is the sniper for the Stamkos line, assuming he's a UFA. His numbers were off last year but he was a 25+ goal scorer in each of the previous three seasons. And he's in his prime, too, at 28.

Jagr, Hossa and Satan are all cancers in the dressing room. Let the Rangers have all three.

These new owners sound like they want to follow the Mark Cuban model of ownership. If they live up to half of what they've advertised, I think the team is in good hands.

[karma]

Additional thought:
When $Bill took over the team, his group at least had the temerity to hold the meet and greet after work hours, which a couple of days notice.
Not sure about the rest of you, but it's tough to walk from the office on short notice to meet these guys -- all part of the P.R. plan, I'm afraid.

[karma]

As it's not July 1, yet, I don't think that they can mention soon-to-be UFA's by name without first getting a club's permission to speak with them. Hence, no names dropped.

[hockeyjoker]

leo, lets hope it's someone else besides prospal, plus i would rather eat glass than see roenick on the bolts

[TampaDan]

Come on folks, step away from the Kool-Aid for a moment! Every new owner talks all warm and fuzzy at his opening news conference. Try looking beyond the words to the actions: does replacing John Tortorella with Barry Mullet really strike you as being a sound hockey idea? I didn't think so. Hope I'm wrong, but it appears that the circus is in town, and the chief clown is arriving tomorrow.

[David]

I'm actually excited, if they come up with money for an increased payroll we might get to see some entertaining and winning hockey.

[harvey]

Well..............they said all the right things. I'm inclined to believe them. Why set yourself up for negative reaction if you don't produce? They may, or may not, get the players they want. Nevertheless, making a strong effort to improve will not go unnoticed by the faithful.

They can't mention names of course. Before July 1st, that would be considered tampering but I'm sure they have a plan.

This will be interesting to say the least.

[Sharon]

We Need a Goalie!

[Bobby]

"staggeringly active" in free agency sure doesn't sound like a team rolling with a 43-mil payroll. I guess these guys are actually going to spend. Sounds exciting! Would they really go after a Hossa or Malone?

[Mike13]

I guess Ouellett is getting bounced to 3rd/4th line duty if they are looking for a pair of wingers to play along side Stamkos.

For goodness sakes, sign Darche-vader and MacDonald to deals with Norfolk!

[léo]

Wish they coulda given a name.
What free-agent wingers?
Hossa, Holik, Perrault, Nagy, Demitra, Ryder, Satan?, Malone, Roenick?...
Or just Prospal?
Who?!
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

WOW! There going after a pair of wingers to play with Stamkos! It would be awesome to see Malone and Vrbata as his wingers. I'd still like to see them taget a veteran, stay at home defenseman. Welcome to Tampa Bay and we'll get to welcome Barry tomorrow I guess.

[Scott]

Looking forward to the re-birth of this team into a perpetual contender.