OK Hockey: The Lightning stays in Tampa

Oren Koules and Len Barrie took a quick 10 minutes Sunday night to speak about their intentions for the Lightning, most of which will come out in a news conference Monday at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Both, primary investors in OK Hockey, an ownership group that will pay $200-million for the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5.5 nearby acres, said the first thing they will address on Monday is that they have no intention of moving the team.

"It's not even an option," said Koules, the Hollywood producer.

"It's not even an option," Barrie, the former NHLer, said at the same time.

Barrie spoke of several late-season games, against the Rangers and Bruins, in which the arena was packed, and a Tuesday night game in which, "I was just so thrilled with the enthusiasm in the arena on a Tuesday night. ... I love this area. I loved playing in Florida when I was with the Panthers. It's my favorite spot to live.

"This is a lifetime investment, a family-long kind of thing, nothing else for both of us."

Other points:

- Neither denied Barry Melrose will be named head coach. The original thought was OK Hockey would wait till Tuesday to make the official announcement. But knowing Koules' and Barrie's desire to hit the ground running, hockey's worst-kept secret may even be announced Monday.

- How fast wil the Vinny Lecavalier contract extension be done? Koules said he and Barrie had lunch with the superstar center on Sunday in Montreal to make sure the momentum of the apparently progressing contract talks doesn't falter.

"And Vinny bought," Koules said. "Leave it at that.

It is believed the extension could be announced in early July.

- Koules confirmed what has been widely believed, that GM Jay Feaster will "fit in."

- Koules said the rest of the ownership group will be announced Monday.

- Koules said the financial deal could already have closed but they are waiting for June 30 because that is the final day of the fiscal year, which will make the books easier to transfer.

- Koules said the team will be "very, very active" in free agency.

- Barrie said both he and Koules will buy places in Tampa. Koules said the pair, which will share the running of the team, will be "accessible and accountable to the fans." They said they will walk among them between periods of games and set up a e-mail account on which fans can ask questions. There will be a town hall meeting.

"It's not like we're going to be behind some glass shield," Koules said. "There's no separation here."

Perhaps we hear more on Monday.

Comments

[Boltflasher]

Don, the other teams 3rd and 4th lines outplayed the Bolts nearly every game...these are the names that were out there...we need new guys on those lines as well as wingers for Stamkos. Also,Gratton was a major disappointment as were several others...coaching and philosophy may be helpful, but Gratton was not worth the first 2nd round pick in this most recent draft. Can't change the past but we can change the now and I am reluctant to resign some of these guys...

[Don in St. Pete]

Boltflasher, they will likely all be given 2 way contracts. It's important to have organizational depth and say what you want about these guys imagine how bad we would have been with other guys without NHL experience. While I understand you wanting more scoring, not every player on every line can be a 20 goal scorer. The payroll would be $65 mil and the Lightning would be out of business. Darche was one of our best forecheckers, penalty killers and defenders in the second half last year. Janik was not nearly as bad as some of you try to make him out to be. He was only a minus 3 but Tort's hated him.

[matt]

Impressive press conference. Both guys are really hyped to own this team. Both guys want to make a winner out of the Bolts again. Prospal is a done deal, they want to get at least 1 if not 2 new players to help Stamkos. All Bolt fans should be extremely excited

[Boltflasher]

Don, the names Darche, McDonald, Lessard, and Janik make me shudder...please don't mention them for the major league roster...these guys should all be signed to minor league contracts if at all and be the call-up guys during injuries...

[Boltflasher]

"Lighting to shoot for the moon" per Feaster this morning as regards free agent spending: http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/tbl080623.html

With this OK and Barrie havequickly gone out of their way since being approved to clear up some rumours:
1. Vinny is staying
2. The Bolts are staying
3. They have sent a message out that this will be a class organization, hence the draft pick of Carle
4. The organization will spend what it has to and free agents are welcome

Its at least a good start...lets keep our fingers crossed....

[Don in St. Pete]

I'm encouraged by the statements in the times this morning. Koules said they would be " really,really active " during the free agency period which doesn't necessarily mean they sign the highest price guys, but it sounds like they'll be trying to get the most they can for their money which is okay by me. I'd rather have 4 $ 1.5 mil - $3 mil guys that 1 at $8 mil and a couple $500,000 AHL players. I think we can safely believe they will sign Prospal, Gratton, a 2 way winger, a stay at home defenseman, Craig, Darche and McDonald as depth players, and probably Lessard and Janik to 2 way contracts to play at Norfolk.

[Hockey Chic]

Okay guys I like it so far. We got stamkos like they said we would, they are talking about spending money which is a real plus for a team that was holding together with a shoe string budget prior to this.

Oh and wait they want to walk amoungst the fans.. Get out of here. Sounds like they may love the game as much as we do guys.

Ajax you are starting to worry me (Rosies in hand) I am witcha brother. I hated the last two season and want nothing better than the cup for this team and if it means Mullet head lets see what he can do.

Put up or shut up Barry. Oh and the next time you say something about the Bolts makes sure it is positive. I have three hockey sticks at home get it...

Lets see what you can do Melrose...OK is getting my vote and I am 100% behind this team and the new ownership.

Lets Go Bolts!!!

[JOEY]

How many of you on this post have played pro hockey? These guys know more than you can imagine and they care - that alone is worth more than you can imagine. They may not win another cup right away, but it won't be fock lack of trying and passion.

[Herb]

The one thing that makes me weary about their intentions as owners is having entertaining thoughts or indeed make up their minds as to name Barry Mullethead as the coach. That notion makes me sick to my stomach. He is a complete moron and I personally think that is a HUGE mistake. I can only offer MY opinion of the matter. Melrose never once gave the Bolts any chance in the '04 playoffs from the first round all the way through to game 7 of the finals.

[Phil J.]

OH MY GOD! Owners we will actually SEE for a change? No Kokusai Green Limited or Mr. Davidson who never even came down for the Stanley Cup run! WOW!

[goalman]

It works this way. You spend to the cap. The GM makes smart use of the money. The team plays well and goes deep into the playoffs. The ticket prices can then go up, but most fans renew and the franchise is on its way

[slapshot]

these guys know what their talking about.

[bear]

CAP Halleliulla Ajax!

It's taking a big jump so Bolts have to really spend to keep up.

Will or won't will be the trick.

Ill be surprised if they even get to 50.

[ajax]

Rosies in hand, and I have hated the last two years, you just got to give them the benefit of the doubt. I know I know I know, I will probably get slapped real hard in the next few weeks, but enthusiasm sometimes goes a long long way. The clincher for me will be when they sign not one but two solid D men. I saw Chris Kelly signed for a little over 2 million per year. This should be a real wake up for Jay or whoever is the real GM. The guy is a player. An integral part of Ottawa and yes he is not a goal scorer. He does all the little things that you need to win, and you don't have to write a blank check, you just have to somehow know that a hockey team is 20 pieces of a beautiful puzzle. 5 Highly paid pieces don't finish a puzzle, you need all 20 pieces to blend in every way: talent, grit, Dmen, forwards and yes payroll. Let's hope the Hollywood boys know we need a complete team, not headlines. Signing VL4 to a life time contract is great, but not if we still have 8 minimum wage players on the bottom of the roster. My Xmas wish has been narrowed to one thing this year. They spend near the cap.

[jrweber25]

DC, what will happen to Ron Campbell? Is he going to be retained by the organization or will he be let go? IMO, he has done the most out of all off-ice personnel to sell the sport in this market, is a valuable member of the community and is truly a class act.

[bear]

I'm sorry did he say he is going to spend to 58 Mill Cap? I missed it.

I doubt "overspending" will be an issue here...

[Don in St. Pete]

I like the planning so far. I wish they would start posting some of their plans on the team website. I'm convinced that staff has already prepared a recommended list of Free Agents for the owners. I feel certain they'll sign Prospal and go after a stud to play with SS on the second line, maybe Malone, Vrbata oe Huselius. I'm guessing we'll have a little clearer direction on their intents after the press conference tomorrow.

[dave]

everything sounds good and great so far, lets hope they back is, and i believe they will.

One scary thought is they might want to win so bad they overspend. We have seen how teams in the past can overspend on players and it kicks them in the A later on. But it seems they have lots of passion.

[bill]

i agree, these guys have the potential to be really good owners

these guys seem pretty good lets see what they do in fa