Tocchet's first day

Interim Lightning coach Rick Tocchet's first practice this morning was only 45 minutes, but it was very structured and high-energy. From breakouts to chalk talk, everything seemed organized, and you could tell the players felt the intensity, as some were left gasping for air at certain points.

Tocchet made it sound like these kinds of up-tempo workouts would be commonplace and become routine, and he hopes it could energize a group that has struggled with consistency.

Some on-ice changes you'll probably see under Tocchet are there will be shorter shifts (40 seconds or so), in hopes of more intensity per shift and heavy forechecking. 

As for the players, the few we got to talk to seemed to share the responsibility for Friday's firing of Barry Melrose. They said it's an unfortunate part of the business, and that the onus is on them now to spark a turnaround.

Said goaltender Olie Kolzig: "I guess it's easier to fire a coach than trade 20 guys. Obviously, we’re underachieving."

Said Marty St. Louis: "We're all responsible here for what's gone on…We have to look at ourselves in the mirror. Ask yourself if you're doing enough. I don’t think a lot of guys can say that right now."

As for other notes, Tocchet said the chances of Ryan Malone playing Sunday is "slim." He will make the trip but will likely get treatment.

For what it's worth, there were some different line combos at Saturday's practice.. Prospal was back with Lecavalier and St. Louis, Jokinen centered a line with Pettinger and Vrbata, and Stamkos centered a line with Roberts and Recchi.

For more on Tocchet's first day and looking ahead, check out Sunday's Times

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[Brian]

This is the team we have. This is what we have to work with. We need to support the current coaching staff we have. Maybe Tocchett will change the attitude when you come to work. I said before that the guys are tiring out in the third period. We have to compete at the most highest level if we want to get anywhere.We have to work harder faster better stronger.You are right, it's gut check time. Look in the mirror and tell me you are a fierce competitor?

[léo]

Eh, the beauty of sport, SteveR, right?
However, I thought the odds of Theo going down FAR outweighed the odds of Our PP doing the same.
In all fairness though, others (as yourself) called it.
Thing is, Our top 6 guys could EASILY make any PP unit in the league. There's NO reason why We shouldn't put the puck in the net, UNLESS you demand a pointshot.
Well, TAKE OFF the pointshot and DO something else. Talkin' about how successful we were with Streit; well, Streit's gone! So, obviously, the pointshot strategy must be revised since we now have NO pointshotters.
How about wristers from the circle? Or a cycle behind the net for a pass in front? Nearside or farside passouts? Double rushs to the net off a face-off?
MUST it be pointshots for rebounds all the time? Geez Louise...
Now, what do you suggest for Theo?
P.

[Steve R]

leo,

Theo is still on track to bring home the Vezina, it's a lock.....

What jumps to mind is that while you were pretty certain that your PP wouldn't suffer, I was hopeful that Theo wouldn't suck. We were both wrong.

[coach bill]

Leo- It's Jan 27 ( not Dec) vs your team. Does that help? www.vrbo.com (site # 30506)

[léo]

Coach,
Yer killin' me wavin' sunny weather in my face. Uncool. Like I said: D'love to but studies will prevent me. My dad would kill me if he knew I went there and not to Edmonton for the holly-days.
Dec 27th, you say? Guess I could give yehs a ring, how'd that be? For a merry X-Mas and all.
RBC,
Speaking of northern rumors, I heard Tamper wanted to trade Marty for Chris Bosh. Is that true?
SteveR,
Say, did you hear me go on about how losing Souray didn't make no neverind on the PP so why would Streit? Well, I was wrong; whaddaya know.
However, as I'd specified, the PK has improved quite a lot and although the differential isn't as large, it soothes me a bit... Grrr. I hate you, Steve.
How's Theo doin'? Tit for tat, buster.
CNW,
My pleasure, mate. Plenty more where that came from:

Once was O'Byrne on leeway
Who stole a purse in the Bay.
Said his boss Gainey
"I'll forgive you this day-nee
But wipe off the lipstick, ok?"

P.

[Boltflasher]

Coach Bill...see you guys there as well sects 112/114..

[PD]

RBC I love life, I think Koules and Barrie are morons.

Anyone that knows me would not for a second call me a pessimist.

I saw the con from day one. no apologies.

Love to see someone in Tampa with actual money buy the team but its a helluva poor financial proposition.

[coach bill]

rdc- If and when we do have the next happy hour, hope you can make it. We were talking about Dec 18 at Shots from 6-7:30 ( WE being Me Tackleberry,Boltflasher and the Chic and I think Tampa Wine Guy- so far). We haven't really announced it yet. Wait for Damian to put it out in one of his blogs, lest there be no confusion if it's legit. I'll be meeting Tampa Wine Guy in between 1st & 2nd periods Tues night on the concourse between sections 112 & 114. I'll be wearing my Red Sox hat. Stop by. We'll put you on our e-mail list ( Hockey Chic is our recording secretary).

[rbc]

sorry coach bill you were talking to leo, my bad!!!!

[rbc]

Coach bill, thanks, i coach both football and baseball (the things we do for our kids) so i really cannot give you a for sure answer, as baseball will be starting. Thank you though, it would be nice to meet some of you fellow bolt lovers. PD, got to love your tenacity, would it really make you that happy to see the bolts fail? I love watching hockey not only the bolts (bolts being my favorite team), but all teams and i do not wish any team to close up shop and move even the stinking panthers. You sound like a miserable person that really does not enjoy life, all i can say to you as long as the bolts are here, i will enjoy them, and if they close up shop and move, you can pump up your chest and go on with your miserable life knowing you don't have to tell us how stupid we are anymore, will that make you happy? anyway, go bolts and pd i hope you get some help!

[PD]

Flasher why stop there
Only the Caps survive in the SE .

Your point also should consider the owners with wealth and the carpet baggers/

[Boltflasher]

PD, we are all aware that this franchise as well as any other franchise that loses fans, money, and so forth can either fold or move. Enough already, we know. Maybe, it'll succeed also. Lets at least enjoy as best we can having a team here for however long its here, successful or not...

[Boltflasher]

PD, there was alreay an article in which the owners acknowledged the 9500 season tickets and that it was their "mission" so to speak, to bring that back up over the next 2 seasons.
Stop dooming and glooming this franchise and pick on a different one, such as Carolina for a while...

[PD]

Just some rudimenatry logic RBC, if the owners have no money the franchise moves or gets sold.

If it moves it won't be koules to move, he has to pay back Palace and hasnt even started. They get the club back

Ticket seasons tickets are at 9500

Just do some math people.

[coach bill]

Good post RBC. Leo- Was talking with Tampa Wine Guy last night. He wants a happy hour at his wine shop ( 2 mins away from the St Pete Times Centre). We were mulling over a date and Jan 27 vs Montreal came up ( if you cold make it). Whadda ya think? I got room for you and a ticket with your name on it. Check in!

[PF]

Las Vegas Lightning... Kinda' roles off the tongue real nice,don't it? Sounds like a cowboy nickname.Yee Haw ya'll!

[Steve R]

leo,

What ails the Habs PP?

[CNW]

I thought the game was a better game than in the past. There was more energy displayed and I believe as time goes on and there are fewer revolving door players, this team will get better. I do believe we made a mistake in getting rid of Boyle and Luke, but that is over and done with. Get a really good defenseman or two and this team will get better faster. Give Tocchet a chance. Let's see if he can get it right in 16 games. Better to have pulled the plug on Melrose now than in 16 more dismal attempts at his type of coaching.

However, it is never a good idea to hire friends/investors. This gives a really bad taste in fans' mouths. IMHO this is just another way of paying dividends to investors without it coming out of your company's pocket. Also, how are the performance bonuses calculated? This probably did Melrose in (but he should never have been hired in the first place). Time has passed him by as a coach. He was probably hired more for hype than performance with the hope that perhaps, since he can talk a good game, he could pull it off.

Glad to see the MVP line back and getting ice time. They earned their pay yesterday! For all you critics of Vinny's role as captain. Grow up! He has earned it. Not everyone is a drill sgt. type of captain, and it certainly isn't his place to make management decisions. If he says he didn't get Melrose canned, I believe him. If mgt. asked his opinion as to how Melrose was doing, so what. It's his role as captain to give an opinion. That's done everyday in business in evaluating performance of supervisors/employees/middle management.

Leo, love your posts and your "poetry!"

I just herd they want to move the team! Is this true? How can that be?!!I just got my car painted blue,black and silver with a big lightning bolt running down the side.

[rbc]

This team is not going anywhere, You get these morons that have nothing better to do, start rumors (mostly jealous northerners). Remember we have new owners and alot of new players, it will take time. Will mistakes be made, yes as with any new venture, when trying to rebuild something, mistakes will be made. I appreciate the zest that the new owners are trying to put a good product on the ice, they are atleast trying. Some people chide us about our cowboy owners, well we've had all kind of owners here and i for one will take the effort. Some people call the owners, team and community clowns, that's not how you build a winner. Take these people as the fraudsand perrenial losers they are, their are organizations like the leafs that have not built a winner in over 44 years, fly 33, the list goes on. Also teams like the sens, sabs, nucks, caps, flor, colum, nash, wild and i am sure there are some others teams i missed has never won a cup. Who are the jokes people, the sheep like leaf fan who endures year after year of failure and just keeps going back and not requiring a winner. Over the last forty years not one cup winner and yet they tell us how to rebuild, save it putz, i'll wait and see how are cowboy owners do and i won't wait no 44 years.

[Len]

you people are stupid!

[Mike S.]

I thought they played rather well yesterday. As for V4 and the C... well, I was glad Vinny got it, but not so sure he can live up to the responsibilities. I think the Mullet Boy was canned because of an outcry of many, many people not just the players. Hopefully, the intensity they played with yesterday afternoon will continue. It really did seem to be a pretty darned good game.

[kevin]

Why is everybody blaming Vinny? what the hell did he do to get Tortorella fired? if him and Marty are saying that they had nothing to do with Melrose getting fired I believe them. These are guys that have been here for years, I trust them a lot more than the clown named Melrose.

It's sad to see the so called true fans turn their back on the players that have done so much for this team, and rather believe a guys that has only been here for less than 6 months.

I'm sure that they're going to pick up their play now that Melrose is gone, and all the people calling for their heads are going to act like they never said anything bad about them, hipocrites!!!!!

"I just can't understand why they would do this to fail."

That's because they wouldn't, bill. All this "Woe is me, the team is moving" crap is getting tiresome.

People have to pick a side. One group has the team moving because the leaders are know-nothing, ignorant, inept louts; the other has them moving because the leaders are instead diabolically brilliant, camouflaging their original, evil, intricately orchestrated scheme they concocted to move the team all along. Like the leaders on a national level, ya gotta pick either innocent, bumbling incompetence or sinister, lying supergenius. Can't have it both ways.

IMHO after these bumps in the road are behind us the team will be just fine. Amid the turmoil, they went out, played with intensity and earned a point on the road against the division leaders, Smith again allowing only two goals. Come April when the rubber meets the ice I'll take all these these tough single points earned on the road in November when "we shoulda had two if it weren't for the $%#*& goalposts".

God I hate the shootout. After that furiously exciting 4-on-3 in OT, who wouldn't want that intense level of passing and shooting to continue 3-on-3 until the teams decide a winner? Why do we need to kick them off the ice, they were doing great. IMO the virtual coin-flip thing is dopey.

[BoltsFan]

This team sucks,but the owners really suck!!

[Boltflasher]

Come on people, stop the conspiracy talk...owners and management don't intentionally run their teams into the ground. Incompetence, ineptitude, or amateurish maybe, but conspiracy, no. Even Dan Sillio was saying only 13,000 at StPete Times Forum last night!!??? ...the game was IN Carolina, a team that IS teetering on financial collpase...

[jiffy]

Many of the same mistakes being made yesterday, however there was noticably more effort on the parts of certain players- most notably V4 and Vrbata. (Sweet pass to St. Louis for his goal.)Power play in OT was pathetic and if they could have the 4-5 minutes back in the 2nd period they would have come away with the win.

[coach bill]

Tosha- I'm with you on the pain we are going through. And most of us will stick it out because we love this game and this IS our team ( our only team within 150 miles). But something many are saying just doesn't add up (to me).Why would OK buy this team and spend so much $ on it, and do some great things for the fans?[ The Icefest was awesome-2 practices,player availability,all drinks(even beer)-$1.00, food, all kinds of games on the midway (oops...patio), rock band on stage,stick around when it was over to watch the Bucs game on TV still @ $1.00 beers, etc.] That doesn't seem to mean they want to fail and move. And why Las Vegas? That's a tourist town, with bettors that I don't think would want to go to a hockey game. They had a team in the IHL that didn't do well and went under quickly.I just can't understand why they would do this to fail.

[Tosha]

I'm starting to think with Koules connections to the Los Angeles area and being out west, that he might just be having this team do what he wants it to do. Think about it, if you have an unsucessful team on the ice as well as not to mention disorder and chaos all around you; it's going to lead to falling ticket sales and a diminishing fan base. Which in the end could result in Koules perhaps original plan of seeing the 'LAS VEGAS LIGHTNING'. As we know Las Vegas is a huge town, and yes it's a sorta entertainment capital of the US with it's shows (and lately all the Bolts are is one big Soap Opera on ice), and we've heard before how many people have thought an ice hockey team in Vegas might just work. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Lightning in Vegas within 10 years!
I hate this for this team more than anything, I've been a fan since 1998 when my college room mate led me to the Lightning (because she was a Dead Wings fan). And I stayed right buy with merchandise thru the bad times and the Cup times; but I have to admit my addition of a Lecavalier #4 womens jersey is on HOLD this Xmas. As I don't want to give these clowns another penny. Now I love horror movies, I grew up on them... But I like the old ones, not this new gore and blood crap Koules makes... Anyone producing those, I knew from the start couldn't do a good job with my Bolts. I wish the area of Tampa could have gotten together, paid in some money and made this a community owned sports team. I know that's a dream, but imagine if it were run by those of us that actually truly do have more NHL intelligence than the owners and GM. You know you're having a bad NHL season when you long for the days of Rick (Dudley) as even he knew to give a coach more than 16 games. UGH. I guess I'll sadly be safer hoping the Leafs and Kubina pull off a better season than the Bolts (and I wanted it to be the other way around).
For the record, if the owners buy Sundin; then consider this team CURSED. As he might be beloved by some, but he's held Toronto hostage with his retire/play talk; and to be perfectly honest that teams played better WITHOUT HIM. If we think Vinny is a silent captain without leadership, well even thou Sundin talked the only motivation he had was for his team to lose so he could get back to Sweden and Fish.
Can we have a burning of SAW movies in front of the forum? Davidson... Come back, even your tightness with money didn't break my heart quite like these new owners are.

I'm starting to think with Koules connections to the Los Angeles area and being out west, that he might just be having this team do what he wants it to do. Think about it, if you have an unsucessful team on the ice as well as not to mention disorder and chaos all around you; it's going to lead to falling ticket sales and a diminishing fan base. Which in the end could result in Koules perhaps original plan of seeing the 'LAS VEGAS LIGHTNING'. As we know Las Vegas is a huge town, and yes it's a sorta entertainment capital of the US with it's shows (and lately all the Bolts are is one big Soap Opera on ice), and we've heard before how many people have thought an ice hockey team in Vegas might just work. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Lightning in Vegas within 10 years!
I hate this for this team more than anything, I've been a fan since 1998 when my college room mate led me to the Lightning (because she was a Dead Wings fan). And I stayed right buy with merchandise thru the bad times and the Cup times; but I have to admit my addition of a Lecavalier #4 womens jersey is on HOLD this Xmas. As I don't want to give these clowns another penny. Now I love horror movies, I grew up on them... But I like the old ones, not this new gore and blood crap Koules makes... Anyone producing those, I knew from the start couldn't do a good job with my Bolts. I wish the area of Tampa could have gotten together, paid in some money and made this a community owned sports team. I know that's a dream, but imagine if it were run by those of us that actually truly do have more NHL intelligence than the owners and GM. You know you're having a bad NHL season when you long for the days of Rick (Dudley) as even he knew to give a coach more than 16 games. UGH. I guess I'll sadly be safer hoping the Leafs and Kubina pull off a better season than the Bolts (and I wanted it to be the other way around).
For the record, if the owners buy Sundin; then consider this team CURSED. As he might be beloved by some, but he's held Toronto hostage with his retire/play talk; and to be perfectly honest that teams played better WITHOUT HIM. If we think Vinny is a silent captain without leadership, well even thou Sundin talked the only motivation he had was for his team to lose so he could get back to Sweden and Fish.
Can we have a burning of SAW movies in front of the forum? Davidson... Come back, even your tightness with money didn't break my heart quite like these new owners are.

[Hockey Chic]

Morning Fellow Posters,

It appears our imposter is back but we all know who is who on here so lets keep up the chatter.

I was on the road to Ft myers for the tourney and low and behold I get a text message that says Melrose out Tocchet is in. I gotta say that got a wooo hoo from the chic.

I was not in the room or on the bench but just from the training camp and times I have seen practice it seemed like some of the guys did not buy in to him being the coach. I think they gave it their all but I think OK and others saw that it was not working.

Besides anyone who is anyone knows that you do not hnag your players out to dry. You do not chide or talk bad about someone your are supporting and depending upon. TWG thanks for the translation and I really do not care if it was MSL or V4 or anyone else the mullet had to go. Adios muchacho...

I get to see the replay of MSL goal and the 2nd and third period. Seemed like the guys had some fire in their skating. Way to go Bolts. We will take the point and go from there.

By the way the tourney was rough for my team. As a whole our team made some forward progress so we will take that and go on from there.

See you guys at the game.. Go Bolts!!!

[Larry David]

Anyone catch Lawton in between periods ?

He looks like a punk with terrible hair and a 2 day beard, what a bum.

[PD]

Ethnic cleasing night Don?

The guy should be Ted Nolan or Paul Maurice.

[Don in St. Pete]

To those of you saying make Andreychuck coach, I have a bit of a warning. As much as I adnire Andy, he is not yet a coach. He has no system and is a child of the pre-lockout clutch and grab. We need a next gen coach ( and Tocchet probably isn't it ), I'm not sure who it could be, but none of the old retreads strike me as having a significant grasp of the new NHL. As the old saying goes, you can't teach and old dog new tricks. To the imposter and non-bolt fans including PD, please go blog elsewhere.

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss......"

[léo]

"So they told RDS."
Rest is bang-on.
Recchi?
All I've ever said about Recchi is that he's a coattail rider.
I stand by that.
P.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Leo: From Goggle Translator (verbatim):

Players star Tampa Bay Lightning, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis, refuted the allegations of their former coach Barry Melrose. Because they had to say RDS.ca.

Melrose said on CBC Saturday that his dismissal was the result of pressure from his players to management. Lecavalier argues that it is a lie.

"These are false accusations. I've never heard of a player who complained to the owners,''was content to say St. Louis who had got wind of what his former coach.

Vincent Lecavalier on its side wanted explained. "It's a lie. I never talked to the owners of this situation or that of the team. I was very surprised when I learned Friday that he had lost his job. I clearly said Barry Melrose that I was dissatisfied with my ice time a few weeks ago, but the conversation has not gone further. "

Peace.......TWG

[PD]

I'l take a stab Leo.
Vinny and Marty squirming and denying having played any part. Vinny says he had an issue about ice time but that was old news. Not his fault.

Accept even if its by been being passive aggresive, he has had a hand in getting two coaches canned tying him with the real rat in the room, Rechi.

Why dont you tell the boys and girls about Recchi Leo?

[Herb]

I meant "due to"

[Herb]

I have full season tickets and I still plan to go Tuesday and Friday. I love the Bolts, but I am disgusted, that they are not very good. They are the same team as last year in that they can't hold a lead. Last year they were great on not giving up many shots but they lose do to goaltending. This year they have goaltending but lack a scoring punch.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

It's fairly obvious that the 7:32 post is not mine. It is intended to confuse and confound. Nice try, impostor...TWG

[léo]

Vinny and Marty's rebuttal:
(In French though)
http://www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/263697.html
Hey, you shoulda learned French; whaddaya want from me?
I ain't translatin' nuttin!
Unless you ask nice.
P.

[ben bolt fan]

So firing Melrose solved all this teams problams. It is not the coaching, this team lacks talent. There best player is Mike Smith in the net. They have played Carolina two times and both games this team had a two goal lead and lost both of them. A point for a shoot out loss is still a loss. 5 wins in 16 games means more trades come February.
The GM is not good at evaulating talent and even worst at finding a good coach. Were is the toughness on this team. Oh yea they were traded.
I am stil going on Friday tough. Love this game and this team.

[Herb]

Another game and another loss....oh wait a minute, there are some who think a SO loss is a win because they gain a single point.

Come on guys and gals, think about it for one second. The motive behind the imposter. Pretty easy to think who it is.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Coach Bill...112/114 Tuesday....you'll know this post is mine.

7:26 was not my post, 7:08 and 7:05 were....and now I have been "hijacked" as well. Flasher, Olin, Herb, HC, CB, Tackleberry, Lightning Rod, and others know when I post.

Thanks imposter, proud to be hijacked as well, and hopefully see you locked out soon.....TWG

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Not me on the last two posts. I would have correctly said, "at least WE who read often." Impostor needs grammar lessons. TWG

[Boltflasher]

Thanks, TWG. I always found you to be an astute analyst of all things bloggy.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Oh, and Flasher, we can tell when you are being hijacked, at least us who read often.....TWG

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Much better effort tonight, hope it continues Tuesday. We will turn this thing around. The intensity was there for more of the game than previous.

CB, nice chatting with you tonight, see you Tuesday....when we avenge the loss against the turds.......TWG