Lightning hosts May 11 open house

The biggest news coming out of the meeting will be the expected introduction of Rick Tocchet as Lightning head coach without the "interim" tag. But lots of other stuff going on

From the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning will host a “Town Hall Meeting” on Monday, May 11 at the St. Pete Times Forum from 6-9 p.m.  The event is free and open to the general public with special features for season ticket holders.

Beginning at 6 p.m. there will be a used equipment sale on the arena floor of the St. Pete Times Forum.  Items to be sold were formerly used by Lightning players.  Assistant Equipment Managers Rob Kennedy and Clay Roffer will be available to answer any questions.  The equipment sale will close at 7 p.m. and reopen after the question and answer session, which will also be taking place on the arena floor.  Lightning defenseman Andrej Meszaros will sign autographs from 6-7 p.m.

The question and answer session will begin around 7 p.m.  Owner and Governor Oren Koules , Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton and Coach Rick Tocchet will answer questions from fans in a town hall format.  There will be reserved seating for season ticket holders.  There will be multiple microphones available for all fans to ask questions.

There will be plenty more to do after the question and answer session.  The Lightning Locker Room will open for tours, including tours of the medical room by Head Athletic Trainer Tom Mulligan and Assistant Athletic Trainer Mike Poirier.  Kennedy and Roffer will also be on hand to answer general questions about the locker room.  Tocchet and defenseman Paul Ranger will also be available for autographs from 8-9 p.m.

All fans must check in at the Jeep Club Entrance before entering the event.  Free parking will be available in the VIP East and West Lots on a first come, first served basis.

Season ticket holders can meet their client sales manager in the XO VIP Club or have their questions answered by Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brad Lott and his staff on the event floor.

All fans arriving at the event will receive a mini-bobble head and have an opportunity to enter to win game-worn jerseys from Evgeny Artyukhin, Ryan Malone and Ryan Craig as well as tickets to other events at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Once inside, fans can take photos with ThunderBug, play in the inflatable shootout and joust games, and check out the youth hockey table.  Lightning merchandise will be on sale for up to 50 percent off the retail price.  There will also be free snack mix, popcorn, soda and water, while hotdogs and beer will each be $1.

Lightning Hockey Night, the Lightning’s weekly radio show, will air live from the event on 620 WDAE from 7-9 p.m.  The show will be hosted by former Lightning players, and Stanley Cup Champions, Dave Andreychuk and Chris Dingman.

And speaking of Andreychuk, the Lightning's former captain, now a community representative for the team, was re-appointed by governor Charlie Crist to the  Governor's Council on Physical Fitness.

Comments

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Good afternoon Poolers,bloggers

we have, right now the final countdown for Ze Round numero 2

Tonight's game folks, will, maybe light up the scoreboard for the poolers

Chicago and pittsburg is trying to put away ze opponent.

we shall see

I review the poolers teams picks today

And OH My BOLTFLASHER !! how do you do it ?

Do you have a voodoo doll or something?gezzz lolllll

Also Great options , by the poolers on picks many peoples have great picks,

that would be fun to see, the finish line on poolers challenge R2 comming up very soon folks.

you always can see the pick of poolers on our tampa bay website on video cam shot picks at

http://tampahockeypool.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

Fantastic pictures you guys sent me wow keep it up !

fell free to send me your pics of you,hockey bolts game live,fishing in florida (i love fishing in florida)

before hockey season playoffs ends,

i will put your nick on it

have fun it's a must peopleeeeee

Cadeau30@hotmail.com

Karma
I love that pic with the Corona mister,

You rock man

Twg

Thanks Buddie looking foward

Patrick

Way to go mister

fire up pictures on tampa blog
and please don't be shy no fun at that live the moment ;)

E A Sports It's in Ze game baby yeah

[PD]

John Romano hits it out of the park in the SPT today talking about the town hall tonight:
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article999768.ece

"When you're writing a blueprint for favorable ownership, that's an exceptional start. But naturally, it is not enough. You can't spend money you don't have, and bold gets old when the moves do not work.

So it'd be nice to hear an open discussion about the economic climate. Co-owner Len Barrie downplayed the team's financial problems when I talked to him last week, but the signs do not add up.

This team is carrying close to $100 million in loans, which means considerable debt payments. It also has seen its attendance drop dramatically, which means less revenue.

Considering the previous owner, Palace Sports and Entertainment, claimed it was losing a ton of money with less debt and more attendance, it would stand to reason the new owners are drowning in losses. Unless Palace Sports was fibbing. (Possible.) Or unless Koules and Barrie are trying to hide their problems."

Simple deductive logic really.

[PD]

Chillin and willin Patrick.

Nice shot of you at Jellystone National Park

You should have asked Yogi Bear to join the blog, thats all we are missing.

[Coach Bill]

Tampa Wine Guy- That was a great time at the beach last week. We'll do it again in the fall. Thanks for buying dinner Sat. night and to Flasher for taking us out for breakfast Sunday morning. Keep in touch (esp. if you want to bring your families soon).
Casper- thanks for the supplies and Karen, hope you got your papers graded.
Tackleberry- are you back from the Persian Gulf yet?
Wallbangers- We were thinking of a roadtrip to Norfolk next season. We'll talk about it when The Wall appears again.

[Don in St. Pete]

Oldtimer, I wholeheartedly agree. These kind of incidents were few and far between in the old days ( before the instigator ) because a player knew he was going to get the snot beat out of him, whether he dropped the gloves or not. 9 times out of 10 a player who made a dirty hit couldn't even count on help from his teammates at least until he was beaten senseless. Now the team instigator is usually a celebrity or fan favorite, not for excelling on the ice but for goading opposing teams into stupid penalties. OV can do no wrong, this is the NHL's shining moment of this round and they'll milk it for what it's worth.
I will reiterate that I think any hit to the head, whether it's an elbow, forearm, shoulder or intentional stick, should be a five minute minor and a game misconduct. For example the hit OV made on Heward earlier in the season was a high elbow though it was made worse when Heward lowered his head looking for the puck. The fact remains OV went into the corner looking to hurt Heward if he could and could have eased up when Heward lowered his head to look for the puck. Bettman can't have it both ways. Either he has to improve the players ability to police themselves ( revoke the instigator rule ) or increase the penalties for the blatant high hits that are attempts to injure ( like the nasty buttend to the mask that Kunitz dealt Varlamov ). I think if the rules better protected a player from serious injury, that you'd see less fighting and dirty plays because the players would feel less need for retribution and the extended power plays would make the dirty hits a risky proposition. I also think more needs to be done to protect the goaltenders. The Bolts opponents this year took full advantage of our injured and inexperienced D to run Smitty ( and later Ramo and McKenna ) every chance they got. Even the blatant violations were rarely called or were labeled incidental contact. I think players should be penalized for any contact with the goalie in the crease unless they were pushed there by the defensive team. This would be a more black and white call for officials who've been left to operate in a gray area for too long while goalies get hurt and franchise's seasons are put in jeopardy.

[Patrick]

Marki,

Nice addition to the website, adding faces to the online personalities.

Thumbs up to Olin's blueline.

PD, you look like you were chillin' in the picture. If only you chillin' when you were postin' a little more.

TWG - nice rack.

[oldtimer]

Hi everyone.

Well, the open house is tomorrow. Has any word been given in regards to Tocchet's status? I hope they announce his contract tomorrow, I'd like to see him here with a whole training camp.

Watching lots of great playoff action but I sure wish the Bolts were in it.

Hated the Ovechkin hit on Gonchar. I've said it before but this guy is a dirty player. (Gonchar's agent apparently agrees)

I can't understand why nobody makes this guy drop the gloves! Iginla drops em, Vinny drops em. If Ovie wants to be a great all-around player and he wants to be physical then fine, bring the whole package!

Someone should just kick his A**!

I can't stand some of the cheap dirty play I've seen lately in a lot of the series. I guess when the Caps season ends next game we'll have to watch the dirty punks on the Pens like Matt Cooke some more.

Geez, when will it end?

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Marki...

I tip my hat to you, the site you developed is great. I've been reading, just not much to say lately. Really enjoying playoff hockey, nice change from what we "enjoyed" this past campaign at SPTF.

I will walk over to this open house tomorrow night. Don't know if any other bloggers plan to attend. I will be happy to take notes and report back any significant happenings (not holding my breath).

Coach Bill, thanks again for opening up your home last weekend. I needed the weekend away (but not sunburn that came with sitting at the beach!) It was a blast.

Not crazy about the announcement of a preseason game in Winnepeg..............TWG

[Don in St. Pete]

Marki, For you and the bloggers I've yet to meet, I'll send the pic. To PD souting the drivel, get a life man. If you hate the Bolts so much why waste your time posting. Go live on a Leafs blog and hope that in another 43 years, maybe you'll win a cup.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Olin

new Lightning blueline picture is a winner !! that is for sure lollll

hehe can't put the blue line winner on the tampa poolers web site as you know funny stuff indeed.

Nice picture you send me

are you from sweeden ?

fantastic other pic

I will put them in random with others on the site,

nice work there buddie thanks

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Olin

It's on the site take a look

http://tampahockeypool.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

Karma
Fire up baby

[karma]

God I love playoff hockey! This is simply my favorite time of the year with some awesome second round games...

On the Forum, or as I still prefer to call it: "the Ice Palace", 6 years ago the Lightning games were simply referred to as 42 bad nights -- no profit to be had. It's still one of the top venues in the Country, but the Team doesn't really get that much money from concerts. Promoters buy out the building, and sometimes the team must even pay for the event! (think Springsteen) They get to keep concessions/parking/ etc., but at least the building has people in it.

Last year was a terrible year, but we were 8th in the League in attendance? Drop 2000/game and we're 22nd? Time for Lennie to admit that he needs to be a silent partner (most of us still hate anyone who ever played for the Stinkin' Panthers, Boyler excluded, of course.) And Oren, please, this is YOUR team, take the fricken' lead already...

I have better things to do with my evening than to go to an open house. I've been to them before, and it's just a dog and pony show. In my book, Actions speak louder than Words. They need to start acting soon...(and I still can't believe some of the bad moves they've made with personnel in the past month. !0 years of great community outreach, PR and charitable work simply flushed away...)

And to Marcus, you rock. Thanks for the great web site. I have a few pictures to get you...

Karma

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

ok mister fire up :)

[olin]

....ok marki, I gonna send you some. Pay special attention to new Lightning blueline. Winner's for sure.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Ajax

It's ok let's move on take a chill pill for now, season almost over soon

Send me you pic buddie so i can put it on the site

Cadeau30@hotmail.com

picture on blog
that is so cool, we can see faces now don't you agree ?

[ajax]

Marki...you haven't been around long enough to filter thru the BS....ya see, some people in 2008 despised everything about the Lightning...especially Feaster and Richards and Palace....this year they hate Lawton, Vinny and Koules...with one little asterisk....now they post how wonderful Feaster Brad and Palace would be to have back...either they have a serious case of amnesia or they are just flat out Bullshirters...you tell me....the rest of us already know...

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Lady,s and Gentleman

The pictures Album is up and running on our tampa bay web site poolers

So far i got Marki,PD, And Oldtimer

Take a look of the album

http://tampahockeypool.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

2wayCenter your pic did not load resent that to me

i have space on email don't worry send me the best quality Meg/k pic you have

anybody's who want's to send me ther pics fire away you will be on the tampa web site with your nick on the picture

[Boltflasher]

Also, there was talk at the time that Mario would be traded or retire so the team could meet payroll...

[Boltflasher]

CNW, Mario Lemieux headed an investment group that bought the Penguins in 1999, and he returned to play in 2000, scoring 35 goals as he led his team to the playoffs.

[cnw]

Patrick, if I remember past blogs correctly, I don't believe players can invest in teams while playing. After retirement, it would be okay. This logic sounds correct and wouldn't result in a conflict of interest.

But secondly, why in the world would Vinny even think of investing one cent in the Bolts? Don't forget this is management that is trying to trade him (remember Lawton calling Bob Gainey and asking for a trade? Even though Lawton has denied this, I believe Gainey any day over Lawton.) Around Dec/Jan there was speculation that Vinny would not receive his $500K bonus due him, but later it was paid.
This is the same as investing in the company you work for knowing that you will be fired the next day. At least, I wouldn't make that kind of investment, who knows maybe some would.

Everyone wants this group to be successful. Except for 2004, prior management wasn't too great either. But after reading SI's article, this seems to be par for the course. Ok has spent a ton of money on the team, but look how that went! So many, many mistakes. Even if an additional investor is found, has Ok learned their lesson or would more of the same prevail.

More ticket sales need to take place; that is what these PR meetings are about. But a sure fire way to get more ticket sales is to put an end to all the speculation that is going on and get an NHL team on the ice. I believe Coach Bill said it best in the investor article - offense brings in fans, defense win games. In this day and age, you have to have star power to drag in fans and get them to spend money - that's Vinny! With the added attraction of Stamkos, this is a PR firm's dream. Maybe that's what they need to do - hire an outside PR firm.

How about that hit Ovie did on Gonchar! Of course, Ovie won't be suspended. If after hitting with an elbow and putting Heyward out of the game for the rest of the season and not even a slap on the wrist, why would the league penalize Ovie? Ovie hasn't done too much since Crosby questioned the legal curve of Ovie's stick!

Way to go Jussi - boy, the Bolts really made another good move when they got rid of him - at least for Jussi!

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

PD

Thanks buddie got your pic

i will start Bloggers picture on the poolers web site i will a put a couple
of mine me with the ft-myers florida gang also in there

everybody welcome sent me your pic to put on the web site

Cadeau30@hotmail.com

Pic will be up tonight will take pic before hockey season end.

Send it there

Cadeau30@hotmail.com

[Patrick]

Boltflasher,

Getting Vinny to help with his own salary is a great idea. I hope someone mentions it to ownership if they haven't already tried.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

PD

Be nice just let it go dosen't matter
it's all about fun here come on

Picture book on the web site before season end.

send hockey pic, game pic in tampa,fishing in florida, any pic i would do a book on the web site

Cadeau30@hotmail.com

would that be fun to see or not ?

[Boltflasher]

Another question for Bolts in addition to Potvin is, did anyone talk to Vinny about him being an "investor", i.e. Lemieux-esque scenario, to help with his own salary...

[PD]

Sounds like our resident oracle is experiencing a meltdown Marki.
His TMPD health condition has returned with a vengence.

Odd that he should mention the past profitabilty of the Forum.

OK fired and cutback on everything there too including the key people that made the bookings. They are considerably down.

OK Hockey is down to fumes now.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

2way

Check your email if you have pictures of fishing tarpon snooky etc. send it there.

i will make a picture thing on our web site hockey tampa poolers to see from bloggers

Anybody else that have picture who wants them on the web site now is the time to do it,
send it to me

My email is Cadeau30@hotmail.com

sent your pic there with your nick name i will make a picture book from the lightning strike blog.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Ajax

Your are not really feeling good these days

i am worry about you my friend

[ajax]

By the way, wasn't the Forum the number one revenue producing arena in the whole world last year??? Maybe Bettman is running that too..haha hehe...I read here about 5 zillion times where Palace would be taking the team back by Xmas...which Xmas?? haha hehe....And I just read this from the official Toronto "Hockey Gods" ...Lenny won't be at the meeting because he is washing Bettman's car before he heads to Vancouver for bankruptcy court...haha hehe...

[ajax]

On the Atlanta blog I am sure some idiots have been writing about them moving for 7 years...probably another twin idiot on the Florida blog for 10 years....if you predict bad news everyday of your life...one day..in a month....two years...five years...some of your predictions come true and you get to go to lunch and tell everyone...I am so smart...I predicted this for the last 5 years......brilliant...

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

2way

well to late

check are in the mail
and yes it's the way it goes in the nhl profit sharing.

and that is a good thing ,not my money not yours not pd money,let those money machine teams hockey club pitch in,

that is way fine with me.

Better days will come from TB

And profit sharing, in my book is

Enjoy hockey from any place in North America.

Hope the front office play ther cards good now.

[2WayCenter]

Marki - I was just teasing our friend PD. OK has the sweetest arena deal in the league. We should not have to ask our friendly northern neighbors for help.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

bettman would not let TB go away that would represente Failure from him.

Viva profit Sharing let's get another 16 mil from toronto and 16 mil from montreal in TB

Yeah baby lollllll

[2WayCenter]

They have already cut 10 out of the on ice salary. Who knows how much they save turning the ac up to 80, and what about the employee parking windfall?

Some of that is tongue in cheek, but really, you know how much Bettman likes us. He will find a few more million for his sun belt poster child;) And you know it!

[PD]

Well that's the real problem 2way, the 30 million in losses is over and above revenue share checks of 15 million.

Zero chance that goes on for much longer.

[2WayCenter]

PD - No Bettman, and the Leafs will subsidize. Thank you!

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

2Way

I am impress Fantastic post,

Draft Draft Rebuilt Coaching KEY's right now form in house player

IF, i say if The front office keep the little fancy nose out off the ice and bring experience coaching in D that will make Ze difference for 2-3 years to come

If they do that TB could become a weapon in competition in the NHL

Buil from INSIDE with the new regulation caps,etc.... it's a must now,

the owner has do the right move,

Let's put those seasons behind us and rebuilt,

Cheer the TEAM, be patient does not come over night, it's The Grinder show now,your a real fan you stick around period.

Let's hope Front office play ther cards correctly,

*As fans, we have a *penchant* for the the famous names*

i see you got some french in you mister i like the word Penchant ;)

Yes they do well it's normal but the bolts right now need to think about *team* work

Bravo A+ on that post buddie

[PD]

Two Way, laudable plan but who pays for more losses 30 million a year for the foreseeable future..Lenny?

If they were actually going to hire Potvin, they should put him in the lineup..he'd probably outperform the nameless serfs employed now.

[2WayCenter]

Assuming that Denny Potvin will want to be well paid, I think it is a pretty good bet that he will find employment outside the Bay area. Well, ...unless that Dubai thing comes thru... Look for someone you never heard of to be named defensive coach.

Same thing for Jussi, no time wait and help him fit/develop. It was a salary dump - pure and simple: effort to get them into the league revenue share. Jeez... they waived him twice.

Like Flasher, Don and others say, we are going to have to do this through the draft. More fun that way anyway, it is always great to see the homegrown kids come through and make an impact.

That is how the Red Sox did it. 10 years ago, they focused on youth and on base percentage. They refused to trade their prospects that fit into their strategy. Now they spend their money on pitching and let their high priced problems go away, ie. Manny.

As fans, we have a penchant for the the famous names, both in coaching and free agency. But what we need and can afford is youth, commitment and talent. Throw in a long-term master plan and I'm on board to support my hometown underdog team.

[PD]

Umm..why isn't Lenny going to be there?

Olin..no Fins no wins, Jussi that? the Finnish Line.
The guy's on fire , 3 game winners

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Good Morning Poolers ,bloggers

Oh My Oh My Carolina on the run whoopy-dopy who would of call that

3-1 the upset folks ?

3/28 has carolina in ther pool hmmm

the score board of pool challege would be lighting up soon

Some of the poolers got some serious option there, that sould be interesting, who come up on top

Pitts ties de series that was a must

pitts and caps is a 50/50 pick for the poolers

Other news hmmm it's the weekend so enjoy sleeping in hehe

[goldenbolt]

Here are my questions for monday.

1. When will Dennis Potvin be hired to train the 'D'.
2. Why did you back away from the Gilroy buy? For 2 mil a year he could have been a linchpin versus vrbata for 3 mil a year.
3. Who is going to be in charge of the Draft and the trade of Vincent.

With all due respect gentleman we have no confidence in the current staff in making deals with our valued players.

It scares the hell out of me and the fellow Wallbangers that we end up with nothing as we did for the Boyle/Lukowich, fleecing the Mezz deal, krajciek another bust.
Think Carle to philly for what? nothing in return.

why should we put are hard earned dollars down with this track record.

Any comments?

Mike
4.

[goldenbolt]

Here are my questions for monday.

1. When will Dennis Potvin be hired to train the 'D'.
2. Why did you back away from the Gilroy buy? For 2 mil a year he could have been a linchpin versus vrbata for 3 mil a year.
3. Who is going to be in charge of the Draft and the trade of Vincent.

With all due respect gentleman we have no confidence in the current staff in making deals with our valued players.

It scares the hell out of me and the fellow Wallbangers that we end up with nothing as we did for the Boyle/Lukowich, fleecing the Mezz deal, krajciek another bust.
Think Carle to philly for what? nothing in return.

why should we put are hard earned dollars down with this track record.

Any comments?

Mike
4.

[Randy C]

Flasher,

Casper would be very happy to see you supporting a move to get Potvin. With Sullivan obviously not to excited about returning, your wish may have a chance.

[olin]

..I might come up for the get together on monday. I happened to miss the Newk's/Hut get together with OK and the blogger's that night. Agree with Don, they have been making an effort to improve the roster, but with some wrong decisions. Such a loss to lose Jussi for who? What does he have now 6 goals in 5 games or vice versa. Good job Jussi, wish you were still in HockeyBay. I would like to see Jacque hired as an advisor ala Scotty to Mr. Lawton. Leave Loiselle to the CBA legal matters.
Look's like "Flasher" is on his way to another 1st place, eh Hal? Looking good for VOTT, even Leo on the 'canes upsetr run.

[Boltflasher]

Yes, tough to get out to that during week especially after I've (I mean we) have already meet with Oren personally...however, Denny Potvin is available, somebody needs to go and plead his case to someone at Lightning....

[Don in St. Pete]

I'd like to say I can be there, but it's a weekday night and tough for yours truly. However, I will not shy away from reminding the bloggers that OK knew and respected most of us during our bloggers meeting with him. He also did what Palace Sports wouldn't do and spent money trying to improve the team last season. While his efforts were largely unsuccessful, you can't fault OK for effort and committment. While they will never admit it, I see a team in rebuilding mode and rightfully so. We were going nowhere with a second line center with the highest salary in the NHL and a #4 defenseman making #1 money. While we are a long way from being competetive, we have some flexibility now if the ecenomy rebounds.