Lightning still trying to hire Jacques Lemaire

Former Wild coach Jacques Lemaire apparently is still very much on the Lightning's radar. But the potential hiring, as well as Lemaire's mulling other employment opportunities, has been on the back burner lately. Lemaire, who lives in Palmetto, said he has been dealing with a family matter that has diverted his attention.

"There is nothing new at the moment," he said about perhaps joining the Lightning.

But there clearly is interest from Tampa Bay to bring Lemaire on board as a senior consultant. Even so, the team has yet to offer a contract and the parameters of the job have yet to be discussed. In other words, the process may still have a way to go.

As Lemaire said, "I should think I'll decide a little later on."

Lemaire, 63, who has indicated the Panthers also have shown interest and who wants to work for an east coast team, would be an intriguing addition. Lemaire, who won the 1995 Stanley Cup as Devils coach, was the master of the trapping defensive system that people either loved for its ability to shut down opponents or hated because it stifles so much of the offensive flow. 

Not that Lemaire would be so in on the ground floor with Tampa Bay. Coach Rick Tocchet has said he wants an up-tempo, attacking system. But Lemaire gained a reputation as a builder as he quickly made the expansion Wild a competitive squad with three playoff appearances in eight seasons. And though the team did not make the postseason this year, it has six straight winning records in the very tough West, not counting overtime losses.

Lemaire stepped down at the end of the season.         

Comments

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Randy

Well Thank you buddie glad you like the website poolers

I updated the site and put more hockey database information on it

so this is it, round 3 almost over and the final round and ending will start soon

looks likes it's gonna be a rematch with Pens and Det from last year for the stanley cup final

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E.A Sports it's in the Game Baby

[PD]

Spooky right there with you on Scott Clemenson.
He's a good solid goalie night in night out. Could do a lot worse.

On Smith, It's not whether he recovers so much as it is being ready if he has another.

[Boltflasher]

Agree Oldtimer, if Isles take Hedman, then I look for Bolts to trade down but only if they get a Schenn plus pick....I wouldn't complain if we ended up with Tavares...but that doesn't help the situation at defense.

[Spooky]

I don't think we could afford to pass on a game-changing talent like Tavares if the Isles take Hedeman. We need defense yes, but we need talent above all. Take the best possible player, at that point, if Hedemen goes.

So what to do about the logjam at centre? Maybe move Stamkos to a wing... I would certainly think of trading Vinnie at that point. Get rid of a contract that has the potential to be an albatross 6-7 years from now.

If the bank was broken for Tavares by another team, and we trade the pick, it would have to be huge. Akin to what Quebec got for Crybaby 88. Someone with talent like Forsberg, two first round picks and a host of other players. A top defensive pair is not beyond reason. Tavares is the next Malkin, and worth it.

As for the comment about goaltending earlier. What's the word on Smitty? I hope he gets well soon. We are pretty good on goal prospects, one of the few strengths the organization possesses. If Smith's mind is still mushed, I'd say spend for Fernandez or Gerber. Clemmenson is going to start somewhere next year, and could cost less than those two. Still, he would not have NJ defence in front of him at the ICe Palace.

If he's ok, then go the veteran, but younger backup route. Nitty, Conky Conklin, Jason Labarbara and Biron (a glorified backup) would not be bad, or especially expensive options perhaps.

And sorry for all Alexandre Daigle fans I offended. Yeah, there is no comparison between Daigle or even Falloon and the epic fail that was lawton's playing (and to date, GMing career).

[Steve-O]

Oldtimer- I would do that in a heartbeat. If we could add two solid young d-men with smaller contracts while building the future of the D it would be huge and V4 could stay. Leafs would pay if the top forwards in the draft fell to us. We would be in the driver's seat.

[oldtimer]

I think Lemaire would be perfect in that role. He could mentor the very inexperienced Brian Lawton on personnel decisions, much as Bill Barber did with Jay Feaster. I spoke with a close friend from New Jersey who tells me there are some very real rumblings up there that the Isles will take Hedman at #1.

I guess the theory is that high caliber Defensemen are much more of a rare commodity than scorers.

If the Isle do take Hedman at #1, what should the Bolts do at #2? Trade down? Pick Tavares? I have heard on this blog talk of trading down to #7 and taking Cowan. If we can get Luke Schenn in that package, I would be tempted to jump at it. Any thoughts?

[PD]

Don, in my best Colombo imitation, one more thing.
On that we're # 14 on the team prospect thing:
Strengths: The Lightning have an excellent group of centermen in the organization, headlined by top prospect Steven Stamkos, after years of mediocrity up front.

A year old story, take Stamkos out and that 14 rating hyperventilates.

[PD]

Two problems Don; the clock and the till.

Next year, although likely better, won't be a contending one under any scenario..how low will the crowds go?

How long can they kick the can down the road..?

[Don in St. Pete]

Randy, A very Erudite post, and one we all should consider. We have the 14th ranked prospect pool in the league a huge jump from being in the bottom five last season. we actually have some talent in the system for the first time in decades. Even the inimitable PD himself said you need to build through the draft and the Bolts are doing that. What is the problem PD and VOTT?

[Randy C]

Marc,

One more time! Awesome job on your site, thank you for all the info and good time you've created.

[Randy C]

Don,

As usual, very solid points. The Bolts have been in freefall since we lost the season after the cup. Palace expected Feaster and co. to develope depth with no farm system and crumbs for scouting so we could pay our stars w/out raising our budget.

Vott,

At least these guys tried to get us the help we needed and spent enough money to lose a good bit this season. Do we have to go over all of last summer again so your anger an be fed? Your frustration is felt by all. Since firing Melrose they have proved on many occaisions while trying to cut cost, that they can make some good decisions. We now have a farm system, and several promising prospects that got a look at NHL caliber talent while playing here last season. In all the mess that was last season they managed to evaluate nearly every player from Norfolk here and now have a plan to make next year better than this one.
I hope your boss at work has more patience with you than you have with OK. If we get the same result next season, I'll be there with you, wanting heads to roll. OK deserves more than one season to build what they want. Go Bolts

[PD]

Pat Quinn was the winningest active coach in the NHL and 4th all time with 616 wins and is recognized by the hockey community as one of the top coaches of the NHL. Quinn’s NHL coaching record includes 11 first round playoff wins in 16 seasons. An astounding winning percentage of 69%, surpassed only by coaching legend Scotty Bowman, 71%, and ahead of New York Islanders legend Al Arbour, 66%.”

[PD]

Cheap shot at Quinn and the Leafs Don.

You seem to infer that the Leafs have embarrased themselves and been the league bottom feeding joke like Tampa.

Had they ever done that they would have been better off but they have played more playoff games than most last 10 years and under Quinn were at or around 100 points a year.

Quinn knows a con man when he see's one..I don't think you do.

[Don in St. Pete]

VOTT, While I can understand your disappointment over last season, the ship was already sinking when OK and crew took over and started bailing. The total lack of optimism after just 1 year is just insidious. Look at the Leafs, they've been a waste for 40+ years but every season their fans hope they'll win the cup. Pat Quinn was a waste of $perm and it's no wonder he hasn't had another gig since the sorry @$$ Leafs canned him. I think I've figured it out, PD must work for Balsillie or maybe he is Blackberry Jim.

[PD]

Vott, Pat Quinn wouldn't work for the OK Maroons under any circumstance that I can envision. Ditto Lemaire.

Nice catch on shill 23

Spooky, I'd start by looking for a goalie.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Lawton

Well Keep Trying mon Ami

This guy is the Key Next year to make The defence better.

By the way Draft Picks is on june 26 in montreal

I post all the players ranking on the poolers website, so just click on there names to get info on the player

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[The Voice of the Turtle]

Dear BrianB23

Only the most naive Pollyanna could fail to be discouraged by the Lightning of late. What positives do you perceive that illuminate the projected future of this failed organization, and what bases do you find that warrant support of such incompetent troglodytes as those who have brought this franchise to its shamefully hapless position in the NHL?

Whilst on the subject of support, sir, I'll have you know that I have owned multiple season tickets since the inaugural year of the Lightning. Do you deny me the right to voice my disappointment?

By the way, BrianB23, your name is reminiscent of an old favorite player of mine (but not of Kevin Stevens and Brian Trottier), Brian Bellows (495 career goals) who wore number 23 when he was a teammate of the then young Mr. Brian Lawton in Minnesota. The gifted Brian Bellows punched his ticket in Tampa for two years as well. And, incidentally, although it is a different franchise now, Minnesota was the last stopping ground for Monsieur Lemaire...Hmmmm!

[BrianB23]

Wow Turtle, can you possibly be any more negative an unsupportive? I mean, really?

[The Voice of the Turtle]

Permit me to start by saying that Spooky's assertion about Brian Lawton being a prototype of Alexandre Daigle is an unspeakable insult to the former Ottawa first pick draftee.

I cannot readily imagine a truly brilliant hockey figure like Jacques Lemaire working with a highly inexperienced and offense-minded coach like the unripened Melrosian substitute, Rick Tocchet; a know-it-all and loose lipped third-rate-player-turned-owner like Len Barrie; and/or, a incorrigibly puddin-headed disaster of a GM like Brian "The Brain" Lawton.

I don't think that Jacques Lemaire would put up with a cast of cartoonish characters like that for an easy paycheck and a retirement-job near his home. He probably has more Stanley Cup rings than he has fingers, so why would he wish to end his career with such specious associations so inextricably connected to the Lightning's failure.

In a more perfect world, Lemaire would have been named head coach of the Bolts with Tocchet kept around to assist (a good learning experience for Rick who is not yet ready for a trial by fire), Lawton would be replaced by a guy like Pat Quinn (a man of experience, demonstrated good judgment, strong reputation, and a successful track record), and Oren (along with his good buddy, Lenny) would take faith, stand back, and enjoy the results.

This one's for you, Oren. You might be the current king of the tasteless Hollywood horror movies crowd, but that in no way negates the inherent wisdom to be found in the old adage about "a fool and his gold." You must do better...a lot better!

[Spooky]

Maybe he would better function as a consultant to the GM, as Lawton and the OK Corrallers seem to have little clue on how to manage personnel.

I think with our speed and offensive skill on the top two lines, we are better off with an attacking scheme rather than a full checking trap. Though we lack puckmoving defence, we are not exactly endowed with gifted men in our own end.

At this point, we need building blocks the coach can mold. Blueline depth is non-existant, and behind MVP, Stamkos and Mail Man Mallone, we're lacking talent. Hedeman will shore us up, but we need smart moves, rather than re-signing Gratton and picking up character players like Roberts, who are running on empty. We need sharp trades for quality talent, instead of swapping Boyle-for-Carle, Carle-for-Emminger, and Emminger for Welch's Grape Juice. Trades should benefit a team, not be a constant step down. Thus, if Jacques Lemaire comes to the Bolts, let him tell our Alexandre Daigle's Prototype GM what it takes to build a team, not break it down.

[Chris]

Bowman works for Chicago

[HockeyBay.com]

Scotty Bowman lives on Longboat Key, get him instead...