Give NHL commissioner Gary Bettman credit for pushing Tampa Bay Lightning owners to resolve their issues -- one way or another

Regardless of how you feel about the Tampa Bay Lightning's ownership issues, no matter if you believe Len Barrie or Oren Koules should have control of the team or if you think former owner Palace Sports & Entertainment should come back in the picture, you have to give commissioner Gary Bettman credit for at least pushing to get the situation resolved.

As we read in Sunday's paper, Bettman has given Barrie a 60-day exclusive window to see if he can buy out Koules. If he fails, Koules gets a shot. If he fails, the league could find another buyer or former owner Palace Sports, which financed about $70 million of the $200 million purchase price and lent OK Hockey another $30 million in operating capital, could take the team back.

In other words, there are a lot of moving parts, but at least there is a direction forward, and it all started with Bettman's June 23 meeting at his New York officewith Koules and Barrie in which he ordered them to try to work out their financial and philosophical differences about how to run and build the team.

Bettman, certainly with the help of deputy commissioner Bill Daly, set deadlines and conditions. They made sure GM Brian Lawton could do his job as head of hockey operations without undue influence from the owners. How important was that? Lawton himself has described trying to run the team last season as "chaos" with so many opinions coming from so many directions. Lawton, too, deserves credit for a great summer in which he bolstered the blue line, cut payroll and, perhaps, can land one more forward to play with Vinny Lecavalier.

So give credit for the league for recognizing an unsustainable situation and at least pushing these guys forward to getting this thing resolved one way or another. It's probably a long way from being over (even if Barrie or Koules comes up with new investors, they must go through the NHL's due diligence and be approved by the Board of Governors) but at least there seems to be a road map. And that's something. Isn't it? 

Comments

[Randy C]

tony,

Unless some kind of trade is worked out, one of our young guys will crack the top 6. IMO you have to give Downie a good look. If you remember he was very strong with the puck and showed playmaking skills with Stamkos and Szczechura. There seems to be a surprise in camp every couple of years. Maybe Bochenski, who is 27, wakes up this year. I could be his last chance with Tyrell and Ashton a real threat next season. I think we have to remember that there were periods last season that this forward group played very well, without a camp to start the year and without a system in place.

[tony]

Thanks Don. Even if we do sign Tanguay who is the other top 6 winger? Do any of the kids have a snowballs chance of sticking out of camp? In my opinion this team could possibly contend for a playoff spot but we are going to need a lot of breaks to go our way. I think this team is about 2 years away from respectability if Lawton does a serviceable job. Maybe next year if he turns into a genius. Your thoughts?

[Don in St. Pete]

Tony, That's an excellent point and Lawton and OK may be better served by looking at the long term ramifications. Next year the Halpern, Artyukhin, Krajicek and Denis contracts will be coming off the books. Blair Jones should be ready to step in as the checking line center in place of Halpern and you've got to believe that 1 of Downie, Tyrell, Killorn and Ashton will be ready to make the jump into a top 6 forward role. That leaves a lot of money left to fill the other top 6 forward slot, and if the cap drops as much as has been speculated, then there may be some serious talent available at bargain basement prices.

[tony]

This whole debate between sharp and tanguay seems rather pointless considering we dont have the assets to get it done but thats the fun of it so here goes. leo I agree that Tanguay is the better option but only if he's healthy and on a very short term deal (2 yrs max). His passing skills are perfect for a line with V4 and MSL.Sharp would most likely be a better option long term but with the hawks salary cap issues(maybe) for next season do you really want to give them anything now when you could probably get him for less next offseason.

[Randy C]

Marc,

Good to see you posting again, after all the fun you created last spring many of us wanted to hear from you. Hope all is well, and how's the fishin up north? Its been slow for me, but the fall is coming! Some nice moves by the Bolts this summer, things are looking up.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

typo lollll i love it

Sond =song and tanguay is the topic for Leo the Glory man with his habs
That No one and i say no one know what the teams is gonna look like

So keep talking and rolling baby

Leo le lion lollllllllllllll

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Hep boy Hello people long time no see
just dropping in

Leo >>>> is Busted my friend from M O N T R E A L

I know this sond wake up little suzie

Ta connais tu la Toune weillons estie respire personnes Sait ce qui va arriver avec le canadien cette saison heille en passan Lapierre a faite un Birdie au versant au 9 eme trou

Smile you are on Candit Camera

Hello to Everyone here

Peace out

Marc

[PD]

Whatever Leo..you can wheel him out there.
I dont think the Habs match up for a Sharp trade. Who is your shut down guy on D? Thats who they want plus plus.

They, (Hawks) will be singing a very different
song next year with the Cap.

[leo]

A better option for Mtl perhaps, not TB.
Since he's an overall better player, not to mention the fact that his superior playmaking skills would mesh better with Vinny and Marty than Sharp and DOUBLE not to mention that culturally, they'd mesh better, you're still wrong, PD. Even amended, your statement is incorrect.
Tanguay MUCH better suited for TB than Sharp.
And yes, I realize it's a pointless August argument but fun is fun, so what're ya gonna do?
P.

[PD]

Actually Leo, I said Sharp was a much better option than, damaged player Tanguay.
End of story for all the reasons Don pointed out.

Besides it's a stupid August argument..the Hawks don't match up as a trading partner. They want an XLB type guy for the back.

[cnw]

Lawton, please sign Tanguay NOW. He likes us, we like him, so what's the holdup?

[leo]

Curiously though, if I may add, this debate applies to TB in this instance cuz you HAVE the drive-to-the-net scorers.
In Mtl however, Sharp would be better suited this year with us than Tanguay cuz our drive-to-the-net guys are Andrei and Pac-man and Lapierre and Gui, not much experience there, so Sharp would fit in fine.
P.

[leo]

Sharp could be termed the better pure scorer, Don, and Alex, a much superior playmaker.
So much so, he that averages 25pts more than Sharp a season.
PD will have you believe that Tanguay DARES not go into the corner and NEVER does. Pure ridiculousness.
He's a big man who doesn't drop the gloves and has been injured. That's how he got the moniker "soft."
But PD's never seen him play. He reads what denigrators say about him and repeats it to get a rise out've folks.
Truth is, Tanguay DOES go into the corners, protects the puck ADMIRABLY and dishes it off MAGNIFICENTLY.
At least, he did for us. But hey, I just saw it with my own eyes, what do I know?
If he's healed and wants to come to TB for a reasonable price, you'd be fools not to take him.
If Tanguay's completely WRECKED and his shoulders are finished, then maybe Sharp COULD produce more pts in a season and get you more wins.
Maybe.
But I doubt it. Tanguay played 20 less games than Sharp and got as many pts.
Do what you want.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

I dunno Leo. PD said Sharp was better at almost everything. I took his statement to mena that Tanguay was the better scorer. I agree with PD that Sharp will be tougher, a better forecheck, better on the PK, better in the d zone and likely better in the locker room. That being said we also need scoring help.

[leo]

The debate wasn't who's injured or soft; debate was who's better. Again PD, you conveniently change angles when your point dissolves.
You said Sharp was better than Tanguay at every aspect of the game when in fact, the ONLY aspect of the game that Sarp is better than Tanguay at is not getting the moniker "soft." That's all. Tanguay wipes the floor with him on the rest.
As for his shoulders being injured, I don't know the severity. I DO know that if he's healthy, he would be such a MUCH better fit with TB than Sharp, that it's not even funny.
Then again, you think the leafs are good, so...
P.

[PD]

Yup I'll go for two healthy shoulders vs someones gloried past Leo.
Id also takes Sharps PK not staypufts.
Again Tanguay's not healthy or Habs would have signed him after giving up a 1st and more for him.

[Patrick]

Don,

You answered your own question. Malone is definitely our top left winger and should be on the top line with our top center, Vinny. He is the two way, tough power forward to do all the things you described for the top line. Vinny is pretty physical as well when not injured. Marty or Tanguay on the 2nd line with Stammer gives us a 2nd line - take turns with Downie, Vellieux or someone else from camp as the other winger.

We can't be perfectionists... if there was a player with Tanguay's skills and the toughness of Malone, he wouldn't still be available and we wouldn't be able to afford him. Tanguay is the best temporary solution available.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, If you put Tanguay on a line with V4 who's going to play defense, crash the net, forecheck and dig the puck out of the corners? Personally, I hope V4 comes back healed and ready to play a more aggressive, physical game. However, with the exception of the Cup run in 04' he's never been know for his d zone play. Tanguay would be an excellent winger on a line with V4, but we'll need a 2 way wing to play the other side, which we don't have unless you pull Malone or MSL from Stammer's line or move Veilleux up from the 3rd line which would not be advisable.

[leo]

Soft or not, he averages 25 extra pts than Sharp during the season and scored 2 goals in a 7th Game Final. Build your team how you want, leaf fan.
I didn't say it too early to make the Pogge call, I said it was too early to call you 100% wrong. Nuance. I'd say you're 89.7% wrong on Pogge making a name for himself in the NHL, nevermind making the Bolts regret not striving to get him. (still makes me chuckle, those leaf presumptions of yours)
...sharp better than tanguay in every aspect... (scoff!)
That's a leaf fan for yehs.
P.

[2WayCenter]

Sharp plays with no fear. If Tanguay is timid in traffic he won't be a Toc guy. Perhaps a Jokinen replay.

But sure would be a great pair to V4 if Tanguay sees the ice as some claim. I'll be satisfied with either one. Hopefully, OK has the dough.

[PD]

Leo, lets not also forget that Tanguay is as soft as they get. Staypuft soft.

The Bolts are incredibly light right now in that dept. , that should be a high upgrade priority for Lawton or those tender shoulders will be seeing a lot of glass.

On Poggee, you seemed to be sensible enough to agree it's too early to make that call..much like bust Price (not to change the topic).

[PD]

Leo come on...if Tanguay wasn't damaged goods, he would have been signed a couple of months ago..maybe by the Habs since they paid a big price to get him just to let him walk.

I"ll take Sharpie...thx

[leo]

That's IF the shoulders are bum, PD. I don't know fersure that they are.
And I realize that you think you lost some face with me destroying your Pogge argument but that's no reason to embrace any argument and all future opposing ideas from mine simply for the sake of opposing them.
Tanguay is a 75-pt player. Sharp cracked 60 once. Checkmate.
Tanguay has better vision, better passing, better pt-prod, more experience in-season and in the playoffs.
Furthermore, he played 20 less games than Sharp and amassed 42pts to Sharp's 44 last year.
Please, PD.
If Tanguay is healed, he's far superior to Sharp, disregarding the fact that Sharp was injured too.
Ridiculous, PD.
What happened to you, mate?
P.

[PD]

Heh 2 way..give it up for Youk last night! lol, turned the game around.

[PD]

Sharp would be the much better player in almost every area vs Tanguay except of course Sharp is not a UFA.
Hawks are in cap trouble next year more than this.
After adding Hossa and upping Versteeg, Bolland and Barker, the Hawks still rneed a tough, stay at home defender ..that's not Krajcek is it?. Downie?. Please.

For Sharp the Hawks wanted Excelby,a pick and a prospect from the Leafs.
Good luck with that.

Can't see Tanguay spending much time in front of the net or in the corners going forward with two bum shoulders.
especially on a 1 year contract.

[Randy C]

2way,

I do remember how you feel about speed in today's game. I can read scouting reports and still feel like I have no idea what a player can actually do in a different situation. You are right that Marki would be perfect to ask, would love to do a line wetting with the two of you to ask him. You also got the point of my question, it is in the mix. Marty, Stammer, Malone is a no brainer, Tanguay(Sharp), V4 and I still want to see Downie get a look with those two in a Marty type role. I also plug Veilleux, V4 and, yes, Downie. Szczechura may also be ready for a look with V4. Lots to look at in camp. I also can't stop thinking how solid the Bolts looked for that 10 game stint before our D and Smitty went injured and before Stammer got hot. The two bangers and a sniper worked well for us then. Still time for additions, lots to look at in camp!

[leo]

Tanguay would be better next to Vinny than Sharp. More vision.
You don't want Sharp finishing; you want VINNY finishing. You want MARTY finishing. Those are your guys. You KNOW them to finish.
So you get a guy that GUARANTEES to keep the puck just long enough to be able to give it to them in prime-opportunity areas.
Cheaper too, by the looks of things.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Sharp tends to wear down because for years he was forced to play a role he wasn't suited to. Put him next to a V4 who will draw most of the traffic and he could be a monster. Whether they get Tamnguay or not I hope they're in the hunt for Sharp. Like Malone and Hall he's a lockeroom guyt that the team will respond to.

[Boltflasher]

Patrick Sharp Scouting Report: Sportsnet.can

Assets: Has plenty of versatility and skill. Skates very well and displays enough hockey sense to play a top-six role. Kills penalties with aplomb.

Flaws: Tends to wear down over the course of the long season, so he must get stronger physically. Is better when playing a wing position than at center.

Career potential: Top six forward.

[Boltflasher]

Alex Tanguay Scouting Report: from SportsNet.can

Assets: Is extremely gifted, including speed, versatility, the ability to hold onto the puck for long stretches, great passing skills and tremendous one-on-one moves.

Flaws:Doesn't have a lot of strength to combat big NHL defenders in the corners. Doesn't shoot the puck enough, which can lead to mediocre goal-scoring totals.

Career potential: Top six winger.

[2WayCenter]

Sharp on the 1st line next to V4 = > Awesome!

[2WayCenter]

Sharp on the next to V4 = > Awesome!

[2WayCenter]

But Randy, after biting my tongue for and hour, you may know what I think about speed/skill guys with the new rules. I would not be crying with Matt Duchene as our draft pick, because I think the lack of clutch and grab favors the young and quick. But Toc seems to favor the bigger body, get the puck in the corner kinda guy. Having said that, stammer and MSL do not fit that mold, so maybe the key is in the mix. I Hope so anyway. What do you think?

[RICK L]

In todays nhl i don't call a 3.9 cap hit reasonable!

[Don in St. Pete]

Flasher, Thanks for pointing that out. That's a reasonable cap hit and if Chicago would bite on Downie and Krajicek plus a late round pick, it would be a good deal for the bolts. This move alone if Lawton were to get it done could push us over the top and into the mix. A responsible defensive forward who can also score next to V4 would be the best news this franchise has had since the cup parade.

[Boltflasher]

Patrick Sharp Age: 27
Cap Hit: 3.9 million/year, signed until 2012

[Don in St. Pete]

Brendan, Chicago can't take much salary back, though you might talk them into Krajicek. It would probably take high picks and a few of them, though a player with grit and an offensive upside like Downie in conjunction with Krajicek might lower the req's a little. I don't see them trading Buf unless they can't clear enough space by dealing Sharp, which could very well be the case. They'll be missing Hossa for a few months so they can't afford to give up too much in the early going. The great thing about Sharp is he can play any and all roles you ask of him. He'll kill penalties, dig the puck out of the corner, play on the PP and play outstanding defense. He also has above average speed. We could probably get by with Sharp or Tanguay on 1 wing and Craig, Downie or Bochenski on the other. Not pretty but maybe enough to reach the trade deadline in the hunt when we could add that finisher.

[2WayCenter]

"How much speed does Tanguay have?" Good question, Hawks were my pet 2nd last year. Did not spend much time watching the Habs aside from the Boston series. So I really do not know other than what people write and say.

We should ask Marki.

Great point about outlets. Breakouts make all the difference and can made an average team look fast.

[brendan]

I don't think Chicago would trade Byfuglien either. But I did read in the Chicago paper that Sharp may be on the block. He would be a great addition, but who does Tampa Bay have to offer?

[brendan]

I don't think Chicago would trade Byfuglien either. But I did read in the Chicago paper that Sharp may be on the block. He would be a great addition, but who does Tampa Bay have to offer?

[brendan]

I don't think Chicago would trade Byfuglien either. But I did read in the Chicago paper that Sharp may be on the block. He would be a great addition, but who does Tampa Bay have to offer?

[Don in St. Pete]

Randy, I think you hit the nail on the head there. Our defense ( Melichar, Malik, etc...) would have slowed down the game a lot. Actually Malone and V4 both skate well for their size and R2KN is flat out fast. With our much stronger D this year, stepping up and stopping the rush before the blue line, our transition game will be much better and our forwards will be able to skate to speed more often and look to create offense off the transition. Stickhandling and passing ability also make you look faster as they can freeze the opponents defense. A healthy V4 will open up opportunities for whoever is playing on his wings. Tanguay does have above average speed though you have to wonder why if he's healthy, why they haven't signed him yet.

[2WayCenter]

Don - I agree on Sharp (but wishful thinking). Who would be on the other side of Byfuglien and V4? Dustin Byfuglien is another post up power forward with some grit. V4 needs a skater passer.

[karma]

Chicago made us look slow? What an understatement!!!
They reminded me of the Lightning back in '03 and '04. Great breakout passes by the "d" and forwards constantly on the attack and forechecking. What a long night that was! One thing to consider, however, is that we had absolutely no real NHL defense by that time of the season and our forwards were tired of getting torched by give-aways.

Yeah, there are good comparisons, but let's hope that we don't follow the 'hawks into their impending state of financial ruin. I still say the cap goes down in the coming years, and it's going to be hard to keep all those young guns under contract (agree with you there Don). The Pens have been lucky so far, but they have a few big contracts coming up as well. In a cap world, where a few players still make the majority of the dough, the window for Cup success is very slim indeed.

[RICK L]

don, i doubt chicago is gonna let byfuglien go to make cap space the guy played very well in the finals from what i seen.

[Don in St. Pete]

Brendan, You have a valid point and the Hawks are the perfect comparison for several reasons. They are $2+ mil over the cap for one. They also missed the playoffs for about 6 years in a row before last season so were drafting favorably and building up prospects. They did develop those preospects though, which is huge. Sad to say that our best drafted forward prospect ( other than the last 2 years ) is Blair Jones who will probably step in to replace Halpern as the 3rd line Center next season. Chicago had a lot of young guys on entry level deals but next year they're going to pay the piper. Toews, Kane and Keith will be in line for large bling. We have some players in the pipeline now. We just have to patch in a few guys, or look to a couple to step up to get us through the next 2 seasons. If we had to start the season today, our top 6 would look pretty iffy, but Lawton has another month. The Hawks need to clear some cap space so I hope the Lawton is talking to them. Either Patrick Sharp or Dustin Byfuglien would look good next to V4.

[Randy C]

2way,

We did look slow vs the Hawks, how much of that was our inability to break out of our own zone via the pass? How much speed does Tanguay have? Right now we are very big up front besides Stammer and MSL. I'd like some more speed in today's game, on the other hand accurate breakout passes to forwards at full speed will change the look of what we have now significantly. Thoughts?

[2WayCenter]

brendan - Chicago made us look very slow. I remember feeling sorry for Recci.

I guess I'm not smart enough to worry about the 3rd and 4th lines, I sorta hope we use that ice time to develop and discover the 4th rounder that really belongs.

As far as dumping on you, well, pretty sure your not talking to me, but it might have something to do with our record. The Bolts are undefeated this season.

[leo]

Not that I'm comparing TB to Chick-Cago, Brendan, but if you look at their roster, is there a Hawk 4th liner that you wished you had on your team?
You need 2 great centres, 2 great wingers, 2 great d-men, one great spit-disturber and one great goalie.
That's what you need. Once you got that, all you need is COMPETENCE at the other positions.
Cuz, right off the bat, Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa...Byflugien...I'm out of attackers. After that, I don't remember.
But I know they got a good team.
Let's see how Huey holds up...
P.

[brendan]

2 way center, no certain wish list, but I like Chicago's forwards. Remember, the team that made Tampa Bay look like a high school team last year.
And what is your wish list? And why the big trash on me when Lawton even said he was not happy with the secondary forwards last year.