Associate coach Rick Wilson's three-year deal from the Tampa Bay Lightning the price of doing business

An interesting little side note on the contract the Tampa Bay Lightning gave associate coach Rick Wilson is that it is for three years, when the rest of the coaching staff has two years remaining on their deals.

Couple of things at work here. Three years is kind of the standard for coaches, especially for one with 20 years experience. In a way it would have been more unusual for Wilson to get less than three. Another factor was that Wilson had two years left on his deal with the Stars, so sweetening the deal for Wilson was important.

"It was what was needed," Lightning GM Brian Lawton said.

Sweetening the deal for Wilson, too, were the upgrades the Lightning made on defense. That is key for Wilson since he is going to primarily work with the defense.

"I heard about it when Brian first contacted me," Wilson said. "He indicated they were going to upgrade the quality and depth of the group. In the process of us talking, that continued to add up with what he said was required to stabilize things and help the turn of the club. So, it wasn't who or what or how many. It was the turn."

Asked if he was excited be in on the building process, Wilson said, "That's a natural thing and I'm really looking forward to it. I had a great run in Dallas and we did a lot of good work with a lot of different people, and I am very respectful and thankful to that organization. I hope I have the same opportunity (with Tampa Bay). I see a lot of similarities. Some of their top players have a combination of youth -- players like Modano and Hatcher -- and a combination of older players like Vinny (Lecavalier) and Marty St Louis who have enough to continue to lead them."

Wilson will be reuniting with an old friend, Lightning goaltenders coach Cap Raeder, who worked with Wilson with the Kings in the late 1980s and early '90s. Wilson said he spoke to Raeder about the opportunity with Tampa Bay.

"We chatted and I called him about it, and we had some good visits regarding Tampa Bay. He was a good resource," Wilson said. "He was just one of many in my visits with the organization genuinely excited about the turn of the turning of the team; not looking past the challenge but understanding where they're at."

Where is Wilson with coach Rick Tocchet? Sounds like they are on the same page.

"You're talking about a gu who won the Stanley Cup (with the Stars in 1999) and has coached defense for a number of years and has coached in pressure situations," Tocchet said. "That's important. It makes me feel comfortable that they guy has been there before, and his overall philosophy, generally, is what I agree with and that is that defensemen have to play positional hockey."

"I'm optimistic that it's a good fit," Wilson said. "It is a team that is on a turn. It's hit a tough spot here, but in my opinion, it's on the way up, and it's got some excellent young players. Certainly the defensive core has been stabilized, so I'm excited to work with the coaching staff."

As expected, the Tampa Bay Lightning hires Rick Wilson as associate coach

That was quick. From the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with Rick Wilson, naming him associate coach today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.  He will be looked upon to coach and groom the team’s defensive corps.

“With 20 years of NHL coaching experience, we believe Rick is exactly what this club needs as an associate coach and we are excited that he has elected to join our staff,” said Lawton upon making the announcement. “As our team develops, we will look to control the game from the blue line; Rick shares that philosophy, understands that concept and will teach our young defensemen to do just that. Additionally, his past relationships ensure he will fit seamlessly with head coach Rick Tocchet, assistant Wes Walz and goaltending coach Cap Raeder to give us a very cohesive staff which can lead our team to long-term success.”

Wilson, a native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, has spent the previous 16 seasons with the Dallas Stars, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999 working along side head coach Ken Hitchcock.  During his tenure with the Stars, Wilson helped lead the team to seven division titles, two Western Conference championships and two President’s Trophies.  He had most recently served as associate coach for the previous six seasons, focusing on the team’s defense and penalty kill.  Under Wilson’s guidance the Stars finished in the top three for fewest goals against in the NHL during the 2007-08, 2006-07, 2003-04 and 2002-03 seasons.

Before being named associate coach, Wilson held the position of assistant coach with the Stars for 10 seasons, joining the club for the 1992-93 campaign. He served as interim head coach for 32 games during the 2001-02 campaign, leading the Stars to a 13-11-7-1 record to close out the season.

Prior to joining Dallas, Wilson worked as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings for three seasons from 1989-92. With the Kings Wilson worked with Raeder, serving as co-coaches for 15 games in 1990-91. Wilson joined the Kings from the New York Islanders, where he served as an assistant coach for the 1988-89 season.  He also served as an assistant for Canada’s National Junior Team that year. 

Wilson spent eight seasons from 1980-88 with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL (SJHL from 1980-82) before joining the professional ranks. He served as an assistant coach for six seasons from 1980-86, winning the 1985 Memorial Cup Championship, before being named head coach and general manager prior to the 1986-87 season.  In two seasons as the head coach with the Raiders, Wilson posted an 86-50-8 record. 

Wilson began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, the University of North Dakota, where the Fighting Sioux won the 1980 NCAA Division I Championship and two WCHA crowns during his two years there. While he was a student he played hockey and football, earning his degree in education.

Drafted by Montreal in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft, Wilson spent four seasons (1973-77) in the NHL as a defenseman for Montreal, St. Louis and Detroit. During his NHL career he amassed six goals and 32 points in 239 games.

Additional Quotes
From Lightning Head Coach Rick Tocchet: “I am very pleased that Brian and Rick were able to work out a deal to bring Rick to Tampa Bay.  His resume as a defensive coach is impeccable; he has worked for many years and coached in big games and big situations, including the Stanley Cup Finals. He makes our staff better, he will make me a better head coach and I am very excited about having him lead a group of young defensemen that we want to see grow together for the next several years.”

From New Lightning Associate Coach Rick Wilson: “I am happy to be joining Rick Tocchet and the staff in Tampa because I see the makings of a pretty good team, with some good young players including Stamkos and Hedman combining with Stanley Cup champions like Lecavalier and St. Louis. After extensive talks with Brian (Lawton) and Rick (Tocchet), I feel we can do some good things with the defense there and I look forward to being part of building something special over time like we did in Dallas.”

Tampa Bay Lightning expected to announce Rick Wilson as associate coach

It could happen today or perhaps in the next few days, but the Tampa Bay Lightning is about ready to announce the hiring of Rick Wilson as associate coach.

Wilson, 59, has spent the past 16 seasons as a Stars assistant, the last six as an associate, working almost exclusively with the defense. Wilson, who was left out when Dallas hired Marc Crawford as its new coach, is expected to have the same duties with the Lightning. He has been the front-runner from the start of the process.

Reese speaks with Leafs

Former Lightning goaltender coach Jeff Reese has interviewed with the Maple Leafs, but apparently was not offered the job. Reese has a year left on his contract with the Lightning but has been replaced.

Melrose introduced as Lightning coach

The NHL's worst-kept secret was revealed this morning when the Lightning introduced former Los Angeles Kings coach and ESPN analyst Barry Melrose as its new head coach during a news conference at the St. Pete Times Forum.

"This is a move we've been really excited about,'' said Oren Koules, co-owner of new Lightning owner OK Hockey, before joking, "and I think we've done a fabulous job of keeping this secret.''

Melrose replaces John Tortorella, who was fired June 3 with one year remaining on his contract.

"I'm thrilled to be here,'' said Melrose, 51. "I'm very excited with what's going on.''

Koules and co-owner Len Barrie are friends with some of Melrose's former players. According to Koules, the new ownership group was looking for someone who was a positive thinker and would get ''20 guys pulling in the same direction.''

Barrie said he was convinced Melrose was the right fit after a conversation with defenseman Rob Blake, who played under Melrose in Los Angeles.

"I think we got a good person first, and a good coach, second,'' Barrie said.

Melrose, who led the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens, said he missed the passion and the competition on the ice.

"I hate being a guy on the outside looking in,'' he said. "I want to be an insider again.''

Melrose said his children's ages and Tampa's southern location ("I had a tougher time talking my wife into going to Edmonton than to Tampa,'' he joked.) were other factors in his decision to return behind the bench. He also was sold on the new ownership group, which is expected to be hands-on.

"I'd much rather have people in charge who care than people who don't care,'' Melrose said, "and, believe me, these guys care.''

Melrose said he believes in energy, speed, aggression and letting guys be creative. All he asks in return is that they play defense.

He vowed that opponents will no longer be comfortable when they come into the Times Forum and fans will get their money's worth.

Asked what he liked most about the Lightning, Melrose singled out Vinny Lecavalier, whom he called "one of the five best players in the world''; Marty St. Louis, whom he sees as a role model for top draft choice Steve Stamkos; big defensemen; and the ownership group's pledge to be aggressive in free agency.

Melrose identified Rick Tocchet and Wes Walz as two of his assistant coaches. He said the organization is "working on" one more.

-- Frank Pastor, Times Staff Writer

(Above left: Barry Melrose, left, and Len Barrie, right. Above right: Melrose. Times photos -- Carrie Pratt. Click to enlarge.)

Tortorella will not return next season

The Lightning will announce at a 5 p.m. news conference that coach John Tortorella will not return next season, according to a news release:

TAMPA BAY – Tampa Bay Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster announced today that John Tortorella will not return next season as the team’s head coach. Tortorella has one season remaining on his contract.

“This has been a very difficult decision because of everything that John Tortorella has meant to and done for this organization,” Feaster said. “Torts came to Tampa and not only built the foundation under our club but he also changed the culture and raised the expectations, eventually leading us to the Stanley Cup in 2004. What he accomplished during his tenure in Tampa was nothing short of remarkable and our organization will always owe him our thanks, gratitude and deep respect.”

“At the same time, we need to look to the future of the both the club and the organization, and we must make decisions with the future in mind. John was entering the final year of his contract and extending his contract was not a viable option. Having him enter and coach the season in a lame duck status was not something I was prepared to recommend to ownership.

“John Tortorella is a very good hockey coach and an even better person. By making this decision now, both the existing and incoming ownership groups are attempting to give John every opportunity to pursue the numerous head coaching vacancies that exist throughout the League. We thank John for his many years of loyal and dedicated service to our franchise and our community and we wish him and his family every continued personal and professional success.''

(Photo: John Tortorella hoists the Stanley Cup after the Lightning's 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames in 2004. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)