Who will be the Lightning's next coach?

Who will coach the Lightning next season? Will it be John Tortorella or ESPN analyst Barry Melrose? The smart money is on Melrose. Yet it appears to be an either-or proposition. Why is that? If soon-to-be-Lightning owner Oren Koules is bent on making a change — and I'm not so sure that a change is in order — these are five others he should at least consider for a minute or two before deciding that his new favorite hairstyle is the mullet. I'm not saying any one of these guys should get the job, but don't you at least consider them?
1. Ron Wilson
The former Ducks, Caps and Sharks coach has a lifetime record of 518-446-127. Those 518 wins are eighth in NHL history. During the past three seasons, his Sharks went 187-97-38, but then again, they failed to get past the second round of the playoffs. Still, eighth most victories of all time?
2. Scotty Bowman
Hey, why not? He's the greatest coach in NHL history. Maybe the greatest coach in any sport ever. And, here's the kicker: He lives in Sarasota. You probably would have to give him a boatload of money and let him be in charge of the whole shebang, but, say it again, the greatest hockey coach of all time!
3. Pat Burns
Another local. He has a place on the other side of the Skyway. He has overcome cancer and appears a little more mellow these days. Was coach of the year with three teams and is a proven winner. And he's hungry.
4. Andre Savard
There's always some hot assistant coach floating around, and Savard, an assistant with the Penguins, is the hot name these days. He has been a head coach (back with Quebec in 1987-88) and is very well-liked by the players he coaches. Rumor is he could be the Panthers’ next head coach.
5. Paul Maurice
Fired after two seasons in Toronto, but he did take the Carolina Hurricanes to the finals in 2002. A young guy (he's only 40) who relates well to players.

Comments

[Bob]

Anyone with any hockey sense knows that hiring Melrose would be a disaster. He's a great analyst, but he was a mediocre coach...more than 10 years ago!

Burns, unless he's completely changed, he's just another Torts. Hmmm. Savard, no. Maurice, absolutely. Wilson, absolutely. Bowman, you're dreaming. The greatest coach since Toe Blake stepping into the gore of a hockey team owned by the Saw? Not happening.

[olin]

...never-never Melrose. Bring back Craig Ramsey and pick up Larry Robinson from NJ. Obviously Scotty would be great if he would do it..please-please. Savard might be intresting..Maybe even give Capt, Dave a shot...just dont bring in Melrose,...OK. Maurice...naw.
Look's like my prediction of 4 games to 1 for the Sweing's didnt work- but close- Pen's are making it intresting now-and have learned to cope with Sweing's speed- Malkin needs to get it going if they are to contnue.. gotta give Fleury his credit last nite- he was awesom- too bad for Kronwall's fluke clearing- or Sweing's would have won it...wonder if they can make lutefisk out of octopus????...Octofisk...LOL Please OK do not bring in Melrose. Also keep eyes on Hedman bros at Modo- is too bad cap's have right's for Oscar...better grab up Viktor if possible- for he is the next Lidstrom
Triple OT, and I made it til the end....

[jorge]

"Also keep eyes on Hedman bros at Modo- is too bad cap's have right's for Oscar...better grab up Viktor if possible- for he is the next Lidstrom"

I don't understand any of this Olin, maybe you could spare us the shorthand and actually spell out what you're trying to say.

[The Voice of the Turtle]

Jones' list is a good one; yet, it is incomplete when one considers that Quenneville, Anderson, and others are waiting in the wings. Even Hartley's name has been in the news as a candidate in waiting for a spot somewhere.

The Canadian Press is reporting that Wilson's deal with Toronto is almost fait accomplis, and Quenneville is getting very cozy with the Sharks. Some of the names in this column will be disappearing as candidates in short order as several coachless teams are ready to pounce.

If Koules grabs the reins, he needs to attend to the coaching matter, staffing the front office (hopefully that will lead the Bolts to be disabused of the present GM's blither), preparing for the draft, making decisions about available free agents, addressing contract negotiations with unsigned Bolts, laying out a viable business plan for his new enterprise, and working on his relationships with the commissioner's office and the other owners. Other matters pertaining to real estate dispositions, event scheduling at the Forum, and contracts with connected agencies (vendors, advertisers, providers of services and materials, etc,) require immediate attention.

All these decision-making demands and others require attention "yesterday," as the saying goes. A salient question ponders how well prepared to deal with these exigencies is Mr. Koules and how much meaningful planning has he undertaken in recent months. Well beyond the important matter of coaching, his measure as an executive will soon be taken.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

Well if they bring in the Mullett Man, at least he will look like most of the refreshment vendors in Tampa, and I won't have to listen to his bad commentation on ESPN anymore.

For what its worth my vote is for Pat Burns. He's a real coach with some real credentials and I'm sure he wouldn't cost an arm and leg to bring back. Plus, his assessment of Vinny Lecavalier was right on a few years ago. This man knows hockey and would most assuredly guarantee a winner inside one or two seasons, provided that the Bolts S***-can Feaster.

[Another thought]

I remember a guy who managed nine seasons in the National League, in Boston and Brooklyn. He never won more than 71 games and never finished higher than 5th. His career record was 581-742.

After his last season, he didn't manage again for six seasons. Then, at the age of 58 he was picked up to run another team, a team that was just one season removed from winning a World Series. With this team a manger whose previous winning record was a paltry .439 went 1149-696, hoisted ten pennants, and won seven World Series.

I'm sure there are a lot of Yankees fans back in 1949 who weren't happy when Casey Stengal replaced Bucky Harris.

[Iron Man]

Wilson or Quenneville would have been my choices, but, those guys are destined to land "prime" jobs...something that Tampa is not right now. The organization needs to hire a coach that is going to be able to take the young guys and mold them for the future. This isn't fantasy hockey.

[Edgar]

let's see

Ron Wilson: most definitely
Paul Maurice: no thanks (I heard negative things about him in Toronto)
Joe Queneville: toss up
Scotty Bowman: not happening keep dreaming
Andre Savard: no thanks
Pat Burns: toss up
Barry Melrose: definitely NO!!!
Craig Ramsey: popular choice

if I see Melrose on TV I don't want to hear him talking about coaching

[EL CHAPITAN]

Melrose would be a terrible choice. He would be good on a team laden with veterans but this team is and will be young for a while.

I would love Wilson, smart and determined guy. His downfall in San Jose was the team leadership, not an issue here (marty and boyle). he is a great teacher as well which fits our needs badly.

Burns is a great coach but he is also a 10 year older version of Torts. If they didn't like Torts then no sense in getting Burns.

[Brad Holland]

Scotty Bowman would be wonderful, but it isn't going to happen. From the inside info I've gotten, Melrose is a done deal! They just have to wait until the ownership group is approved, and then it will be made public. You're wasting your time talking about anyone else. Melrose will the Bolts next coach.

[Brad Holland]

Scotty Bowman would be wonderful, but it isn't going to happen. From the inside info I've gotten, Melrose is a done deal! They just have to wait until the ownership group is approved, and then it will be made public. You're wasting your time talking about anyone else. Melrose will the Bolts next coach.

[buckky]

I like the idea of Maurice. It would just make those wins against Carolina so much sweeter.