Posted by  Dave Bridges, Columbus, OH on 11/15  at  01:32 AM

Being here in Columbus, I wish we had a coach like Melrose.  Whether you like him or hate him, you got to respect him.  He called things as he saw it, and wasn’t afraid to point out individuals who weren’t performing.  I wish the Blue Jackets would fire Hitchcock and bring in Melrose.  I could see him calling out Nash, Commodore, Peca, Klesla, and (at the start of the season) Umberger.  The owners/management for the Lightning are a bunch of tools.  Good luck Barry, come here to Columbus.  We could use someone with the balls and guts to speak the truth.

Posted by  Bolts Rule !!, Largo on 11/15  at  01:02 AM

A coach has to get the players to play hockey, and so far these guys cant seem to play the whole game, some games they dont play at all. (save for the goalies, and 1-2 players). That responsibility falls on the coach. Torts was in your face coach, was he the best. NO but current players were used to someone getting up in there face and pushing them. Melrose didnt do that. Maybe Tocchet can do that, someone needs to knock some sense into most of the players, they should be some of the best players, now they have to play like it or not play. NO PLAY, NO PAY. most players it kills them watch and not play.

Get their heads in the game and start playing 60 minutes of in your face hockey. If we lose, then we lose.

Posted by  Joe Clay, Tampa on 11/15  at  12:16 AM

Even if Vinny did have that power, Melrose needed to go. His system obviously didn’t fit this team and he tried to push it on them.

And Lawton should be on the block too. Also, since I have been watching, I saw Lawton give an interview.

Posted by  Philly Flyers Fan, Tampa on 11/15  at  12:03 AM

Rick Tocchet is one of the best hockey players, ever and he has a true love of the game. I have been a fan of his since he was with the Flyers. He will do great things for Tampa.

Posted by  Joe Clay, Tampa on 11/14  at  11:54 PM

Again you guys didn’t watch. Vinny has been an excellent captain. He’s even gone so far as to get in the goal behind Smith to block a shot. He’s thrown the body, stood up for his players, and argued bad calls. What more do you want?

This team was trying to get rid of Melrose. Why would they play with passion to make him look good.  Now that he’s gone they’ll play again.

Posted by  RCG2, Land O'lakes, FL on 11/14  at  11:48 PM

I guess with the Rays in the World Series, and the Bucs playing well, we had to have our obligatory last place team be the Lightning.  It’s a shame what these new owners have done to the Lightning.  I wasn’t a Melrose fan, but wow, was that poor treatment.

Posted by  JOE PAUL, Tampa Tantrum on 11/14  at  11:26 PM

Let’s see Lawton a number one overall who was a flop as a player; one owner who is Clueless, another that was a hack player…now a new coach who was involved in a gambling ring….Melrose Place has been foreclosed on.  Looks like another lost season…but wait SAW V will be on DVD soon - yeah trading Richards and Boyle were brilliant moves (joking)- we need more- instead of Let’s Play Hockey - it’s let’s play fantasy hockey…Lame - at least now we can watch a Lightning game and bet on the over/under our new coach has experience at that!

Posted by  Ruthe, St Pete on 11/14  at  11:24 PM

Watching the Blue Jackets-Buffalo game tonight and the commentators were of the opinion that Lecavalier got Melrose fired. They said he had too much power here in Tampa and probably was the reason Torts was let go. They also made the statement that no player should have the power that Lecavalier does.  Any thoughts?

Posted by  JOE PAUL, Tampa Tantrum on 11/14  at  11:23 PM

Let’s see Lawton a number one overall who was a flop as a player; one owner who is Clueless, another that was a hack player…now a new coach who was involved in a gambling ring….Melrose Place has been foreclosed on.  Looks like another lost season…but wait SAW V will be on DVD soon - yeah trading Richards and Boyle were brilliant moves - we need more- instead of Let’s Play Hockey - it’s let’s play fantasy hockey…Lame - at least now we can watch a Lightning game and bet on the over/under our new coach has experience at that!

Posted by  HockeyFLA, Tampa on 11/14  at  11:20 PM

Lightning Fan, Burns is still a paid consultant with the Devils.  I do not think he will even entertain leaving the Devils considering they have stuck with him throughout his bout with the big C.  And quite frankly, I do not think Burns or any big names can be enticed to coach the Bolts if Lawton is the GM.  Remember, all these perfectly qualified coaches worked for very well respected GM’s of w/c Lawton is not.  Lawton will be like Snow, cannot hire a respectable and reputable coach.  Worse, no UFA of great skill will sign with the Bolts next year.  Just like Snow. I guess Rolston saw this before none of us did.  Less money but with working for a good GM and stable organization is better.  The Bolts practically gave him anything

Posted by  MattWright, Trinity on 11/14  at  11:13 PM

I think this was a bit premature. They were closing in on 500 and playing better hockey. They knew when they signed him that Melrose hadnt coached in awhile, and he deserved more time.

He got the shaft for pathetic player personnel moves.

Posted by  chuckers, tampa,fl on 11/14  at  10:51 PM

Let’s go Capitals!

Posted by  Lightning Fan,  on 11/14  at  10:25 PM

Pat Burns lives in Sarasota.  Spend the money and bring him in. If you don’t, the fans will stop coming and you’ll lose a lot more money.  Rick Toch. is a good hockey guy but he does not have the experience to “gel” these guys.  Pat Burns knows what it takes…..remember, if you can coach in Montreal, you can coach anywhere….

Posted by  Katya, Tampa, FL on 11/14  at  09:50 PM

Maybe Cowboy Oren planned it all along…. and wants to coach the team?  That would be a disaster…wait, hold on, it is already a disaster!

Posted by  HockeyFLA, Tampa on 11/14  at  09:22 PM

How can you trust Lawton who has been recognized as one of the biggest flops in the last 25 years.  25 years, that is a long time and still be a part of it.  I know there are some lawyers out there.  Can I get a refund on the account that Barrie declared that “The Bolts are going to win the SE conference” statement.  Isn’t that misrepresentation?

Posted by  shale, tampa on 11/14  at  08:59 PM

Whose is to say that Lawton may be the problem as well.  Why is Lawton’s name not being brought up in any conversation or why has he not gone on record of any of the moves that are being done.  Instead of radio, tv or newsprint, he sends out press releases to the pr department.  I think his motives need to be questioned just as much as Koules and Barrie’s.  I think if things continue to go the direction that they are going….some serious finger pointing needs to go in Lawton’s direction and be called out.  Not once has I heard Lawton on tv or radio, where Feaster would be more than obliged to give an interview or two.  Shot, would many even recognize Lawton if he walked right by you??

Posted by  shale, tampa on 11/14  at  08:54 PM

Tocchet will the coach for the remainder of year.  No way that the ownership group is willing to pay for 3 coaches salaries….that is just plain ludicris.  But, I have a serious problem with Tocchet being head coach.  Is it just a mere 1 1/2 years that Tocchet was pleaded guilty to a sports gambling ring?????  Wonder if the eyebrows of the old NHL cronies are being raised.  How can you trust this man’s integrity after pleading guilty and what about his possible ties to shady figures in the gambling world.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2882460

Posted by  Andrzej, St. Petersburg on 11/14  at  08:50 PM

Whatever change TBL needs - a new coach, a new manager (this would be my first choice), or a new owner - there will be no improvement without players’ motivation to play and a help of a psychologist to improve psychical immunity of the players.

Signing the lucrative contracts also   doesn’t work well in this Club. The bigger money, the less productive performance.

Posted by  John Season Ticketholder, Tampa on 11/14  at  08:34 PM

What a bunch of COWBOYS!! No ability to focus on anything for more than a day. Welcome to Instant Gratification Owners of a younger generation. So if the team doesn’t go .500 for November then what? If Eenie, Miney, and Minie even think about getting rid of Vinny 4 and Marty, they can forget my presence for the rest of the year. Let the team alone for a couple of months!!

Posted by  HockeyFLA, Tampa on 11/14  at  08:23 PM

Sarah, a last place team is surely broken.  So now Tocchet is coach, he learned from a great player, a mediocre coach who has had 5+ yrs to build a team, just to have a winning record, more so the playoffs. All to no avail. Not buying it.  Sorry Billy, a Bowman, a Burns, a Nolan will not touch this team even w/ a 20,30,40,50 ft. pole with Lawton as the GM. Joyce for the first time….November 14th, 2008, I am agreeing with you.  A #1 is looking like a forgone conclusion.  We just need to get the Isles and Blues to cooperate, since I believe all the other last place teams will get it together before the season is over.

Posted by  Leanmean43, Tampa, Fl on 11/14  at  08:11 PM

I believe Melrose system is what really hindered the bolts.  Melrose employed a “Trap” System and I don’t believe a trap system best fit this team with offensive players.  The Bolts weakness is Defense, why would you play a trap in which you have to play more in own zone. 

The Bolts need to go back to the uptempo type system in which they play in the other teams zone most of the game if they are going to be successful and starts scoring again.  It’s pretty hard to score goals when the other team is in your zone 90% of the game.  Even with the last place team last year we could at least score goals, Melrose System was hurting Vinny and Marty’s production big time.

Posted by  Fredrik Erdtman, Sodertalje, Sweden on 11/14  at  07:54 PM

We have not played well so far but fire coach after 16 games doesn’t make sence. We have not even had the same team thoose 16 games because GM continue to do trades. I would have given him a chance to stay longer and see if it would have turned around.

Except for Toronto game I have not seen Vinny L playing very well. Have to hope new coach have some trick to get him back on track. With the new contract he got there isn’t exactly a new deal to play for.

I will continue to cheer for the lightning but please Brian Lawton give the team a week without roster moves now and then.

Barry Melrose thanks for your short time here, if you go back to ESPN I am looking forward to listen to you again.

//Fredrik

Posted by  Billy Charlebois, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on 11/14  at  07:44 PM

Firing Melrose is a good start….now, take the “C” off #4’s jersey and replace it with an “A”, then tell #26 his on the trading block and he needs to waive his no trade clause, get a couple of NHL defenseman, then get a Pat Burns, Ted Nolan, Scotty Bowman type Coach who doesn’t take any $hit from players and then, maybe the LIghtning will be a playoff calibre team.

Posted by  HockeyFLA, Tampa on 11/14  at  07:42 PM

I would not be surprised if MSL is dealt along with 2 other players for a solid stay at home and a puck moving D.  The new owners should have hired Bowman as a consultant and brought up Loiselle as GM.  Loiselle has been in the organization for a while. Learned from one of the best in Lamoriello.  And to think that I drank the cool aid, spent $150K on a box to use with clients and charity.  Heck I cannot even get my employees to come to the game more so my clients.  Even Shriner’s for children said Thanks but no thanks.  I am mad and not going to take it anymore.

Posted by  HockeyFLA, Tampa on 11/14  at  07:33 PM

Joe B. & Mike J.R. were right on the ball. Mike from Brandon, the Caps had a team that carried over from the previous year.  Sure Melrose should have chewed VL & MSL’s a$#% off.  But for all intents & purposes, he did not have to, those 2 guys are faces of the Bolts.  They never did step up.  The ownership even went as far as reuniting the line.  The main problem I believe is Lawton.  I am not even sure if he served a AGM role anywhere.  Bad moves all the way around.  Try to cover a mistake with another.  I would not put it past him if he had MSL on the block.  Maybe he was the one that was supposed to go.  Off course Lawton knew that he would have had his head on the chopping block of Bolts fans if he did.