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Not sure how many caught this little nugget coming out of the Satellite Hot Stove segment on CBC Saturday night during the second intermission of the Montreal-Philadelphia game, but Al Strachan, who works for the Sun Media outlets in Canada, stated that John Tortorella will be fired as head coach once Oren Koules gains control of the team. Not a real shock to hear that considering some of the events that have transpired in the past couple of weeks.
But the stunner was to hear that Barry Melrose, yes that Barry Melrose of the Mullet Hall of Fame,
who has all of three years of NHL coaching experience and none since the 1994-95 season with Los Angeles, is Koules’ first choice for the team’s now coach. I can’t say I put too much stock into this. I mean, Melrose has been in a very comfortable position perched up in Bristol, Conn., as ESPN’s lead analyst. Can’t imagine he would want to leave that spot to get back into the NHL. Now, maybe 10 years ago, it might have some legs (and lest we forget that Melrose once pushed for the job before Jacques Demers was hired). But certainly, assuming that Tortorella does not return for next year, there have to be better candidates out there other than Melrose.
Pat Burns? Pat Quinn? Craig Hartsburg? Craig Ramsay?
Strachan, who also stated earlier this year that Vinny Lecavalier was going to ask to play in a larger market this summer such as Los Angeles, Montreal or New York, also said that Jay Feaster is going to remain on for the final two years of his contract, but as more of a token role because they don’t want to buy him out of the contract. Also claimed that Koules is going to be Gary Bettman’s worse nightmare because he plans on running the team like Mark Cuban runs the Dallas Mavericks.
Anybody have some thoughts on Melrose even being mentioned as a possible candidate to coach this team? Anybody you guys want to see as the next coach, assuming of course that Tortorella isn’t back (which isn’t a guarantee at this point)?
I’ll have some thoughts on the Tortorella situation here in the coming days, so check back as I continue to gather and think about some stuff.
Posted by Randall Buschmann, Panama City, Florida on 05/14 at 08:16 PM
One thing is for sure, Torts has to go. He basically attempted to resign from the post at the end of the season anyways. why bring him back after that? no, a changing of the guard behind the bench is desperately needed. Pat Burns is still the best candidate IMO, although Ron Wilson is an interesting choice now that hes available.
Posted by Jennifer Hooker, Palm Harbor, FL on 05/08 at 11:41 AM
I hate Barry Melrose. If he becomes the new coash.....I’ll take a nice vacaction with my season ticket money.
Posted by chickiesstrickiesnow, mex on 05/08 at 12:36 AM
Chickies Strickies Now, Chickies Strickies Now, Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Hahhhhhhhhh, Chickies Strickies Now!!!!!!!
Posted by Katherine Schneider, Riverview, FL on 05/06 at 08:24 AM
What is wrong with making Dave Andrychuk Head Coach? You will have to agree that once he came on board with the Lightning, the team finally became a “Team”. His quiet deameanor, and leadership skills brought this Team together to win the Stanley Cup! What a better candidate than that?
Posted by Michael J. Kostka, Essexville Michiga on 05/04 at 04:11 PM
You can have Barry Melrose all you want. Ever since Detroit told Melrose he is not ready to coach in the NHL yet he has had a bone to pick with the Wings. Come to think of it he predicted the Avs over the Wings. I always figured if he knew so much about hockey then why is he workiing for a network that dosen’t even carry live games.... I saw the telecast last night and I’m not suprised Al said what he said.... MK
Posted by Courtney Richards, Lithia FL on 05/03 at 01:16 PM
Craig Ramsay would be the WORST POSSIBLE CHOICE EVER as a replacement head coach. not only would it be ridiculous to replace such a fine head coach who has had to deal with crazy front office problems, personnel problems, injuries, owner change, and a GM who flatly ignores torts’ opinions, but to bring back such a terrible manager as craig ramsay would be putting this team in the coffin for years. and this is coming from someone who knows the team, the management, and the coaches very well. trust me. CRAIG RAMSAY WOULD KILL THIS TEAM ONCE AND FOR ALL!
Posted by Ron Mayer, TAMPA on 05/02 at 11:02 PM
Do Any Of You People Go To Lightning Games!!!! Torts Has Done A Great Job Here!!! Has Any One Else Ever Spoke To Him. Take A Team From The Bottom TO THE TOP!! A few Key Injuries To Top Players. A Horrible Season And You Band Wagon Fans Jump Off!!! Melrose Get Real. Owners That Worked With One Of The Lowest Payrolls In The NHL. Leave The People In Charge In Charge And The Cup Will Be Back In Tampa In 5 More Years!!! Fire Feaster And Torts And It Will Take As Long To Get Back To Tampa As It Has to Canada!!!!!
Posted by Geografer, Spokane, WA on 05/01 at 06:12 PM
part 3 - Potvin in Florida either can’t see or is just an idiot - he also either can’t or refuses to pronounce Tarnasky right - & is almost as bad as the MSG & NESN guys. Elliot in Atlanta is the biggest homer I have ever seen (though Potvin is a pretty close second). His reporting even carries over to his supposed unbiased reports for Sports Illustrated (he is the one who picked Atlanta to win the Eastern Conference last year). There is a reason that Rick & the Chief won an Emmy for their reporting last year. They earned it. I for one am always ecstatic when I get the Sun Sports feed.
Posted by Geografer, Spokane, WA on 05/01 at 06:11 PM
part 2 - Who would you have replace them? The idiots for MSG & NESN (Boston) are completely horrendous. They can never pronounce names correctly & every call their team gets is unfair & the other teams are getting away with constant penalties. To listen to them there would be 60 minutes of 5 on 3 in their favor. The even bigger idiots are in Nashville who don’t even seem to know how the game is supposed to be played or what the rules are. Tracey for Carolina makes up conversations with players & information as he goes (read the blogs in the Carolina paper & you will see the locals even saying that).
Posted by Geografer, Spokane, WA on 05/01 at 06:11 PM
part 1 - Wow Angela, I would have to completely disagree. Maybe it is because I live so far away & only get Center Ice & am at the mercy of whatever feed I get, but I have found the two of them to be two of the best that I see & I watch way too many games (both east & west). Rick was even picked by Versus to call many of the first round of games. Chief has his moments but show me a color guy that doesn’t. He is also the 1st to point out when we get a lucky call or there is a penalty committed against us the refs miss. I have heard both call out players & point out problems.
Posted by angel gabriel, punta gorda on 05/01 at 05:38 PM
while we’re “cleaning house” this summer why not replace rick and “ the chief”. some objective reporting would have been appreciated for a bad team that finished where they belonged. there was too much “happy talk” during a dismal season. what is really apparent on the versus and nbc reporting is player/coach/management screw ups are aired. our announcers redefine the term.."homers"
Posted by Patricia Smith, Sarasota on 05/01 at 02:29 PM
This really makes me sick as well. What in the world are they thinking? Tortorella has only had one bad season with the Lightning and with all the injuries we had this past season, it made his job very tough to put together anything on the ice. I think they need to leave our Team alone and focus on other more important issues: Like bad calls from the referees
Posted by Katya, Tampa, FL on 05/01 at 12:46 PM
This is just making me sick! I do not want the tickets...really! Vinny deserves better than this!
Posted by CJH, Tampa on 05/01 at 09:18 AM
Melrose couldn’t win with a still-young, still in his prime Gretzky. During the All Star game in Tampa he paraded around like he was an actor. Melrose? I already gave up my season tickets, do they want me to stop watching too?
Posted by Philip Tompkins, Naples, Fl on 05/01 at 12:01 AM
There are not many coaches that have the record Tortorella has...4 playoff appearances, Eastern Conference Champions, Stanley Cup Champions, and two division titles. oh and not to mention that he took this once crappy team and made us into contenders. We are a contender every time with Torts. Give him one more season and you’ll be demanding an extension on his contract.
Posted by Nick Seaman, Chicago on 04/30 at 01:53 PM
Pretty sure Joel Quenneville will be available next season.
Posted by david copple, st pete on 04/30 at 10:55 AM
vinny wants a players coach . we have a jack adams winner on or payroll or still did as of last year and that bill barber. give him a shot again he got canned in philly for being to nice to the players. the lightning need a new voice !!!!!
Posted by Paul Bent, Toronto on 04/30 at 10:19 AM
I live in Toronto and we don’t believe anything that Al strachen says.The Hockey Night In Canada intermissions are for entertainment purposes only.Don Cherry in the first and Al Strachen in the second.Even his co hosts in the round table laugh at his supposed scoops.
Posted by Philip Tompkins, Naples, Fl on 04/29 at 10:58 PM
Getting rid of Tortorella would be the biggest mistake the Lightning could ever make. If Torts leaves, then be ready for one of the worst periods in franchise history...The last thing we need is a “hands on” owner, who as far as I know, hasn’t had much success wherever he has gone. We might as well have the Canadian curling coach run this team.
Posted by Jim S, Valrico, FL on 04/29 at 07:19 PM
Remember when Joe Maddon arrived as the Rays new manager? Everybody donned the black frame glasses? I can see it now....19,000+ Lightning fans on opening night..... all wearing mullets!!
Posted by Art Paty, Hernando, Fl on 04/29 at 01:30 PM
Whats wrong with Mike Sullivan
Posted by Todd Carstens, Brandon Fl on 04/29 at 09:14 AM
Come on MANAGEMENT! Get a grip on reality.
G W L T Otl %
1992-93 Kings 84 39 35 10 0 0.524
1993-94 Kings 84 27 45 12 0 0.393
1994-95 Kings 48 16 23 9 0 0.427
This is the best option for Torts’s replacement? AWESOME stats---NOT!
COME ON, WAKE UP MANAGEMENT.
This guy sucks. Look at Geographer’s post, Mike Babcock may be available. With a little research, there are likely several others that have good records. Even an average fan of hockey knows this is a disaster waiting to happen.
This whole idea smells like ANOTHER Jay Feaster blunder. FIRE FEASTER, and keep Torts for 1 more year. If you fire Torts now, it will cost you $1mil. He is still under contract for one more season (I think).
Posted by Hawkeye, St. Pete, FL on 04/29 at 02:49 AM
Melrose’s 3 years of experience and out of coaching for 13 would keep me from wanting him here.
Plus, he’s constantly put down Tampa Bay, so why should we give him the time of day?
Eh Oren?
Posted by Michelle, Brooksville, FL on 04/28 at 09:41 PM
I really hope all of this isn’t true…
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Posted by Rodney Faust, Tampa on 05/16 at 07:08 AM
It would be damn foolish to lose Torterella.