Tampa Bay Lightning Off-Season Review
Lightning Hire Coach Barry Melrose and Draft Steven Stamkos
Jul 15, 2008
Steven Stamkos
The Lightning selected first in the NHL entry draft this June and chose center Steven Stamkos, a player unanimousily touted as the number one selection in the draft by most experts. He is speculated to step right onto the second line next season setting up a one-two punch with star Vincent Lecavalier. Lecavalier says of the 18-year old Stamkos, “He is a pure scorer with sick skills. He’s a great player and he is going to be exciting to watch.” Stamkos had 197 points the past two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, putting him in an elite class. NHL insider Bob McKenzie states that Stamkos is “an all around talent in a class by himself.”
Barry Melrose
Barry Melrose, widely known as “The Mullet”, has found a new home as coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The former ESPN NHL host, always a fan of flair, consistently captivated his audience during hockey season with top-notch insight and passion for the game. He formerly coached the Los Angeles Kings from 1992 to 1995. He accrued an 82-103-61 record behind the bench during his tenure.
Was this a hiring based upon Melrose’s face value on ESPN or because of genuine hockey insight? One could say both. Next to Don Cherry of the Canadian Broadcasting Company, Melrose is the most recognized hockey analyst. In the United States, he is the main analyst when it comes to NHL highlights. Melrose is a young player’s coach with a sharp hockey mind and a wealth of experience. A good coach needs to know how to analyze breakdowns and Barry did that more than anyone.
According to TampaBayLightning.com, Lightning tickets were selling for as little as $14 a game this season before the hiring. Melrose will instantly generate publicity with his name. Melrose hired former NHL star Rick Tocchet, formerly an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes under coach Wayne Gretzky, to be the second man in charge.
The biggest question mark surrounding the hiring of Melrose is whether the twelve year layoff is too long. Football coach Joe Gibbs had an extended layoff before reappearing as the Redskins coach and has had a tough time picking up where he left off. Detroit Lions president Matt Millen was a studio personality who analyzed football games and seemed genuinely knowledgeable of the game but it has translated into an awful tenure. Being away from a game or simply being an analyst does not mean that you are a sound coach.
"I'm obviously excited to be back in coaching," said Melrose. "I'm especially looking forward to the opportunity to work with great players such as Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Steven Stamkos; they're all such talented and exciting athletes. Most of all, I have missed having a dog in the fight each season, especially at the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs."
Vincent Lecavalier
Captain Vincent Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85-million contract through 2020. On March 11, 2000 he was named the youngest captain in NHL history at the time. Lecavalier won a Stanley Cup in 2004, broke all Tampa Bay Lightning scoring records, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey for Team Canada.
Other Acquisitions
The Lightning also signed four former Pittsburgh Penguins’ players. Forwards Mark Recchi, Adam Hall, Gary Roberts, and Ryan Malone joined Tampa Bay. Long-time Washington Capitals goalie, Olaf Kolzig, was signed to back-up starting goalie Mike Smith. Defenseman Matt Carle was acquired in the Dan Boyle trade with San Jose. Underrated forward Radim Vrbata came from Phoenix.
Source:
TampaBayLightning.com
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