Sold!

[RSchmitz]

Just wanted to pass along the (good?) news that its official.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241031&lid=sublink03&lpos=headlines_main

[Sotnos]

Well I'm glad TSN now actually cares enough to put in a line about us! This is already being discussed here (http://www.boltprospects.com/forum/showthread.php?t=357).

[chad]

He speaks! (http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/nhl-approves-sale-of-lightning-to-koules-led-group/)

“We are thrilled that the National Hockey League and its Governors offered its unanimous affirmation today,” said Koules, who will serve as Governor of the Lightning after the transaction’s closing. “Len Barrie, myself and our other partners look forward to jumping in with both feet, ensuring Tampa Bay it will have a team to be proud of on and off the ice for years to come. Additionally, we intend to focus on the 2008-09 season immediately.”

EE also says he wants to hold a town hall type meeting in the Tampa area soon.

[chad]

From Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/447310)

(Worth a read, but some highlights... )

Maybe even Steven Stamkos and Vinny Lecavalier together won't be able to save the Bolts from the storm that's coming. "Nobody knows what the heck is going on there," one prominent GM said. But even if all of the above turn out to be true, let it also be said that the new Lightning owners have heart. [Carle pick]

...

"Oren and I are 50/50 on control," Barrie said yesterday, looking more rock star than NHL owner with spiky, gelled hair, an open shirt and a heavy gold chain around his neck. "I can tell you we didn't get into this to drink wine and sit in a luxury box."

Stories of Barrie and Koules calling other NHL teams directly to discuss player moves, with Lightning GM Jay Feaster left to figure out the details, are already popular gossip topics in hockey circles. They've brushed the mothballs off Barry Melrose to come in as head coach and former NHLer Wes Walz, a Barrie buddy, has been hired as an assistant coach. Names from Brian Lawton to Rick Tocchet have been linked to the club and Barrie might be appointed team president.

So the league that wouldn't welcome Jim Balsillie and is regretting its loosey-goosey acceptance of William (Boots) Del Biaggio, it would seem, now has two new wild cards in Barrie and Koules.

"For me, the timing is about 10 years ahead of what I thought it would be," said Barrie, a friendly sort with contagious enthusiasm. "But you've got to get in the game. It's about opportunity and timing, whether you're a player wanting to play, or whether you're looking for an opportunity to be an owner."

He bristled over suggestions he lacks the requisite experience to run an NHL club. "What experience did I have when we started Bear Mountain? And we have 700 employees today," he said.

So it's going to be different, certainly anything but snoozy and maybe a little wacky in Tampa.

[pete]

I give them credit, at least, for not acting the fool at the draft.

[WaiverWire]

News conference is set for Monday June 23rd at 11 AM Medallions Restaurant to introduce Koules and Barrie. Season ticket holders can attend by going to a special table set up outside. Once your name is checked off you will be to attend.

[Sotnos]

I know no one wants to hear this, but someone didn't know it was a bank holiday in Canada?! Duh

Sale delayed again (http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/07/lightning-sale.html)

[ThorBolt]

That sort of reminds of the year I had two thanksgivings. The first was Canada's Thanksgiving Day (which I didn't even know they had one) while I was in Canada for a Bolt's game and then the one here in the states.

But considering Barrie is a Canadian shouldn't he have known that. Oh well :ohwell: tomorrow's another day.

[Sotnos]

Sale finally (really really, we're sure this time!) closes (http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/07/sale-of-lightni.html)