Tocchet to Tampa?

[jdhebner]

Originally Posted by aapbolt

Of course maybe they need a bookie.

Zing!

[TexasBolt]

If this comes true it's going to be awfully hard to root for this team, or admit to other people that we're a fan of them. Then again, we're used to it, so...

[matt24]

What a bunch of negative ass clowns.... I will be rolling if/when these guys do in fact turn this thing around.

The reall funny thing is, when this team turns it around, you all will jump right BACK ON THE BANDWAGON!!!!!( This is just directed at the negative people)

You negative clowns should go root for the Stars or whatever scrub team the main ass clown "Torts" goes to.... By the way, how many of you actually wanted the Bolts to hire Tortorella way back when? And out of those, how many thought he was going to do a good job? (With no NHL head coaching experience) The Bolts were the first team to give him that chance, right? After how many years in the AHL and as an assistant and how many titles? Yet he sat until the worst team in NHL gave him a chance. I think we should give the new owner the benifit of the doubt until he proves otherwise. What exactly has he done(officially) that was wrong? Fire Torts? Trade Richards? Both needed to happen for this franchise to get out of the funk they were in, whether you want to admit it or not. If Richards didn't have such a high salary it would been different or if Torts hadn't opened his mouth a few too many times, maybe both would still be here. But it is what it is.....

[Sotnos]

I tell you what, while I have NO idea who you are (besides a Torts hater, speaking of being overly negative), I do know that most of the people on here have stuck with this team for years through the bad or good, so calling them ass clowns and bandwagoners is really uncalled for & untrue.

On topic, they must have the coach picked out already if they're interviewing assistants, and could it be assumed that no one has the rights to this coach if we haven't heard about seeking permission to talk to him? Hmm

[CTLightning26]

I don't like Tocchet. This is bad news!!!

[CTLightning26]

Originally Posted by matt24

What a bunch of negative ass clowns.... I will be rolling if/when these guys do in fact turn this thing around.

The reall funny thing is, when this team turns it around, you all will jump right BACK ON THE BANDWAGON!!!!!( This is just directed at the negative people)

You negative clowns should go root for the Stars or whatever scrub team the main ass clown "Torts" goes to.... By the way, how many of you actually wanted the Bolts to hire Tortorella way back when? And out of those, how many thought he was going to do a good job? (With no NHL head coaching experience) The Bolts were the first team to give him that chance, right? After how many years in the AHL and as an assistant and how many titles? Yet he sat until the worst team in NHL gave him a chance. I think we should give the new owner the benifit of the doubt until he proves otherwise. What exactly has he done(officially) that was wrong? Fire Torts? Trade Richards? Both needed to happen for this franchise to get out of the funk they were in, whether you want to admit it or not. If Richards didn't have such a high salary it would been different or if Torts hadn't opened his mouth a few too many times, maybe both would still be here. But it is what it is.....

Huh? This is a forum to discuss things and opinions will be made... and changed... I think a lot of us are concerned and rightfully so. Do we hope we are wrong? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

[Flycoon]

I'm not concerned. After the disaster that was last year, I look forward to new ownership. Koules and Barrie are extremely competitive so I expect that to translate to being successful on the ice. If Melrose is the choice and he brings Tocchet in with him, they will be gone in short order if they are not successful.

[CupChamps2004]

Originally Posted by Flycoon

I'm not concerned. After the disaster that was last year, I look forward to new ownership. Koules and Barrie are extremely competitive so I expect that to translate to being successful on the ice. If Melrose is the choice and he brings Tocchet in with him, they will be gone in short order if they are not successful.

You didn't get the memo that the world as we know it is ending?

[TexasBolt]

If Melrose and Tocchet show up in Tampa, I expect them to fail quickly and profoundly and their mere presence will establish the Lightning as a laughingstock again, especially with the Canadian media. Not that they ever need a reason to poke fun at the Bolts.

So yes, putting up with that will suck and there will be stifled laughs from people any time they ask us who our favorite team is and we say the Lightning.

I thought they were laughing at us this year.

Like Flycoon, I welcome the change of owners. Koules and Barrie may not have been exactly what I would have liked, but I really believe another year of PS&E in Tampa could have possibly killed this team.

Many are saying that nothing is going to change here as they feel that this new ownership will be as stingy as PS&E has been these past few years. Others that are within the league have been saying that we are getting an owner that will be committed and hands on in a style similar to Mark Cuban. But let's face it. This group has not said one word as to how they will be so how can anyone know until they show up.

Bottom line is that under PS&E we went from first to worst in 3 seasons and they had no intentions on fixing the problem. So I say thanks for the CUP.........but good bye.

And on a side note. Feaster has been on the radio several times and has said that Koules has told him that they will be active and competitive in the race for free agents in order to fill some holes. Now if this is true it sure does not sound like he will be keeping the payroll on the lower end of the cap.