Tampa Bay Lightning

TSN.ca is reporting Lightning enforcer and fan favorite Andre Roy has signed a one year deal with Calgary. Roy had four goals and three assists for seven points, along with 108 penalty minutes, this past year for Tampa Bay.

While known for his locker-room antics and passion for his team, Roy's emotions got the better of him at times, resulting in on-the-bench arguments with then-coach John Tortorella. Roy was suspended by the club for a handful of games to end the year.

With Tortorella now out of the picture, it was thought Roy may have a place with the "new" Lightning, but despite new coach Barry Melrose's wishes for a physical team - and a sect of Lightning fans demanding Roy's return - the coach and new owners indicated at a recent town hall meeting with fans that the club would make use of its size at forward and team toughness rather than use a designated enforcer.

The Lightning did sign 6'6" enforcer David Koci to a one year contract earlier this off-season, but that signing was done with Norfolk in mind.

The National Hockey League released the 2008-2009 season schedules for all 30 teams today, and Tampa's schedule can be found here. The Lightning begin the season playing back-to-back games against the New York Rangers on October 4-5 in Prague, CZE. Following the season opener in Prague, the Lightning return to the St. Pete Times Forum to host a 5 game home stand culminating in the return of Dan Boyle and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, Oct 25th.

Two West Coast trips with stops in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Colorado, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Anaheim highlight the main Lightning extended road trips. Multiple extended home stands of 5 games in October, 4 in November, 5 in January, 6 in February, and 4 in March help offset the European and West Coast trips.

The reigning Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings come to town on November 13, and Brad Richards makes his return to the Forum with his Dallas Stars on January 19. The defending Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins make two visits to Tampa in March, while the Lightning finish the season with 6 of its last 9 games on the road.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced the hiring of former Conn-Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup winning goaltender Mike Vernon as a special assistant to Brian Lawton, the VP of Hockey Operations. Vernon’s duties will be to assist in hockey-related matters and to provide guidance to the team’s goaltenders. As an assistant to Lawton, Vernon figures to be part of the "group" that Lawton indicated would be assuming much of the duties of former General Manager Jay Feaster.

“The Tampa Bay Lightning are thrilled to add a former Stanley Cup Champion to our staff,” vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “Mike’s past experience and knowledge will be a true benefit to the organization and it will be critical to us as we continue to make changes within the team to improve it.”

Vernon joins Robert "Cap" Raeder from the Sharks organization to the revamped Lightning staff as co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie continue to address the Bolts' highly publicized goaltending woes over the last several seasons. The St.Pete Times quoted Lightning head coach Barry Melrose as he provides some additional clues as to Vernon's role with the on-ice team. "Cap Raeder is a guy I depend on a lot for goaltenders. He’s the guy, I know what he can do and I think he’ll be great working with Kolzig, Smith, and Ramo. That’s the guy I know and trust as far as goaltenders are concerned. Mike’s role will be looked at as we go."

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced they will play five preseason games in 2008, including two at the St. Pete Times Forum. Highlights of the schedule include two games each against the 2007-08 Eastern Conference Champion Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers, as well as a match-up against Eisbaren Berlin in Berlin, Germany before the Lightning open the season in Prague, Czech Republic. Prices and the on-sale date for preseason games will be announced at a later time.

The Lightning will open the preseason at Mellon Arena against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins on Saturday, September 20 (7:30 p.m.), then the teams will travel to the St. Pete Times Forum for a re-match Monday, September 22 (7:30 p.m.). Tampa Bay will then host the first of a home-and-home set with the Rangers on Tuesday, September 23 (7:30 p.m.), before heading to Madison Square Garden on Thursday, September 25 (7 p.m.) in their final pre-season game in North America.

From New York, the Lightning will travel to Europe where they will play their final pre-season game against Eisbaren Berlin on Sunday, September 28 (time TBA).

(Pictured: Prospect Justin Keller vs. the Red Wings last exhibition season.)