Barry Melrose Fired by Tampa Bay

One of the most interesting and controversial hockey stories from this past off season has come to an end even sooner than most had expected.

Tocchet To Replace Melrose

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced the firing of head coach Barry Melrose and have replaced him for the interim with assistant Rick Tocchet. It is hard to say if the Lightning will take a “gamble” on Tocchet for the long term (couldn’t resist the pun).

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email to The Associated Press that the league is not concerned about Tocchet’s promotion.

“Rick is still bound by the terms of his reinstatement,” Daly said. “If he’s qualified to be an assistant coach on those terms, in our view, he’s just as qualified to be a head coach.”

Lightning general manager Brian Lawton referred to Tocchet as a very “straight forward individual” who has earned respect as a former player in the National Hockey league.  It is important to note that there has been no time table set by the Lightning to find a permanent replacement for Melrose.  In fact, with the following quote from Lawton, one might be led to believe that Tocchet is the “man” in Tampa Bay:

“We think this is a great opportunity for him and we believe he’s the type of coach who can take the team to the next level”…”Our players have a great deal of respect for him.”

Koules and Barrie Continue To Make Waves

Tampa Bay’s new ownership, Oren Koules and Len Barrie, were considered foolhardy by some to take over the reigns and make such wholesale changed to the team structure, management, and personnel.  What can be said is that the two upstart owners are quick and decisive which may or may not be fortuitous for the long term success of the franchise.

Just as five months ago when they quickly sought out the then Television Analyst, who had not coached in some 10 seasons, Melrose was swiftly removed from his duties after just 16 games behind the bench of the team who finished last season dead last in the league.

While there is little doubt that changes needed to be made in Tampa, the new ownership appears to be going “great guns” make sure their investment doesn’t tank.  It’s hard to say what they might do and maybe that is a good thing?

It appears that nobody’s job is safe in Tampa Bay…so Mr. Stamkos you had better start producing because you never know when that “Rookie benefit of the doubt” will wear thin with Oren and Len!