The running joke continues

by John Fontana on Nov 14, 2008 5:16 PM EST in Lightning Franchise news

The Tampa Bay Lightning have fired head coach Barry Melrose; Associate Coach Rick Tocchet has been elevated to interim head coach.

Is there anyone, anyone at all, at OK Hockey interested in stability? Cohesion? I can understand a sense of urgency, but when urgency and immediate dividends are all that's looked upon with a sports franchise... well, it becomes just a fantasy-sports-franchise, playing in reality.

Dan Boyle? Given a big contract and long term commitment last spring. Traded for Carle and more last summer...
Carle? Trade for spare parts.
Tortorella? Fired in favor of Melrose and his old school style (and mullet).
Melrose? Fired two months into his return to NHL coaching. 2 months that were preceded by a short and volatile training camp that took place on two continents and in an extremely short duration.

People have joked about the idea of Melrose being the new head coach when the rumors started swirling last spring. So maybe this should be looked at as the correction of a mistake. But honestly, it looks more like a continuing guessing game at Times Palace... Where no one is sure of the next move; what it should be and what it should bring

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The biggest f-ing piece of crap I have ever heard. Seriously? After 16 games, you know what he is all about? I understand that he was working with the organization for the last few months after he was hired, but COME ON!!! This is an embarrassment and as a fan of hockey, a fan of Barry Melrose, I want it to be known that this is a joke. Really. I saw a headline that it was ‘rumoured for weeks’, his termination. HUH?!?!?! Soooo, didn’t the season just start? Somethin fishy about this, that’s for sure.

by corey on Nov 14, 2008 6:54 PM EST reply actions

Corey, as a Lightning fan, the entire last seven months have been fishy.

I was no fan of Melrose hiring (mostly because I was endeared to Tortorella) BUT I certainly don’t favor him being pushed out the door as quickly as he has been. The situation he’s had to start with was an uphill fight to begin with. Firing him favors upheval.

The poll here on Boltsmag that is currently displayed — the one about the Flyers trade from last week? Rings true on this too. Who “Wins” this move? The Lightning? Melrose for getting out? Or confusion? Anarchy?

Nothing’s making sense here.

by John on Nov 14, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply actions