PITTSBURGH-One of the worst kept secrets in hockey is expected to become public in the next few days as Barry Melrose returns from TV exile to take over the coaching reins of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Melrose, who last coached in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings 13 years ago, is expected to get the Tampa job, replacing John Tortorella, who has yet to be replaced or reassigned.
It's believed new Tampa owner Oren Koules is the driving force behind the hiring of Melrose, who led the Los Angeles Kings to the the 1993 Stanley Cup final against Montreal. (Ed. Note: Koules and fellow investor Len Barrie, a former NHLer, won't officially take over the team until June 18th board of governors meeting). In recent years, the Kelvington, Sask. native has been a featured analyst on ESPN.
Koules, once partnered with former Columbus president Doug MacLean to buy the Lightning before that collaboration broke up, is looking for a marquee name to help sell and market the club in central Florida. Tampa, which won the 2004 Stanley Cup, missed the playoffs this year.
Melrose's hiring will surprise many NHL watchers, as will his salary, expected to be about $2 million per season. Melrose was a defenceman in the Maple Leafs organization from 1980-83, and coached the Medicine Hat Tigers to the 1988 Memorial Cup.
The Lightning traded away Brad Richards late last season, but still have stars Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Dan Boyle under contract. The Bolts own the No. 1 pick in next month's NHL entry draft and are expected to select Sarnia junior forward Steven Stamkos.
Melrose's last two seasons with L.A. saw the club finish out of post-season play. Since ESPN lost rights to broadcast NHL games, Melrose has been an analyst on ESPN and a frequent contributor to ESPN.com.
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A number of media commentators are raising a fuss over the reluctance of Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux to comment publicly on his team's performance in this year's playoffs.
Some have claimed Lemieux hasn't spoken publicly since March, 2007, but he actually gave an interview to The Star on April 16 after the Penguins eliminated the Ottawa Senators. Since then, Lemieux has declined to be interviewed, citing his belief that the focus should be on his team and star centre Sidney Crosby.
Nice to see that the Leafs aren't the only disfunctional team in the league. Melrose? A step up from Tortorella? Please.
Posted by: mark | May 30, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Talking about dysfunctional, this morning I heard a well know ex Leaf executive's theory about what is going to happen. It goes like this:
Brian Burke is going to preside over the draught for the Ducks, and Fletcher will do the same for the Leafs, then since Burke's refusal to sign an extension the Ducks will fire him and he'll be in the Leaf's GM office before July 1st. Just in time to re-sign Sundin.
I've heard some of his theories in the past, and some have turned out to be bunk, but many have become reality in some form or fashion......
I tend to think this is quite a possbility, considering how dysfunctional a lot of teams are these days......i.e. Barry Melrose and the Bolts.
Posted by: Bruce | May 30, 2008 at 02:13 PM
I'd like to see Toronto make a play for Tortorella. He's exactly the type of coach the Leafs need.
The last two coaches in T.O. (Quinn & Maurice) weren't really authoritative in their coaching styles. But Quinn's teams had cagey vets, guys like Thomas, Roberts, Nieuwendyk and Corson, guys who wouldn't let you take a night off. Quinn's teams always showed up to play, because of the veteran leadership in place.
Things started to turn when those guys left, the new room "leaders" (Tucker, McCabe, etc.) didn't have the same pull on the room as those before, or the same desire, and Maurice wasn't the type of coach to scream for three hours a night. All of a sudden, talent took a backseat to passive, lazy play, and the Leafs sunk like a stone.
A coach like Tortorella will get the most out of these guys, because he won't let them take nights off like they had the propensity to do last season. He'd absolutely park somebody like McCabe, Blake or Tucker if they weren't playing to their level, and with all the guys on the Marlies on the fringe of the Leafs roster, he'd basically be putting that 12th forward and 6th defenseman spot up for auction each night to the guy who's going to work the hardest.
It would be an immediate 180 in terms of team mentality, and with Toskala backing everything up, it would be a HUGE improvement over last season's club.
Posted by: Clark Aitken | May 30, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Melrose also won a calder cup with with Adirondack Red Wings in 91-92
Posted by: frost | May 30, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Great move by the Bolts - Melrose has long deserved another shot. I also agree with Clark Aitken - the Leafs should give Tortorella consideration for the coaching job.
Posted by: roger | May 30, 2008 at 07:41 PM
I can't believe Tortorella will be gone! His departure is Tampa's loss in my opinion. Tortorella's energy and passion led the team to many successful seasons which culminated in the 2004 Stanley Cup. Too bad the 2005 season did not happen (shame on the NHL/owners/player reps for that one). It's unfortunate that Tampa was victim of the "perfect storm"(several key injuries to a team with little depth, ownership distractions, and a couple trade decisions that did not work out)this year. It's amazing how one trade gone bad can kill a team with little depth (Modin for Denis). Not to mention that Tampa should have picked up Bryzgalov off waivers back in November! And I guess a "perfect storm" type season results in the garage sale at the end... Richards in a Lightning jersey will be sorely missed. Tortorella - thank you for your hard work in Tampa. Go Lightning!
Posted by: David | May 31, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Back in February, I asked the guys on NHL radio what they thought about the chances of Tortorella becoming the coach of Leafs? They pretty much just dis-missed my question.
I too think it would be a great fit for T.O., and now the timing maybe coming together... Just like I thought it might months ago!!
Sorry to be on the soapbox, I just didn't get much respect from the NHL radio guys. Have a good day!
Posted by: Craig | May 31, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I recently read that Mats Sundin was awarded the Mark Messier Award for Leadership for this past year. By refusing to waive his no trade clause, Sundin certainly did display “leadership” by acting in his own self-interest and stiffing a hockey club and city that has embraced him for years. His leadership appears to have inspired others to similarly refuse to waive their no trade clause. I will be thinking of Sundin’s great leadership last year when I watch all the young prospects flourish the Leafs could have had if Sundin had agreed to be traded, or as I watch the Leafs fail to make the playoffs again for the next year or so because those same prospects are not on the team.
I often hear of Sundin’s “leadership” of the Leafs, refusal to waive his no trade clause aside, but I cannot see it. Certainly, he gets points, is a gentleman, and I presume he is supportive of other players. Not that dissimilar from Pavel Bure who was no leader. But does Sundin push and apply pressure to other players to step up their game, or is he just too nice? With all the other players refusing to waive their no trade clause, despite the Leafs not being a playoff bound team, it seems that life is pretty cushy with the Leafs. Is Sundin the glue that binds the team together, or a key catalyst for team chemistry? I think not. Has he made any other player much better? I don’t think so.
If Sundin is back in a Leaf uniform next year, I will be booing him. Of course, I will be booing him as he skates on my tv, who can afford to go to a game anyway?
Posted by: Chris | May 31, 2008 at 11:34 AM
roger said: "Not to mention that Tampa should have picked up Bryzgalov off waivers back in November!"
Sorry, Roger, but Bryzgalov was claimed by the team with the worst record in the league at the time.
Posted by: EJ | May 31, 2008 at 02:00 PM
I'm not surprised that Barry Melrose may move on. Since ESPN walked from the NHL, he's spotlighted as the hockey guy, but that can't be fulfilling. My guess is that he stayed with ESPN hoping they would snatch the broadcast agreement from NBC or Versus, but that didn't happen. Good luck Barry if you take the job!
Posted by: Darnell | June 01, 2008 at 01:14 AM
Concerning the comments on John Tortorella, anything would be better than the hiring of Ron Wilson!
I do agree that the Leaf lineup needs a task master who will shake up the indifferent play of some of the veterans. As for Mats Sundin, sign him for $8 million but do not give a no-trade contract. That way he continues as a Leaf and gives the Leafs the option of a February trade for young talent. Get a list of 8 teams that he would be open for a trade so he has some semblance of control. Otherwise, cut him loose, sign some younger free agents and develop the draft talents over the next couple of years. Give me that general manager's job and I'll soon fashion a champion!!!
Posted by: Ken | June 01, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Regarding Sudin's no trade clause. Those who come down on him for not waiving it make me laugh. Have you never heard of job security?
If your boss came to you and said "Hey Chris you're doing a great job but, the company's not doing too well, so I need to send you off to some other place to allow me to bring in some younger and less paid people"
As if you'd go...........
Posted by: Bruce | June 02, 2008 at 07:22 AM
I love how only in Toronto an article about Barry Melrose and Pittsburgh makes people start to talk about the Leafs!?!?
I'm a Leaf fan myself, but come on, if they aren't playing...don't talk about them!!!!
I'm surprised no one in the comment section has mentioned Barry's role in the '93 "Greatest Hockey Sin Ever"!!!!!
Posted by: Ryan | June 02, 2008 at 02:21 PM