Tampa Bay Lightning Assistant Steve Thomas Not Returning Next Season
Tampa Bay Lightning Assistant Coach Steve Thomas will not be returning to the organization when the 2016-17 season arrives.
There is no denying the Tampa Bay Lightning will be going through some changes during the off-season. The Lightning have more than a few contracts that need to be signed and a finite amount of money in which to get all the deals done. As much as we would like to deny it, this means there will be some roster shedding. Judging by the events that played out today, the shedding will not be restricted to players on the ice.
According to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Lightning Assistant Coach Steve Thomas will not be returning to the Lightning organization for the new season. Thomas has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2010 when he was a player development coordinator.
Steve Thomas has a rather long history in the National Hockey League. Before he was ever a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s coaching staff, he was an NHL Player. Thomas made his debut in the 1984-85 NHL Season as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. After three seasons, Thomas would make his way to the United States as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Thomas would go on to play for teams like the New York Islanders, the New Jersey Devils, the second run with both Toronto and Chicago, then off to the Anaheim Ducks and the Detroit Red Wings. Steve Thomas would end his on-ice career as a member of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2003-04 season.
It made perfect sense for Thomas to join the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. It would give him a chance to work with his former teammate Steve Yzerman. Unfortunately, Thomas’ tenure with the Bolts would only stretch a few years.
According to Smith, the Tampa Bay Lightning have not said whether or not they will be seeking a replacement for Thomas; however, Smith makes a point in his article that makes perfect sense to us. What the Tampa Bay Lightning really needs right now is someone to work with the team’s ailing special teams unit.
In the 2015-16 regular season, the Tampa Bay Lightning were ranked 28th in the National Hockey League on the Power Play. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen…even the next to last team in the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers, had a better Power Play Percentage than the Tampa Bay Lightning. That definitely says something and it’s most certainly not good.
The Tampa Bay Lightning did significantly better when it came to the Penalty Kill, but if the Lightning are going to remain successful and return to the postseason in the 2016-17 season, they are going to have to work on capitalizing on their opportunities and bringing the pressure to their opponents when they have the man advantage.
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning: A Season In Review
It’s largely unknown at this point what kinds of changes we will witness during the off-season. We’re sure there will be cheers along with plenty of tears, but when it is all said and done, the logo on the front is vastly more important than the number on the back. We here at Bolts By The Bay extend our best wishes to Steve Thomas. May he find success in all of his future endeavors.