Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment LLC, a group owned by Jeff Vinik, has purchased the Tampa Bay Lightning, the lease to the St Pete Times Forum and over 5 acres surrounding the Forum subject to approval from the leagues other owners.
“Buying the Lightning and joining the Tampa Bay community is a dream come true,” Vinik said.  “I’ve been an avid hockey fan my whole life and I pledge to our fans that I will work my hardest to build the Lightning into a world class organization both on and off the ice.  I hope to bring a high level of [...]

THN.com is reporting that the negotiations between the Lightning and Jeffrey Vinik have hit a snag.  The snag is that Vinik realized that trading Vincent Lecavalier would result in a severe backlash in the community.  His agenda then switched from getting Vinny to agree to waive his no movement clause, to purchasing the Lightning at a discounted price.
That reported discounted price is 140 million, from 170 million.  Vinny will have about 77 million left on his contract after next season, so the reduction in purchase price will help him cover about half of Vinny’s contract. Commisioner Gary “Douchebag”  Bettman is [...]

With the sale of the Bolts looming over the organization, trade rumors are starting to swirl across the league.  Last night after leaving the game, I popped open some emails and internet stories that had the Los Angeles Kings very interested in our star center.
Vinny would make sense for the Kings who have been linked to Ilya Kovalchuk the last few weeks.  With the Thrasers not allowing teams to talk to Ilya’s agents, it is possible that whatever prospects or players you move for Kovalchuk could all be for naught if you don’t win a Cup.  He could end up [...]

Im what could spell doom for this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning, according to TheHockeyNews.com and Ken Campbell, will be sold to Boston hedge fund manager Jeffrey Vinik as early as today.
Campbell mentioned this yesterday in a column that he said would ultimately spell doom for the team this season and for the franchises future.
Yeah, one guy with lots of money beats two guys with none who spent more time plotting against one another than they did building a hockey team, but if we’re hearing things and reading the tea leaves correctly, there are still all kinds of red flags [...]

No Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St Louis or Steven Stamkos?   Are you serious?
Team Canada unveiled its roster today much to the chagrin of the 200 or so Lightning fans on earth and all three of our guys were left off the roster.  It wasn’t even two weeks ago that I told my brother, if Team USA leaves Ryan Malone off the roster, I’m rooting for Team Canada.  I said that because there was some speculation that Steve Yzerman, after the disappointment of 2006’s team, that they were going to try and pair up guys who played on the same team [...]

In what is becoming a really alarming oddity, the Lightning lost last night 2-1 in a shootout, their 4th shootout loss this season.  If you combine that with the fact that we had the most shootout losses last year, and an alarming trend starts to surface.
Besides being outshot by a hefty margin, 38 to 19, the Bolts played real solid hockey last night.  We passed the puck and entered the zone well against a team that doesn’t allow teams to enter their own zone with ease.
Victor Hedman, although one of only 4 players with a – rating for the night, [...]

Today the Tampa Bay Lightning re-assigned Matt Lashoff and Mike Lundin to Norfolk of the AHL. Looks like the blue line is starting to shape up.  These are the remaining D-Men fighting for the job.

6
KURTIS FOSTER
6′ 5″
220
NOV 24, 1981
27
CARP, ON, CAN

21
DAVID HALE
6′ 2″
213
JUN 18, 1981
28
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, USA

77
VICTOR HEDMAN
6′ 6″
220
DEC 18, 1990
18
ORNSKOLDSVIK, SWE

2
LUKAS KRAJICEK
6′ 2″
196
MAR 11, 1983
26
PROSTEJOV, CZE

14
ANDREJ MESZAROS
6′ 2″
218
OCT 13, 1985
23
POVAZSKA BYSTRICA, SVK

5
MATTIAS OHLUND
6′ 3″
220
SEP 9, 1976
33
PITEA, SWE

54
PAUL RANGER
6′ 3″
208
SEP 12, 1984
25
WHITBY, ON, CAN

32
MATT SMABY
6′ 5″
202
OCT 14, 1984
24
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA

8
MATT WALKER
6′ 3″
214
APR 7, 1980
29
BEAVERLODGE, AB, CAN

Today is the first day of free agency for the NHL 2009-2010 season. Already there have been a bevy of moves. The Bolts have made some improvements to the largest problem area on the ice. Today they signed free agents Matias Ohlund, from the Vancouver Canucks, as well as Matt Walker, from the Chicago Blackhawks.  Matias Ohlund is the veteran defender that we need for our mostly young defensive corps. He will also be a good mentor to fellow country man, and top draft choice,Victor Hedman. Walker is a physical guy that will make his presence known.
So for those who [...]