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Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet: "Who wants to play games for nothing?"
If nothing else, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said, Tampa Bay players should be excited about what the rest of this season may hold. With 21 games left, the team is one point out of a playoff spot. Compare that to the previous two seasons, when the team finished last and next to last in the league. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet sees a 4-1 victory for Canada over the U.S.
He also said he hopes Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ryan Malone scores 10 goals for the United States, so you can see his loyalty is split. But he is Canadian, after all.
Tampa Bay Lightning coach John Tortorella and Fredrik Modin's Olympic experience
The feel-good situation with Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith -- that coach Rick Tocchet let him go see his girlfriend, Brigitte Acton ski the Olympic slalom for Canada, and how grateful Smith was for the opportunity -- got me thinking back to 2006 and how then-coach John Tortorella handled Fred Modin's Olympic experience. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith gets to see his girlfriend ski in the Olympics
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith said he has "a lot of respect" for coach Rick Tocchet, "and the whole Lightning organization," for allowing him to fly to Vancouver to watch girlfriend, Brigitte Acton, ski for Canada in the Olympics.
Acton, 24, skis in today's women's slalom. ... Read more
Norfolk owner Ken Young says he understands why Tampa Bay Lightning took his coach
The owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning's AHL affiliate in Norfolk feels his fans' pain after losing the coach that turned around the team's season. But Ken Young said that is part of being associated with an NHL team. ... Read more
Former Tampa Bay Lightning assistant Wes Walz praises coach Rick Tocchet
Wes Walz, who was fired by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday after deciding not to take the vacant head coaching job of AHL Norfolk, had warm words for his former Lightning staff mates, especially Lightning coach Rick Tocchet. Walz was offered the Admirals job after Norfolk coach Jim Johnson was elevated to Tampa Bay assistant, pushing Walz out. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said he wasn't consulted about staff change
The most interesting aspect of the change to the Tampa Bay Lightning coaching staff is not so much that assistant coach Wes Walz was fired after he declined the head coaching job at AHL Norfolk, or that Norfolk coach Jim Johnson has been hired as a Lightning assistant, helping to push out Walz. It is that Lightning coach Rick Tocchet apparently was not consulted by GM Brian Lawton before the change was made. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning fires Wes Walz after he declines Norfolk head coaching job
A tumultuous day for the Tampa Bay Lightning got even more so Wednesday when assistant coach Wes Walz was fired after he declined to take the head coaching job at AHL Norfolk. That job opened when the Lightning promoted Admirals coach Jim Johnson to a Tampa Bay assistant. Walz was removed from his Tampa Bay assistants job to make room for Johnson.
Walz earlier in the day was said to be mulling whether to take the Norfolk job. No immediate word on who will fill that job, though a replacement likely will be named quickly.
Here is the announcement from the team: ... Read more
Norfolk's Johnson joins Lightning staff; Walz considers whether to accept Norfolk offer
Norfolk Admirals coach Jim Johnson joins the Lightning as an assistant coach, replacing Wes Walz. Walz now is weighing an offer to replace Johnson as head coach in Norfolk.
LIGHTNING NAME JIM JOHNSON ASSISTANT COACH
TAMPA BAY ... Read more
Wes Walz could be new Admirals coach in swap with Norfolk's Jim Johnson
The rumors that Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet was going to be fired are false. Apparently what could happen, and it is not finalized, is Lightning assistant Wes Walz could go to AHL Norfolk as coach, and Norfolk coach Jim Johnson, who has masterminded a huge turnaround for the Admirals, could be moved to Tampa. Again, not finalized, but stay tuned.
About the bloggers
Follow the Lightning through the season with beat writer Damian Cristodero and the Tampa Bay Times sports staff. We invite your participation in the comments area.
E-mail Damian Cristodero: cristodero@tampabay.com
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