Vinik Flexes Muscle: Fires GM Lawton And Coach Tocchet

The Tampa Bay Lightning have fired GM Brian Lawton and Coach Rick Tocchet. In a letter posted on TampaBayLightning.com, owner Jeffrey Vinik stated the the Lightning needs a “fresh start” and that the CEO, GM and Coach hirings will be completed prior to the June NHL draft.

If I had to speculate on it, I would look to former Wild executive Doug Risbrough to be the next GM, but I certainly would want Vinik to test the waters to see Steve Yzerman’s level of interest.

The Bolts (34-36-12, 12th in the Eastern Conference) had another dismal season with few highlights except for superstar sophomore Steven Stamkos sharing the scoring title and the Rocket Richard Trophy with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby.

Many will cheer these moves and hang their hopes on the “fresh start,” but this yearly circus of hirings and firings is hurting more than it is helping. There is something to be said about stability in coaching and I believe that Rick Tocchet should have been retained for the final year of his contract. He was disrespected and undermined by his own GM all season long. I would’ve liked to see him coach with a supportive front office. Check Toc’s record out. It mirrors former Stanley Cup winning coach John Tortorella’s first two years. Rick Tocchet went  53-69-26 with 132 points in 148 games, while Torts was 39-67-12-7 with 97 points in 125 games, and two years later won the Stanley Cup.

The Lightning will now have multiple former coaches on the 2011 payroll. This along with having to sign Steven Stamkos in 2012 and having to continually pay Vincent Lecavalier’s monster salary, certainly puts the Bolts in financial peril.

Vinny is home laughing after surviving the Koules, Barrie, Lawton, Melrose, Tocchet circus. Just another example of the inmates running the asylum. The NHL is becoming the NBA! HELP!