Smith is number one in Tampa

From Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times:

So much for the idea the Lightning lacked confidence in goaltender Mike Smith. Brian Lawton, the team's vice president of hockey operations said Monday that the No. 1 job "is Mike's job to lose," and that the two-year, $4.4-million contract extension was a way "to instill some confidence in him. ... We wanted to eliminate any doubt where we stand. We are behind him 1,000 percent."

Read the entire entry from Lightning Strikes here.

Good decision on Lawton's part. Smith should be capable of carrying the load in Tampa and giving him confidence heading into the season can only help matters.

Lecavaler signs 11 year contract extension

From the Tampa Tribune:

Vinny Lecavalier's hockey career will end where it began - in a Lightning
uniform.

Lecavalier signed an 11-year contract extension worth $85 million, the details of which surfaced on Saturday. The deal, which averages $7.72 million per season as the salary cap hit, was signed on Friday and submitted to the league office. The extension will kick in at the start of the 2009-10 season and carry through the end of the 2019-20 season, just before Lecavalier's 40th birthday.

Read the entire article here.

Well, I don't like the fact this contract is for 11 years. There is just too much risk involved with a contract that long. Never mind the fact that Lecavalier is already 28 and probably has 3-4 more prime years left. Nevertheless, the team is obviously ecstatic to have their best player under contract for a long time. Also, the contract dwindles down to $1 million for the 11th year of the deal; that makes the contract's average cap hit a more reasonable $7.72 million per season. All in all, Tampa fans have to be very happy to know their best player should remain with the team through the remainder of his career.

Feaster and Bolts split up

From Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune:

Once Oren Koules and Len Barrie assumed control of the Lightning, they immediately went about a reconstruction project. And with all the disassembling and rebuilding done in the past two weeks, it was inevitable that the architect of the old regime would be swept out.

Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster submitted his resignation Friday, ending a 10-year run with the franchise that began when he was hired as assistant general manager on Oct. 20, 1998, under Jacques Demers.

Read the entire article here.

Someday love will find you
Break those chains that bind you
One night will remind you
How we touched
And went our separate ways

Lecavalier's contract extension expected to be announced on Tuesday

From Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune:

"The numbers are not as advertised," Lawton said Thursday. "We are putting the final touches on it. Everything you have read and all that's been reported in the media, they are all false. We'll announce it all next week."

Lecavalier's deal is expected to be announced Tuesday during a day-long event at the St. Pete Times Forum that will be capped off with a town hall meeting involving owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie, Coach Barry Melrose and Lecavalier.

"It's exciting. We still have little things to take care of but things are looking very good," Lecavalier said.

Read the entire article here.

This contract extension has been rumored for some time now, so it appears to be basically done. I guess the question is, whether the contract is over ten years or not?

Feaster's role to be defined soon

From Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times:

- Lawton also better defined the team's management structure. He said he and general manager Jay Feaster are in discussions to define Feaster's role. He said co-assistant general managers Tom Kurvers and Claude Loiselle will split duties. Kurvers will be more concerned with player issues, more so on the minor league side. He said Loiselle will work on contract negotiations and CBA compliance. "So they'll be a division of work, the way I see it," Lawton said.

Read more about the Lightning here.

Feaster is a stand-up guy and a very solid GM who deserves a lot better than this. Remember, this man put together the 2004 Stanley Cup champions, so he won't have too much trouble finding another job.

Lightning round out coaching staff and front office

From Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune:

Here’s some housekeeping by the team, naming Wes Walz, Rick Tocchet and Cap Raeder to the coaching staff while naming Tom Kurvers as assistant general manager, Greg Malone (yes, Ryan’s father) as head pro scout and Jim Hammett as
director of player personnel. Here are the press releases from the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning have named Tom Kurvers to the position of assistant general manager, Jim Hammett to the position of director of player personnel and Greg Malone to the position of head professional scout, it was announced today by owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie.

Read the entire story here.

This story helps me understand why I saw Jay Feaster on my milk carton this morning...

Brandon Bochenski signs with Bolts

From Damian Cristodero of Lightning Strikes:

The Lightning announced right wing Brandon Bochenski was signed to a two-year contract to help provide depth for AHL Norfolk. The contract is a two-way for next season but a one-way NHL deal in 2009-10.

Read the entire entry here.

Bochenski will serve as a depth player on the Tampa roster. To be frank, he has a terrific shot but just can't skate well enough to stick as a consistent NHL performer.

Lawton joins Lightning front office

From TSN:

Former NHL player and ex-player agent Brian Lawton has been hired to be the new vice president of hockey operations for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sources tell TSN Lawton will oversee all aspects of the Lightning's hockey operations for new owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie.

General manager Jay Feaster will remain as part of the management team.

Read the short story here.

Lawton left his agency last year in order to pursue a career in NHL management and this will be his first chance on the other side of the table. Agents have had mixed success making the switch to the management side of things over the years, so we'll see how Lawton does. This move has to be weird for Jay Feaster because he used to run the Lightning show on his own before this hire. Whether he will be able to comfortably do his job anymore is anyone's guess.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Brian Lawton is rumoured to be in the running for the GM job in Vancouver.
2. The schedule and results for the 2008 Allan Cup.
3. Memorial Cup history, 1925 edition.
4. Orlando Kurtenblog declares Scott Stevens on Slava Kozlov the greatest NHL hit ever.
5. Covered in Oil discusses the force at which the puck hit Patrick Thoreson's balls.
6. Elliotte Friedman writes that Ottawa should take a few days off before making any personnel decisions.
7. Japers' Rink asks for a little Papal intervention.
8. A look at draft prospect Jake Gardiner.
9. The Junior Hockey Report from the NHL.
10. Jim Kelley correctly notes that the NHL has more to worry than what Sean Avery is doing.
11. Check out www.hockey-reference.com.
12. 5 Things we learned Tuesday night.
13. NHL Heavyweights respect UFC Fighters.
14. The Parise's hate the Rangers.
15. Scott Cullen with a very comprehensive list of NHL free agents.
16. Is Barbara Jr. dating a Ranger?
17. Check out this website, which offers interesting insight on who will win each series based on probabilities.
18. Funny story about Jordan Staal.
19. A look back at this day in Stanley Cup playoff history.
20. The Top Ten MIA players.
21. Mike Brophy's observations on the First Round.
22. Canada loses to Russia at the World Under-18's.
23. Out of Left Field points out the Canadian companies are buying a lot of board signage in American arenas.
24. Was Mark Kiszla right?
25. Jeff Marek says that the NHL needs Sean Avery.