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...

Walz and Tocchet to be assistants in Tampa

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

As I reported in this story June 16, retired Wild center Wes Walz was named assistant coach in Tampa Bay today. New Lightning coach Barry Melrose made the announcement today at his news conference that Walz and Phoenix Coyotes assistant Rick Tocchet will be assistants in Tampa.

Read the entire story here.

Melrose hasn't been behind the bench in a while, so I am somewhat surprised he hasn't hired more experienced assistants. However, that does not mean Tocchet and Walz aren't qualified to coach alongside Melrose because they both have extensive hockey experience.