2008–09 Tampa Bay Lightning season

2008–09 Tampa Bay Lightning
Division 5th Southeast
Conference 13th Eastern
2008–09 record 24–40–18
Home record 12–18–11
Road record 12–22–7
Goals for 210
Goals against 279
Team information
General Manager Brian Lawton
Coach Barry Melrose (Oct/Nov)
Rick Tocchet (Nov-Apr) interim
Captain Vincent Lecavalier
Alternate captains Andrej Meszaros (Oct/Nov)
Jeff Halpern (Nov-Apr)
Martin St. Louis
Arena St. Pete Times Forum
Average attendance 16,054 (82.3% total)
Team leaders
Goals Martin St. Louis (30)
Assists Martin St. Louis (50)
Points Martin St. Louis (80)
Penalties in minutes Evgeny Artyukhin (151)
Plus/minus Richard Petiot (+5)
Wins Mike Smith (14)
Goals against average Mike Smith (2.62)

The 2008–09 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 17th season for the franchise in Tampa Bay. After a season of turnover in ownership, management and players, the team had a turbulent regular season. The Lightning failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Off-season

On June 3, it was announced that Head Coach John Tortorella would not return to the team despite having one year remaining on his contract.[1]

The NHL Board of Governors on June 18 approved the sale of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The sale of the Lightning was made to movie and television producer Oren Koules. The deal depended the closing of the financial deal of US$200 million to buy the team and lease the St. Pete Times Forum. Koules, 47, played in Medicine Hat and Calgary in the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the early 1980s. In more recent years, he achieved success with the Saw movie franchise and the television sitcom Two and a Half Men. Among his business partners in the Lightning deal is former NHL player Len Barrie.[2]

On June 24, the Lightning announced that Barry Melrose was hired as the team's new head coach. Melrose had not coached in the NHL since 1995 with the Los Angeles Kings. Since that time, he had served as an analyst for the ESPN networks.[3]

Goaltender Marc Denis' contract was bought-out by the Lightning on June 25, almost two years to the date after his acquisition from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Denis had one year remaining on his contract.[4]

The Lightning acquired the rights to left wingers Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009.[5] Malone then agreed to a seven-year contract with the Lightning two days before he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Lightning acquired the rights to right wing Brian Rolston from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009 or 2010. Rolston would later sign with the New Jersey Devils.

The whirlwind 32 days of questionable moves by new ownership came to a head on July 4 when, despite coming off a recent contract extension, Dan Boyle was traded along with Brad Lukowich to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Matt Carle (who would be traded in early November), Ty Wishart, a first-round draft pick in 2009 (which was traded in August) and a fourth round draft pick in 2010. Boyle was pressured to waive his no-trade clause by Tampa Bay's ownership, who said they would otherwise place him on waivers where he would likely be claimed by the Atlanta Thrashers. Frustrated at interference in the team's hockey operations by owners Len Barrie and Oren Koules, seven days later, General Manager Jay Feaster resigned, despite having three years remaining on his contract.[6] Indeed, Brian Lawton had already taken over the position, though not officially until October 2. John Tortorella would later go on to label the new owners as "cowboys" for these and other dubious moves,[7] a moniker that would stick with them.

On August 29, the Lightning acquired defenceman Andrej Meszaros from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenceman Filip Kuba, as well as Alexandre Picard, and a first-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (obtained in the Dan Boyle deal with the San Jose Sharks). The Lightning would go on to sign Meszaros to a six-year contract worth $24-million.

On September 18, the Lightning announced that their new team captain would be Vincent Lecavalier.

Pre-season

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be playing five pre-season games before opening the season against the New York Rangers on October 4 in Prague. Of special note, this is the first time that Tampa Bay will be opening the season outside of North America. This will also be the first time that the Lightning will play a pre-season game outside North America, playing Eisbaren Berlin in Germany on September 28. It was announced later that the Lightning would also play against Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga on September 30.

DateOpponentLocationTimeResult
Saturday, September 20PittsburghMellon Arena7:30pm5-4 W (SO)
Monday, September 22PittsburghSt. Pete Times Forum7:30pm3-2 L
Tuesday, September 23NY RangersSt. Pete Times Forum7:30 pm3-2 W
Thursday, September 25NY RangersMadison Square Garden7:00 pm4-2 W
Sunday, September 28Eisbaren BerlinBerlin, Germany10:00 pm4-1 W
Tuesday, September 30Slovan BratislavaBratislava, Slovakia12:00 pm3-2 W (SO)
  • Note: all times EST and bold games are home games.

Regular season

The Lightning struggled on the penalty kill, finishing the regular season with the most power-play opportunities against (405) and the most power-play goals allowed (89).[8]

Divisional standings

Southeast Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1y – Washington Capitals8250248272245108
2Carolina Hurricanes824530723922697
3Florida Panthers8241301123423193
4Atlanta Thrashers823541625728076
5Tampa Bay Lightning8224401821027966

Conference standings

Eastern Conference
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1z – Boston BruinsNE82531910274196116
2y – Washington CapitalsSE8250248272245108
3y – New Jersey DevilsAT8251274244209106
4Pittsburgh PenguinsAT824528926423999
5Philadelphia FlyersAT8244271126423899
6Carolina HurricanesSE824530723922697
7New York RangersAT824330921021895
8Montreal CanadiensNE8241301124924793
8.5
9Florida PanthersSE8241301123423193
10Buffalo SabresNE824132925023491
11Ottawa SenatorsNE8236351121723783
12Toronto Maple LeafsNE8234351325029381
13Atlanta ThrashersSE823541625728076
14Tampa Bay LightningSE8224401821027966
15New York IslandersAT822647920127961

bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)

AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

Game log

2008–09 Game Log
Schedule

Record vs. Opponents

Team Points Record
New Jersey* 106 0–1–3
NY Islanders 61 1–2–1
NY Rangers 95 0–3–1
Philadelphia 99 1–2–1
Pittsburgh 99 1–2–1
Boston* 116 1–3–0
Buffalo 91 2–2–0
Montreal 93 2–0–2
Ottawa 83 1–2–1
Toronto 81 3–0–1
Atlanta 76 2–3–1
Florida 93 3–2–1
Carolina 97 0–4–2
Washington* 108 0–6–0
Chicago 104 0–0–1
Columbus 92 1–0–0
Detroit* 112 0–1–0
Nashville 88 0–1–0
St. Louis 92 0–0–1
Calgary 98 1–0–0
Colorado 69 0–1–1
Edmonton 85 0–1–0
Minnesota 89 0–1–1
Vancouver* 100 0–1–0
Anaheim 91 1–0–0
Dallas 83 1–0–0
Los Angeles 79 1–0–0
Phoenix 79 1–0–0
San Jose* 117 0–2–0

Notes: * denotes division winner; teams in bold are in the Southeast Division; teams in italics qualified for the playoffs; points refer to the points achieved by the team whom the Thrashers played against

     = Member of the Atlantic Division
     = Member of the Northeast Division
     = Member of the Southeast Division
     = Member of the Central Division
     = Member of the Northeast Division
     = Member of the Pacific Division

Playoffs

The Tampa Bay Lightning failed to qualify for the 2009 NHL playoffs.

Player stats

Skaters

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals 

Goaltenders

Note:  Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;
Regular season
Player GP Min W L OT GA GAA SA SV Sv% SO
Mike Smith412471141891082.6212821174.9162
Karri Ramo2413114107803.66756676.8940
Mike McKenna15775481463.56406360.8871
Olaf Kolzig‡8410241253.66245220.8980
Riku Helenius1600000.00221.0000

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Lightning. Stats reflect season totals.
‡Traded mid-season
Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Awards and records

Milestones

Regular Season
PlayerMilestoneReached
Steven Stamkos1st NHL GameOctober 4, 2008
Steven Stamkos1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		October 28, 2008
Steven Stamkos1st NHL GoalOctober 30, 2008
Steven Stamkos1st NHL Hat TrickFebruary 17, 2009

Transactions

Trades

July 4, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Matt Carle
Ty Wishart
First-round pick in 2009
Fourth-round pick in 2010 draft		 To San Jose
Dan Boyle
Brad Lukowich
August 29, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Andrej Meszaros		 To Ottawa Senators
Filip Kuba
Alexandre Picard
First-round pick in 2009 draft (pick acquired in Matt Carle trade, later traded)
September 29, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Conditional 2009 draft pick (6th round, Jaroslav Janus)		 To Nashville Predators
Nick Tarnasky
October 6, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Lukas Krajicek
Juraj Simek		 To Vancouver Canucks
Shane O'Brien
Michel Ouellet
November 7, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Steve Eminger
Steve Downie
Fourth-round pick in 2009 draft(later traded)		 To Philadelphia Flyers
Matt Carle
Third-round pick in 2009 draft(later traded)
November 25, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Future Considerations		 To Phoenix Coyotes
Wyatt Smith
November 30, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Lauri Tukonen		 To Dallas Stars
Andrew Hutchinson
February 7, 2009 To Tampa Bay
Wade Brookbank
Josef Melichar
Fourth-round pick in 2009 draft(later traded for Richard Petiot)		 To Carolina Hurricanes
Jussi Jokinen
March 4, 2009 To Tampa Bay
Matt Lashoff
Martins Karsums		 To Boston Bruins
Mark Recchi
Second-round pick in 2010 draft

Free agents

PlayerFormer teamContract Terms
Adam HallPittsburgh Penguins3 years, $1.8 million
Olaf KolzigWashington Capitals1 year, $1.5 million
Radim VrbataPhoenix Coyotes3 years, $9 million
Mark Recchi[9]Atlanta Thrashers1 year, $1.25 million
David KociChicago Blackhawks1 year, $525,000
Brandon BochenskiNashville Predators2 years
Marek MalikNew York Rangers1 year, $1.25 million
PlayerNew team
Marc DenisMontreal Canadiens
Junior LessardAtlanta Thrashers
Craig MacDonaldColumbus Blue Jackets
Doug JanikChicago Blackhawks

Claimed from waivers

PlayerFormer teamDate claimed off waivers
Matt PettingerVancouver CanucksOctober 21, 2008
Cory MurphyFlorida PanthersJanuary 19, 2009

Draft picks

Steven Stamkos was the first overall selection in 2008

Tampa Bay entered the NHL Draft Lottery with a 48.8% chance of winning the lottery after stumbling to a 31–42–9 record in the regular season. The Lightning finished last in the league just four years after winning their first Stanley Cup.[10]

Tampa Bay's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft[11] in Ottawa, Ontario.

Round Pick Player Position Nationality Club Team
1 1 Steven Stamkos (C)  Canada Sarnia Sting (OHL)
4 117 (from San Jose) James Wright (C)  Canada Vancouver Giants (WHL)
5 122 Dustin Tokarski (G)  Canada Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
5 147 (from San Jose) Kyle De Coste (RW)  Canada Brampton Battalion (OHL)
6 152 Mark Barberio (D)  Canada Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
6 160 (from Florida via Chicago) Luke Witkowski (D)  United States Ohio Junior Blue Jackets (USHL)
7 182 Matias Sointu (RW)  Finland Ilves (Finland Jr.)
7 203 (from Anaheim) David Carle (D)  United States Shattuck-Saint Mary's (USHS–MN)

Roster

Updated April 2, 2009.[12]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
76 Russia Evgeny Artyukhin RW L 35 2001 Moscow, Soviet Union
27 United States Brandon Bochenski RW R 36 2008 Blaine, Minnesota
34 Canada Ryan Craig C L 36 2002 Abbotsford, British Columbia
18 United States Adam Hall RW R 38 2008 Kalamazoo, Michigan
11 United States Jeff Halpern (A) C R 42 2008 Potomac, Maryland
44 Latvia Martins Karsums RW R 32 2009 Riga, Soviet Union
33 Czech Republic David Koci LW/D L 37 2008 Prague, Czechoslovakia
2 Czech Republic Lukas Krajicek D L 35 2008 Prostějov, Czechoslovakia
55 United States Matt Lashoff D L 32 2009 East Greenbush, New York
4 Canada Vincent Lecavalier (C)  C L 38 1998 L'Île-Bizard, Quebec
22 Czech Republic Marek Malik D L 43 2008 Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
12 United States Ryan Malone LW L 38 2008 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
30 United States Mike McKenna G L 35 2008 St. Louis, Missouri
6 Czech Republic Josef Melichar D L 39 2009 České Budějovice, Czechoslovakia
14 Slovakia Andrej Meszaros  D L 33 2008 Považská Bystrica, Czechoslovakia
21 Canada Cory Murphy D L 40 2009 Kanata, Ontario
50 Canada Richard Petiot D L 36 2009 Daysland, Alberta
24 Canada Matt Pettinger LW L 37 2008 Edmonton, Alberta
20 Czech Republic Vaclav Prospal LW L 43 2008 České Budějovice, Czechoslovakia
31 Finland Karri Ramo G L 32 2004 Asikkala, Finland
54 Canada Paul Ranger  D L 34 2002 Whitby, Ontario
32 United States Matt Smaby D L 34 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota
41 Canada Mike Smith  G L 36 2008 Kingston, Ontario
52 Czech Republic Radek Smolenak LW L 31 2005 Prague, Czechoslovakia
26 Canada Martin St. Louis (A) RW L 43 2000 Laval, Quebec
91 Canada Steven Stamkos C R 28 2008 Markham, Ontario
38 Canada Paul Szczechura C R 32 2008 Brantford, Ontario
7 United States Noah Welch D L 36 2009 Brighton, Massachusetts

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Lightning Head Coach John Tortorella Will Not Return For 2008-09" (Press release). Tampa Bay Lightning. Archived from the original on 2008-07-01. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  2. ↑ Oilers sale to Daryl Katz approved by NHL
  3. ↑ Barry Melrose Named Head Coach of Tampa Bay Lightning Archived July 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Lightning Buy Out Contract of Goaltender Marc Denis Archived July 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ Lightning Acquire Rights To Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts Archived July 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=484635
  7. ↑ https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Tortorella-calls-new-Tampa-owners-cowboys-rip?urn=nhl-105778
  8. ↑ https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2009.html
  9. ↑ CANOE - SLAM! Sports - Hockey NHL - Tampa Bay - Lightning sign Mark Recchi to one-year deal
  10. ↑ CANOE - SLAM! Sports - NHL - Bolts win draft lottery Archived April 13, 2008, at Archive.is
  11. ↑ "NHL.com – Stats". 2008-06-21. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  12. ↑ "Tampa Bay Lightning – Team – Roster". Tampa Bay Lightning. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
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