Kukla's Korner Hockey
Next entry: Friday with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang
Previous entry: Laraque's Purpose in Life
Worst Kept Secret in Hockey
by Alanah McGinley on 05/30/08 at 01:02 PM ET
Comments (8)
From Damien Cox at the Toronto Star,
One of the worst kept secrets in hockey is expected to become public in the next few days as Barry Melrose returns from TV exile to take over the coaching reins of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Melrose, who last coached in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings 13 years ago, is expected to get the Tampa job, replacing John Tortorella, who has yet to be replaced or reassigned.
More at TSN.
Update 8:42pm ET: Melrose responds on ESPN’s SportsCenter --
“This is no different than any of the last 10 years,” Melrose said in response to a report in the Toronto Star. “I’ve been contacted by a handful of clubs every year since joining ESPN. My desire to coach again has never been a secret, but I love what I do at ESPN.”
Melrose’s return to NHL coaching has been speculated upon several times in recent years but, when asked about the report on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Friday, Melrose added: “I want to coach again in the NHL. But nothing’s going on. Uh, I work for ESPN and I’m very happy working for ESPN.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Tampa Bay Lightning | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: barry+melrose,
Comments
THERE IS A GOD!!!!
Yes! Get that idiot off the tv and losing game behind the bench. Sorry Vinny, Martin and Brad; you guys deserve better.
p.s. Would anyone who has listened to this greasy idiot even hire him for their peewee club? I sure as heck wouldn’t.
Posted by Osrt on 05/30/08 at 12:17 PM ET
Obviously a huge mistake...He coached back when Gretzky was actually good. Although as a Bruins fan I’m delighted...that’s four wins for us
Posted by kevin from boston on 05/30/08 at 12:38 PM ET
Osrt,
Would the Brad you’re referring to be the one that is now a member of the Dallas Stars...or are you a Brad Lukowich fan?
Posted by NHLJeff from Boston, MA on 05/30/08 at 12:54 PM ET
Doesn’t Lecavalier have only a year left on his contract before he becomes a free agent?
If he’s smart, he waits to see how this works out before he thinks about signing a long-term extension.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/30/08 at 01:55 PM ET
I agree, Vinny should keep his options open if the new owners are going to pick a new coach because of his marketability.
Looks like the Bolts might have the first pick next year too.
Posted by Rachel from San Jose on 05/30/08 at 02:48 PM ET
Yep, it looks like the ‘80s are definitely back!
Personally, I blame Van Halen. They started it with their tremendously successful reunion tour. Then The Police got back together. Then the Chicago Bulls announced they might re-hire Doug Collins about 20 years after his first tour of duty there. And now, the return of the Mullet!
(cue screechy string music from Psycho)
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/30/08 at 03:46 PM ET
I’ll be interested to see how Melrose does. Of course, he is always going to be under prepared against the Wings, because he always think they suck.
I also think he is kind of an idiot for signing so early. I think Therrien might be out on his ass depending on how the rest of the SCF go, and if that is the case the Pens job is going to be the most sought after post in the league. If I were a coach looking for a job, I would hold out for it.
Or I would hold out for a spot on Toronto if Burke defects later this summer.
But I would not coach in Tampa. Boo.
Posted by John from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 05/30/08 at 04:30 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
A Good Reminder For Those Stuck On Stats
Luongo Ill, Daniel Sedin Returns
Cam Ward Had Surgery To Repair Lacerated Thigh Muscle
Wild Players Say Ott Should Be Suspended For Elbow On Sykora
Team USA Goalie - Miller Or Thomas?
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
Hockey Links
Since I didn’t get to see him coach in LA I’m interested to see how he applies all that hockey “knowledge” in Tampa. I’ve always wanted to see how the so-called experts handle things.
Posted by AndrewB from TN on 05/30/08 at 12:17 PM ET