Posts Tagged Brian Lawton

Tampa Bay Fires GM and Coach

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on April 12th, 2010

It didn’t come as much of a surprise that the Tampa Bay Lightning have fired GM Brian Lawton and head coach, Rick Tocchet. New team owner, Jeffrey Vinik made the announce Monday morning.

The Lightning finished 8 points out of a playoff spot, 12th in the east. Assistant GM Tom Kurvers will take on the responsibility of hockey operations until they find a replacement for Lawton.

Before a new GM is named, Vinik will name a new CEO, who will then bring in the GM. They will need to really get moving on the CEO, as they’d like to have GM in place well before the draft in late June, and the July 1st free agency.

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Malkin Still Out … Coach and GM Getting Fired in Tampa? Getzlaf Shut Down for Year?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 25th, 2010

  • Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Evgeni Malkin missed his 4th game in the last 5, due to a foot injury. The injury is apparently not long term, but a return date is not known.
  • Martin Fennelly of the Tampa Tribune: Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Rick Tocchet and GM Brian Lawton could lose their jobs following the season. New owernship and another disappointing season could mean change is coming. Stamkos, St. Louis, and Hedman are probably on the only untouchables in their lineup.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Anaheim Ducks may consider shutting down Ryan Getzlaf for the remainder of the season due to his wonky ankle, and the fact that they are pretty much eliminated from the playoffs. As long as my fantasy team is in contention for the championship, I don’t think the Ducks should do this, as it will hurt the productivity of Corey Perry.
  • Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs don’t have a player who stands in front of the net and collects the “garbage goals”. Zwolinski notes that Devils forward David Clarkson is a RFA, and could be a player the Leafs target via trade.
  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward was taking shots at practice yesterday and is eyeing a return next week. Ward has been out since February 3rd with a bad back. On the bad news front for the ‘Canes, Tuomo Ruutu will be out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury, surgery is scheduled for today.
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk will look at some college free agents, but realizes the success rate of them making the NHL isn’t great. “I think you have to look and say that 97 percent probably aren’t going to play in our league, but there’s still a chance you can hit a home run on one and there’s definitely an opportunity to stock some depth in your organization,” Nieuwendyk said.The Stars will look at signing a player or 2.

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