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Former GM Esposito Nearly Made Offer To Buy Bolts In '06

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2007

Updated: 12/07/2007 12:33 am

TAMPA - The Lightning weren't necessarily for sale last year, but CEO and governor Tom Wilson always has maintained that any franchise is subject to a certain amount of "tire kicking" every now and then.

The current proposed sale to Absolute Hockey Enterprises remains in limbo, but it turns out filmmaker Oren Koules and former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean weren't the first people to check into the team's availability.

NHL Hall of Famer and original Lightning GM Phil Esposito on Thursday said he was part of a group last year that was prepared to offer around $175 million to buy the team.

"I told them it wasn't enough," said Esposito, who currently works as a Lightning radio color analyst at home games.

Esposito, who is credited with leading the effort that landed the Tampa Bay area an expansion franchise 17 years ago Thursday (Dec. 6, 1990), would not rule out becoming involved with a future buyer.

The sale to Absolute Hockey broke down when Palace Sports and Entertainment terminated the deal last month when potential co-owner Koules withheld a $5 million payment toward the purchase. Koules is being sued by other members of the group for allegedly violating terms of the $200 million deal to buy the team, the St. Pete Times Forum and 5.5 acres of adjoining land.

Because of the lawsuit, the deal with Absolute Hockey is all but dead. There remains a possibility that once the legal problems have been resolved, Koules could lead a new group.

No one from Absolute Hockey will comment on the breakdown of the sale or the lawsuit. In a text message to The Tampa Tribune on Thursday, MacLean wrote: "Sorry I can't comment."

DOWN TO THE RIVER: Former Lightning first-round pick D Andy Rogers, who nearly made the team out of training camp in 2005, was demoted to the franchise's East Coast Hockey League squad in Biloxi, Miss., on Thursday.

The 21-year-old from Calgary was playing in the American Hockey League with Norfolk, appearing in 11 games this season. Two-plus years of injuries, including an ankle in 2005 and a hip pointer in 2006, have slowed his development to the point where he frequently has been a healthy scratch this season.

"He's been in and out of the lineup this year and the best thing for him is to play," Norfolk GM Claude Loiselle said. "For him to get his confidence back up ... I talked to Mississippi coach Stephan Wallby and they need some defense, so Rogers will go there, play 25-30 minutes a game. And we talked to Andy about that - he's been injured and just hasn't played a full season in a while - so he needs to play."

NUTS AND BOLTS: With 23 points in 15 home games, the Lightning lead the NHL in points accrued on home ice. ... Tampa Bay also is last in points accrued on the road with five in 13 games. ... Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier (one goal, one assist) had his 17th multi-point game of the season, his fourth in seven games. ... RW Marty St. Louis (goal, assist) had his ninth multi-point game, his second consecutive. ... D Filip Kuba (one assist) has had a point in seven of his past eight games. ... Lightning D Shane O'Brien and Carolina LW Andrew Ladd fought to a draw at the start of the second period.

Erik Erlendsson, Carter Gaddis

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