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Campbell: Forbes Inaccurate

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2007

WASHINGTON - According to Forbes.com's annual valuation of NHL franchises, the Tampa Bay Lightning are the 11th-most valuable organization in the league.

The Lightning also had $600,000 in "operating income" last season, according the magazine, making Tampa Bay one of 15 teams to make money before interest, taxes, appreciation and amortization were taken into account.

And the Lightning's value improved from 2005-06 by 16 percent, to $199 million.

Sounds good to team president Ron Campbell. If only the numbers were right.

"I would say I sure wish they were what they said they were," Campbell said. "They're just not accurate."

It has become something of an annual tradition, actually. Forbes releases its estimates of team values in all of the major sports, and the executives of those teams denounce the numbers. The fact remains, Campbell said, the team did not make money last season.

Still, considering only three franchises out of 30 - the St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche - lost value this year, there was reason to embrace Forbes' effort this time around.

"I think the best thing that I get out of it," Campbell said, "is the general reflection that values are increasing."

The Lightning are in the process of being sold to Absolute Hockey Enterprises for $206 million.

CRAIG RETURNS, SCORES: A herniated disc in Ryan Craig's back, suffered during training camp, prevented him from starting his third season until Saturday.

And once he finished his two-game rehab assignment with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals, his reward was 17 minutes of work that included even-strength time with Chris Gratton and Jason Ward, penalty kill time and time on the power play that led to his first goal.

"I think everything went as expected with Norfolk," Craig said, "and I'm looking forward to my chance here."

Coach John Tortorella threw Craig right into the fray in his first game back, and with good results.

"We used him in the last minute of the game on a faceoff in our end zone," Tortorella said. "He helps our second power play. I used him in a shift after goals were scored for us, some momentum shifts. He bounced around a couple of lines. ... He played very well. He played within himself. It fills the bench out a little for me, as far as to have him where I can use him in a lot of different situations."

NUTS AND BOLTS: D Dan Boyle, who underwent surgery Friday on his left wrist and remains out indefinitely, was with the team Saturday but was not available for comment. ... With Craig back in the lineup, LW Mathieu Darche was a healthy scratch for the first time in three games. Also scratched were D Matt Smaby and C Craig MacDonald, who hasn't played in three games. ... Today is the last day to purchase tickets online for the second annual Vincent Lecavalier Celebrity Poker Tournament. Individual buy-ins are $550, with several other packages available for groups or individuals. The event, which will help raise money for All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, takes place Monday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa. For information or to register, visit vinny4.com, the Web site for Lecavalier's charitable foundation.

Carter Gaddis

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