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Bolts' New Ownership Group Makes Good On Its Promise

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

Updated: 07/02/2008 12:12 am

TAMPA - With a script in hand, new Lightning owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie produced a 72-hour makeover for Tampa Bay's roster through the first day of the summer free agency period.

After signing pending free agents Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts and the re-acquired Vinny Prospal the previous day, Tampa Bay added three more players on Tuesday: goaltender Olie Kolzig and forwards Radim Vrbata and Adam Hall. In addition, the Lightning signed 6-foot-6 forward David Koci to a two-way deal.

With the exception of losing out on the chance to sign Brian Rolston - he signed with New Jersey for $20 million over four years, while Tampa Bay was believed to have offered a three-year, $13.5 million deal - just about everything has worked out as planned for the new ownership group.

"I hope the fans realize that we kept our promise and maybe even exceeded our own expectations," Koules said late Tuesday. "And we were down to the end on Rolston. It just got past a point where it made sense for us from a financial point, but he gave us a fair shot and let us put our two cents in."

The makeover may not be complete. The team is still believed to be on the lookout for a defenseman, which means there may be plans in place to move at least one or two defensemen off the roster. The most bantered name burning up the airwaves Tuesday suggested that Dan Boyle, who in February signed a six-year extension worth $40 million that includes a no-trade clause, is the most likely to move.

While teams are believed to be calling and the Lightning are believed to be listening, Koules said, "I think that Dan Boyle is probably the best puck-moving defenseman in the league. We love Dan."

With the additions the team did make up front, Tampa Bay's top two lines might rival any other top six forwards in the league. Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Prospal are locked into the top line, while No. 1 draft pick Steven Stamkos is expected to center the second line flanked by Vrbata, a 27-goal scorer with Phoenix last year, and Malone, who scored 27 goals for Pittsburgh.

The third and fourth lines, meanwhile, likely will feature centers Jeff Halpern (when he returns from knee surgery) and Ryan Craig - who is expected to sign a two-year deal today - with the likes of Jussi Jokinen, Michel Ouellet, Nick Tarnasky, Roberts and Hall looking for spots on the wing. That group does not include the signing of 6-foot-5 winger Evgeny Artyukhin, who must show the NHL documented proof he is no longer under contract in his native Russia before his two-year, $1.9 million deal can be announced.

The roster makeover will give the Lightning a much different look and feel than it did when the season ended.

"I think it's great," Lecavalier said. "I think when they said they were going to be aggressive, I believed them, but to see how aggressive they actually are ... it's great for the team."

With the bottom lines seemingly overcrowded at this point, it likely means there is no room for free-agent center Chris Gratton or possibly Jason Ward, who has one year left on his contract. Ouellet, who finished with a flurry to end up with 17 goals, may also be on shaky ground.

The addition of Kolzig, a 14-year veteran and former Vezina Trophy winner, gives the team a mentor for 26-year-old goaltender Mike Smith, who the team would like to see seize the No. 1 job. The Lightning also have expressed an interest in extending Smith, who has one year left on his contract at $950,000, although Smith's agent, Kurt Overhardt, declined to discuss the situation.

The rumor mill, however, was churning up talks of Smith being shopped, but Koules said that "shopping him and people calling are two different things. We love Mike Smith and we made a huge trade to make him our No. 1, so we'll see what happens."

Koules also said the team made a run at a couple of "mid-level" defensemen in free agency but found the price too steep.

Without a doubt, there has been a buzz created around the league as many are paying attention to what is taking shape thus far under the new direction.

Even Commissioner Gary Bettman has taken notice.

"They are certainly causing quite a stir down there and creating some excitement," Bettman said on XM Radio's "NHL Live" on Tuesday. "They are very enthusiastic, they are excited and I think it's great for the franchise."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.

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