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Lightning General Manager Is Content With Tocchet

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Lightning general manager Brian Lawton says a decision on interim head coach Rick Tocchet's future may not come until the end of the season.

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By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2008

TAMPA - Interim coach Rick Tocchet apparently will get something predecessor Barry Melrose didn't from the Lightning's new management:

Some patience.

General Manager Brian Lawton said after Tampa Bay's 7-3 loss to New Jersey on Sunday night that Tocchet has done "a good job" through four games and isn't being counted on for an immediate turnaround.

"When you make a coaching change, obviously, the ownership is going to come to me and say, 'OK, what do you expect to happen?'" Lawton said. "And the history is very strong that, typically, not much for the first 15, 20 games.

"So far, I think we've played harder. I think we've been more organized and more structured. But I still think history is probably accurate - we have a lot of things to work on still."

Tocchet has overseen a win over Nashville and two shootout losses. Then there was Sunday night's dud, in which the Lightning (6-8-6) were outshot 45-29, went 0-for-4 on the power play and gave up four goals to Dainius Zubrus, who had two all season entering the game.

Sunday's game was a step backward for a team that has started playing with more aggression and tenacity. But was it an aberration?

"I think we've got a professional enough group to realize that that's not the kind of effort we want to have," Lawton said.

Melrose, hired by Tampa Bay's new ownership before Lawton's arrival, was fired after 16 games, despite the fact he took over a retooled team that had the NHL's worst record in 2006-07. But the longtime ESPN analyst had been away from coaching for 13 years, and he admitted the situation wasn't the right fit.

Lawton sounded like he was more in tune with Tocchet, who was elevated from assistant coach.

"I think for me it's very simple," Lawton said. "I don't like our forwards skating backwards through the neutral zone. I like to see our 'D' continue to be activated more - just to be more aggressive. I like to see more puck pressure in both directions. Those are things Rick tracks with."

Lawton said a major roster move is not imminent and that a decision on Tocchet's future may not come until the end of the season. "This group under a new coaching staff needs to have an opportunity to see what they can do," he said.

Tony Fabrizio can be reached at (813) 259-7994.

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