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Bolts To Debut Firepower, Fun

The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Lightning's goalkeeper Olaf Kolzig watches a puck during a training session at Prague's O2 Arena, Czech Republic, on Friday. The Lightning and New York Rangers will start the 2008-2009 NHL regular session by two opening games on Oct. 4 and 5 in Prague.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2008

Updated: 10/04/2008 01:32 am

The Lightning enter a new era today, navigating uncharted frozen waters - potentially filled with icebergs - as the season begins on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The puck drops today on the regular season in Prague, Czech Republic, with Tampa Bay playing the first of a two-game set against the New York Rangers. But no team has undergone such a radical changeover in such a short period of time as Tampa Bay.

From the owner's box to the coach's box to those who may occupy the penalty box, the entire organization has been overhauled. Led by new owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie, the Lightning have turned the league on its ear.

"The big thing about this season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, they've thrown a whole bunch of fun at the league," said NBC hockey analyst and former New York Islanders general manager Mike Milbury.

"If I had a couple or 500 million extra dollars running around, I might like to go out and buy a franchise and do some things like they did. They said, 'What the hell? I made some money in Hollywood as Koules did, Len Barrie in real estate, I'm going to do whatever the hell I want.' I think that's a refreshing attitude. Nobody got in their way. They went out and rolled the dice."

Whether they come up double-sixes or snake-eyes remains to be seen.

"I have no idea if it's going to work," Milbury said.

After drafting center Steven Stamkos with the No. 1 overall draft pick and bringing in former ESPN analyst Barry Melrose as coach, Koules and Barrie promised to be "shockingly aggressive" in free agency, and did just that.

With an emphasis on firepower, the Lightning's forward lines have a completely different look than last season, with the exception of returning members Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis.

"They're going to rip it up offensively," said former Hartford Whalers coach and TSN analyst Pierre McGuire. "You put Stamkos and Ryan Malone together, along with Lecavalier and St. Louis, this is going to be a tremendous team."

What has many pundits puzzled is the new look on defense. Gone is popular puck-moving defenseman Dan Boyle. With Paul Ranger out of the lineup to start the year while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, the Lightning will field a defense that features only one defenseman - Andrej Meszaros - with more than 200 games of NHL experience. Two - Janne Niskala and Vladimir Mihalik - have not played in an NHL game.

Combining an inexperienced defensive corps with a goaltender - Mike Smith - who has never been a No. 1 could offset whatever gains the team made up front, even with acquisition of veteran goalie Olie Kolzig.

"Their defense is suspect; I'm not sure about their goaltending," Milbury said. "Kolzig was a good pickup because I think he can stabilize things if they don't go as well as they might otherwise go for Tampa."

Canadian television icon Don Cherry, however, is a fan of the changes.

"I think Tampa is going to be such an exciting team to watch," Cherry said. "They got Roberts and Mark Recchi. I wish they had just one good, rock defenseman. I hope Mike Smith comes through for them. And I'm predicting they make the playoffs, I really am. For Barry Melrose to get back in there, he's hungry again, he wants to do it."

One thing is for sure: The Lightning will be a compelling story to keep an eye on throughout the season, no matter how things develop.

"I think it's going to be a fun team to watch," Milbury said. "I don't think they're guaranteed to make the playoffs in this particular year, but they're going to make a run for it."

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

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