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AP file photo (2004)

Lightning players and coaches pose with the Stanley Cup trophy after their victory over the Calgary Flames.

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 6, 2009

Updated: 06/06/2009 10:57 pm

TAMPA - The cowboys who own the Tampa Bay Lightning told us last year they were hockey guys who would rebuild the franchise into a power once again. They would wheel, they would deal, they would spend whatever it took and we would all have a ball watching it come together.

Well, they wheeled all right - right into the ditch, cartwheeling several times along the path before bursting into flames. They made deals, spent lots of cash, and it really was entertaining as long as you didn't actually have to watch too many games. They created a mess that had no chance to succeed under leadership that was doomed to fail (see Melrose, Barry).

So it is with certain wistfulness that we pause on this five-year anniversary of the Bolts' signature moment, the night they raised Lord Stanley's Cup in triumph, while wondering if the cowboys have what it takes to make that happen again.

I guess we'll find out. They are busy preparing for the draft and once again promising big things in free agency to fix a team that has lost its way. Nobody is rooting for them to fail, but their debut season was such a spectacular kersplat that it's tough to trust them even a little bit right now.

I mean, remember this quote to The Tampa Tribune from co-owner Len Barrie last July:

"You can hear from me first, our defense is better than people think. That's why we are loading up on forwards because I really, really like our young defense," he said.

He also predicted a division title to another media outlet.

He was only off a little bit. The Bolts ranked 27th in the NHL in goals-against and finished a mere 42 points behind the Washington Capitals in the division.

Draft is the key

The Bolts hold the No. 2 pick in the June 26-27 draft. That's a good place to start.

Barring a trade they'll wind up with defenseman Victor Hedman, a 6-foot-6 blue liner who has played in the Swedish Elite League for two seasons, or touted center John Tavares, who could team with Steven Stamkos up front.

If Hedman is as good as his reputation, it might stop the madness on defense, or at least slow it a little bit. The Bolts used 22 defensemen last season, more than any NHL team ever, and it shows the scattershot way they were put together last summer.

But if they wind up with Tavares, well, hold on just a minute because the Vinny rumors are out there again!

We can't go a month in this town without some sort of chatter that Vinny Lecavalier is about to be traded. This time, the L.A. Kings supposedly have interest, and there is always Montreal. Vinny has always been the untouchable one, but this might be a good time to seriously explore a deal that could bring in at least three frontline-caliber players.

Vinny's value may never be higher and the Bolts' needs may never be greater. It might be time to see if there is really a dance partner out there willing to meet the Bolts' price because they could rebuild around Stamkos and Tavares. But who is that setting the price, and how much confidence can anyone have that they'd get it right?

The cowboys earned that cynicism with moves like Radim Vrabata, brought in last year at three years, $9 million, then sent home after 18 games and three goals. Or for thinking 43-year-old winger Gary Roberts had anything left.

Or for trying to act like signing Chris Gratton would have any impact. Or for thinking that firing John Tortorella to hire Melrose made sense.

Rebuild with defense

So as they prepare for a second summer of repair work on this franchise, here's a friendly suggestion: This isn't fantasy hockey. They need a blueprint for what they want to be so they can build accordingly. Most successful teams build with defense, so the Bolts might start there.

Stock this team from the back to the front with players who fit the plan. They can be physical, they can be fast, but the important thing is to be part of a unit that wants to bring it night after night.

The Bolts didn't build to a Stanley Cup champion overnight and it won't happen quickly this time, either. Get as many young ones as you can who fit the profile you're looking for, and then be patient. They have to stop running a shuttle service between the Forum and whatever minor-league outpost they have picked out to banish the player.

Keep a leader or two around the dressing room to show them how to man up, like Dave Andreychuk used to do. Then when the time is right, make a splash move or two to get over the top. That's a few years down the road, though.

They tried a quick fix last year and failed spectacularly, even though it was entertaining.. What they need now is a slow, steady, common sense plan and the patience to stick with it.

We'll know soon enough if they're up to it.

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