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Bettman: Koules has Lightning's final say

News Channel 8 photo by BOB HANSEN

According to the NHL, Lightning co-owner Oren Koules (right) is ahead of Len Barrie in team matters.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 23, 2009

While the long-term direction of the Lightning franchise will continue to be in flux, in the short term everything remains status quo.

Lightning co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie held a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman at the league offices in New York on Tuesday to determine who has the final say in team-related decisions. A source close to the situation said this afternoon that everything remains on par, with Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton in control of team decisions and Koules having the final say in what direction the team takes for this weekend's draft and the start of free agency next week.

The decision by Bettman, who has intervened in Lightning ownership disputes twice in the past 18 months, may have an immediate impact on the future of captain Vinny Lecavalier. The team has long been rumored to be exploring moving Lecavalier before his contract extension begins on July 1, an 11-year deal that pays him $85 million and includes a no-trade clause.

Koules, despite negotiating the extension with Lecavalier's agent last summer, is believed to be in favor of moving Lecavalier to shed payroll down to the low-$40 million range.

The 2009 NHL salary cap is expected to be in the same range as 2008, around $56 million.

Barrie did not return messages left for him and Koules was not available, according to a team spokesman.

Koules and Barrie, who purchased the team a year ago as OK Hockey, splashed onto the NHL scene last free agency period, acquiring several big-name players while touting a 50-50 share of all responsibilities. But as the season wore on, Barrie made fewer trips to Tampa while Koules became less visible.

Rumors the two were at odds began to circulate, though both publicly denied a rift. Clearly, the need for Bettman to intervene indicates the two no longer agree on the team's direction.

It is believed Barrie would prefer to build the team around Lecavalier with a payroll closer to $50 million.

Bettman also brokered a buyout agreement between Koules and Absolute Hockey's Jeff Sherrin and Doug MacLean in November 2007 when the parties' combined efforts to purchase the Lightning fell through.

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