Return to Norfolk shows coaching move was error

The Lightning undid a move on Saturday they never should have done in the first place.

Tampa Bay assistant coach Jim Johnson, who was promoted to the team on Feb. 24 after a 17-game stint as head coach of the Lightning's minor-league team, was sent back to help complete the job he started nearly two months ago, helping Norfolk of the American Hockey League try to secure a playoff berth.

Johnson was doing a terrific job with the Admirals after taking over for Darren Rumble on Jan. 17, leading Norfolk to a 13-2-2 record that launched the team from seventh place in the AHL's Eastern Division into third place. But on Feb. 23, Johnson was pulled off the team bus, which dropped him off in Philadelphia to catch a flight for Tampa, where he was to start as an assistant coach with the Lightning to replace Wes Walz.

The timing of the move was questionable, and proved to be disruptive at both levels of the organization.

Lightning coach Rick Tocchet was not consulted on the move and it sent a team that sat one point out of the playoffs heading into the Olympic break into a spiral. The Lightning are now 14th in the Eastern Conference and 28th overall with four games left.

Tocchet was never comfortable with the move and Johnson never jumped on the ice to work with the coaching staff, instead spending most of his time breaking down film, charting chances for and against and trying to do anything he could to help. In the end, it didn't prove to be much - not because he wasn't capable - and Tampa Bay has gone 5-11-1. Internal turmoil ensued through the locker room on what has been widely viewed as more of a political move by General Manager Brian Lawton than a hockey move to help the team.

Meanwhile, Norfolk tried to keep its head above the playoff picture with Leigh Mendelson, who was hired at the start of the season to be a video coach and strength/conditioning coach, taking over behind the bench. But since Johnson's departure, Norfolk slipped to a 6-6-2 record and sat outside the playoffs heading into Saturday's game at Binghamton, where Johnson was to be back behind the bench.

Johnson never really lost touch with Mendelson, keeping abreast of the everyday doings with the Admirals, but he never should have been brought to the Lightning. That's not a knock on Johnson's coaching ability at the NHL level, which remains an unknown. But if Tocchet wasn't going to be fired and replaced with Johnson, things should have been left status quo.

It was important for both levels of the organization to get a taste of the postseason this year, and who knows. If things had been left alone, maybe both teams still miss out on the playoffs. But that question will forever remain unanswered.

It's too late for Tampa Bay - the Bolts officially were eliminated from playoff contention Saturday. Now the question is, is sending Johnson back too late for Norfolk?

More help

In addition to Johnson, four players were sent back to Norfolk to give the Admirals a late-season boost - C Paul Szczechura, LW Mark Parrish, D Vladimir Mihalik and D Matt Lashoff.

With Tampa Bay off until Tuesday and Norfolk playing Saturday and today, there is a possibility any of the four could return depending on the injury situations with D Victor Hedman (hip flexor), D Matt Smaby (back), D Matt Walker (back) and LW Ryan Malone (knee).

Search continues

The team hosted an open practice session Saturday and new owner Jeff Vinik addressed those in attendance, his first public statement since the introductory press conference March 5.

While nothing new was addressed in regards to potential moves to be made after the season regarding the front office or coaching staff, Vinik did say that the search for a CEO is progressing nicely.