New owner Vinik leaves strong first impression

First impressions do not always reflect the right way. Things can easily get distorted over time.

But what a first look can do is offer some insight.

When OK Hockey took control of the Lightning, what we saw was a new ownership that was passionate about the endeavor into which it was about to venture. Oren Koules and Len Barrie wanted to build a winner, and they showed us they were serious within a week of officially owning the team when Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts were brought in and Vinny Lecavalier was inked to what amounts to a lifetime contract.

Things obviously haven't worked out as planned, and the franchise is set to transfer again, this time to Boston-based money manager Jeff Vinik.

On Friday, when it was announced a deal was reached for Vinik, 50, to purchase the team, he granted a rare interview to the local media that lasted about 30 minutes before he had to return home. Vinik plans on returning to Tampa this week for the final two home games before the Olympic break. Perhaps by the time he comes back, the deal will have final approval and he can be introduced, officially, as the new owner.

But what was learned in Vinik's first impression?

He is passionate about the sport, he wants to build a winning organization from the top to the bottom and he wants to enjoy being the owner of a professional sports franchise.

We've heard that before.

I get the impression, however, that this plan will be followed through, at least in principle. After being portrayed in early reports from The Hockey News that Vinik was purchasing the team solely as an investment - which is his day job - he debunked that notion.

"I would say wrong, 180 degrees backwards," Vinik said of those assuming this is an investment-only venture.

"I make investments at work. I don't want to make investments here."

Then as I began replaying the entire interview on my recorder, and poring over everything Vinik said, there was one answer he gave that caught my attention. Vinik was asked about observers being a little skeptical about what he was saying and why fans should take him at his word when things fell apart in the past 18 months.

"I think, in checking, my track record is as good as anything," Vinik said. "But I can understand there is a degree of skepticism and my mission to accomplish what I am setting out for, day by day, month by month and year by year, so you can judge me over time."

He ended that statement with what I feel can sum up exactly why things might be different this time. After all the speculation of Vinik's intentions, and after about 20 minutes of questions and answers, he said of all that skepticism, "My comments are genuine and my interest is sincere."

Vinik was rather adamant in what he wants to accomplish here, and it's easy to sit behind a computer and tell you to take him at his word when he ultimately will be judged by his actions. But his words are all we have to go by now, and as far as first impressions go, you have to like what he is saying.