Site Meter Ponds and Pucks » Blog Archive » Lightning sold?

Lightning sold?

by Michelle Finch

Big news today is the sale of the Tampa Bay Lightning to Absolute Hockey Enterprises — a group that includes former Florida Panthers coach and former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean.

No one was more surprised than Lightning fans and the Tampa media. Unlike the public woes of teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, there wasn’t the slightest indication the current Lightning owners were considering an offer, let alone selling the team.

Lightning fans went from shock to fear and anger quickly though — MacLean isn’t exactly a friendly face for Tampa fans. Never mind the Columbus Blue Jackets and the unfortunate legacy left there, Lightning fans endured years of MacLean at the helm of the state-rival Panthers, years when the Panthers benefitted from a well-stocked expansion draft and regularly came to town to wipe their feet on the Bolts.

It’s like Scotty Bowman buying the Colorado Avalanche. Glen Sather buying the Islanders — or worse, the Flames.

The Lightning/Panthers rivalry may not be a legendary one, but for a sports-happy state, it’s an intense one, and usually not terrible classy. Any one else remember the rats?

Despite all this, MacLean has been saying all the right things: there are no plans to move the team, there is (as yet) no indication MacLean intends to take over GM or coaching duties, and there are hopes there will be a budget increase, which has been a recent sticking point with the current ownership.

Then, I can’t help but wonder…. how much was Columbus paying MacLean if he’s able to buy a hockey team?


Posted in NHL, Tampa Bay Lightning on August 9th, 2007

Link to this Entry

Recent Posts

Related Posts

Leave a Reply


About Ponds and Pucks

Ponds and Pucks is a look at the world of hockey, focusing on the NHL. Looking at the news both on and off the ice, this site provides a no-holds-barred honest view of everything.

Ponds and Pucks Author(s)

NAVIGATE

LINKS

CATEGORIES

TOP COMMENTERS

RECENT COMMENTS

SUBSCRIBE

ARCHIVES

Blogging Flair

 

Sports & Outdoors Channel Links

 

Sports & Outdoors Channel Posts

  • It's Football...Sort Of
    The Washington Redskins will play the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight on NBC. You could watch this game and scout backups for the inevitable injuries both teams are set to incur. Or! You could watch the [...]
  • NFL Gone Mad
    So apparently when I use the word "later" to describe the length of time before a new post, we actually mean "tomorrow". I just wanted to clarify. Anyhow, we don't know how big the crossover [...]
  • Batista/Candice Michelle - "Smackdown Your Vote." - Video
    World wrestling stars Dave Batista and Candice Michelle talk with Katie Couric about their campaign to get out the vote, "Smackdown Your Vote." [...]
  • Unforgiven Match - ECW Championship Scramble
    WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Tonight in the the Land of the Extreme, Matt Hardy, The Miz, Chavo Guerrero and Finlay all qualified to face ECW Champion Mark Henry in an ECW Championship Scramble at [...]
  • John Cena " Blue Collar GUY"
    Jim ross has posted an update on hs website..JR's bar-B-Q.com. Jr couldn't believe his eyes that just hours ago, John Cena had surgery and already he was walking around with great spirits. Late [...]
  • Mick Foley "GOOD TO GO" To TNA
    Mick Foley has agreed with the terms issued by TNA. He will soon be heading over to TNA as soon as his contract expires on Septembet 1. Spike TV subsidized the contract with TNA to help get Foley [...]
  • HBK/Jericho "Love" Saga, WWE Lawsuit
    An youtube has surfaced on the internet of an "love story" between shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. This saga bewteen the both of them continues. maybe this video will show some [...]
  • Flair Appearances, TMZ: 'Nature Boy' Cometh - Video
    -TMZ reports:We almost didn't recognize him without a sequined jumper, feathered robe or skimpy shorts on, but retired WWE champ Ric Flair was looking almost normal at STK last night. Can we [...]
  • Noble, Edge: Time Off, Finlay 'Living a Dream'
    -Jamie Noble wrestled WWE developmental wrestler Jake Hagar in a dark match prior to last night's SmackDown/ECW. Noble got hurt following a belly-to-belly suplex as he landed on his neck and upper [...]
  • More Maria Summer Skin: Photos - Video
    [gallery] Summer Skin Divas: Maria part 2 [...]

 

Hot Off The Press

  • Win with the Micorsoft "Evalu'08"
    Evaluate Microsoft Server Products and you could win a Server for your home “Evalu’08” REGISTRATION PROMOTION OFFICIAL RULES UPDATED June 30, 2008 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR [...]
  • Leek and Swiss Chard tart, only without the leeks and chard
    A recent comment reminded me of my failed, but delicious, leek and swiss chard tart a few months ago. Earlier this week I decided to give it another go and I picked up a box of puff pastry at the [...]
  • And McCain's running mate is...
    Click here to find out who is McCain's Vice Presidential pick! According to Wikipedia, Tim Pawlenty. (Edit: As of 9:15 p.m. EST. on August 28th, 2008, the sentence stating that he was set to [...]
  • Live Show Recappin of the Fast Forward type...
    -:50 We're just about a little less then an hour away from all the fun and fantasticness that is a fast forward! I'll be here to cover it live, as it happens, as always. Scroll down to the post for [...]
  • Barbara Walters makes Forbes "Powerful Women" List
    The View creator Barbara Walters is on this year's list of the Forbes "100 Most Powerful Women." She is number 63 on the list of 100. Interestingly, former View host Meredith Vieira is ahead of [...]
  • Nick Jonas Launches Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Campaign
    Pop superstar Nick Jonas is already an inspiration to the millions of teens and 'tweens' who hang on every lyric sung by his band the Jonas Brothers. But Jonas, who suffers from type 1 diabetes, [...]
  • Ellen and Portia Have a Vegan Wedding
    Ellen Degeneres and Portis de Rossi are one of Hollywood's longest lasting relationships. Over the weekend of August 15-16, the two wed in Los Angeles, after recent laws have made same-sex marriages [...]
  • Study: Two Eggs a Day May Cut Cholesterol, Weight
    Researchers from Surrey University in England have found that eating two eggs a day could help you lose weight and lower your cholesterol levels, London’s Daily Mail reported Tuesday. Medical [...]
  • Beyond Watching the Show: My Friends Tigger and Pooh First Day of School Activities
    Welcome to this week’s edition of Beyond Watching the Show, where I give some ideas of activities for kids that enjoy a particular show that go beyond just watching the show. If you have more ideas [...]
  • Food folklore
    When I got sick, a couple of very close friends turned up on my doorstep and demanded to do housework for me. This is not something that usually happens to me – usually I muddle on somehow and [...]