Paging Barry Melrose, welcome to the Beach!

[gxc999 7]

ESPN just reported that Barry Melrose will be introduced as the new coach of the beloved Tampa Bay Lightning. http://nationalpost.pa-sportsticker.com/de...24951214247066A.

But after more than a decade of just analyzing, will Melrose be ready to jump right in?

[Smitty34 0]

I don't see Melrose dramatically improving the Lightning.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I don't see Melrose dramatically improving the Lightning.

He'll dramatically improve the Lightning every time he says "Stamkos...you're up..."

[Monty22 833]

Maybe the pay raise will enable him to buy a decent looking suit...

[Chadd 916]

I had predicted the press conference would be today, missed it by a day.

[hehatemefrisbee 0]

sad sad times for the Lightening. SC champs to Melrose as their coach. Sorry TB fans...

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

I don't understand why everyone's bagging on Melrose -

Guy's won everywhere he's gone (Memorial Cup, Calder Cup) and was one stick infraction away from winning the Stanley Cup.

[gxc999 7]

I don't understand why everyone's bagging on Melrose -

Guy's won everywhere he's gone (Memorial Cup, Calder Cup) and was one stick infraction away from winning the Stanley Cup.

I agree entirely, JR. I think Melrose will be successful in Tampa Bay in the next few years. The defense is developing, we still have two superstars

and a couple of goalies with loads of potential.

[wristshot19 0]

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...st&p=586766

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...st&p=586766

Hey Matt - long time no see!

[Neal 41]

Interesting signing by Melrose and the Lightning. Wes Walz is coming on as an assistant coach. No coaching experience that I know of with the exception of helping out a Twin Cities high school team last year after he retired part way through the season.

But if he learned anything while being converted from an offensive forward to a defensive specialist by Jacques Lemaire he could be a good coach.

The red flag I see is that he is good friends with one of the co-owners. I hope for Walz' and the Lightning's sake that this was a hire for the right reasons and not a buddy hire.

[Smitty34 0]

Melrose has brought Rick Tocchet on board.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3458608

[RadioGaGa 162]

Melrose has brought Rick Tocchet on board.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3458608

He coached Tocchet in LA didn't he? I guess Tampa is further from Vegas than Phoenix...so, that's a good thing.

[Smitty34 0]

Barry Melrose coached Rick Tocchet in Los Angeles in 1994-1995 and 1995-1996.

[chippa13 1844]

I don't understand why everyone's bagging on Melrose -

Guy's won everywhere he's gone (Memorial Cup, Calder Cup) and was one stick infraction away from winning the Stanley Cup.

Heck, even the Bud Light guys picked Melrose over "Clement, Clement.......hands of cement."

[Monty22 833]

I was watching the draft last weekend and one of the picks was interviewed after speaking with Melrose. When asked about meeting Barry he replied something to the effect of "He's got some sick flow back there"..

The good news is that judging from my visits to Florida, the mullet is still socially acceptable down there.

[TBLfan 25]

Only in the redneck community, same as everywhere else.

[Steve_v3 289]

I think he will be successful. I think making players accountable will make a big difference. Tampa fans should have a much better product to watch next year. As a Bruins fan it was so refreshing watching games and most of the time win or lose felt they gave a honest effort. Nothing was worse then paying for tickets and watching a team that didn't seem to care.

I will be pulling for them to improve. With the players they have they should.

Hell Melrose got the Kings to the finals.

[dcdot377 0]

Melrose had a MEAN mullet back in the day, like NASCAR fan worthy

[stock07 1]

Melrose had a MEAN mullet back in the day, like NASCAR fan worthy

His mullet was world class...That thing should be in the hall of fame by itself...So greasy and out there...

[kosydar 0]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=255866&lid...os=topStory_nhl

That lasted long. What a joke of an organization, using Barry as a scapegoat because they built a shit team.

[skeeter14 0]

QFT, They have made poor decision after poor decision. I wonder if Len Barrie will draw up some more plays for them now.

[Chadd 916]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=255866&lid...os=topStory_nhl

That lasted long. What a joke of an organization, using Barry as a scapegoat because they built a shit team.

It takes time to build chemistry when you have so many changes. Then factor in the really bad defense he had to deal with and an "active" ownership group and it was a recipe for disaster. Rarely do I feel bad for anyone making six or seven figures a year but Melrose got hosed on this one.

[kosydar 0]

I feel really bad for him, too. He had a great job at ESPN and he gave it up because he wanted to be back behind the bench. I think everyone thought that the ownership was retarded for their off season strategy (nice starts by Vrbata, Roberts, and Malone). Trading one of their best young D for a headcase whose potential is a third liner and a not great D was dumb. But firing their coach to cover their asses is a terrible idea, especially one who is well liked by the public.

[chippa13 1844]

It wasn't all bad, they landed Kolzig.