What a difference a few months make. This time last year, we were wondering whether Vincent Lecavalier would be traded, who was actually running the organization, and whether the Tampa Bay Lightning would follow the Phoenix Coyotes into bankruptcy.
This year, owner Jeffrey Vinik has given the franchise the financial stability it has lacked it's entire existence and Steve Yzerman is the unquestioned leader of the organization.
Gone is perhaps the worst GM in the NHL, Brian Lawton. Gritty Head Coach Rick Tocchet was swept aside as well and Yzerman hired one of the hottest coaching prospects in Guy Boucher.
With the front office settled, Yzerman went to work at remaking the roster.
He began by re-signing the ultimate Bolt, Martin St. Louis, to a 4 year contract extension. Hopefully he or Boucher will give him the "C" he's deserved for the last four years.
He got out of some of Lawton's horrid deals, trading away Andrej Meszaros, Matt Walker, and Matt Lashoff. He bought out the contract of Todd Fedoruk and allowed Ryan Craig, Kurtis Foster, David Hale, Antero Niittymaki and the wonder that is Alex Tanguay to sign elsewhere.
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by JC De La Torre
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