2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season
The 2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 18th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) team. Unlike the previous off-season, the Lightning did not make many roster changes. The Lightning improved on their regular season record but failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third season in a row. The team was sold during the season to Boston-based investor Jeff Vinik. After the season, Vinik fired the Lightning's management team.
2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning | |
---|---|
Division | 4th Southeast |
Conference | 12th Eastern |
2009–10 record | 34–36–12 |
Home record | 21–14–6 |
Road record | 13–22–6 |
Goals for | 217 |
Goals against | 260 |
Team information | |
General manager | Brian Lawton |
Coach | Rick Tocchet |
Captain | Vincent Lecavalier |
Alternate captains | Mattias Ohlund Martin St. Louis |
Arena | St. Pete Times Forum |
Average attendance | 15,497 (78.4%) |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Steven Stamkos (51) |
Assists | Martin St. Louis (65) |
Points | Steven Stamkos (95) |
Penalty minutes | Zenon Konopka (265) |
Plus/minus | Steve Downie (+14) |
Wins | Antero Niittymaki (21) |
Goals against average | Antero Niittymaki (2.87) |
Off-season
On May 11, the Lightning gave Rick Tocchet a multi-year contract to make him their full-time head coach, removing the interim tag he held after taking over the position from Barry Melrose, who was fired during the previous season after 16 games.[1]
On June 23, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman met with Lightning co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie due to philosophical and financial differences over how to build the team. More details were not available to the public because Bettman imposed a "gag-order" over the meetings.[2][3] By February, the team was sold and both Koules and Barrie were no longer involved. It was also in this time period that Bettman reportedly vetoed a trade between the Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens that would have sent center Vincent Lecavalier to the Canadiens in exchange for goaltender Carey Price, center Tomas Plekanec and an unnamed prospect.[4]
With the second overall pick in the Entry Draft, the Lightning selected Victor Hedman from Modo Hockey of the Elitserien. Hedman was considered the top European prospect available.[5] Having acquired a second first-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings, the Lightning used the 29th overall selection on Carter Ashton from the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Among several of the free agent signings the Lightning made included defenseman Mattias Ohlund,[6] goaltender Antero Niittymaki[7] and left winger Alex Tanguay.[8]
Preseason
2009 Pre-season Game Log: 3–1–3 (Home: 0–0–0 ; Road: 1–0–2; Neutral: 2–1–1) | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Attendance | Record | Recap | ||
1 | September 16 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4 – 3 | Dallas Stars | SO | 15,214 | 0–0–1 | [9] | ||
2 | September 18 | Atlanta Thrashers | 2 – 1 | Tampa Bay Lightning | OT | 16,223 | 0–0–2 | [10] | ||
3 | September 21 (in Regina, SK) | Ottawa Senators | 3 – 1 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 0–1–2 | [11] | ||||
4 | September 22 (in Everett, Washington) | Phoenix Coyotes | 2 – 1 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1–1–2 | [12] | ||||
5 | September 23 (in Loveland, Colorado) | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4 – 3 | Phoenix Coyotes | SO | 1–1–3 | [13] | |||
6 | September 24 (in Winnipeg, MB) | Edmonton Oilers | 4 – 3 | Tampa Bay Lightning | OT | 2–1–3 | [14] | |||
7 | September 27 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 5 – 1 | Atlanta Thrashers | 7,179 | 3–1–3 | [15] |
Regular season
The Lightning ended the regular season having scored the fewest shorthanded goals in the League, with just 2.[16]
After the regular season finished with Tampa Bay missing the playoffs, the Lightning fired both General Manager Brian Lawton and Head Coach Rick Tocchet on April 12, 2010.[17]
Divisional standings
GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | p – Washington Capitals | 82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 318 | 233 | 121 |
2 | Atlanta Thrashers | 82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 234 | 256 | 83 |
3 | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 230 | 256 | 80 |
4 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 217 | 260 | 80 |
5 | Florida Panthers | 82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 208 | 244 | 77 |
Conference standings
R | Div | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | p – Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 318 | 233 | 121 | ||
2 | y – New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 48 | 27 | 7 | 222 | 191 | 103 | ||
3 | y – Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 235 | 207 | 100 | ||
4 | Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 47 | 28 | 7 | 257 | 237 | 101 | ||
5 | Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 44 | 32 | 6 | 225 | 238 | 94 | ||
6 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 39 | 30 | 13 | 206 | 200 | 91 | ||
7 | Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 41 | 35 | 6 | 236 | 225 | 88 | ||
8 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 39 | 33 | 10 | 217 | 223 | 88 | ||
8.5 | |||||||||||
9 | New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 222 | 218 | 87 | ||
10 | Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 234 | 256 | 83 | ||
11 | Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 230 | 256 | 80 | ||
12 | Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 217 | 260 | 80 | ||
13 | New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 222 | 264 | 79 | ||
14 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 208 | 244 | 77 | ||
15 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 30 | 38 | 14 | 214 | 267 | 74 |
bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and division)
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division
Game log
2009–10 Game Log | |
---|---|
October: 4–3–4 (Home: 4–0–3; Road 0–3–1)
| |
November: 6–4–4 (Home: 2–2–1; Road 4–2–3)
| |
December: 5–8–2 (Home: 3–3–1; Road 2–5–1)
| |
January: 7–6–1 (Home: 5–1–1; Road 2–5–0)
| |
February: 4–3–0 (Home: 3–1–0; Road 1–2–0)
| |
March: 5–10–1 (Home: 2–5–0; Road 3–5–1)
| |
April: 3–2–0 (Home: 2–2–0; Road 1–0–0)
| |
Schedule
Win Loss Overtime/Shootout Loss |
Playoffs
For the third consecutive year, the Lightning failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Player stats
Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
|
Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA= Goals Against Average; SA= Shots Against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO= Shutouts
|
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Lightning. Stats reflect time with Lightning only.
‡Traded mid-season
Bold/italics denotes franchise record
Awards and records
Awards
Regular Season | |||||||||
Player | Award | Awarded | |||||||
Mike Smith[21] | NHL Second Star of the Week | January 4, 2010 | |||||||
Steven Stamkos[22] | NHL First Star of the Week | February 15, 2010 | |||||||
Steven Stamkos[23] | NHL Second Star of the Week | March 8, 2010 | |||||||
Steven Stamkos[24] | Maurice Richard Trophy (Shared with Sidney Crosby) | April 11, 2010 | |||||||
Martin St. Louis[25] | Lady Byng Trophy winner | June 23, 2010 |
Milestones
Regular Season | |||||||||
Player | Milestone | Reached | |||||||
Victor Hedman | 1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | October 3, 2009 | |||||||
James Wright | 1st Career NHL Game | October 3, 2009 | |||||||
James Wright | 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point | October 22, 2009 | |||||||
James Wright | 1st Career NHL Assist | October 24, 2009 |
Transactions
The Lightning have been involved in the following transactions during the 2009–10 season.
Trades
|
Free agents acquired
|
Free agents lost
|
Claimed via waivers
|
Lost via waivers
|
Player signings
|
Draft picks
Tampa Bay's picks at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal.
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | Club Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Victor Hedman | (D) | Sweden | Modo Hockey (Elitserien) |
1 | 29 (from Detroit) | Carter Ashton | (RW) | Canada | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) |
2 | 52 (from Philadelphia) | Richard Panik | (RW) | Slovakia | Ocelari Trinec (Czech Extraliga) |
4 | 93 | Alex Hutchings | (LW) | Canada | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
5 | 148 (from Carolina via Nashville) | Michael Zador | (G) | Canada | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
6 | 162 (from Nashville) | Jaroslav Janus | (G) | Slovakia | Erie Otters (OHL) |
7 | 183 | Kirill Gotovets | (D) | Belarus | Shattuck-Saint Mary's (USHS-MN) |
Final roster
Updated April 11, 2010.[62]
See also
References
- Lightning give Tocchet multiyear deal
- http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article1012505.ece Archived 2011-12-28 at the Wayback Machine,
- http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2009/06/Issue-192/Franchises/Bettman-Tells-Koules-Barrie-To-Determine-New-Ownership-Plan.aspx
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2011-12-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- No surprise, Tavares is No. 1 on CSS final list
- Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Mattias Ohlund Archived 2011-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
- "Lightning Sign Free Agent Goaltender Antero Niittymaki". Archived from the original on 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
- Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Alex Tanguay
- "Lightning vs. Stars - 09/16/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-16. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- "Thrashers vs. Lightning - 09/18/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-18. Archived from the original on 2009-09-26. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- "Senators vs. Lightning - 09/21/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-21. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- "Lightning vs. Coyotes - 09/22/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-22. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- "Coyotes vs. Lightning - 09/23/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-23. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- "Oilers vs. Lightning - 09/24/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-24. Archived from the original on 2009-09-30. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- "Lightning vs. Thrashers - 09/27/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-27. Archived from the original on 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2010.html
- General Manager Brian Lawton and Head Coach Rick Tocchet to Be Replaced
- "2009–2010 Standings by Division". National Hockey League.
- "2009–2010 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League.
- Lightning finish off win over Devils
- Langenbrunner, Smith, Eriksson top week's '3 Stars'
- Stamkos, Leighton and Turco top week's '3 Stars'
- Stewart, Stamkos, McCabe named Stars of the Week
- Winners of Richard, Ross and Jennings announced
- Lightning's Martin St. Louis Brings Home Lady Byng Trophy
- Lightning Acquire 29th Overall Pick in 2009 NHL Entry Draft
- Lightning Acquire LW Todd Fedoruk, D David Hale
- "Lightning Acquire LW Drew Miller, 3rd Round Pick From Ducks". Archived from the original on 2009-08-17. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
- Lightning acquire RW Teddy Purcell, 3rd round pick in 2010 from Los Angeles
- "Lightning Sign Rugged Defenseman Matt Walker". Archived from the original on 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- "Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Stephane Veilleux". Archived from the original on 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
- "Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Kurtis Foster". Archived from the original on 2009-07-12. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Mitch Fritz
- Lightning sign free agent RW Mark Parrish
- Colorado Signs David Koci
- Devils sign D Cory Murphy
- "Blackhawks Sign MacArthur and Petiot". Archived from the original on 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
- "Bulletin: Senators sign defenceman Geoff Kinrade". Archived from the original on 2009-07-18. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
- Thrashers Sign Unrestricted Free Agents Anthony Stewart and Noah Welch
- Flyers Sign Five
- KINGS SIGN SEGAL
- "Rangers Add Veteran Center Prospal". Archived from the original on 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
- Canucks sign Matt Pettinger
- Flyers Add Krajicek
- Lightning Claim Radek Smolenak Off Waivers
- Lightning Claim C Nate Thompson off waivers from Islanders
- Blackhawks Claim Smolenak Off Waivers From Tampa Bay
- Wings claim Miller off waivers
- Lightning Sign C Mitch Fadden
- "Lightning Re-Sign Defenseman Lukas Krajicek". Archived from the original on 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- Lightning Sign Defenseman Victor Hedman
- "Lightning Sign Restricted Free Agents Jones, Tukonen". Archived from the original on 2009-07-19. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- Lightning Avoid Arbitration with D Matt Smaby
- "Lightning Re-Sign RW Martins Karsums". Archived from the original on 2009-08-29. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
- "Lightning Re-Sign D Matt Lashoff". Archived from the original on 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
- Lightning Re-Sign Defenseman Mike Lundin
- Lightning Re-Sign LW Radek Smolenak
- Lightning Sign James Wright to Entry Level Contract
- Lightning Sign RW Carter Ashton to Entry Level Contract
- Lightning Sign G Jaroslav Janus to Entry Level Contract
- Lightning sign 2007 draft pick, LW Johan Harju
- "Tampa Bay Lightning – Team – Roster". Tampa Bay Lightning. Archived from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2010-04-11.