Lightning brass to meet today
Oren Koules, who has personnel power, will talk about Brad Richards' and Dan Boyle's future.
By Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Published February 25, 2008
BRANDON - The immediate - and long-term future - of the Lightning could be decided today.
The team's present, its front office, will meet with its prospective future,Oren Koules, behind closed doors to discuss the organization's direction as Tuesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline approaches.
The Lightning hierarchy is bracing for a conversation in which Koules will tell general manager Jay Feaster he wants to make massive changes within the next 24 hours, including trading forward Brad Richards, the team's highest-paid player, and determining defenseman Dan Boyle's future in Tampa Bay.
Koules' OK Hockey doesn't own the team, though the group entered into a working agreement on Feb. 13 to purchase the Lightning, the St. Pete Times Forum and 5 1/2 acres of surrounding land from Palace Sports & Entertainment, which has owned the team since 1999. At the time of the agreement, OK Hockey was still seeking financing, and it might take months to finalize the deal.
Still, Palace Sports apparently has given OK Hockey last say on personnel with reports that Koules told Feaster to shop Richards, who will make $7.8-million in each of the next three seasons, in the days before the deadline.
Koules has remained under the radar, limiting his statements to news releases. But the concern among Feaster, president Ron Campbell, director of player personnel Bill Barber and coach John Tortorella, all scheduled to attended the meeting, is this situation is eerily familiar to 1997.
Then, Maloof brothers Gavin and Joe were given the keys to the franchise by Kokusai Green, having the final say in trades and the June draft, before that deal fell through in July.
Koules was a part of Absolute Hockey - with former Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean and Coral Springs developer Jeff Sherrin - which was unsuccessful in its bid to buy the Lightning. It is believed Koules will be joined today by former NHL player Len Barrie, a possible business partner.
Whispers of radical change have reached the dressing room of the Lightning, which has lost its past four games to all but fall out of the playoff hunt. The days before the trade deadline are always tense, but Tortorella, without being specific, hinted there were more than just trade rumors swirling around the club after Saturday's 5-3 loss to Boston.
"I'm not going to give you a bunch of information as to what's going on. But these guys have played, and there's a few who have extenuating circumstances going on which didn't have to go on," he said. "I'm not beating up any player. I support the players in how they're going about doing their business."
Boyle, who can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, could re-sign as early as today or be dealt just as quickly. Talks progressed well over the weekend, his agent, George Bazos, said Sunday, and figures for a new contract are expected to be given to Koules today for acceptance or rejection.
"You just have to be a professional about it," Boyle said. "I think a few of us have that no-trade clause, which allows us to breathe a little easier. But you've just got to be a professional about it and try to block it out the best you can."
Richards, a target of the Blue Jackets, also has a no-trade clause and was expected to be given a list Sunday night of teams the Lightning was interested in dealing with, according to Canada's TSN.Vancouver, Dallas and Columbus, TSN reported, have made offers.
Eduardo A. Encina can be reached at eencina@sptimes.com.