A unanimous vote?

Question

"In what apparently was a unanimous vote by the NHL's board of governors, the transfer of ownership to Oren Koules' OK Hockey from Palace Sports & Entertainment was, as expected, approved as new owner of the Lightning."

http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/06/ok-hockey-appro.html

IT'S Finally (almost) OVER! Yahhhooooo! Welcome to Tampa, Oren Koules and Co.

So, how do you expect OK to do as the new Lightning owner?

Answer 1

Good for you guys, you're really cleaning house down there.  Can't be any worse than what you've had before.  Absolute Hockey would have been nothing but a disaster long-term.  Doug MacLean would have found a way to mess everything up just like he did in Columbus.  Now if you can get a coach that knows how to treat goalies and isn't such a jerk to everyone else you might get somewhere.

Answer 2

At FIRST.... they will SPEND SPEND SPEND.... to get the team competing in the EAST for 2nd spot or 3rd spot as fast as they can.... if that doesnt happen in 3 years.. GUESS WHAT... you will be for sale again! PLAIN HARD ECONOMIC FACTS... and PRIDE!

They have a hyped NUMBER1 coming in.. Vinny and Vinny (probably) and St Louis..... they have a goalie that could be a decent number 1 (he should be).... they will bring in Melrose that has watched hockey evolve over the last 15 yrs..... MAY BE A HUGE MISTAKE.... may not be!

Answer 3

Congrats to them on the new ownership. Things can only look up for the Bolts. The new ownership, Getting the rights to Prospal and now the Draft all in one week. Very huge indeed. I think the new owner will start off well. The question is will he be able to maintain any success in a long term kind of way. But he is off to a really nice start . Good luck to Tampa

Answer 4

I hope Oren moves them to Hamilton but that doesn't seem likely.

Answer 5

Golly Winkers, Nips...way to be a downer.  ;)  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¦Ã¢Â€Â¦..or a realist.

I think OK Hockey will do great.  This next year I am anticipating great things to happen in Tampa.  If they fired Feaster then I would be 100% confident that the franchise will turn around.  Feaster has done so much to save his own tail...and I am not a big fan of switchouts.  Every potential major thing that has happened with the Lightning he has denied, and then later we find out it's true...starting when Andreychuk was asked to leave.  They have needed fresh tactics upstairs and behind the bench for about 2 seasons now, and this is a step in the right direction.  

I am not one to look half a decade into the future...all I care about is next season.  Melrose behind the bench should be interesting, scary, and maybe a blessing...only time will tell.  I just hope he doesn't try to trash the first two lines offensive style of play.  I attended a handful of Lightning games last season, and you could finally start to see a second line chemistry with Ouellet, Halpern, & Darche...which, as you know, is something that the Lightning have been lacking since Richards pockets got fat after the Stanley Cup win (sorry…I know you love Richards).  

In all it should be interesting to see this season unfold.  I have already talked to a few people that are going to get season tickets, after going a few years without, because they want to see what management, Melrose, and Stamkos can do this season.  It is fun to have excitement and extraordinary anticipation in Tampa again.  I am stoked.

Answer 6

Let's hope he has success faster than Iron Mike Ilitch in Detroit. It took Mike 5 years before his team actually won a playoff series. another 10 years before he won a cup. After all we all know what a great job he has done as an owner. Just read any of the posts of his many fans. Many who were baseball fans 10 years ago.

Edit - just a thought for success ignore all the advice on this page don't get someone who is good with players get Scotty Bowman to run your team. He might go to Florida. He wouldn't come to Toronto.

Answer 7

I would expect him to do....OK. HI-OH!!!