Barry Melrose is back?

Question

And Coaching the Bolts. So Tampa fans, you guys like mega-bummed out yet?

Maybe Melrose can prove us all wrong and return Tampa to the Cup. Maybe, but I doubt it.

Answer 1

Hahaha I just saw that in nhl.com its hilarious hes gonna be announcing the game while hes coaching its a joke. Melrose is a gonger!

Answer 2

Well, considering that players were just tuning out Tortorella, I imagine anybody could come in there and make some difference.  As I have stated before, 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.

Melrose is going to be rusty, and I am hoping this time-off from coaching maybe will help him be a better coach.  As a commentator, it is so easy to say, “They should have changed this line” or “They should have so-and-so in goal”, but now Melrose has his chance to step-up to the plate and prove that he is a great coach.  I am not one for making predictions.  I am just going to be excited about the changes the Lightning are encountering this summer and hope for a fantastic season this coming year.

Edit:  Emery did cross my mind for Tampa.  It would have never worked with Tortorella behind the bench, because (A) He hates goaltenders (B) Emery’s lack of being a team player would have cause probably a fist fight between to two of them.  All in all, we really didn’t have enough of an opportunity to see what Smith can do, so hopefully he will also, show what he is made of next season.  

Apparently, Barry Melrose is a good friend with Lightning’s new management…local newspapers state there is a history between them.

Answer 3

i dont care what everyone says. I LOVE BARRY MELROSE. youll see, he'll return that team to playoff contenders.

Answer 4

http://www.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0411/n...

Does it honestly matter how good of a coach he is, he can get by on his rugged good looks alone.

Answer 5

Does this ownership realise he hasn't coached in the NHL since the mid 90's?  Zero involvement in scouting, development, and strategy/coaching other than being a talking head on tv.

My guess is the "not Fonzie" factor probably works for a short term boost, but long term...not the answer.  My guess is the workload of being an NHL head coach isn't going to be that fun given what he currently does (or doesn't).

And if I were a Tampa fan, I "might" be concerned that, since he hasn't coached on any level since the mid 90's about how he is going to develop Stamkos.

If I were Tampa's ownership group, I'd be much more concerned about getting someone who may lack the "wow" factor of Melrose.

Answer 6

I saw an interesting video of an interview of Melrose today on espn.com. He made some bold statements. I hope he can back them up, they have great talent and he is a smart guy. One side, he's been analyzing the game for the past decade and has plenty of time to think and grow, down side is that he's been analyzing for the past decade haha! I just hope with all of that "knowledge" to critique- he will be able to take the same criticism. Go Flyers! <---uh oh, here come my own critics, I just opened the "my fav team" can.

Answer 7

The Mullet Takes over Tampa!!!  All the hillbillies rejoyce in celebration!!!!  YEEEE-HAAAAAW!!!!!

  Mullet Power Ya'll!!!