2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season

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)
Penalties in minutes Zenon Konopka (265)
Plus/minus Steve Downie (+14)
Wins Antero Niittymaki (21)
Goals against average Antero Niittymaki (2.87)
<2008–09 2010–11>

The 2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 18th season for the National Hockey League team. Unlike the previous off-season, the Lightning did not make a lot of changes. The Lightning improved on their regular season record, but failed to qualify for the playoffs again. The team was sold during the season to Boston-based investor Jeff Vinik. After the season, Vinik fired the management team of the Lightning.

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 had to have a meeting with bickering co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie due to philosophical and financial differences over how to build the team. More details were not available, as the Commissioner also instituted a gag-order over the proceedings.[2][3] Not surprisingly, by February the team was sold and both men were out. It was also in this time period that Bettman reportedly vetoed a trade between the Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens that would have sent centre Vincent Lecavalier to the Montreal 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, the Swedish Elite League. 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]

Pre-season

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

Southeast Division[18]
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

Eastern Conference[19]
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
Schedule

  Win   Loss   Overtime/Shootout Loss

Player stats

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM
Stamkos, StevenSteven Stamkos 82 51 44 95 -2 38
St. Louis, MartinMartin St. Louis 82 29 65 94 -8 12
Lecavalier, VincentVincent Lecavalier 82 24 46 70 -16 63
Malone, RyanRyan Malone 69 21 26 47 -8 68
Downie, SteveSteve Downie 79 22 24 46 14 208
Foster, KurtisKurtis Foster 71 8 34 42 -5 48
Tanguay, AlexAlex Tanguay 80 10 27 37 -2 32
Hedman, VictorVictor Hedman 74 4 16 20 -3 79
Meszaros, AndrejAndrej Meszaros 81 6 11 17 -14 50
Halpern, JeffJeff Halpern 55 9 8 17 -13 27
Ohlund, MattiasMattias Ohlund 67 0 13 13 -8 59
Bochenski, BrandonBrandon Bochenski 28 4 9 13 -1 2
Lundin, MikeMike Lundin 49 3 10 13 -4 18
Veilleux, StephaneStephane Veilleux 77 3 6 9 -14 48
Purcell, TeddyTeddy Purcell 19 3 6 9 -8 6
Szczechura, PaulPaul Szczechura 52 5 2 7 -15 18
Fedoruk, ToddTodd Fedoruk 50 3 3 6 -12 54
Wright, JamesJames Wright 48 2 3 5 -9 18
Walker, MattMatt Walker 66 2 3 5 -11 90
Konopka, ZenonZenon Konopka 74 2 3 5 -11 265
Hale, DavidDavid Hale 39 0 4 4 -2 25
Thompson, NateNate Thompson 32 1 3 4 -3 17
Parrish, MarkMark Parrish 16 0 2 2 -5 4
Ranger, PaulPaul Ranger 8 1 1 2 -2 6
Smaby, MattMatt Smaby 33 0 2 2 -4 27
Krajicek, LukasLukas Krajicek 23 0 1 1 -4 21
Craig, RyanRyan Craig 3 0 0 0 0 5
Mihalik, VladimirVladimir Mihalik 4 0 0 0 -4 2
Jones, BlairBlair Jones 14 0 0 0 -5 10
Lashoff, MattMatt Lashoff 5 0 0 0 -2 21
Jackson, ScottScott Jackson 1 0 0 0 0 0
Miller, DrewDrew Miller 14 0 0 0 -3 2

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

Player GP Min W L OT GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM
Niittymaki, AnteroAntero Niittymaki 49 2657 21 18 5 127 2.87 1388 .909 1 0 1 0
Smith, MikeMike Smith 42 2273 13 18 7 117 3.09 1165 .900 2 0 0 14
Tokarski, DustinDustin Tokarski 2 44 0 0 0 3 4.09 16 .813 0 0 0 0

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

Date
Details
June 26, 2009[26] To Detroit Red Wings
32nd and 75th pick in 2009
To Tampa Bay Lightning
29th pick in 2009
July 21, 2009[27] To Phoenix Coyotes
Radim Vrbata
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Todd Fedoruk
David Hale
August 13, 2009[28] To Anaheim Ducks
Evgeny Artyukhin
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Drew Miller
3rd round pick in 2010
March 3, 2010[29] To Los Angeles Kings
Jeff Halpern
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Teddy Purcell
3rd round pick in 2010

Free agents acquired

Player Former team Contract terms
Mattias Ohlund[6] Vancouver Canucks 7 years, $26.25 million
Matt Walker[30] Chicago Blackhawks 4 years, $6.8 million
Stephane Veilleux[31] Minnesota Wild 1 year, $750,000
Kurtis Foster[32] Minnesota Wild 1 year, $600,000
Antero Niittymaki[7] Philadelphia Flyers 1 year, $600,000
Alex Tanguay[8] Montreal Canadiens 1 year, $2.5 million
Mitch Fritz[33] New York Islanders 1 year
Mark Parrish[34] Dallas Stars 1 year, 2-way contract

Free agents lost

Player New team Contract terms
David Koci[35] Colorado Avalanche 1 year, $575,000
Cory Murphy[36] New Jersey Devils undisclosed
Richard Petiot[37] Chicago Blackhawks 1 year
Geoff Kinrade[38] Ottawa Senators 1 year, 2-way contract
Noah Welch[39] Atlanta Thrashers undisclosed
Jason Ward[40] Philadelphia Flyers 1 year
Brandon Segal[41] Los Angeles Kings 2 years
Vaclav Prospal[42] New York Rangers 1 year, $1.1 million
Matt Pettinger[43] Vancouver Canucks undisclosed
Lukas Krajicek[44] Philadelphia Flyers undisclosed

Claimed via waivers

Player Former team Date claimed off waivers
Radek Smolenak[45] Chicago Blackhawks October 10, 2009
Nate Thompson[46] New York Islanders January 21, 2010

Lost via waivers

Player New team Date claimed off waivers
Radek Smolenak[47] Chicago Blackhawks September 25, 2009
Drew Miller[48] Detroit Red Wings November 11, 2009

Player signings

Player Contract terms
Mitch Fadden[49] 3 years
Lukas Krajicek[50] 1 year, $1.475 million
Victor Hedman[51] 3 years
Blair Jones[52] undisclosed
Lauri Tukonen[52] undisclosed
Matt Smaby[53] 2 years, $1.05 million
Martins Karsums[54] 1 year
Matt Lashoff[55] 2 years
Mike Lundin[56] 1 year
Radek Smolenak[57] 1 year
James Wright[58] 3 year entry level contract
Carter Ashton[59] 3 year entry level contract
Jaroslav Janus[60] 3 year entry level contract
Johan Harju[61] 1 year

Draft picks

Tampa Bay's picks at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, Quebec.

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 Oceláři Třinec (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-St. Mary's School (MN) (Midget Major AAA)

Final roster

Updated April 11, 2010.[62]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
27 United States Bochenski, BrandonBrandon Bochenski RW R 34 2008 Blaine, Minnesota
9 Canada Downie, SteveSteve Downie RW R 29 2008 Newmarket, Ontario
17 Canada Fedoruk, ToddTodd Fedoruk LW L 37 2009 Redwater, Alberta
6 Canada Foster, KurtisKurtis Foster D L 35 2009 Carp, Ontario
21 United States Hale, DavidDavid Hale D L 35 2009 Colorado Springs, Colorado
77 Sweden Hedman, VictorVictor Hedman D L 25 2009 Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
58 Canada Jackson, ScottScott Jackson D L 29 2008 Salmon Arm, British Columbia
28 Canada Konopka, ZenonZenon Konopka C L 35 2008 Niagara Falls, Ontario
55 United States Lashoff, MattMatt Lashoff D L 30 2009 East Greenbush, New York
4 Canada Lecavalier, VincentVincent Lecavalier (C) C L 36 1998 Ile-Bizard, Quebec
39 United States Lundin, MikeMike Lundin D L 32 2004 Burnsville, Minnesota
12 United States Malone, RyanRyan Malone LW L 37 2008 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
14 Slovakia Meszaros, AndrejAndrej Meszaros D L 31 2008 Považská Bystrica, Czechoslovakia
30 Finland Niittymaki, AnteroAntero Niittymaki G L 36 2009 Turku, Finland
5 Sweden Ohlund, MattiasMattias Ohlund (A) D L 40 2009 Piteå, Sweden
16 Canada Purcell, TeddyTeddy Purcell RW R 31 2010 St. John's, Newfoundland
54 Canada Ranger, PaulPaul Ranger D L 32 2002 Whitby, Ontario
32 United States Smaby, MattMatt Smaby D L 32 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota
41 Canada Smith, MikeMike Smith G L 34 2008 Kingston, Ontario
26 Canada St. Louis, MartinMartin St. Louis (A) RW L 41 2000 Laval, Quebec
91 Canada Stamkos, StevenSteven Stamkos C R 26 2008 Markham, Ontario
13 Canada Tanguay, AlexAlex Tanguay LW L 37 2009 Sainte-Justine, Quebec
44 United States Thompson, NateNate Thompson C L 32 2010 Anchorage, Alaska
19 Canada Veilleux, StephaneStephane Veilleux LW L 35 2009 Saint-Georges, Quebec
8 Canada Walker, MattMatt Walker D R 36 2009 Beaverlodge, Alberta

See also

References

  1. Lightning give Tocchet multiyear deal
  2. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article1012505.ece,
  3. http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2009/06/Issue-192/Franchises/Bettman-Tells-Koules-Barrie-To-Determine-New-Ownership-Plan.aspx
  4. http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/31155-Sources-Lightning-sale-could-be-complete-by-end-of-weekend-Bettman-blocked-Lecavalier-trade.html
  5. No surprise, Tavares is No. 1 on CSS final list
  6. 1 2 Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Mattias Ohlund
  7. 1 2 Lightning Sign Free Agent Goaltender Antero Niittymaki
  8. 1 2 Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Alex Tanguay
  9. "Lightning vs. Stars - 09/16/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-16. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  10. "Thrashers vs. Lightning - 09/18/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-18. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  11. "Senators vs. Lightning - 09/21/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  12. "Lightning vs. Coyotes - 09/22/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-22. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  13. "Coyotes vs. Lightning - 09/23/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  14. "Oilers vs. Lightning - 09/24/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  15. "Lightning vs. Thrashers - 09/27/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-27. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  16. http://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2010.html
  17. General Manager Brian Lawton and Head Coach Rick Tocchet to Be Replaced
  18. "2009–2010 Standings by Division". National Hockey League.
  19. "2009–2010 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League.
  20. Lightning finish off win over Devils
  21. Langenbrunner, Smith, Eriksson top week's '3 Stars'
  22. Stamkos, Leighton and Turco top week's '3 Stars'
  23. Stewart, Stamkos, McCabe named Stars of the Week
  24. Winners of Richard, Ross and Jennings announced
  25. Lightning's Martin St. Louis Brings Home Lady Byng Trophy
  26. Lightning Acquire 29th Overall Pick in 2009 NHL Entry Draft
  27. Lightning Acquire LW Todd Fedoruk, D David Hale
  28. Lightning Acquire LW Drew Miller, 3rd Round Pick From Ducks
  29. Lightning acquire RW Teddy Purcell, 3rd round pick in 2010 from Los Angeles
  30. Lightning Sign Rugged Defenseman Matt Walker
  31. Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Stephane Veilleux
  32. Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Kurtis Foster
  33. Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Mitch Fritz
  34. Lightning sign free agent RW Mark Parrish
  35. Colorado Signs David Koci
  36. Devils sign D Cory Murphy
  37. Blackhawks Sign MacArthur and Petiot
  38. Bulletin: Senators sign defenceman Geoff Kinrade
  39. Thrashers Sign Unrestricted Free Agents Anthony Stewart and Noah Welch
  40. Flyers Sign Five
  41. KINGS SIGN SEGAL
  42. Rangers Add Veteran Center Prospal
  43. Canucks sign Matt Pettinger
  44. Flyers Add Krajicek
  45. Lightning Claim Radek Smolenak Off Waivers
  46. Lightning Claim C Nate Thompson off waivers from Islanders
  47. Blackhawks Claim Smolenak Off Waivers From Tampa Bay
  48. Wings claim Miller off waivers
  49. Lightning Sign C Mitch Fadden
  50. Lightning Re-Sign Defenseman Lukas Krajicek
  51. Lightning Sign Defenseman Victor Hedman
  52. 1 2 Lightning Sign Restricted Free Agents Jones, Tukonen
  53. Lightning Avoid Arbitration with D Matt Smaby
  54. Lightning Re-Sign RW Martins Karsums
  55. Lightning Re-Sign D Matt Lashoff
  56. Lightning Re-Sign Defenseman Mike Lundin
  57. Lightning Re-Sign LW Radek Smolenak
  58. Lightning Sign James Wright to Entry Level Contract
  59. Lightning Sign RW Carter Ashton to Entry Level Contract
  60. Lightning Sign G Jaroslav Janus to Entry Level Contract
  61. Lightning sign 2007 draft pick, LW Johan Harju
  62. "Tampa Bay Lightning - Team - Roster". Tampa Bay Lightning. Archived from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
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