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Twist to Tocchet hire

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The Lightning have officially named Rick Tocchet, removing the interim label from his title. Tocchet, who is believed to have signed a two-year contract, said he is excited to begin his first head coaching job. "Now I'm on the clock, I'm ready to go," Tocchet said. The process to remove the interim tag took longer than expected because of the "due diligence" put into the decision by GM Brian Lawton. What I thought was interesting about the press conference was Lawton indicating associate coach Mike Sullivan has been granted permission to speak to other teams about head coaching jobs, but also to seek another assistanta job to be closer to his family in Boston. That means the path is clear for him to head to New York to join John Toetorella with the Rangers if he chooses to go there. It's not a certainty, but sounds like there is a good chance he will not return.

Tampa Tribune

Rick Tocchet, Getty Images Rick Tocchet, Getty Images

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May 12, 2009  09:00 AM ET
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"Now I'm on the clock, I'm ready to go,"

Oh, good thing you are just getting ready now.

May 12, 2009  09:05 AM ET
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QUOTE(#1):
Originally posted 09:00 AM ET  05.12 by PensFan-DWI

"Now I'm on the clock, I'm ready to go," Oh, good thing you are just getting ready now.

Fans should bet him he can't get the team to the playoffs, think he'd take it?

May 12, 2009  09:15 AM ET
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QUOTE(#2):
Originally posted 09:05 AM ET  05.12 by Sports_Fan_19

Fans should bet him he can't get the team to the playoffs, think he'd take it?

LOL! Yeah someone might want to see if Gretzky's wife wants a piece of that action! ;)

May 12, 2009  10:01 AM ET
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QUOTE(#2):
Originally posted 09:05 AM ET  05.12 by Sports_Fan_19

Fans should bet him he can't get the team to the playoffs, think he'd take it?

What do you think Vrbata is saying to Arthurkin in the picture? "Hey, Evgeny, wanna bet Tocchet gets extended at the end of the season even if I'll be playing in the Czech Republic and you'll be benched most of the time."

May 12, 2009  10:22 AM ET
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QUOTE(#4):
Originally posted 10:01 AM ET  05.12 by cmh_phx

What do you think Vrbata is saying to Arthurkin in the picture? "Hey, Evgeny, wanna bet Tocchet gets extended at the end of the season even if I'll be playing in the Czech Republic and you'll be benched most of the time."

Maybe he's telling him that Rick should put on his glasses if he is going to read the race card behind the bench so that all of the lower bowl can't see him handicapping the horses during the game...

May 12, 2009  11:00 AM ET
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"due diligence" = "We couldn't get anyone else to run this mess."

May 12, 2009  12:10 PM ET
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QUOTE(#6):
Originally posted 11:00 AM ET  05.12 by Jonny1Timer

"due diligence" = "We couldn't get anyone else to run this mess."

Nice. I was going to say "due diligence" = pending or future legal fees on top of salary.

May 12, 2009  12:27 PM ET
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How is this possible? Is there any way that this could happen in ANY other sport? Just another example of Bettman's incompetance...

May 12, 2009  02:08 PM ET
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I always liked Tocchets style. He might not be a master tactician but i bet his players will work hard and be tough to play against. Not against this at all.And im still wondering whatever happened to him in Phoenix.After he was let back in the league next thing hes in Tampa. No word from Gretz or anyone. Anyone have that answer?

May 12, 2009  02:29 PM ET
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QUOTE(#9):
Originally posted 02:08 PM ET  05.12 by Buc Fettman

I always liked Tocchets style. He might not be a master tactician but i bet his players will work hard and be tough to play against. Not against this at all.And im still wondering whatever happened to him in Phoenix.After he was let back in the league next thing hes in Tampa. No word from Gretz or anyone. Anyone have that answer?

I'm not really against it either, but I personally wouldn't dole out multi-year contracts to coaches who haven't really accomplished anything yet. A 1 year deal would have sufficed.

May 12, 2009  02:42 PM ET
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QUOTE(#5):
Originally posted 10:22 AM ET  05.12 by Baun-ded=PUCKHEAD

Maybe he's telling him that Rick should put on his glasses if he is going to read the race card behind the bench so that all of the lower bowl can't see him handicapping the horses during the game...

Actually the list their ahl affiliate roster lineup - he wanted to see who the worst players were so he can ask to call them up because he had $500 riding into the next game that his team would lose and another $500 that they were gonna by 5! Oh... this bet was files under Jannet's name...

May 12, 2009  04:53 PM ET
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watch for St Louis to depart and join Torts in NY as well...

May 12, 2009  09:54 PM ET
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QUOTE(#9):
Originally posted 02:08 PM ET  05.12 by Buc Fettman

I always liked Tocchets style. He might not be a master tactician but i bet his players will work hard and be tough to play against. Not against this at all.And im still wondering whatever happened to him in Phoenix.After he was let back in the league next thing hes in Tampa. No word from Gretz or anyone. Anyone have that answer?

yeah the only thing hes betting on is the new york jets

May 12, 2009  10:54 PM ET
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QUOTE(#13):
Originally posted 09:54 PM ET  05.12 by Army of Adam

yeah the only thing hes betting on is the new york jets

HUH?

May 12, 2009  11:47 PM ET
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I don't get how you can coach your team for like 74 games yet you are still not the official head coach?

What's the over under that he will be the coach after next season?

May 13, 2009  01:01 AM ET
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Why are you bad mouthing my coach!??!

OK I agree with you all!

 
May 13, 2009  01:29 PM ET
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QUOTE(#14):
Originally posted 10:54 PM ET  05.12 by Buc Fettman

HUH?

On February 7, 2006, Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet was charged for operating an illegal New Jersey-based gambling ring.Bets were allegedly taken from NHL players, Janet Gretzky and Coyotes GM Michael Barnett, who confirmed to police he placed a bet on Super Bowl XL with Tocchet

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