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Bettman demands end to Lightning feud

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When it comes to Oren Koules and Len Barrie, the Lightning's feuding co-owners, it is status quo -- for now. Koules remains the CEO and governor, Brian Lawton is the general manager and point man in the hockey operations department, and it appears that Barrie, like Koules, must sign off on major transactions, such as trading captain Vinny Lecavalier. But Tuesday's meeting with commissioner Gary Bettman in the NHL's New York offices was about more than short-term stability, it was about long-term viability, which is why Bettman demanded Koules and Barrie work out an ownership structure that eliminates the rancor. One could buy out the other. There could be new investors. They could work out an accommodation between themselves.

St. Petersburg Times

Gary Bettman, AP Gary Bettman, AP
June 24, 2009  08:23 AM ET

The Tampa Bay franchise is in complete disarray...I feel for any unfortunate soul that gets traded or drafted down there. They are a bad team with a worse front office. Brian Lawton should make a huge positive impact like he did when he was taken first in the NHL Draft...oh, wait...

June 24, 2009  08:31 AM ET

Or just retract the team, along with the Coyotes and Atlanta...

June 24, 2009  08:40 AM ET

Who gives a flying f*** - this is Tampa Bay we are talking about.

June 24, 2009  09:28 AM ET

I hope all this dissention leads to them swapping picks with the leafs, maybe for a goalie. Say what you will about Toskala, but he is a big upgrade over Mike Smith. He could be the go between while they wait for Dustin Tokarski.

June 24, 2009  09:41 AM ET

And Bettman works for who.

June 24, 2009  10:11 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

The Tampa Bay franchise is in complete disarray...I feel for any unfortunate soul that gets traded or drafted down there. They are a bad team with a worse front office. Brian Lawton should make a huge positive impact like he did when he was taken first in the NHL Draft...oh, wait...

LOL!!!!!

June 24, 2009  10:22 AM ET

"....Bettman demanded Koules and Barrie work out an ownership structure that eliminates the rancor."

Bettman demanded?? WTF....why doesn't Bettman just go forth and finagle yet another ownership move? That seems to be the way things are done lately. (See also: sales, attempted - Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes). Here's a better idea for Tampa Bay and the NHL as a whole.... get a new commissioner. That move would begin to put the pieces in place to cure all of the ills in the NHL. It would also be cause for the biggest celebration among hockey fans the world has ever seen.

<Descending from the soapbox>

June 24, 2009  10:39 AM ET

Hear hear Beerclam!

As far as the Bolts are concerned, these two boobs are ruining our franchise. How we miss Bill Davidson, Hell we even miss the Japanese group, or that yeehaw from N.C. who owned them briefly.These cowboys are the WORST. Dumb, and DUMBER!!!!

June 24, 2009  10:44 AM ET

They just need one to buy out the other.

June 24, 2009  10:48 AM ET

I see he is wearing his red cheek make up in the picture. Must still be wooing crosby

June 24, 2009  11:01 AM ET

Who'da thought when these guys were trying to buy the team that it would turn into a ridiculous situation eh guys?

June 24, 2009  11:29 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

Or just retract the team, along with the Coyotes and Atlanta...

YAY!!!

June 24, 2009  11:34 AM ET

"Bettman Demands"
he stamped his little feet and held his breath?

June 24, 2009  11:41 AM ET

I wonder if Balsillie would be a better or worse owner than these clowns? Just yet another southern team doing soo well, Thanx Gary for making the NHL better.

June 24, 2009  11:44 AM ET

Koules and Barrie should take Buttman out to the woodshed and see who can toss him the farthest.

June 24, 2009  11:46 AM ET
QUOTE(#14):

I wonder if Balsillie would be a better or worse owner than these clowns? J

I'm pretty sure my 1 year old niece could run the Lightening better.

And be a better commish for that matter as well.

June 24, 2009  12:02 PM ET

Funny seeing Penguin fans poking fun at other franchises when their franchise went bankrupt twice. If Mr. and Mrs. Lemieux don't have a son, the Penguins would have been gone before their first Cup.

June 24, 2009  12:06 PM ET

Hulk Hogan needs to get involved in this feud brother!!

The Hulkster will take care of both of this clowns.

June 24, 2009  12:39 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

Funny seeing Penguin fans poking fun at other franchises when their franchise went bankrupt twice. If Mr. and Mrs. Lemieux don't have a son, the Penguins would have been gone before their first Cup.

It's not "poking fun at other franchises". Believe me, I am fully aware of the situation that we were put into only several years ago. Criticizing the ownership of another franchise is not poking fun. I feel for the honest-to-god Lightning fans down there....it is an absolutely sick feeling knowing your team might no longer be around. I don't think they are going to disagree that Koules and Barrie are blindly driving the franchise over a cliff.

 
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