Truth & Rumors > NHL
Bettman demands end to Lightning feud
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.
More FanHouse Blogs
- Mark Martin Remains Sentimental Favorite
- UFC 106 Results
- Nate Robinson Shoots at Wrong Basket
- Broadcasters Suspended for Hamed Haddadi Comments
- UFC 106 Fight Card
- Stefanie Spielman Dies at Age 42
- Bears Shun NBC for Sunday Night Game
- Parisyan Pulls Out of UFC 106, Dana White Says Move is Career Ender
- Questions Surround ESPN's NBA Latino Power Rankings
- Steelers Fan Claims He Was Poisoned, Blinded in Chicago Bar
Stub Hub
The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!
Truth & Rumors
MOST POPULAR
-
1
Agent: 'Extraordinary' interest in Bay
- Views
- 6381
- Comments
- 1893
-
2
Vikings to consider L.A. move?
- Views
- 67666
- Comments
- 1880
-
3
Bills owner wanted Gruden
- Views
- 42222
- Comments
- 347
-
4
Mayo rebukes Bruschi's Belichick knock
- Views
- 45911
- Comments
- 265
-
5
Can Iverson lure LeBron to Knicks?
- Views
- 10892
- Comments
- 178
Most Active Users
Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns
Message Boards
-
NCAAF > General NCAAF
Are college football coaches…
- Views
- 343
- Replies
- 51
-
NCAAF > General NCAAF
CFB Game Day 11/21/2009
- Views
- 229
- Replies
- 111
-
NCAAF > General NCAAF
2009's most disappointing team
- Views
- 137
- Replies
- 16


Daniella Sarahyba
Hilary Rhoda



Comments (67) Add A Comment
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...
shafnutz05
Paoli, PA
Total Comments (1279)
Or just retract the team, along with the Coyotes and Atlanta...
Seth78
Liverpool , NY
Total Comments (16)
Who gives a flying f*** - this is Tampa Bay we are talking about.
BeamTeam
Altoona , PA
Total Comments (96)
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.
Sux: Leaf Nation's…
Total Comments (481)
And Bettman works for who.
D-B
Total Comments (1)
LOL!!!!!
Wingsfan#1
Total Comments (1189)
"....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>
BeerClam16
Macungie , PA
Total Comments (78)
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!!!!
RaysBoltsBucsGators
Total Comments (112)
They just need one to buy out the other.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Total Comments (1953)
I see he is wearing his red cheek make up in the picture. Must still be wooing crosby
joefordnproud
Romulus, MI
Total Comments (686)
Who'da thought when these guys were trying to buy the team that it would turn into a ridiculous situation eh guys?
goCanada!
Total Comments (3417)
YAY!!!
Spiny Norman
Total Comments (4005)
"Bettman Demands"
he stamped his little feet and held his breath?
Spiny Norman
Total Comments (4005)
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.
Sux: Leaf Nation's…
Total Comments (481)
Koules and Barrie should take Buttman out to the woodshed and see who can toss him the farthest.
Zaboomafoo
Total Comments (635)
I'm pretty sure my 1 year old niece could run the Lightening better.
And be a better commish for that matter as well.
cjewart
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (219)
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.
theroc5156
Waxhaw , NC
Total Comments (21)
Hulk Hogan needs to get involved in this feud brother!!
The Hulkster will take care of both of this clowns.
Giuseppe Franco
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (116)
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.
shafnutz05
Paoli, PA
Total Comments (1279)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.