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...

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

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

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.

And Bettman works for who.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:23 AM ET  06.24 by shafnutz05

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!!!!!

"....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>

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!!!!

They just need one to buy out the other.

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

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

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:31 AM ET  06.24 by Seth78

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

YAY!!!

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

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.

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

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 11:41 AM ET  06.24 by Sux: Leaf Nation's Holy Father

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.

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.

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

The Hulkster will take care of both of this clowns.

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 12:02 PM ET  06.24 by theroc5156

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.