Report: Melrose to coach Lightning | Truth&Rumors

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07:52 AM ET 05.31
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Barry Melrose, an ESPN hockey analyst who last coached in the NHL year 13 years ago, is expected to replace Lightning coach John Tortorella, according to Damien Cox of the Toronto Star. Cox claims that new Lightning majority owner Oren Koules, who will take control of the team after the league's June 18 Board of Governors meeting, is behind the hiring of Melrose, who is reportedly set to earn $2 million per season.

Tampa Tribune

Barry Melrose, Noah Graham/Getty Images

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May 31, 2008 08:12 AM ET

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This must be...Coach/GM celebrity look alike week on SI. We get Dennis Hopper all week long and now this Baldwin brother clone.
Tortorella is twice the coach Melrose is, but his effect seems to have worn off in Tampa. If Melrose can convince cousins Wendel & Kocer to join him behind the bench though, this team is going to be fun to watch.

Baun-ded=PUCKHEAD

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May 31, 2008 09:17 AM ET

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Does he even remember what coaching is? He is a lifetime (in hockey years) removed from handling players at that level!

If he does as good a job coaching as he does being an analyst, the Lightning are in serious doo doo!

DCruiser

Barrington , IL

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May 31, 2008 10:20 AM ET

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the pic looks like he's singing in Vegas or something.

twelve is next

Toledo, OH

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May 31, 2008 11:01 AM ET

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remember this is a quote from the Toronto Star

mhwings

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May 31, 2008 12:03 PM ET

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This will look good for Barry. He'll have much more to work with than Tortorella after the Stars trade. Not condoning it, just saying.

OtherOne81

Red Dawn, CT

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May 31, 2008 12:25 PM ET

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What, Mike Milbury not available?

ORANGE AND BLACK

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May 31, 2008 03:15 PM ET

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13 **** years and this is their choice??
good luck with that,why not ask Don Cherry if he,s interested.

4thstreet

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May 31, 2008 04:23 PM ET

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He's a terrible analyst, he'll be an even more terrible coach!

BigBlue4You

Boston , MA

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May 31, 2008 06:45 PM ET

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Koules is just trying to bring some of his Hollywood magic to Tampa - this is all part of his partnership with FOX to turn the Lightning into a reality series - "Who wants to coach a hockey team?"

mcox567

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May 31, 2008 07:27 PM ET

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When asked what his expectations of the team in year 1 are, Melrose's mullet replied "It's be all business in front...but a party in the back!".

YODA

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June 1, 2008 12:49 AM ET

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I can't wait to see this. Sign up Pierre Maguire and Brian Engblom to be his assistants. I hope that the Toronto Star knows what they are talking about. Melrose is a beauty. I just hope they let him keep the mullet.

wtnelson = Big Chief

Fort Collins , CO

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June 1, 2008 09:28 AM ET

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He looks like Kenny Rogers singing at Casino Rama. Where's Dolly Parton? Oh ya, that was the Messier/Sundin story earlier this week.

PopKing

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June 1, 2008 10:53 AM ET

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This is not a good move, they should replace Torts with a real coach... but their GM has always been a bit of a pushover, so I imagine its hard to find a good one dumb enough to go to Tampa.

Frankly, I like John and hope he does hook up with Ottawa. Back East is where he belongs anyway, he's no Floridian!