Truth & Rumors > NHL
Melrose reveals clash with owners
Former Lightning coach Barry Melrose said he and owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie clashed constantly over player ice time, especially when it came to rookie and No. 1 draft choice Steven Stamkos. "It was a constant battle between me and the owners," Melrose said Tuesday. "They wanted Stamkos to play more. They wanted (Radim) Vrbata to play more. They wanted (Gary) Roberts to play more. Every day it was a constant battle. Every conversation was about it, and I wouldn't do that. "I'm a big believer in you have to earn ice time. If you're not one of the best guys, you don't deserve to play no matter who you are or how much you make."
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Brooklyn Decker
Taylor Walker



Comments (29) Add A Comment
This is totoally shocking! Meddling owners, I never would have guessed. Note to Koules and Barrie: Just write the damn checks and let your coach coach!
LGP: Stanley Cup…
Six Burgh, PA
Total Comments (9095)
yessssssssss couldn't have said it better...
mhwings
Total Comments (550)
The worst thing an owner can do is get to invloved with the on ice product, just ask Wang Chung on the island.
darkstorm
Rimersburg , PA
Total Comments (469)
Were the lightning hoping that the WWGD type of hype would follow Roberts to Tampa? Were they hoping that Malone would put up the kind of numbers he did sharing the ice with Crosby and Malkin with Tampa Bay? Stamkos to TB was a waste. All that hype and you don't even hear about him.
DurkDiggler
Iron City, PA
Total Comments (976)
Who? ;)
LGP: Stanley Cup…
Six Burgh, PA
Total Comments (9095)
Oren and Lennie, if we're lucky, may actually force the commish to move the Lightning out of Tampa.
wtnelson = Big Chief
Fort Collins , CO
Total Comments (3641)
And if we're REALLY lucky, we'll get the commisioner to move onto a crowded freeway when the traffic is agianst him!
Spiny Norman
Total Comments (4005)
nothing wrong with giving a guy his 1st head coaching job, though I think he should have let Melrose have more of a shot
Spiny Norman
Total Comments (4005)
He was a "side show" hire by 2 clowns. Its a gongshow down there & its not going to get better
BauerStar33
Quincy , MA
Total Comments (459)
Kevin Constantine! That would be fun.
LGP: Stanley Cup…
Six Burgh, PA
Total Comments (9095)
I talk to a friend all of the time about Hockey and we were both shocked about Melrose's early dismissal. Not even a chance, but this explains alot.
Ysary
Total Comments (26)
WWGRD? WWRMD? Stupidly leave a stanley cup contender for mega-bucks and "playing" for this joke of a team. These two new owners are clowns; they obviously don't have a clue. Allan Muir (love him or loath him) wrote a good article about this situation on this site. As this team tumbles down into the sewer, I feel bad for Vinny L, the "face" of the franchise. He's an excellent player who deserves a better supporting cast than this.
On a positive note, Melrose's hair looks particularly "slick" in that photo. Grow it, Barry.
rhmf93
Total Comments (239)
As I said before ..... the inmates are running the asylum in Tampa! They're taking advantage of stupid, inept, ignorant owners who don't know the difference between a hockey team and an orange grove!
Now, any bets on how long Tocchet lasts?
DCruiser
Barrington , IL
Total Comments (4991)
How about the all star game as Toccet's over/under?
Otto1973
Woodbridge, VA
Total Comments (66)
What kind of odds can I get?
LGP: Stanley Cup…
Six Burgh, PA
Total Comments (9095)
Heh! Heh! Heh!
DCruiser
Barrington , IL
Total Comments (4991)
I'd love to see the owners coach and see how many games they can win
crazyhorse
Total Comments (81)
Maybe they will hire Edzo next. How about Don Cherry?
Last Call
Barstool, PA
Total Comments (1383)
I thought the reason was because they wanted him to trim those sideburns...
The Duke of Awesome
East Aurora , NY
Total Comments (601)
These owners remind me of Mr. Cuban. If they are this involved with the day to day ice time of these players, how would you like to be their kids coach down at Shattuck-St. Mary's. I can just imagine how many time Mr. Lafontaine's phone rings. Poor guy!!!
slapshot27
Total Comments (324)
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