2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season

The 2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 18th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) team. Unlike the previous off-season, the Lightning did not make many roster changes. The Lightning improved on their regular season record but failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third season in a row. The team was sold during the season to Boston-based investor Jeff Vinik. After the season, Vinik fired the Lightning's management team.

2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning
Division4th Southeast
Conference12th Eastern
2009–10 record34–36–12
Home record21–14–6
Road record13–22–6
Goals for217
Goals against260
Team information
General managerBrian Lawton
CoachRick Tocchet
CaptainVincent Lecavalier
Alternate captainsMattias Ohlund
Martin St. Louis
ArenaSt. Pete Times Forum
Average attendance15,497 (78.4%)
Team leaders
GoalsSteven Stamkos (51)
AssistsMartin St. Louis (65)
PointsSteven Stamkos (95)
Penalty minutesZenon Konopka (265)
Plus/minusSteve Downie (+14)
WinsAntero Niittymaki (21)
Goals against averageAntero Niittymaki (2.87)

Off-season

On May 11, the Lightning gave Rick Tocchet a multi-year contract to make him their full-time head coach, removing the interim tag he held after taking over the position from Barry Melrose, who was fired during the previous season after 16 games.[1]

On June 23, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman met with Lightning co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie due to philosophical and financial differences over how to build the team. More details were not available to the public because Bettman imposed a "gag-order" over the meetings.[2][3] By February, the team was sold and both Koules and Barrie were no longer involved. It was also in this time period that Bettman reportedly vetoed a trade between the Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens that would have sent center Vincent Lecavalier to the Canadiens in exchange for goaltender Carey Price, center Tomas Plekanec and an unnamed prospect.[4]

With the second overall pick in the Entry Draft, the Lightning selected Victor Hedman from Modo Hockey of the Elitserien. Hedman was considered the top European prospect available.[5] Having acquired a second first-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings, the Lightning used the 29th overall selection on Carter Ashton from the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Among several of the free agent signings the Lightning made included defenseman Mattias Ohlund,[6] goaltender Antero Niittymaki[7] and left winger Alex Tanguay.[8]

Preseason

Regular season

The Lightning ended the regular season having scored the fewest shorthanded goals in the League, with just 2.[16]

After the regular season finished with Tampa Bay missing the playoffs, the Lightning fired both General Manager Brian Lawton and Head Coach Rick Tocchet on April 12, 2010.[17]

Divisional standings
Southeast Division[18]
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 p – Washington Capitals82541513318233121
2 Atlanta Thrashers8235341323425683
3 Carolina Hurricanes8235371023025680
4 Tampa Bay Lightning8234361221726080
5 Florida Panthers8232371320824477

Conference standings
Eastern Conference[19]
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 p – Washington CapitalsSE82541513318233121
2 y – New Jersey DevilsAT8248277222191103
3 y – Buffalo SabresNE82452710235207100
4 Pittsburgh PenguinsAT8247287257237101
5 Ottawa SenatorsNE824432622523894
6 Boston BruinsNE8239301320620091
7 Philadelphia FlyersAT824135623622588
8 Montreal CanadiensNE8239331021722388
8.5
9 New York RangersAT8238331122221887
10 Atlanta ThrashersSE8235341323425683
11 Carolina HurricanesSE8235371023025680
12 Tampa Bay LightningSE8234361221726080
13 New York IslandersAT8234371122226479
14 Florida PanthersSE8232371320824477
15 Toronto Maple LeafsNE8230381421426774

bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and division)

AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

Game log
2009–10 Game Log
October: 4–3–4 (Home: 4–0–3; Road 0–3–1)
November: 6–4–4 (Home: 2–2–1; Road 4–2–3)
December: 5–8–2 (Home: 3–3–1; Road 2–5–1)
January: 7–6–1 (Home: 5–1–1; Road 2–5–0)
February: 4–3–0 (Home: 3–1–0; Road 1–2–0)
March: 5–10–1 (Home: 2–5–0; Road 3–5–1)
April: 3–2–0 (Home: 2–2–0; Road 1–0–0)
Schedule

  Win   Loss   Overtime/Shootout Loss

Playoffs

For the third consecutive year, the Lightning failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Player stats

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA= Goals Against Average; SA= Shots Against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO= Shutouts

Player GP Min W L OT GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM
Antero Niittymaki492657211851272.871388.9091010
Mike Smith422273131871173.091165.90020014
Dustin Tokarski24400034.0916.8130000

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Lightning. Stats reflect time with Lightning only.
‡Traded mid-season
Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Awards and records

Awards
Regular Season
PlayerAwardAwarded
Mike Smith[21]NHL Second Star of the WeekJanuary 4, 2010
Steven Stamkos[22]NHL First Star of the WeekFebruary 15, 2010
Steven Stamkos[23]NHL Second Star of the WeekMarch 8, 2010
Steven Stamkos[24]Maurice Richard Trophy
(Shared with Sidney Crosby)		April 11, 2010
Martin St. Louis[25]Lady Byng Trophy winnerJune 23, 2010

Milestones
Regular Season
PlayerMilestoneReached
Victor Hedman1st Career NHL Game
1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point		October 3, 2009
James Wright1st Career NHL GameOctober 3, 2009
James Wright1st Career NHL Goal
1st Career NHL Point		October 22, 2009
James Wright1st Career NHL AssistOctober 24, 2009

Transactions

The Lightning have been involved in the following transactions during the 2009–10 season.

Draft picks

Tampa Bay's picks at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal.

Round Pick Player Position Nationality Club Team
1 2 Victor Hedman (D)  Sweden Modo Hockey (Elitserien)
1 29 (from Detroit) Carter Ashton (RW)  Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
2 52 (from Philadelphia) Richard Panik (RW)  Slovakia Ocelari Trinec (Czech Extraliga)
4 93 Alex Hutchings (LW)  Canada Barrie Colts (OHL)
5 148 (from Carolina via Nashville) Michael Zador (G)  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
6 162 (from Nashville) Jaroslav Janus (G)  Slovakia Erie Otters (OHL)
7 183 Kirill Gotovets (D)  Belarus Shattuck-Saint Mary's (USHS-MN)

Final roster

Updated April 11, 2010.[62]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
27 Brandon Bochenski RW R 38 2008 Blaine, Minnesota
9 Steve Downie RW R 33 2008 Newmarket, Ontario
17 Todd Fedoruk LW L 41 2009 Redwater, Alberta
6 Kurtis Foster D L 39 2009 Carp, Ontario
21 David Hale D L 39 2009 Colorado Springs, Colorado
77 Victor Hedman D L 30 2009 Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
58 Scott Jackson D L 34 2008 Salmon Arm, British Columbia
28 Zenon Konopka C L 40 2008 Niagara Falls, Ontario
55 Matt Lashoff D L 34 2009 East Greenbush, New York
4 Vincent Lecavalier (C) C L 40 1998 L'Île-Bizard, Quebec
39 Mike Lundin D L 36 2004 Burnsville, Minnesota
12 Ryan Malone LW L 41 2008 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
14 Andrej Meszaros D L 35 2008 Považská Bystrica, Czechoslovakia
30 Antero Niittymaki G L 40 2009 Turku, Finland
5 Mattias Ohlund (A) D L 44 2009 Piteå, Sweden
16 Teddy Purcell RW R 35 2010 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
54 Paul Ranger D L 36 2002 Whitby, Ontario
32 Matt Smaby D L 36 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota
41 Mike Smith G L 38 2008 Kingston, Ontario
26 Martin St. Louis (A) RW L 45 2000 Laval, Quebec
91 Steven Stamkos C R 30 2008 Markham, Ontario
13 Alex Tanguay LW L 41 2009 Sainte-Justine, Quebec
44 Nate Thompson C L 36 2010 Anchorage, Alaska
19 Stephane Veilleux LW L 39 2009 Saint-Georges, Quebec
8 Matt Walker D R 40 2009 Beaverlodge, Alberta

See also

References

  1. Lightning give Tocchet multiyear deal
  2. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article1012505.ece Archived 2011-12-28 at the Wayback Machine,
  3. http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2009/06/Issue-192/Franchises/Bettman-Tells-Koules-Barrie-To-Determine-New-Ownership-Plan.aspx
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2011-12-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. No surprise, Tavares is No. 1 on CSS final list
  6. Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Mattias Ohlund Archived 2011-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Lightning Sign Free Agent Goaltender Antero Niittymaki". Archived from the original on 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  8. Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Alex Tanguay
  9. "Lightning vs. Stars - 09/16/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-16. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  10. "Thrashers vs. Lightning - 09/18/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-18. Archived from the original on 2009-09-26. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  11. "Senators vs. Lightning - 09/21/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-21. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  12. "Lightning vs. Coyotes - 09/22/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-22. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  13. "Coyotes vs. Lightning - 09/23/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-23. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  14. "Oilers vs. Lightning - 09/24/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-24. Archived from the original on 2009-09-30. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  15. "Lightning vs. Thrashers - 09/27/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. 2009-09-27. Archived from the original on 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  16. https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2010.html
  17. General Manager Brian Lawton and Head Coach Rick Tocchet to Be Replaced
  18. "2009–2010 Standings by Division". National Hockey League.
  19. "2009–2010 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League.
  20. Lightning finish off win over Devils
  21. Langenbrunner, Smith, Eriksson top week's '3 Stars'
  22. Stamkos, Leighton and Turco top week's '3 Stars'
  23. Stewart, Stamkos, McCabe named Stars of the Week
  24. Winners of Richard, Ross and Jennings announced
  25. Lightning's Martin St. Louis Brings Home Lady Byng Trophy
  26. Lightning Acquire 29th Overall Pick in 2009 NHL Entry Draft
  27. Lightning Acquire LW Todd Fedoruk, D David Hale
  28. "Lightning Acquire LW Drew Miller, 3rd Round Pick From Ducks". Archived from the original on 2009-08-17. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  29. Lightning acquire RW Teddy Purcell, 3rd round pick in 2010 from Los Angeles
  30. "Lightning Sign Rugged Defenseman Matt Walker". Archived from the original on 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
  31. "Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Stephane Veilleux". Archived from the original on 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
  32. "Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Kurtis Foster". Archived from the original on 2009-07-12. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
  33. Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Mitch Fritz
  34. Lightning sign free agent RW Mark Parrish
  35. Colorado Signs David Koci
  36. Devils sign D Cory Murphy
  37. "Blackhawks Sign MacArthur and Petiot". Archived from the original on 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  38. "Bulletin: Senators sign defenceman Geoff Kinrade". Archived from the original on 2009-07-18. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  39. Thrashers Sign Unrestricted Free Agents Anthony Stewart and Noah Welch
  40. Flyers Sign Five
  41. KINGS SIGN SEGAL
  42. "Rangers Add Veteran Center Prospal". Archived from the original on 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  43. Canucks sign Matt Pettinger
  44. Flyers Add Krajicek
  45. Lightning Claim Radek Smolenak Off Waivers
  46. Lightning Claim C Nate Thompson off waivers from Islanders
  47. Blackhawks Claim Smolenak Off Waivers From Tampa Bay
  48. Wings claim Miller off waivers
  49. Lightning Sign C Mitch Fadden
  50. "Lightning Re-Sign Defenseman Lukas Krajicek". Archived from the original on 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
  51. Lightning Sign Defenseman Victor Hedman
  52. "Lightning Sign Restricted Free Agents Jones, Tukonen". Archived from the original on 2009-07-19. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
  53. Lightning Avoid Arbitration with D Matt Smaby
  54. "Lightning Re-Sign RW Martins Karsums". Archived from the original on 2009-08-29. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
  55. "Lightning Re-Sign D Matt Lashoff". Archived from the original on 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
  56. Lightning Re-Sign Defenseman Mike Lundin
  57. Lightning Re-Sign LW Radek Smolenak
  58. Lightning Sign James Wright to Entry Level Contract
  59. Lightning Sign RW Carter Ashton to Entry Level Contract
  60. Lightning Sign G Jaroslav Janus to Entry Level Contract
  61. Lightning sign 2007 draft pick, LW Johan Harju
  62. "Tampa Bay Lightning – Team – Roster". Tampa Bay Lightning. Archived from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
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