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
2009 Pre-season Game Log: 3–1–3 (Home: 0–0–0 ; Road: 1–0–2; Neutral: 2–1–1)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTAttendanceRecordRecap
1September 16Tampa Bay Lightning4 – 3Dallas StarsSO15,2140–0–1[9]
2September 18Atlanta Thrashers2 – 1Tampa Bay LightningOT16,2230–0–2[10]
3September 21 (in Regina, SK)Ottawa Senators3 – 1Tampa Bay Lightning0–1–2[11]
4September 22 (in Everett, Washington)Phoenix Coyotes2 – 1Tampa Bay Lightning1–1–2[12]
5September 23 (in Loveland, Colorado)Tampa Bay Lightning4 – 3Phoenix CoyotesSO1–1–3[13]
6September 24 (in Winnipeg, MB)Edmonton Oilers4 – 3Tampa Bay LightningOT2–1–3[14]
7September 27Tampa Bay Lightning5 – 1Atlanta Thrashers7,1793–1–3[15]

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)
GameDateOpponentScoreLocationAttendanceRecordPoints
1October 3Atlanta Thrashers6 – 3Philips Arena18,5450–1–00
2October 6Carolina Hurricanes2 – 1 (SO)RBC Center16,1860–1–11
3October 8New Jersey Devils4 – 3 (SO)St. Pete Times Forum17,4540–1–22
4October 10Carolina Hurricanes5 – 2St. Pete Times Forum14,2121–1–24
5October 12Florida Panthers3 – 2St. Pete Times Forum14,1262–1–26
6October 15Ottawa Senators7 – 1Scotiabank Place17,7322–2–26
7October 17Pittsburgh Penguins4 – 1Mellon Arena17,1322–3–26
8October 22San Jose Sharks5 – 2St. Pete Times Forum13,3433–3–28
9October 24Buffalo Sabres3 – 2 (SO)St. Pete Times Forum15,8043–3–39
10October 29Ottawa Senators5 – 2St. Pete Times Forum13,2134–3–311
11October 31New Jersey Devils2 – 1 (SO)St. Pete Times Forum12,1544–3–412
November: 6–4–4 (Home: 2–2–1; Road 4–2–3)
GameDateOpponentScoreLocationAttendanceRecordPoints
12November 2Philadelphia Flyers6 – 2Wachovia Center18,6674–4–412
13November 3Toronto Maple Leafs2 – 1 (OT)Air Canada Centre19,3015–4–414
14November 5Ottawa Senators3 – 2 (OT)Scotiabank Place17,5115–4–515
15November 7Montreal Canadiens3 – 1Bell Centre21,2736–4–517
16November 12Minnesota Wild4 – 3 (SO)St. Pete Times Forum14,5307–4–519
17November 14Los Angeles Kings2 – 1 (SO)St. Pete Times Forum16,6127–4–620
18November 16Phoenix Coyotes4 – 1Jobing.com Arena9,5038–4–622
19November 19Anaheim Ducks4 – 3 (OT)Honda Center14,5558–4–723
20November 21Carolina Hurricanes3 – 1RBC Center13,2248–5–723
21November 22Atlanta Thrashers4 – 3 (OT)Philips Arena13,3429–5–725
22November 25Toronto Maple Leafs4 – 3St. Pete Times Forum15,3339–6–725
23November 27New York Rangers5 – 1St. Pete Times Forum17,60810–6–727
24November 28Dallas Stars4 – 3 (OT)American Airlines Center17,33410–6–828
25November 30Colorado Avalanche3 – 0St. Pete Times Forum12,21410–7–828
December: 5–8–2 (Home: 3–3–1; Road 2–5–1)
GameDateOpponentScoreLocationAttendanceRecordPoints
26December 2Boston Bruins4 – 1TD Garden16,53310–8–828
27December 4New Jersey Devils3 – 2Prudential Center15,33610–9–828
28December 5New York Islanders4 – 0St. Pete Times Forum13,57711–9–830
29December 7Washington Capitals3 – 0St. Pete Times Forum12,40011–10–830
30December 9Edmonton Oilers3 – 2St. Pete Times Forum13,47711–11–830
31December 11Colorado Avalanche2 – 1 (SO)Pepsi Center12,18811–11–931
32December 13Chicago Blackhawks4 – 0United Center21,08111–12–931
33December 15Nashville Predators7 – 4Sommet Center15,80411–13–931
34December 17Detroit Red Wings3 – 0Joe Louis Arena19,47411–14–931
35December 18St. Louis Blues6 – 3Scottrade Center19,15012–14–933
36December 21New York Islanders4 – 2Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum10,86413–14–935
37December 23Philadelphia Flyers5 – 2St. Pete Times Forum16,17713–15–935
38December 26Atlanta Thrashers4 – 3St. Pete Times Forum15,43714–15–937
39December 28Boston Bruins2 – 1St. Pete Times Forum16,92615–15–939
40December 30Montreal Canadiens2 – 1 (OT)St. Pete Times Forum18,44115–15–1040
January: 7–6–1 (Home: 5–1–1; Road 2–5–0)
GameDateOpponentScoreLocationAttendanceRecordPoints
41January 2Pittsburgh Penguins3 – 1St. Pete Times Forum20,10916–15–1042
42January 6Buffalo Sabres5 – 3HSBC Arena18,69016–16–1042
44January 8*New Jersey Devils4 – 2Prudential Center15,12917–16–1044
43January 9Philadelphia Flyers4 – 1Wachovia Center19,67816–17–1044
45January 12Washington Capitals7 – 4St. Pete Times Forum13,89118–17–1046
46January 14Florida Panthers3 – 2St. Pete Times Forum13,51618–18–1046
47January 16Florida Panthers5 – 2BankAtlantic Center15,97118–19–1046
48January 18Carolina Hurricanes3 – 2RBC Center16,03119–19–1048
49January 19New York Rangers8 – 2Madison Square Garden18,20019–20–1048
50January 21Toronto Maple Leafs3 – 2 (OT)St. Pete Times Forum13,69120–20–1050
51January 23Atlanta Thrashers2 – 1 (SO)St. Pete Times Forum16,21221–20–1052
52January 27Montreal Canadiens3 – 0St. Pete Times Forum14,40422–20–1054
53January 29Anaheim Ducks2 – 1 (SO)St. Pete Times Forum15,23022–20–1155
54January 31Washington Capitals3 – 2Verizon Center18,27722–21–1155
*Originally scheduled for January 8, but suspended during the 2nd period due to a lighting failure. Play resumed on January 10 from the moment it was stopped.[20]
February: 4–3–0 (Home: 3–1–0; Road 1–2–0)
GameDateOpponentScoreLocationAttendanceRecordPoints
55February 2Atlanta Thrashers2 – 1Philips Arena11,39023–21–1157
56February 4New York Islanders5 – 2St. Pete Times Forum13,89124–21–1159
57February 6Calgary Flames2 – 1 (OT)St. Pete Times Forum15,85925–21–1161
58February 9Vancouver Canucks3 – 1St. Pete Times Forum14,22626–21–1163
59February 11Boston Bruins5 – 4St. Pete Times Forum15,82626–22–1163
60February 13New York Islanders5 – 4Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum12,33726–23–1163
61February 14New York Rangers5 – 2Madison Square Garden18,20026–24–1163
League-wide break for 2010 Winter Olympics (February 15–28)
March: 5–10–1 (Home: 2–5–0; Road 3–5–1)
GameDateOpponentScoreLocationAttendanceRecordPoints
62March 2Philadelphia Flyers7 – 2St. Pete Times Forum17,81226–25–1163
63March 4Washington Capitals5 – 4Verizon Center18,27726–26–1163
64March 6Atlanta Thrashers6 – 2St. Pete Times Forum19,92627–26–1165
65March 9Montreal Canadiens5 – 3Bell Centre21,27327–27–1165
66March 11Toronto Maple Leafs4 – 3 (OT)Air Canada Centre19,11027–27–1266
67March 12Washington Capitals3 – 2Verizon Center18,27728–27–1268
68March 14Pittsburgh Penguins2 – 1St. Pete Times Forum20,23028–28–1268
69March 16Phoenix Coyotes2 – 1St. Pete Times Forum14,51728–29–1268
70March 18Buffalo Sabres6 – 2St. Pete Times Forum16,86828–30–1268
71March 20Washington Capitals3 – 1St. Pete Times Forum19,84428–31–1268
72March 21Florida Panthers5 – 2BankAtlantic Center14,83128–32–1268
73March 23Carolina Hurricanes3 – 2 (OT)St. Pete Times Forum13,00929–32–1270
74March 25Boston Bruins5 – 3TD Garden17,56530–32–1272
75March 27Buffalo Sabres7 – 1HSBC Arena18,69030–33–1272
76March 30Columbus Blue Jackets3 – 2Nationwide Arena15,76030–34–1272
77March 31Pittsburgh Penguins2 – 0Mellon Arena17,13231–34–1274
April: 3–2–0 (Home: 2–2–0; Road 1–0–0)
GameDateOpponentScoreLocationAttendanceRecordPoints
78April 2New York Rangers5 – 0St. Pete Times Forum17,90931–35–1274
79April 6Carolina Hurricanes8 – 5St. Pete Times Forum12,45431–36–1274
80April 8Ottawa Senators4 – 3 (SO)St. Pete Times Forum15,87632–36–1276
81April 10Florida Panthers4 – 3 (SO)St. Pete Times Forum17,05033–36–1278
82April 11Florida Panthers3 – 1BankAtlantic Center15,88434–36–1280
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

Records

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.

Trades
Date Details
June 26, 2009[26] To Detroit Red Wings
2nd-round pick (32nd overall) in 2009
3rd-round pick (75th overall) in 2009		 To Tampa Bay Lightning
1st-round pick (29th overall) in 2009
July 21, 2009[27] To Phoenix Coyotes
Radim Vrbata		 To Tampa Bay Lightning
Todd Fedoruk
David Hale
August 13, 2009[28] To Anaheim Ducks
Evgeny Artyukhin		 To Tampa Bay Lightning
Drew Miller
3rd-round pick in 2010
March 3, 2010[29] To Los Angeles Kings
Jeff Halpern		 To Tampa Bay Lightning
Teddy Purcell
3rd-round pick in 2010

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)

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. "Sports Business Journal".
  4. "Sources: Lightning sale could be complete by end of weekend; Bettman blocked Lecavalier trade - The Hockey News". Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  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 July 13, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  8. Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Alex Tanguay
  9. "Lightning vs. Stars - 09/16/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. September 16, 2009. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  10. "Thrashers vs. Lightning - 09/18/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. September 18, 2009. Archived from the original on September 26, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  11. "Senators vs. Lightning - 09/21/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  12. "Lightning vs. Coyotes - 09/22/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. September 22, 2009. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  13. "Coyotes vs. Lightning - 09/23/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. September 23, 2009. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  14. "Oilers vs. Lightning - 09/24/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. September 24, 2009. Archived from the original on September 30, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  15. "Lightning vs. Thrashers - 09/27/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap". Lightning.nhl.com. September 27, 2009. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  16. "2009-10 NHL Summary".
  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 August 17, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  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 July 5, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  31. "Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Stephane Veilleux". Archived from the original on July 13, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  32. "Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Kurtis Foster". Archived from the original on July 12, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
  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 July 16, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  38. "Bulletin: Senators sign defenceman Geoff Kinrade". Archived from the original on July 18, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  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 August 20, 2009. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
  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 July 5, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  51. Lightning Sign Defenseman Victor Hedman
  52. "Lightning Sign Restricted Free Agents Jones, Tukonen". Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
  53. Lightning Avoid Arbitration with D Matt Smaby
  54. "Lightning Re-Sign RW Martins Karsums". Archived from the original on August 29, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
  55. "Lightning Re-Sign D Matt Lashoff". Archived from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
  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
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.