2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season explained

League:NHL
Season:2009–10
Year:2009
Team:Tampa Bay Lightning
Conferencerank:12th
Divisionrank:4th
Record:34–36–12
Homerecord:21–14–6
Roadrecord:13–22–6
Goalsfor:217
Goalsagainst:260
Attendance:15,497 (78.4%)
Goalsleader:Steven Stamkos (51)
Assistsleader:Martin St. Louis (65)
Pointsleader:Steven Stamkos (95)
Plusminusleader:Steve Downie (+14)
Pimleader:Zenon Konopka (265)
Winsleader:Antero Niittymaki (21)
Gaaleader:Antero Niittymaki (2.87)

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. Second-year winger Steve Stamkos emerged from obscurity in which would turn out to be a breakout season that saw him score 10 goals in his first 11 games. Through the months of January and February, Stamkos had an 18-game point streak and he was ranked in the top five in the NHL in scoring by the time he turned 20, challenging the likes of established NHL superstars such as Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. On April 10, 2010, Stamkos reached the 50-goal mark for the first time in his career when he scored two goals against the Florida Panthers. He ended the season with 51 goals, tied for most in the NHL with Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the two sharing the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's goal-scoring leaders. He tied Crosby in the final minute of the last game of the season with an empty-net goal while also becoming the third-youngest player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season, after Wayne Gretzky and Jimmy Carson.[1] Despite Stamkos's individual successes, the team's poor seasonal record prompted team owner Jeffrey Vinik to terminate Brian Lawton and Rick Tocchet's contracts as general manager and head coach, respectively.

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.

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.[2]

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.[3] [4] 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.[5]

With the second overall pick in the Entry Draft, the Lightning selected defenseman Victor Hedman from Modo Hockey of the Elitserien. Hedman was considered the top European prospect available.[6] 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,[7] goaltender Antero Niittymaki[8] and veteran left winger Alex Tanguay.[9]

Preseason

|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 1 || September 16 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4 – 3 || Dallas Stars || SO || 15,214 || 0–0–1 || [10] |- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 2 || September 18 || Atlanta Thrashers || 2 – 1 || Tampa Bay Lightning || OT || 16,223 || 0–0–2 || [11] |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 3 || September 21 (in Regina, SK) || Ottawa Senators || 3 – 1 || Tampa Bay Lightning || || || 0–1–2 || [12] |- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 4 || September 22 (in Everett, Washington) || Phoenix Coyotes || 2 – 1 || Tampa Bay Lightning || || || 1–1–2 || [13] |- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 5 || September 23 (in Loveland, Colorado) || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4 – 3 || Phoenix Coyotes || SO || || 1–1–3 || [14] |- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 6 || September 24 (in Winnipeg, MB) || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 3 || Tampa Bay Lightning || OT || || 2–1–3 || [15] |- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 7 || September 27 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 5 – 1 || Atlanta Thrashers || || 7,179 || 3–1–3 || [16] |-

Regular season

The Lightning ended the regular season having scored the fewest shorthanded goals in the League, with just 2.[17]

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.[18]

Game log

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 1 || October 3 || Atlanta Thrashers || 6 – 3 || Philips Arena || 18,545 || 0–1–0 || 0|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 2 || October 6 || Carolina Hurricanes || 2 – 1 (SO) || RBC Center || 16,186 || 0–1–1 || 1|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 3 || October 8 || New Jersey Devils || 4 – 3 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum || 17,454 || 0–1–2 || 2|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 4 || October 10 || Carolina Hurricanes || 5 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 14,212 || 1–1–2 || 4|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 5 || October 12 || Florida Panthers || 3 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 14,126 || 2–1–2 || 6|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 6 || October 15 || Ottawa Senators || 7 – 1 || Scotiabank Place || 17,732 || 2–2–2 || 6|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 7 || October 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4 – 1 || Mellon Arena || 17,132 || 2–3–2 || 6|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 8 || October 22 || San Jose Sharks || 5 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 13,343 || 3–3–2 || 8|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 9 || October 24 || Buffalo Sabres || 3 – 2 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum || 15,804 || 3–3–3 || 9|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 10 || October 29 || Ottawa Senators || 5 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 13,213 || 4–3–3 || 11|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 11 || October 31 || New Jersey Devils || 2 – 1 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum || 12,154 || 4–3–4 || 12|-|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 12 || November 2 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6 – 2 || Wachovia Center || 18,667 || 4–4–4 || 12|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 13 || November 3 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 2 – 1 (OT) || Air Canada Centre || 19,301 || 5–4–4 || 14|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 14 || November 5 || Ottawa Senators || 3 – 2 (OT) || Scotiabank Place || 17,511 || 5–4–5 || 15|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 15 || November 7 || Montreal Canadiens || 3 – 1 || Bell Centre || 21,273 || 6–4–5 || 17|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 16 || November 12 || Minnesota Wild || 4 – 3 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum || 14,530 || 7–4–5 || 19|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 17 || November 14 || Los Angeles Kings || 2 – 1 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum || 16,612 || 7–4–6 || 20|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 18 || November 16 || Phoenix Coyotes || 4 – 1 || Jobing.com Arena || 9,503 || 8–4–6 || 22|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 19 || November 19 || Anaheim Ducks || 4 – 3 (OT) || Honda Center || 14,555 || 8–4–7 || 23|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 20 || November 21 || Carolina Hurricanes || 3 – 1 || RBC Center || 13,224 || 8–5–7 || 23|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 21 || November 22 || Atlanta Thrashers || 4 – 3 (OT) || Philips Arena || 13,342 || 9–5–7 || 25|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 22 || November 25 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 4 – 3 || St. Pete Times Forum || 15,333 || 9–6–7 || 25|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 23 || November 27 || New York Rangers || 5 – 1 || St. Pete Times Forum || 17,608 || 10–6–7 || 27|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 24 || November 28 || Dallas Stars || 4 – 3 (OT) || American Airlines Center || 17,334 || 10–6–8 || 28|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 25 || November 30 || Colorado Avalanche || 3 – 0 || St. Pete Times Forum || 12,214 || 10–7–8 || 28|-|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 26 || December 2 || Boston Bruins || 4 – 1 || TD Garden || 16,533 || 10–8–8 || 28|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 27 || December 4 || New Jersey Devils || 3 – 2 || Prudential Center || 15,336 || 10–9–8 || 28|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 28 || December 5 || New York Islanders || 4 – 0 || St. Pete Times Forum || 13,577 || 11–9–8 || 30|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 29 || December 7 || Washington Capitals || 3 – 0 || St. Pete Times Forum || 12,400 || 11–10–8 || 30|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 30 || December 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 13,477 || 11–11–8 || 30|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 31 || December 11 || Colorado Avalanche || 2 – 1 (SO) || Pepsi Center || 12,188 || 11–11–9 || 31|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 32 || December 13 || Chicago Blackhawks || 4 – 0 || United Center || 21,081 || 11–12–9 || 31|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 33 || December 15 || Nashville Predators || 7 – 4 || Sommet Center || 15,804 || 11–13–9 || 31|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 34 || December 17 || Detroit Red Wings || 3 – 0 || Joe Louis Arena || 19,474 || 11–14–9 || 31|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 35 || December 18 || St. Louis Blues || 6 – 3 || Scottrade Center || 19,150 || 12–14–9 || 33|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 36 || December 21 || New York Islanders || 4 – 2 || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 10,864 || 13–14–9 || 35|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 37 || December 23 || Philadelphia Flyers || 5 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 16,177 || 13–15–9 || 35|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 38 || December 26 || Atlanta Thrashers || 4 – 3 || St. Pete Times Forum || 15,437 || 14–15–9 || 37|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 39 || December 28 || Boston Bruins || 2 – 1 || St. Pete Times Forum || 16,926 || 15–15–9 || 39|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 40 || December 30 || Montreal Canadiens || 2 – 1 (OT) || St. Pete Times Forum || 18,441 || 15–15–10 || 40|-|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 41 || January 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3 – 1 || St. Pete Times Forum || 20,109 || 16–15–10 || 42|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 42 || January 6 || Buffalo Sabres || 5 – 3 || HSBC Arena || 18,690 || 16–16–10 || 42|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 44 || January 8* || New Jersey Devils || 4 – 2 || Prudential Center || 15,129 || 17–16–10 || 44|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 43 || January 9 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4 – 1 || Wachovia Center || 19,678 || 16–17–10 || 44|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 45 || January 12 || Washington Capitals || 7 – 4 || St. Pete Times Forum || 13,891 || 18–17–10 || 46|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 46 || January 14 || Florida Panthers || 3 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 13,516 || 18–18–10 || 46|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 47 || January 16 || Florida Panthers || 5 – 2 || BankAtlantic Center || 15,971 || 18–19–10 || 46|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 48 || January 18 || Carolina Hurricanes || 3 – 2 || RBC Center || 16,031 || 19–19–10 || 48|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 49 || January 19 || New York Rangers || 8 – 2 || Madison Square Garden || 18,200 || 19–20–10 || 48|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 50 || January 21 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 3 – 2 (OT) || St. Pete Times Forum || 13,691 || 20–20–10 || 50|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 51 || January 23 || Atlanta Thrashers || 2 – 1 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum || 16,212 || 21–20–10 || 52|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 52 || January 27 || Montreal Canadiens || 3 – 0 || St. Pete Times Forum || 14,404 || 22–20–10 || 54|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 53 || January 29 || Anaheim Ducks || 2 – 1 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum || 15,230 || 22–20–11 || 55|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 54 || January 31 || Washington Capitals || 3 – 2 || Verizon Center || 18,277 || 22–21–11 || 55|-| colspan=8 | *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.[19] |-|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 55 || February 2 || Atlanta Thrashers || 2 – 1 || Philips Arena || 11,390 || 23–21–11 || 57|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 56 || February 4 || New York Islanders || 5 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 13,891 || 24–21–11 || 59|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 57 || February 6 || Calgary Flames || 2 – 1 (OT) || St. Pete Times Forum || 15,859 || 25–21–11 || 61|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 58 || February 9 || Vancouver Canucks || 3 – 1 || St. Pete Times Forum || 14,226 || 26–21–11 || 63|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 59 || February 11 || Boston Bruins || 5 – 4 || St. Pete Times Forum || 15,826 || 26–22–11 || 63|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 60 || February 13 || New York Islanders || 5 – 4 || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 12,337 || 26–23–11 || 63|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 61 || February 14 || New York Rangers || 5 – 2 || Madison Square Garden || 18,200 || 26–24–11 || 63|- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| colspan=8 |League-wide break for 2010 Winter Olympics (February 15–28)|-|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 62 || March 2 || Philadelphia Flyers || 7 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 17,812 || 26–25–11 || 63|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 63 || March 4 || Washington Capitals || 5 – 4 || Verizon Center || 18,277 || 26–26–11 || 63|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 64 || March 6 || Atlanta Thrashers || 6 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 19,926 || 27–26–11 || 65|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 65 || March 9 || Montreal Canadiens || 5 – 3 || Bell Centre || 21,273 || 27–27–11 || 65|- style="text-align:center; background:#b0c4de;"| 66 || March 11 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 4 – 3 (OT) || Air Canada Centre || 19,110 || 27–27–12 || 66|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 67 || March 12 || Washington Capitals || 3 – 2 || Verizon Center || 18,277 || 28–27–12 || 68|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 68 || March 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2 – 1 || St. Pete Times Forum || 20,230 || 28–28–12 || 68|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 69 || March 16 || Phoenix Coyotes || 2 – 1 || St. Pete Times Forum || 14,517 || 28–29–12 || 68|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 70 || March 18 || Buffalo Sabres || 6 – 2 || St. Pete Times Forum || 16,868 || 28–30–12 || 68|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 71 || March 20 || Washington Capitals || 3 – 1 || St. Pete Times Forum || 19,844 || 28–31–12 || 68|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 72 || March 21 || Florida Panthers || 5 – 2 || BankAtlantic Center || 14,831 || 28–32–12 || 68|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 73 || March 23 || Carolina Hurricanes || 3 – 2 (OT) || St. Pete Times Forum || 13,009 || 29–32–12 || 70|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 74 || March 25 || Boston Bruins || 5 – 3 || TD Garden || 17,565 || 30–32–12 || 72|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 75 || March 27 || Buffalo Sabres || 7 – 1 || HSBC Arena || 18,690 || 30–33–12 || 72|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 76 || March 30 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3 – 2 || Nationwide Arena || 15,760 || 30–34–12 || 72|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 77 || March 31 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2 – 0 || Mellon Arena || 17,132 || 31–34–12 || 74|-|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 78 || April 2 || New York Rangers || 5 – 0 || St. Pete Times Forum || 17,909 || 31–35–12 || 74|- style="text-align:center; background:#fcc;"| 79 || April 6 || Carolina Hurricanes || 8 – 5 || St. Pete Times Forum || 12,454 || 31–36–12 || 74|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 80 || April 8 || Ottawa Senators || 4 – 3 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum || 15,876 || 32–36–12 || 76|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 81 || April 10 || Florida Panthers || 4 – 3 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum || 17,050 || 33–36–12 || 78|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;"| 82 || April 11 || Florida Panthers || 3 – 1 || BankAtlantic Center || 15,884 || 34–36–12 || 80|-|-| Schedule

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

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
Player Award Awarded
Mike Smith[20] NHL Second Star of the Week January 4, 2010
Steven Stamkos[21] NHL First Star of the Week February 15, 2010
Steven Stamkos[22] NHL Second Star of the Week March 8, 2010
Steven Stamkos[23] Maurice Richard Trophy
(Shared with Sidney Crosby)
April 11, 2010
Martin St. Louis[24] Lady Byng Trophy winner June 23, 2010

Milestones

Regular Season
Player Milestone Reached
1st Career NHL Game
1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point
October 3, 2009
1st Career NHL Game October 3, 2009
James Wright 1st Career NHL Goal
1st Career NHL Point
October 22, 2009
James Wright 1st Career NHL Assist October 24, 2009

Transactions

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

Trades

DateDetails
June 26, 2009[25] 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[26] To Phoenix Coyotes
Radim Vrbata
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Todd Fedoruk
David Hale
August 13, 2009[27] To Anaheim Ducks
Evgeny Artyukhin
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Drew Miller
3rd-round pick in 2010
March 3, 2010[28] To Los Angeles Kings
Jeff Halpern
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Teddy Purcell
3rd-round pick in 2010

Free agents acquired

Player Former team Contract terms
7 years, $26.25 million
Matt Walker[29] 4 years, $6.8 million
Stephane Veilleux[30] 1 year, $750,000
Kurtis Foster[31] 1 year, $600,000
1 year, $600,000
1 year, $2.5 million
Mitch Fritz[32] 1 year
Mark Parrish[33] 1 year, 2-way contract

Free agents lost

Player New team Contract terms
David Koci[34] 1 year, $575,000
Cory Murphy[35] undisclosed
Richard Petiot[36] 1 year
Geoff Kinrade[37] 1 year, 2-way contract
Noah Welch[38] undisclosed
Jason Ward[39] 1 year
Brandon Segal[40] 2 years
Vaclav Prospal[41] 1 year, $1.1 million
Matt Pettinger[42] undisclosed
Lukas Krajicek[43] undisclosed
Player Former team Date claimed off waivers
Radek Smolenak[44] October 10, 2009
Nate Thompson[45] January 21, 2010

Lost via waivers

Player New team Date claimed off waivers
Radek Smolenak[46] September 25, 2009
Drew Miller[47] November 11, 2009

Player signings

Player Contract terms
Mitch Fadden[48] 3 years
Lukas Krajicek[49] 1 year, $1.475 million
Victor Hedman[50] 3 years
Blair Jones[51] undisclosed
undisclosed
Matt Smaby[52] 2 years, $1.05 million
Martins Karsums[53] 1 year
Matt Lashoff[54] 2 years
Mike Lundin[55] 1 year
Radek Smolenak[56] 1 year
James Wright[57] 3-year entry-level contract
Carter Ashton[58] 3-year entry-level contract
Jaroslav Janus[59] 3-year entry-level contract
Johan Harju[60] 1 year

Draft picks

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

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityClub Team
12Victor Hedman(D)Modo Hockey (Elitserien)
129 (from Detroit)Carter Ashton(RW)Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
252 (from Philadelphia)Richard Panik(RW)Ocelari Trinec (Czech Extraliga)
493Alex Hutchings(LW)Barrie Colts (OHL)
5148 (from Carolina via Nashville)Michael Zador(G)Oshawa Generals (OHL)
6162 (from Nashville)Jaroslav Janus(G)Erie Otters (OHL)
7183Kirill Gotovets(D)Shattuck-Saint Mary's (USHS-MN)

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Archived copy . 2010-04-11 . 2011-07-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110706210053/http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=317517 . dead .
  2. https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4159425 Lightning give Tocchet multiyear deal
  3. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article1012505.ece,
  4. Web site: Sports Business Journal.
  5. Web site: Sources: Lightning sale could be complete by end of weekend; Bettman blocked Lecavalier trade - The Hockey News . 2011-12-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120324214333/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/31155-Sources-Lightning-sale-could-be-complete-by-end-of-weekend-Bettman-blocked-Lecavalier-trade.html . 2012-03-24 . dead .
  6. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628201327/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=418128&navid=DL No surprise, Tavares is No. 1 on CSS final list
  7. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?bcid=432966 Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Mattias Ohlund
  8. Web site: Lightning Sign Free Agent Goaltender Antero Niittymaki . 2009-07-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090713024127/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436723 . 2009-07-13 . dead .
  9. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=497478 Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Alex Tanguay
  10. Web site: Lightning vs. Stars - 09/16/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap . Lightning.nhl.com . 2009-09-16 . 2010-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120224152732/http://lightning.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009010011 . 2012-02-24 . dead .
  11. Web site: Thrashers vs. Lightning - 09/18/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap . Lightning.nhl.com . 2009-09-18 . 2010-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090926005539/http://lightning.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009010024 . 2009-09-26 . dead .
  12. Web site: Senators vs. Lightning - 09/21/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap . Lightning.nhl.com . 2009-09-21 . 2010-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120224152748/http://lightning.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009010056 . 2012-02-24 . dead .
  13. Web site: Lightning vs. Coyotes - 09/22/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap . Lightning.nhl.com . 2009-09-22 . 2010-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120224152757/http://lightning.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009010062 . 2012-02-24 . dead .
  14. Web site: Coyotes vs. Lightning - 09/23/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap . Lightning.nhl.com . 2009-09-23 . 2010-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120224152803/http://lightning.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009010069 . 2012-02-24 . dead .
  15. Web site: Oilers vs. Lightning - 09/24/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap . Lightning.nhl.com . 2009-09-24 . 2010-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090930081104/http://lightning.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009010080 . 2009-09-30 . dead .
  16. Web site: Lightning vs. Thrashers - 09/27/2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Recap . Lightning.nhl.com . 2009-09-27 . 2010-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091002005738/http://lightning.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009010096 . 2009-10-02 . dead .
  17. Web site: 2009-10 NHL Summary.
  18. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=525039 General Manager Brian Lawton and Head Coach Rick Tocchet to Be Replaced
  19. http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2009020655 Lightning finish off win over Devils
  20. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=512279 Langenbrunner, Smith, Eriksson top week's '3 Stars'
  21. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=517757 Stamkos, Leighton and Turco top week's '3 Stars'
  22. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=520584 Stewart, Stamkos, McCabe named Stars of the Week
  23. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=524946 Winners of Richard, Ross and Jennings announced
  24. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532578 Lightning's Martin St. Louis Brings Home Lady Byng Trophy
  25. http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=431908&page=NewsPage&service=page Lightning Acquire 29th Overall Pick in 2009 NHL Entry Draft
  26. http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=451081&page=NewsPage&service=page Lightning Acquire LW Todd Fedoruk, D David Hale
  27. Web site: Lightning Acquire LW Drew Miller, 3rd Round Pick From Ducks . 2009-08-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090817123843/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=469997 . 2009-08-17 . dead .
  28. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=519973 Lightning acquire RW Teddy Purcell, 3rd round pick in 2010 from Los Angeles
  29. Web site: Lightning Sign Rugged Defenseman Matt Walker . 2009-07-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090705082029/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=433035 . 2009-07-05 . dead .
  30. Web site: Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Stephane Veilleux . 2009-07-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090713040738/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436446 . 2009-07-13 . dead .
  31. Web site: Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Kurtis Foster . 2009-07-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090712031046/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436589 . 2009-07-12 . dead .
  32. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=500513 Lightning Sign Free Agent LW Mitch Fritz
  33. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=516970 Lightning sign free agent RW Mark Parrish
  34. http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=433080&navid=DL|COL|home Colorado Signs David Koci
  35. http://devils.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=442932&page=NewsPage&service=page Devils sign D Cory Murphy
  36. Web site: Blackhawks Sign MacArthur and Petiot . 2009-07-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090716141207/http://blackhawks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436665 . 2009-07-16 . dead .
  37. Web site: Bulletin: Senators sign defenceman Geoff Kinrade . 2009-07-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090718202009/http://senators.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436737 . 2009-07-18 . dead .
  38. http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=442591 Thrashers Sign Unrestricted Free Agents Anthony Stewart and Noah Welch
  39. http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=451294 Flyers Sign Five
  40. http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=457089 KINGS SIGN SEGAL
  41. Web site: Rangers Add Veteran Center Prospal . 2009-08-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090820040104/http://rangers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=479786 . 2009-08-20 . dead .
  42. http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=504506 Canucks sign Matt Pettinger
  43. http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=515691 Flyers Add Krajicek
  44. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=501754 Lightning Claim Radek Smolenak Off Waivers
  45. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=514466 Lightning Claim C Nate Thompson off waivers from Islanders
  46. http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=499829 Blackhawks Claim Smolenak Off Waivers From Tampa Bay
  47. http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=505695 Wings claim Miller off waivers
  48. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=485207 Lightning Sign C Mitch Fadden
  49. Web site: Lightning Re-Sign Defenseman Lukas Krajicek . 2009-07-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090705154735/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=433018 . 2009-07-05 . dead .
  50. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=485273 Lightning Sign Defenseman Victor Hedman
  51. Web site: Lightning Sign Restricted Free Agents Jones, Tukonen . 2009-07-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090719193047/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=442897 . 2009-07-19 . dead .
  52. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=485295 Lightning Avoid Arbitration with D Matt Smaby
  53. Web site: Lightning Re-Sign RW Martins Karsums . 2009-08-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090829205257/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=487001 . 2009-08-29 . dead .
  54. Web site: Lightning Re-Sign D Matt Lashoff . 2009-08-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090903194958/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=490654 . 2009-09-03 . dead .
  55. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=498038 Lightning Re-Sign Defenseman Mike Lundin
  56. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=498378&navid=tbl-home-dl Lightning Re-Sign LW Radek Smolenak
  57. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=499959 Lightning Sign James Wright to Entry Level Contract
  58. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=500811 Lightning Sign RW Carter Ashton to Entry Level Contract
  59. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=511991 Lightning Sign G Jaroslav Janus to Entry Level Contract
  60. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=524159 Lightning sign 2007 draft pick, LW Johan Harju