2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season

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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)

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.

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)

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 Capitals 82 54 15 13 318 233 121
2 Atlanta Thrashers 82 35 34 13 234 256 83
3 Carolina Hurricanes 82 35 37 10 230 256 80
4 Tampa Bay Lightning 82 34 36 12 217 260 80
5 Florida Panthers 82 32 37 13 208 244 77

Conference standings[]

Eastern Conference[19]
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 p – Washington Capitals SE 82 54 15 13 318 233 121
2 y – New Jersey Devils AT 82 48 27 7 222 191 103
3 y – Buffalo Sabres NE 82 45 27 10 235 207 100
4 Pittsburgh Penguins AT 82 47 28 7 257 237 101
5 Ottawa Senators NE 82 44 32 6 225 238 94
6 Boston Bruins NE 82 39 30 13 206 200 91
7 Philadelphia Flyers AT 82 41 35 6 236 225 88
8 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 39 33 10 217 223 88
8.5
9 New York Rangers AT 82 38 33 11 222 218 87
10 Atlanta Thrashers SE 82 35 34 13 234 256 83
11 Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 35 37 10 230 256 80
12 Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 34 36 12 217 260 80
13 New York Islanders AT 82 34 37 11 222 264 79
14 Florida Panthers SE 82 32 37 13 208 244 77
15 Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 30 38 14 214 267 74

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 Niittymaki 49 2657 21 18 5 127 2.87 1388 .909 1 0 1 0
Mike Smith 42 2273 13 18 7 117 3.09 1165 .900 2 0 0 14
Dustin Tokarski 2 44 0 0 0 3 4.09 16 .813 0 0 0 0

†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[21] NHL Second Star of the Week January 4, 2010
Steven Stamkos[22] NHL First Star of the Week February 15, 2010
Steven Stamkos[23] NHL Second Star of the Week March 8, 2010
Steven Stamkos[24] Maurice Richard Trophy
(Shared with Sidney Crosby)		 April 11, 2010
Martin St. Louis[25] Lady Byng Trophy winner June 23, 2010

Records[]

Milestones[]

Regular Season
Player Milestone Reached
Victor Hedman 1st Career NHL Game
1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point		 October 3, 2009
James Wright 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.

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) (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 United States Brandon Bochenski RW R 39 2008 Blaine, Minnesota
9 Canada Steve Downie RW R 34 2008 Newmarket, Ontario
17 Canada Todd Fedoruk LW L 42 2009 Redwater, Alberta
6 Canada Kurtis Foster D L 39 2009 Carp, Ontario
21 United States David Hale D L 40 2009 Colorado Springs, Colorado
77 Sweden Victor Hedman D L 30 2009 Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
58 Canada Scott Jackson D L 34 2008 Salmon Arm, British Columbia
28 Canada Zenon Konopka C L 40 2008 Niagara Falls, Ontario
55 United States Matt Lashoff D L 34 2009 East Greenbush, New York
4 Canada Vincent Lecavalier (C) C L 41 1998 L'Île-Bizard, Quebec
39 United States Mike Lundin D L 36 2004 Burnsville, Minnesota
12 United States Ryan Malone LW L 41 2008 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
14 Slovakia Andrej Meszaros D L 35 2008 Považská Bystrica, Czechoslovakia
30 Finland Antero Niittymaki G L 41 2009 Turku, Finland
5 Sweden Mattias Ohlund (A) D L 45 2009 Piteå, Sweden
16 Canada Teddy Purcell RW R 36 2010 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
54 Canada Paul Ranger D L 37 2002 Whitby, Ontario
32 United States Matt Smaby D L 36 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota
41 Canada Mike Smith G L 39 2008 Kingston, Ontario
26 Canada Martin St. Louis (A) RW L 46 2000 Laval, Quebec
91 Canada Steven Stamkos C R 31 2008 Markham, Ontario
13 Canada Alex Tanguay LW L 41 2009 Sainte-Justine, Quebec
44 United States Nate Thompson C L 36 2010 Anchorage, Alaska
19 Canada Stephane Veilleux LW L 39 2009 Saint-Georges, Quebec
8 Canada Matt Walker D R 41 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. ^ Jump up to: a b Lightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Mattias Ohlund Archived 2011-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Lightning Sign Free Agent Goaltender Antero Niittymaki". Archived from the original on 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b 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[permanent dead link]
  27. ^ Lightning Acquire LW Todd Fedoruk, D David Hale[permanent dead link]
  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[permanent dead link]
  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. ^ Jump up to: a b "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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