THN.com Blog: Richards and Tortorella on the hot seat in Tampa

Brad Richards has 17 goals and 49 points in 59 games this season. (Photo by Graig Abel/ NHLI via Getty Images)

Adam Proteau
2008-02-20 11:42:26

The Tampa Bay Lightning are basement-dwelling doormats in the Eastern Conference, yet haven’t made any moves – trades, management shuffles or otherwise – all season long.

But that may soon change, according to one NHL agent who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“They’re a mess, obviously,” the agent told thehockeynews.com Tuesday. “They’re paying (Brad) Richards nearly $8 million a year to be their second line center, and (Marc) Denis is making almost $3 million (per season) to not play goal for them. That’s more than 10 large for two guys who aren’t making a difference, and I think management realizes they can’t keep going on like that.”

The agent, who said Richards is “absolutely in play” in the days leading up to the Feb. 26 trade deadline, expects Tampa Bay’s incoming ownership to try hard to retain the services of blueliner Dan Boyle and believes the franchise may still try and re-sign Vinny Prospal, if the winger’s contract demands don’t stretch the boundaries of credulity.

• Speaking of the Lightning – a retired NHLer and one-time assistant coach weighed in Tuesday on the Bolts’ need for a coaching change.

“It’s clear that team has stopped listening to (John) Tortorella,” the former player, who asked that his name not be used, told THN.com. “And that’s not saying Torts has forgotten how to coach. But guys who use his (hard-edged) style only have a limited shelf life. Look at Bob Hartley and the Thrashers; there’s a totally accomplished guy, a Stanley Cup winner, but the Atlanta (players) had enough of him after a while, and there was nothing he could do to get them back.

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“Torts is the same type of coach. I think, like Bob, he’ll eventually be successful working somewhere else again. But it won’t be in Tampa.”

Adam Proteau is The Hockey News' online columnist and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog appears Mondays and Wednesdays, his Ask Adam feature appears Tuesdays and Fridays, and his column, Screen Shots, appears Thursdays.

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COMMENTS (12)

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David Caldwell Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:54)

I really thought the Bolts should have made an attempt to get Cujo. They have not had good goaltending since Khabi left and while Joseph is in the twilight of his career he would have been an upgrade for sure. I think Torts is a great coach and I think his abrassive style is just what is missing in San Jose and the main reason the Sharks have not won or even come close to competing for a cup.

boston paul Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:53)

they should trade Richards n marty st L get a defenseman n goalie more balanced team all that money on forwards kinda dumb both could fetch big returns n still leave money 4 nxt yr vinny is the franchise sound him in more balanced situation he'll get even better

buck smith Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:53)

I agree that Torts has lost the team. But I think it happened a while ago. His antics were never really appreciated by the players. I do think that Brad Richards should be traded. He has not been the same player since Modin left and his play shows that. And his contract is hurting the team in getting who they need. I also agree that no goalie would look good in front of the defense. The team needs to try to use the money that they pay Richards to find useful defensivemen.

Roussel Dowe Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:52)

I think there would be three teams chomping at the bit to get Richards off the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline. Chicago, Columbus and Atlanta are looking for a top flight center to play with their superstar wingers. Richards production may be low but he is playing with no wingers, if playing with guys like Havlat, Nash or Kovy don't get him firing he may as well retire. All three teams have the cap room and the assets to trade with. Chicago and Columbus have draft picks and prospects coming out of their ears and Atlanta have Hossa and two young top class goaltenders (Pavalec and Lehtonen)

Patrick S Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:52)

I made a post last week regarding Torts and I couldn't agree more with the notion that it is time for a change. His coaching style can only be tolerated for so long and eventually the players will quite simply... stop listening to him. The role of a coach is not that far off from the role of a parent. Shouting, hollering, disciplining, and publically calling out his players may work once or twice but it gets REALLY old REALLY quick. And honestly, grown men don't want to hear it from him! These kind of tactic may work on rookies but not in a locker room of seasoned players like Vinny, Marty, Brad, V. Prospal, and others. Mr. Feaster, if you want to improve your team by making some changes, you don't need to look much further than your bench boss!

Todd Bush Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:52)

Tampa's problem isn't the coach or the fact that Brad Richard's is making $8 million as a second line center. TAMPA NEEDS A GOALIE. A goalie would make all of the difference on that team. Tampa isn't getting blown out night after night so, the coach is still doing all of the right things. Brad Richards and his $8 million. We are talking about a Conn Smyth winner who will play through anything. He is probably their most valuable player.

robert marshall Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:51)

to get rid of richards agree on a trade for him and a low pick then put him on waivers trade pick to team and they take richards pros 4 mil for richards cons another team takes himand you get nothing

Rick M Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:50)

Only problem with that is teams cannot cover part of the players contract under the new CBA. Nearly 8 Mil is a ton of cash for Richards production. Could be tough to find a taker.

Fred Bartsch Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:48)

Pete you hit it on the head, tampa will have to eat at least half is not more to get a team to trade for Richards. Without that NOT VERY LIKELY!

McGZ Posted
(2009-04-30 06:01:48)

Outside of Martin Brodeur or Roberto Luongo, every other goalie in the would have similar numbers to Holmqvist, if they had Tampa's defense in front of them. Richards is the odd man out if the Bolts want to keep Boyle. I say get as much young talent as you can for him.