2008–09 Tampa Bay Lightning season
Encyclopedia
The 2008–09 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 17th season for the franchise in Tampa Bay. After a season of turnover in ownership, management and players, the team had a turbulent regular season. The Lightning failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Offseason

On June 3, it was announced that head coach John Tortorella would not return to the team despite having another year left on his contract.

The NHL board of governors on Wednesday, June 18, approved the sale of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The sale of the Tampa Bay Lightning was made to movie and television producer Oren Koules
Oren Koules
Oren Koules is an American entertainment industry and professional sports industry executive. He was president of Evolution Entertainment, producer of the Saw film series...

. The deal depended the closing of the financial deal of $200 million US to buy the team and lease the St. Pete Times Forum. Koules, 47, played in Medicine Hat and Calgary in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...

 in the early 1980s. In more recent years, he achieved success with the Saw
Saw (film series)
Saw is a horror franchise distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment and produced by Twisted Pictures that consists of seven films and two video games, published by Konami. The franchise began with the 2003 short film which was created by Australian director James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell...

 movie franchise and the television sitcom Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 22, 2003. Starring Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones, the show was originally about a hedonistic jingle writer, Charlie Harper; his uptight brother, Alan; and Alan's growing son, Jake...

. Among his business partners in the Lightning deal is former NHL player Len Barrie
Len Barrie
Leonard G. Barrie is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 184 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, and Florida Panthers...

.

On June 24, the Lightning announced that Barry Melrose
Barry Melrose
Barry James Melrose is a former player and head coach in the National Hockey League, as well as a current commentator and hockey analyst for ESPN.-Playing career:...

 was hired as the team's new head coach. Melrose had not coached in the NHL since 1995, with the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

. Since that time, he had served as an analyst for the ESPN networks.

Goaltender Marc Denis
Marc Denis
Marc Denis is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . For the 2009–10 season, he has been hired as the goaltenders' coach of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team...

's contract was bought out by the Lightning on June 25, almost 2 years to the date after his acquisition from the Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

. Denis had one year remaining on his contract.

The Lightning acquired the rights to left wings Ryan Malone
Ryan Malone
Ryan Malone is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

 and Gary Roberts from the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009. Malone then agreed to a 7-year contract with the Lightning two days before he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Lightning acquired the rights to right wing Brian Rolston
Brian Rolston
Brian Lee Rolston is a professional ice hockey player and an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He has won a Stanley Cup Championship with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 playing for Team USA...

 from the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

 in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009 or 2010. Rolston would later sign with the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

.

On August 29, the Lightning acquired defenceman Andrej Meszaros from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defencemen Filip Kuba, as well as Alexandre Picard, and a first-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (obtained in an earlier deal with the San Jose Sharks). The Lightning would go on to sign Meszaros to a 6-year contract worth $24-million.

On September 18, the Lightning announced that their new team captain would be Vincent Lecavalier.

Pre-season

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be playing five preseason games before opening the season against the NY Rangers on October 4 in Prague. Of special note, this is the first time that Tampa Bay will be opening the season outside of North America. This will also be the first time that the Lightning will play a preseason game outside North America, playing Eisbaren Berlin
Eisbären Berlin
' are a professional ice hockey team based in Berlin, Germany. The team competes in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga , the highest level of play in professional German ice hockey and is also one of the league's founding members...

 in Germany on September 28. It was announced later that the Lightning would also play against HC Slovan Bratislava
HC Slovan Bratislava
Hockey Club Slovan Bratislava is a professional ice hockey team in the Slovak Extraliga from the Slovak capital Bratislava. They play their home games at Samsung Arena....

 of the Slovak Extraliga
Slovak Extraliga
Slovak Extraliga is the name of the highest-level ice hockey league in Slovakia. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the fifth strongest league in Europe. The name of the league is leased to sponsor and changes frequently. From 1993/94 to 1997/98 season it was called Extraliga, then the name...

 on September 30.
Date Opponent Location Time Result
Saturday, September 20 Pittsburgh Mellon Arena 7:30pm 5-4 W (SO)
Monday, September 22 Pittsburgh St. Pete Times Forum
St. Pete Times Forum
The St. Pete Times Forum is an arena in Tampa, Florida, that has been used for ice hockey, basketball, and arena football games, as well as concerts....

 
7:30pm 3-2 L
Tuesday, September 23 NY Rangers St. Pete Times Forum 7:30 pm 3-2 W
Thursday, September 25 NY Rangers Madison Square Garden 7:00 pm 4-2 W
Sunday, September 28 Eisbaren Berlin
Eisbären Berlin
' are a professional ice hockey team based in Berlin, Germany. The team competes in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga , the highest level of play in professional German ice hockey and is also one of the league's founding members...

 
Berlin, Germany 10:00 pm 4-1 W
Tuesday, September 30 HC Slovan Bratislava
HC Slovan Bratislava
Hockey Club Slovan Bratislava is a professional ice hockey team in the Slovak Extraliga from the Slovak capital Bratislava. They play their home games at Samsung Arena....

 
Bratislava, Slovakia 12:00 pm 3-2 W (SO)
  • Note: all times EST and bold games are Home Games.

Game log

2008–09 Game Log
Schedule

Record vs. Opponents

Team Points Record
New Jersey
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

*
106 0–1–3
NY Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

61 1–2–1
NY Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

95 0–3–1
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

99 1–2–1
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

99 1–2–1
Boston
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

*
116 1–3–0
Buffalo
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

91 2–2–0
Montreal
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

93 2–0–2
Ottawa
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

83 1–2–1
Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

81 3–0–1
Atlanta
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...

76 2–3–1
Florida
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...

93 3–2–1
Carolina
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...

97 0–4–2
Washington
Washington Capitols
The Washington Capitols were a charter Basketball Association of America team based in Washington, D.C. The team was coached from 1946 to 1949 by NBA Hall of Famer Red Auerbach....

*
108 0–6–0
Chicago
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...

104 0–0–1
Columbus
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

92 1–0–0
Detroit
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...

*
112 0–1–0
Nashville
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

88 0–1–0
St. Louis 92 0–0–1
Calgary
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...

98 1–0–0
Colorado
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...

69 0–1–1
Edmonton
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

85 0–1–0
Minnesota
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

89 0–1–1
Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

*
100 0–1–0
Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

91 1–0–0
Dallas
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...

83 1–0–0
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

79 1–0–0
Phoenix
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....

79 1–0–0
San Jose
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

*
117 0–2–0


Notes: * denotes division winner; teams in bold are in the Southeast Division
Southeast Division (NHL)
The NHL's Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion.The Southeast Division is the only one of the six divisions that does not have a precursor from the Wales/Campbell conference era ....

; teams in
italics qualified for the playoffs
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...

; points refer to the points achieved by the team whom the Thrashers played against


= Member of the Atlantic Division
Atlantic Division (NHL)
The NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won...


= Member of the Northeast Division
Northeast Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...


= Member of the Southeast Division
Southeast Division (NHL)
The NHL's Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion.The Southeast Division is the only one of the six divisions that does not have a precursor from the Wales/Campbell conference era ....


= Member of the Central Division
Central Division (NHL)
The NHL's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Norris Division.The Central Division consists of the Western Conference's easternmost teams.-Current lineup:...


= Member of the Northeast Division
Northeast Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...


= Member of the Pacific Division
Pacific Division (NHL)
The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part of a league realignment...


Skaters

Regular season
ss="wikitable sortable" width="100%">
Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM
82 30 50 80 +4 14
77 29 38 67 -9 54
79 23 23 46 -13 39
82 19 26 45 -20 52
62 13 32 45 -15 20
70 26 19 45 +4 98
50 4 19 23 -4 36
71 2 17 19 -8 48
52 7 9 16 -13 32
73 6 10 16 +1 151
52 2 14 16 -4 36
46 6 10 16 -8 16
59 8 7 15 -14 24
25 5 10 15 -3 12
42 2 11 13 -5 56
74 5 5 10 -9 29
31 4 5 9 -1 12
30 4 3 7 -11 27
12 0 7 7 -7 10
18 3 3 6 -1 8
54 2 4 6 -7 60
23 3 3 6 +2 54
42 0 5 5 -3 36
24 0 5 5 +1 29
18 1 4 5 -5 6
43 0 4 4 -11 50
11 0 3 3 +5 21
11 0 3 3 -3 6
6 1 2 3 0 6
18 0 2 2 -3 10
13 0 2 2 -1 4
33 1 1 2 +3 132
12 1 1 2 +1 6
25 0 2 2 -4 4
7 0 1 1 -3 2
7 0 1 1 -1 29
6 0 1 1 +1 10
5 0 1 1 0 0
6 0 1 1 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 2
2 0 0 0 -5 0
2 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 -1 0
17 0 0 0 -4 14
1 0 0 0 -1 0

Goaltenders

Regular season
ss="wikitable sortable" width="100%">
Player GP Min W L OT GA GAA SA SV Sv% SO
41 2471 14 18 9 108 2.62 1282 1174 .916 2
24 1311 4 10 7 80 3.66 756 676 .894 0
15 775 4 8 1 46 3.56 406 360 .887 1
8 410 2 4 1 25 3.66 245 220 .898 0
1 6 0 0 0 0 0.00 2 2 1.000 0


Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Lightning. Stats reflect season totals.

Traded mid-season

Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Milestones

Regular Season
Player Milestone Reached
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, from the Markham Waxers of the OMHA. Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey...

 
1st NHL Game October 4, 2008
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, from the Markham Waxers of the OMHA. Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey...

 
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
October 28, 2008
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, from the Markham Waxers of the OMHA. Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey...

 
1st NHL Goal October 30, 2008
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, from the Markham Waxers of the OMHA. Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey...

 
1st NHL Hat Trick February 17, 2009

Trades

July 4, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Matt Carle
Matt Carle
Matthew Carle is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...


Ty Wishart
Ty Wishart
Ty Wishart is an Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing in the New York Islanders organization.-Playing career:...


First-round pick in 2009
Fourth-round pick in 2010 draft
2010 NHL Entry Draft
The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was the 48th NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. This was the first time Los Angeles hosted the NHL Entry Draft. An unofficial record of 11 American-trained players were selected in...

To San Jose
Dan Boyle
Brad Lukowich
Brad Lukowich
Brad Lukowich is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League. He has won the Stanley Cup once in his career, with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004. He was on the roster of the Dallas Stars when they won the cup in 1998–99 but did not...

August 29, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Andrej Meszaros
Andrej Meszároš
Andrej Meszároš is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

To Ottawa Senators
Filip Kuba
Filip Kuba
Filip Kuba is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...


Alexandre Picard
Alexandre Picard (ice hockey)
Alexandre Picard is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...


First-round pick in 2009 draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...

 (pick acquired in Matt Carle trade, later traded)
September 29, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Conditional 2009 draft pick (6th round, Jaroslav Janus)
To Nashville Predators
Nick Tarnasky
Nick Tarnasky
Nick Tarnasky is a professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for Vityaz Chekhov of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Playing career:...

October 6, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Lukas Krajicek
Lukáš Krajícek
Lukáš Krajíček is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for HC Dinamo Minsk of the KHL. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers and in the Czech Extraliga for the HC Oceláři...


Juraj Simek
Juraj Šimek
Juraj Šimek is a Slovak-Swiss professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss National League A .-Playing career:...

To Vancouver Canucks
Shane O'Brien
Michel Ouellet
Michel Ouellet
Michel Ouellet is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He most recently played with Hamburg Freezers of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He was drafted out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League by the Pittsburgh Penguins of...

November 7, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Steve Eminger
Steve Eminger
Steve Eminger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the New York Rangers..-Playing career:Eminger, who is also known for his physical play, started his hockey career with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League in 1999. He was drafted in the first round, 12th overall by...


Steve Downie
Steve Downie
Steve Downie is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...


Fourth-round pick in 2009 draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...

(later traded)
To Philadelphia Flyers
Matt Carle
Matt Carle
Matthew Carle is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...


Third-round pick in 2009 draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...

(later traded)
November 25, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Future Considerations
To Phoenix Coyotes
Wyatt Smith
Wyatt Smith
Wyatt Smith is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently a free agent. He most recently played center with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:...

November 30, 2008 To Tampa Bay
Lauri Tukonen
Lauri Tukonen
Lauri Tukonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player. Tukonen plays for the Lukko Rauma of the Finnish SM-liiga. Tukonen has played in North America for the Los Angeles Kings organization...

To Dallas Stars
Andrew Hutchinson
Andrew Hutchinson
Andrew Hutchinson is a professional ice hockey defenseman, who is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...

February 7, 2009 To Tampa Bay
Wade Brookbank
Wade Brookbank
Wade Brookbank is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays both defence and wing currently playing for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League...


Josef Melichar
Josef Melichar
Josef Melichar IV is a retired Czech professional ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:Melichar was drafted in the 3rd round by the Penguins in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft...


Fourth-round pick in 2009 draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...

(later traded for Richard Petiot
Richard Petiot
Richard Allan Petiot is a professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League...

)
To Carolina Hurricanes
Jussi Jokinen
Jussi Jokinen
Jussi Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League...

March 4, 2009 To Tampa Bay
Matt Lashoff
Matt Lashoff
Matt Robert Lashoff is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and professional musician currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. Matt's younger brother, Brian Lashoff, is a prospect for the Detroit Red Wings....


Martin Karsums
To Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...


Mark Recchi
Mark Recchi
Mark Louis Recchi is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 22 years in the National Hockey League , most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens...


Second-round pick in 2010 draft
2010 NHL Entry Draft
The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was the 48th NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. This was the first time Los Angeles hosted the NHL Entry Draft. An unofficial record of 11 American-trained players were selected in...


Free Agents

Player Former team Contract Terms
Adam Hall
Adam Hall
-Playing career:Hall was a member of the United States National Development Team Program, and twice represented the United States at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, in 1999 and 2000. He was selected 52nd overall by the Nashville Predators in the second round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft...

 
Pittsburgh Penguins 3 years, $1.8 million
Olaf Kolzig
Olaf Kölzig
Olaf Kölzig is a retired German professional ice hockey goaltender and associate goalie coach for the Washington Capitals. With the exception of 8 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he played his entire 14 year career with the Capitals...

 
Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

 
1 year, $1.5 million
Radim Vrbata
Radim Vrbata
Radim Vrbata is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

 
Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....

 
3 years, $9 million
Mark Recchi
Mark Recchi
Mark Louis Recchi is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 22 years in the National Hockey League , most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens...

 
Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...

 
1 year, $1.25 million
David Koci
David Kocí
David Kočí is a Czech professional ice hockey player who is currently an Unrestricted Free Agent. He last played for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...

 
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...

 
1 year, $525,000
Brandon Bochenski
Brandon Bochenski
Brandon Bochenski is an American professional ice hockey player. He has played in the National Hockey League for several teams. He is currently with Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Early years:...

 
Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
2 years
Marek Malik
Marek Malik
Marek Malík is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for HC Vítkovice Steel of the Czech Extraliga. Malík played in the National Hockey League from 1998 to 2009. He is best known for a highlight reel shootout goal while with the New York Rangers.-Playing career:After...

 
New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 
1 year, $1.25 million
Player New team
Marc Denis
Marc Denis
Marc Denis is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . For the 2009–10 season, he has been hired as the goaltenders' coach of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team...

 
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

Junior Lessard
Junior Lessard
Lucien Lessard, Jr known as Junior Lessard is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.-Playing career:...

 
Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...

Craig MacDonald
Craig MacDonald
James Craig MacDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Adler Mannheim in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:...

 
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

Doug Janik
Doug Janik
Douglas J. Janik is a professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently a member of the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings organization.-Playing career:...

 
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...


Claimed from Waivers

Player Former team Date claimed off waivers
Matt Pettinger
Matt Pettinger
Matthew Pettinger is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is currently playing for Kölner Haie of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga . He has previously played in the National Hockey League with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and the Washington Capitals...

 
Vancouver Canucks October 21, 2008
Cory Murphy
Cory Murphy (ice hockey)
Cory Murphy is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the ZSC Lions of the Swiss National League A .-Playing career:...

 
Florida Panthers January 19, 2009

Draft picks

Tampa Bay entered the NHL Draft Lottery with a 48.8-per-cent chance of winning the lottery after stumbling to a 31-42-9 record in the regular season. The Lightning finished last in the league just four years after winning their first Stanley Cup.

Tampa Bay's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft
2008 NHL Entry Draft
The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on June 20–21, 2008...

  in Ottawa, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....

.
Round Pick Player Position Nationality Club Team
1 1 Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, from the Markham Waxers of the OMHA. Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey...

(C) Sarnia Sting
Sarnia Sting
The Sarnia Sting are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of the RBC Centre, formerly the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.-History:...

 (OHL
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....

)
4 117 (from San Jose) James Wright
James Wright (ice hockey)
James Wright is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League...

(C) Vancouver Giants
Vancouver Giants
The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League . Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their ten-season history...

 (WHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...

)
5 122 Dustin Tokarski
Dustin Tokarski
Dustin Tokarski is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League . He is a prospect of the Tampa Bay Lightning, drafted by the National Hockey League team as their fifth round selection, 122nd overall at the 2008 NHL Entry...

(G) Spokane Chiefs
Spokane Chiefs
The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League based out of Spokane, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens. Spokane consistently ranks in the top 10 in the...

 (WHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...

)
5 147 (from San Jose) Kyle De Coste (RW) Brampton Battalion
Brampton Battalion
The Brampton Battalion are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Brampton, Ontario and started playing in 1998.-History:The Brampton Battalion were granted an expansion franchise on December 3, 1996...

 (OHL
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....

)
6 152 Mark Barberio (D) Moncton Wildcats
Moncton Wildcats
The Moncton Wildcats are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They play at the Moncton Coliseum in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada....

 (QMJHL
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...

)
6 160 (from Florida via Chicago) Luke Witkowski (D) Ohio Junior Blue Jackets
Ohio Junior Blue Jackets
The Ohio Junior Blue Jackets were a Tier 1 junior ice hockey team playing in the East Division of the United States Hockey League . The 2006-07 USHL media guide The Ohio Junior Blue Jackets were a Tier 1 junior ice hockey team playing in the East Division of the United States Hockey League (USHL)....

 (USHL
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...

)
7 182 Matias Sointu
Matias Sointu
Matias Sointu is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Ilves of the SM-liiga.-External links:...

(RW) Ilves Tampere (Finland Jr.
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...

)
7 203 (from Anaheim) David Carle (D) Shattuck-Saint Mary's
Shattuck-Saint Mary's
Shattuck-St Mary's School is a coeducational Episcopal Church-affiliated boarding school in Faribault, Minnesota, and is known for its Centers of Excellence hockey, soccer, music and figure skating programs.-National recognition:...

 (USHS-Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...

)

Roster

Updated April 2, 2009.



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