Tick Tock

With the team 5-5 in their last 10 games, including two losses each to Florida and Washington, plus last night's moribund excuse for a game against Nashville.... Is it too early to start the Laviolette Doomsday Clock watch?

It also looks like Patrick Eaves is injured again, and maybe Tim Gleason too. No word on Gleason yet, but as Pat Dwyer was called up on an emergency basis today, Eaves figures to be gone for a while. Again.

Shocking News!

Did anyone think that Tampa Bay coach Barry Melrose would last the entire season? Especially after co-owner Oren Koules stated in an interview last month that Melrose's job was "very safe." Given the god-awful defense corps the Lightning ice every night, the fact that they're 5-7-4 (and 4-6 in their last ten, not a horrible record) should be seen as a success.

If you're keeping score, that's 1 horde of free agents signed in the off-season, at least 4 trades by my count, and now 1 coaching change. Will there be more? My guess is new interim head coach Rick Tocchet is betting the over.