Division 4th Southeast 2009–10 record 34–36–12 Road record 13–22–6 | Conference 12th Eastern Home record 21–14–6 Goals for 217 | |
The 2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 18th season for the National Hockey League team. Unlike the previous off-season, the Lightning did not make a lot of changes. The Lightning improved on their regular season record, but failed to qualify for the playoffs again. The team was sold during the season to Boston-based investor Jeff Vinik. After the season, Vinik fired the management team of the Lightning.
Contents
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.
On June 23, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had to have a meeting with bickering co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie due to philosophical and financial differences over how to build the team. More details were not available, as the Commissioner also instituted a gag-order over the proceedings. Not surprisingly, by February the team was sold and both men were out. It was also in this time period that Bettman reportedly vetoed a trade between the Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens that would have sent centre Vincent Lecavalier to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for goaltender Carey Price, center Tomas Plekanec and an unnamed prospect.
With the second overall pick in the Entry Draft, the Lightning selected Victor Hedman from Modo Hockey of the Elitserien, the Swedish Elite League. Hedman was considered the top European prospect available. 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, goaltender Antero Niittymaki and left winger Alex Tanguay.
Regular season
The Lightning ended the regular season having scored the fewest shorthanded goals in the League, with just 2.
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.
Conference standings
bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and division)
AT - Atlantic Division, NE - Northeast Division, SE - Southeast Division
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
Transactions
The Lightning have been involved in the following transactions during the 2009–10 season.