2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season


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 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
Among several of the free agent signings the Lightning made included defenseman Mattias Ohlund, goaltender Antero Niittymaki and left winger Alex Tanguay.

Preseason

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.

Divisional standings

Conference standings

Game log

Player stats

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
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Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice ; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA= Goals Against Average; SA= Shots Against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO= Shutouts
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†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

Records

Milestones

Transactions

The Lightning have been involved in the following transactions during the 2009–10 season.

Trades

Free agents acquired

PlayerFormer teamContract terms
Mattias OhlundVancouver Canucks7 years, $26.25 million
Matt WalkerChicago Blackhawks4 years, $6.8 million
Stephane VeilleuxMinnesota Wild1 year, $750,000
Kurtis FosterMinnesota Wild1 year, $600,000
Antero NiittymakiPhiladelphia Flyers1 year, $600,000
Alex TanguayMontreal Canadiens1 year, $2.5 million
Mitch FritzNew York Islanders1 year
Mark ParrishDallas Stars1 year, 2-way contract

Free agents lost

PlayerNew teamContract terms
David KociColorado Avalanche1 year, $575,000
Cory MurphyNew Jersey Devilsundisclosed
Richard PetiotChicago Blackhawks1 year
Geoff KinradeOttawa Senators1 year, 2-way contract
Noah WelchAtlanta Thrashersundisclosed
Jason WardPhiladelphia Flyers1 year
Brandon SegalLos Angeles Kings2 years
Vaclav ProspalNew York Rangers1 year, $1.1 million
Matt PettingerVancouver Canucksundisclosed
Lukas KrajicekPhiladelphia Flyersundisclosed

Claimed via waivers">Waivers (NHL)">waivers

PlayerFormer teamDate claimed off waivers
Radek SmolenakChicago BlackhawksOctober 10, 2009
Nate ThompsonNew York IslandersJanuary 21, 2010

Lost via waivers

PlayerNew teamDate claimed off waivers
Radek SmolenakChicago BlackhawksSeptember 25, 2009
Drew MillerDetroit Red WingsNovember 11, 2009

Player signings

PlayerContract terms
Mitch Fadden3 years
Lukas Krajicek1 year, $1.475 million
Victor Hedman3 years
Blair Jonesundisclosed
Lauri Tukonenundisclosed
Matt Smaby2 years, $1.05 million
Martins Karsums1 year
Matt Lashoff2 years
Mike Lundin1 year
Radek Smolenak1 year
James Wright3 year entry level contract
Carter Ashton3 year entry level contract
Jaroslav Janus3 year entry level contract
Johan Harju1 year

Draft picks

Tampa Bay's picks at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal.
RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityClub Team
12Victor HedmanSwedenModo Hockey
129 Carter AshtonCanadaLethbridge Hurricanes
252 Richard PanikOcelari Trinec
493Alex HutchingsCanadaBarrie Colts
5148 Michael ZadorCanadaOshawa Generals
6162 Jaroslav JanusErie Otters
7183Kirill GotovetsShattuck-Saint Mary's

Final roster

Updated April 11, 2010.

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