Melrose Could Turn Lightning Into Cult Favorite

If you’re a fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning and rough and tumble hockey, you might have something extra to look forward to this season besides the team’s potential resurrection due to a productive off-season.

Barry Melrose, who remains the only person in North America still permitted to rock the mullet without problem, has always been a fan of fighting. He was a pretty tough guy himself during his playing days. You can find Clark Gillies, Larry Playfair, and Chris Nilan on his fight card for starters. Melrose believes that the role of the enforcer is an integral part of the game due to the ability to swing momentum and send a message. He plans to use that way of thinking as the Lightning’s new head coach this season:

“I think toughness is leaving our game, and I hope that people realize it’s wrong,” Melrose said. “I hate to mention this, but the fastest growing sport in the world is ultimate fighting. We’ve got that as part of our game. To act ashamed of that has been wrong of the NHL for a lot of years. You can say you don’t like fighting or you love fighting, but it creates conversation. It creates energy and excitement.”

“It’s a useful part of the game. It’s a tool, and that’s how coaches use fighting. It can change the mood of a game. It’s like a big hit or a power-play goal or anything else.”

Many a skilled fighter have donned the black, white, and blue for Tampa Bay over the course of the club’s existence. However the team hasn’t had a top-tier heavyweight in years and has left stars like Vinny Lecavalier to fight their own battles at certain points.

After the departure of Andre Roy to the Calgary Flames this summer, the Lightning were stuck in a jam. In terms of toughness, their farm system was relatively dry, with the exception of David Koci, who joined the Norfolk Admirals after being released by the Chicago Blackhawks last season.

The Lightning were so impressed with his efforts that they signed him to a two-way deal on July 1. Despite having to toil around in the minor leagues every season, Melrose plans to use him, early and often:

That is why coach Barry Melrose said it is not a lock that Koci, 6 feet 6, 238 pounds and with what seems a perpetually clenched fist, will begin the season with AHL Norfolk, as expected.

“One thing I’ve made very clear to my stars is they will always be protected, and that’s going to happen here,” Melrose said. “As long as I’m the coach here, you will never see one of our stars taken advantage of.

“So don’t count on him starting in the minors.”

Toss Koci’s bloody loss last season to Zdeno Chara aside. He has some legit potential to become a top fighter in the NHL. Just ask Derek Boogaard. Still, he might not be the only answer to Melrose’s needs. A slew of minor league tough guys have been invited to NHL training camps this fall. It’s safe to assume that Melrose could have his eyes locked in elsewhere in case of potential cuts.

Lightning fans should find comfort in the fact that Melrose’s track record speaks for itself. Throughout his coaching career, he has always fielded tough teams. Wayne Gretzky didn’t have to worry about much during Melrose’s three years with the Kings as he had Marty McSorley and company to watch over him. It sounds like Steven Stamkos will have a similar supporting cast, at least by new-NHL standards.

It’s an old-school approach that Melrose is taking - one that harkens back to the missed days of yesteryear for some, and one that fight fans in general aren’t going to mind.