2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning season
| 2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning | |
|---|---|
| Division | 4th Southeast |
| Conference | 12th Eastern |
| 2009–10 record | 34–36–12 |
| Home record | 21–14–6 |
| Road record | 13–22–6 |
| Goals for | 217 |
| Goals against | 260 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Brian Lawton |
| Coach | |
| Captain | Vincent Lecavalier |
| Alternate captains |
Mattias Ohlund Martin St. Louis |
| Arena | St. Pete Times Forum |
| Average attendance | 15,497 (78.4%) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Steven Stamkos (51) |
| Assists | Martin St. Louis (65) |
| Points | Steven Stamkos (95) |
| Penalties in minutes | Zenon Konopka (265) |
| Plus/minus | Steve Downie (+14) |
| Wins | Antero Niittymaki (21) |
| Goals against average | Antero Niittymaki (2.87) |
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.
On May 11, the Lightning gave 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).
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