Michael Stuart: Lightning Front Office Gets Public's Vote of Confidence

Trading for Kessler's LTIR contract is the next obvious move.

Since Vinik took over this team has been run in such a professional manner and it shows with the product on the ice. I am going to give Vinik some love here, truly a great owner.

Since 2010 when he bought the team here are the team stats:

11 Seasons Played
8 Playoff Appearances
6 Conference Final Appearances (All conference Final losses were Game 7s)
3 Conference Championships
2 Stanley Cup Titles

And they are setup to have another chance this year and beyond if it all goes right for them.

He only has a lease agreement on the arena that is owned by the City but with his own money to the tune of $35M he renovated it himself and worked an agreement with the City to pony up $120M in renovations over the next 15 years.

He has transformed the down town Channelside district with business, youth, entertainment and much needed money and influence to the area.

He has donated over 10M in money with this Community Hero program and just approved another 10M to continue the program.

He did not lay off any workers due to COVID other than part time event workers who were brought back as soon as events started.

Number one thing he has done - He is a hands off owner. He lets the Hockey Ops do their jobs and he allows them to spend to the limit and above to try to have a winning product.

Lastly, he pounds championship beers with Kucherov. LOL

As a Lightning fan since the first season, I have seen all of our owners and Vinik by far has been the best. We have had some crappy ownership and management in the past, and it feels like all of that is ancient history. A lot of credit should go to Steve Yzerman as well. He instilled a sense of professionalism and a team culture of winning into a franchise that often lacked those qualities. It's been a helluva ride since then.

As a Lightning fan since the first season, I have seen all of our owners and Vinik by far has been the best. We have had some crappy ownership and management in the past, and it feels like all of that is ancient history. A lot of credit should go to Steve Yzerman as well. He instilled a sense of professionalism and a team culture of winning into a franchise that often lacked those qualities. It's been a helluva ride since then.
- GalacticStone

According to Ray Ferraro his friend Yzerman is cutthroat. He said it with respect. Exactly how bolts are run. You take your contract offered, Kuch wasn’t happy n a few others. But Yzerman worked some cutthroat magic. But JBB really made it happen

According to Ray Ferraro his friend Yzerman is cutthroat. He said it with respect. Exactly how bolts are run. You take your contract offered, Kuch wasn’t happy n a few others. But Yzerman worked some cutthroat magic. But JBB really made it happen
- Justbecause

It's cliche, but there is no "I" in team. Most of the Lightning's elite players have taken below market value to help keep the team competitive within the cap. It's difficult to get pro athletes to buy into that mindset unless there is a strong winning culture. Vinik's fat wallet and hands-off strategy paid dividends when he put Yzerman in charge - the rest is history.

It's cliche, but there is no "I" in team. Most of the Lightning's elite players have taken below market value to help keep the team competitive within the cap. It's difficult to get pro athletes to buy into that mindset unless there is a strong winning culture. Vinik's fat wallet and hands-off strategy paid dividends when he put Yzerman in charge - the rest is history.
- GalacticStone

Uh huh