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head coach: Jacques Demers

roster: C - Jason Bonsignore, Paul Ysebaert, Brian Bradley, Darcy Tucker. RW - Mikael Renberg, Stephane Richer, Jody Hull, Alexander Selivanov, Mikael Andersson, Sandy McCarthy, Andrei Nazarov. LW - Rob Zamuner, Troy Mallette, Vladimir Vujtek, Louie Debrusk, Corey Spring. D - Cory Cross, Karl Dykhuis, Yves Racine, David Wilkie, Mike McBain, Jassen Cullimore, Enrico Ciccone, Pavel Kubina. G - Daren Puppa, Corey Schwab, Mark Fitzpatrick, Zac Bierk.

standings:

Eastern Conference - Atlantic Division   
Team           GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA
z-New Jersey   82  48  23  11   107  225  166  
x-Philadelphia 82  42  29  11    95  242  193
x-Washington   82  40  30  12    92  219  202  
NY Islanders   82  30  41  11    71  212  225  
NY Rangers     82  25  39  18    68  197  231  
Florida        82  24  43  15    63  203  256 
Tampa Bay      82  17  55  10    44  151  269  

x - Clinched playoff spot
z - Clinched conference

team news:

by Seth Lerman, Tampa Bay Correspondent

The Tampa Bay Lightning can sum up their season in one simple sentence. Thank God it's over.

The Lightning went through three coaches (Crisp, Paterson, Demers); five goaltenders (Puppa, Schwab, Wilkenson, Bierk, Fitzgerald); and an assortment of underachievers, castoffs, and veteran minor leaguers. The end result was two 16-game losing streaks, and the worst record in the National Hockey League.

The season began with John Cullen's battle with cancer. Prior to the start of training camp, the 34-year-old was diagnosed with cancer and underwent a bone marrow transplant during the season. As a tribute, his teammates wore a clover with number 12 on their uniform jersey and allowed his sweater to hang in his locker. At the conclusion of the season, Cullen was once again in the news - this time for a different reason. The bone marrow transplant was a success and the cancer is in remission. Cullen should be back in a Lightning uniform this fall.

On the ice, the Lightning were dismal, and in November, Terry Crisp lost his job as coach. His interim replacement, assistant coach Rick Paterson fared no better, and was replaced by Jacques Demers whose first press conference was probably one of the most exciting days of the season. He said some of the Lighting players were cheating the fans with their effort and he vowed to put an end to it. To some degree he did, but the team still lost at an alarming rate.

Several players were on the move, including Roman Hamrlik, Dino Ciccarelli, Jeff Norton, Igor Ulanov, and Patrick Poulin. In separate deals, they were all sent packing with the Lightning receiving Darcy Tucker, Jassen Cullimore, Jody Hull, Steve Kelly, Bryan Marchment (since traded to San Jose), Jason Bonsignore, Mark Fitzpatrick, and Stephane Richer in return.

Scoring was down throughout the league, but it was never more prevalent than in Central Florida. No player finished with more than 16 goals, and only five players scored in double digits. Their power play was last in the league.

Injuries played a large part in the Lightning's season. Daren Puppa, Brian Bradley, Mikael Renberg, Corey Schwab, and Vladimir Vujtek all missed a large portion of the season forcing the Lightning to use minor league players not yet ready for NHL action.

Off the ice, they made as much news as on. Steve Oto, president of the Lightning., spent the season searching for new ownership. This act alone put a cloud over the future of the team, and was probably the main factor in the chaos which seemed to surround the club. In late May the club was finally sold to Palm Beach insurance mogul Art Williams who immediately said that Demers and general manager Phil Esposito had one year to change this club's fortune.

Rob Zamuner by Meredith Martini

TEAM MVP: There is only one choice for this award and it goes to Rob Zamuner. Despite the Lightning's dismal season, Zamuner was consistent - both on offense and defense. His early season play was rewarded with his selection to the Canadian Olympic Team. He finished the season with 14 goals and 12 assists. In the locker room, he was a team leader who often provided support to some of the younger players. His play was rewarded with a multi-year contract at season's end.

SURPRISE: The biggest surprise of the season was the spirited play of fourth line center Darcy Tucker following his arrival from the Montreal Canadiens. His gritty play impressed Demers and Esposito and given the chance could blossom as a second- or third-line center in the 1998-99 season.

DISAPPOINTMENT: On a team with many, Mikael Renberg wins this honor. The organization had high hopes that he could be an offensive force on a team which desperately needed a player of that magnitude. He finished the season with 15 goals in 67 games. He also posted zero game-winning goals and a plus/minus of -37.

OFF-SEASON CHANGES: The Lightning have already begun making changes. Esposito acquired Bill Ranford from the Washington Capitals and Craig Janney from the Phoenix Coyotes in the week preceding the entry draft. The selection of Vincent Lecavalier was no surprise. It's a safe bet to say that Esposito is not finished. With one year to change his club's fortune, look for Esposito to acquire more veteran players.

Guy who have probably played their last game with the Lightning include Daren Puppa, Brian Bradley, Paul Ysebaert, Vladimir Vujtek, Daymond Langkow, and Jason Bonsignore.

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