head coach: Jacques Demers

roster: C - Jason Bonsignore, Steve Kelly, Paul Ysebaert, Daymond Langkow, Brian Bradley, Darcy Tucker. RW - Mikael Renberg, Stephane Richer, Jody Hull, Alexander Selivanov, Mikael Anderson. LW - Rob Zamuner, Troy Mallette, Jason Wiemer, Vladimir Vujtek, Louie Debrusk. D - Cory Cross, Jamie Huscroft, Karl Dykhuis, Yves Racine, Bryan Marchment, David Wilkie, Mike McBain, Jassen Cullimore. G - Daren Puppa, Corey Schwab, Mark Fitzpatrick.

injuries: Troy Mallette, lw (herniated disk, out for season); Brian Bradley, c (concussion/wrist injury, indefinite); Daren Puppa, g (back spasms, indefinite); Cory Schwab, g (sprained ankle, indefinite); Yves Racine, d (sprained right ankle, day-to-day).

transactions: Traded Patrick Poulin, lw, Igor Ulanov, d, and Mick Vukota, rw, to the Montreal Canadiens for Stephane richer, rw, Darcy Tucker, c, and David Wilkie, d; traded Dino Cicarrelli, rw, and Jeff Norton, d, to the Florida Panthers for Jody Hull, rw, and Mark Fitzpatrick, g; assigned Derek Wilkenson, g, to the Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL); assigned Dave Shaw to the Las Vegas Thunder (IHL); claimed Jassen Cullimore off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens; recalled Mike McBain, d, from the Adirondack Red Wings (AHL).

standings:

Eastern Conference - Atlantic Division   
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA
New Jersey   50  31  15   4    66  148  102
Philadelphia 48  27  12   9    63  144  104
Washington   50  25  17   8    58  142  127
NY Rangers   50  16  21  13    45  127  137
Florida      51  15  25  11    41  125  149
NY Islanders 50  16  27   7    39  127  145
Tampa Bay    49   9  32   8    26   87  160

game results:

01/12 Montreal      L  6-3
01/14 Islanders     L  7-1
01/21 Washington    L  2-3 
01/23 at Buffalo    L  4-1                            
01/24 at Toronto    L  5-2

team news:

by Seth Lerman, Tampa Bay Correspondent

Change players. Change coaches.

It doesn't matter. The Tampa Bay Lightning are still the worst team in the National Hockey League as the season has passed the halfway point.

How bad are the Lightning? They have lost nine games in a row, have yet to win a game in 1988 and have been held to three goals or less 27 straight games. In addition, their leading scorer, Alex Selivanov, who by the way is also the general manager's son-in-law, has just ten goals and thirteen assists.

Is there any hope for the future?

With youngsters Darcy Tucker, Steve Kelly, David Wilkie, and Mike McBain getting regular ice time, the organization is hopeful that this group can lead the Lightning into the next century - or the winning circle, whichever comes first.

Of the bunch, Tucker has had the most impact. In three games since joining the Lightning in a six-player trade with the Montreal Canadiens, which also included Wilkie and veteran Stephane Richer coming to the Bolts in exchange for Igor Ulanov, Patrick Poulin, and Mick Vukota, Tucker has netted three assists while playing on a line with Jason Wiemer and Alexander Selivanov. As it appears now, this trio is the Lightning's only ray of hope.

A day after making that trade, general manager, Phil Esposito sent Dino Ciccarelli and Jeff Norton to the Florida Panthers for Jody Hull (two goals in 20 games) and Mark Fitzpatrick.

Include the Roman Hamrlik trade to Edmonton two weeks before, and the Lightning have traded away five players and received eight in return.

With the influx of talent comes a lack of proven production which is why Esposito insisted that Richer be included in the deal. Richer has missed the majority of the season because of various ailments. However, twice in his career he has scored more than fifty goals in a season and the Lightning hope he will regain his scoring touch. His arrival spelled the end of Ciccarelli's days in Tampa. Whereas Ciccarelli never wanted to play here, Richer views the trade as a new beginning.

It appears that Esposito's days with the Lightning could also be dwindling, especially if the team does not improve after the shakeup. Following a loss to the Washington Capitals, Esposito was involved in a shouting match with Steve Oto, president of the Lightning. If and when ownership changes hands, Esposito's will probably be the first head rolling down the street, followed by his brother Tony's.

The Lightning situation has surely disturbed the Hall of Famer. Upon arriving at the NHL All-Star Game, Esposito said: "I don't give a damn about the All-Star Game," when reminded that no Lightning player would be participating.

In all due fairness to the league, but most of all to the fans, Esposito should be reminded that Tampa hosts next year's mid-season classic, which if rumors are true, will feature the best players from North America against players who were once traded by Esposito (including his time spent as GM of the New York Rangers).

As each week passes, the Lightning's chances of salvaging this season diminish - much like the fan base. With expansion arriving next season in the NHL, the Lightning can begin a marketing program which will list them as a "new hockey franchise". After all, they're no better now than they were six years ago.

Rebuilding has begun.

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