A HILARIOUS NHL FEUD

Barry Melrose, former (and future) ESPN hockey analyst and ex-coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning is in a hilarious feud with team owner Len Barrie. Melrose, hired in June to serve as head coach of the club, was fired just 16 games into the season and replaced by assistant coach Rick Tocchet. A war of words of this quality is rarely seen on today's sports scene, but this one has all the makings of fight that just won't go away.

One major point of contention is the play of rookie Steven Stamkos. Stamkos, the first overall pick in last year's NHL draft, has struggled in his first season of professional hockey, with just three goals and nine assists through 28 games. Melrose contends that Stamkos, who has no minor league experience, is not ready for the NHL yet and needs some seasoning in the AHL before coming up to the big club. The owner, however, disagrees. "He didn't want Steven on this team from day one, and it was evident how he played him," Barrie said, according to the St. Petersburg Times. "Everyone knows this kid is a star player."

When exactly did it become the decision of the owner who plays and for how many minutes? While it's true, Melrose is certainly not the most experienced coach in the league, he's the guy YOU HIRED. He's the one running practice every day, he's the one spending all the time with the players, and it should be HIS DECISION who plays in the games. Based on Stamkos' numbers so far this season, it appears Melrose is absolutely right. The kid just isn't ready for the NHL yet.

In a great Q and A session with John Buccigross (friend of the show), Melrose responded to Bucci's question "Have you been rooting for the Lightning to lose?" exactly how I've always wanted an ex-coach to respond to a question like that. "Yes. I hope they never win another game. I think when people say that they don't care, they are lying to you. One of the reasons ESPN wanted me back on the air is to tell the truth, and yeah, I hope they never win another game." Finally, someone not thinking ahead to another job, but responding to a question in the here and now.

As for owner Len Barrie, is it really a surprise that Tampa Bay is an NHL worst 6-14-8 (20 points)? You hired a coach, then fired him after 16 games because he wasn't doing it in the way you would have. Why don't you give coaching a try? The more I read into this great feud, the more I agree with the mullet: Len Barrie is the problem.