It's Official

The Tampa Bay Lightning fired John Tortorella on Tuesday, four years after he coached the NHL team to its first and only Stanley Cup championship.

Tampa Bay finished last in the 30-league this season with a record of 31-42-9 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2002. His coaching record is 227-195-35-35.

It has been rumoured in hockey circles that former Los Angeles Kings coach Barry Melrose is the choice of the Lightning's prospective ownership to take over behind the bench.