Speculation On New Lightning GM, Coach Is Irresponsible

In the aftermath of the firings of Rick Tocchet and Brian Lawton, members of the media have speculated on who will fill the vacant positions in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. According to SBN's Raw Charge, this speculation is irresponsible.

In what has come to light with Vinik as a businessman, the way he operates is in stealth, not in the public sphere.  Certainly not for fodder of the likes of The Hockey News' Ken Campbell - who has written large amounts of dime-store quality fiction regarding Vinik's intentions with the Tampa Bay Lightning--particularly members of the Lightning roster. 

And now that the general manager and head coaching jobs are open for new applicants, the same kind of speculation - drawing conclusions or just fictitious speculation - has been running around since last Monday when the axe fell on Rick Tocchet and Brian Lawton.  We've made it a point to remind readers that there would be no GM hiring before a CEO was put into place for the Bolts, but that has not stopped the likes of Steve Russo in Minnesota and other sources from reporting of Doug Risebrough's imminent hiring as general manager of the Bolts.

And the truth is...  It is people speaking without hearing, and people hearing without listening.  It's chatter that's just not there.