Report: Guy Boucher To Be Named Coach In Tampa Bay

Earlier in the day on Monday, it appeared that the Columbus Blue Jackets were prepared to name Guy Boucher their next head coach. But after Boucher, who carried the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs to a 52-17 record this past season as their bench boss, turned down the Jackets, it became clear that he would be headed south instead.

Yep, Boucher will be headed to Tampa, where it seems new general manager Steve Yzerman has made his first hire. Quebec-based, French-language online daily Rue Frontenac first broke details of the story. The site reports that Boucher is expected to bring his entire coaching staff with him from Hamilton, where he just finished up his first year as a head coach in the professional ranks.

Our Lightning blog, Raw Charge, has more reaction.

As the quote suggests, Boucher had turned down the Columbus Blue Jacket earlier in the day.  This had been after reports surfaced that Boucher had been offered the job on Friday (6-05).    There had been speculation -- wild at that on Twitter -- that Steve Yzerman had grabbed his ear.  

And the most common thread of thought that is being pointed out right now (via twitter chatter) is looking at team captain Vincent Lecavalier and wondering if Boucher can light his fire?

It's expected that the team will finalize the hiring of Boucher on Tuesday.