Shocking! Bettman Decides Nothing In Lightning Power Struggle

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reaffirmed Oren Koules as the governor of the Tampa Bay Lightning, giving him the power on day-to-day operations of the team.

However, co-owner Len Barrie must sign off on any "major player moves", essentially neutering Koules ability to do as he wishes. This, according to published reports in the St. Petersburg Times, should keep superstar Vincent Lecavalier in a Lightning uniform.

Unfortunately, it really did nothing to resolve the chaos that has been transpiring at the St. Pete Times Forum since the OK hockey group purchased the team from William Davidson.

According to WDAE's Steve Duemig-Barrie, because his real estate deal of choice Canadian resort property to Dubai investors fell apart when the market crashed this year, has not put one cent into the Lightning. This makes it curious that Bettman would continue to allow him to have a say so in the goings on of the hockey team.

While I am certainly not in favor of trading Lecavalier, we all must remember the old addage about too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Right now, the Tampa Bay have too many forces pulling in different directions which makes it a difficult work environment for management to proceed with their offseason plans. Bettman left the door open for one owner to buy out the other to resolve their differences—but how does one buy out someone that hasn't contributed anything (if what Duemig claims is in fact true)?

One thing is certain, this isn't going to be resolved by 7pm on Friday night when the NHL draft kicks off—which makes a trade for Lecavalier unlikely.