Lightning Close to Hiring Oates
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The following article featuring former Rensselaer standout Adam Oates appeared October 1 on the St. Petersburg Times Web site.
By Damian Cristodero
The Lightning thinks so much of what Adam Oates has done for the
power play, it is talking to him about a contract as an assistant
coach. Oates, a buddy of Lightning coach Rick Tocchet, has been
working as an unpaid consultant during training camp as a favor to
his former Bruins, Flyers and Capitals teammate.
But with the power play clicking at 24.1 percent (10-for-41)
during preseason, fourth in the league, and after a dazzling
performance in its preseason finale against the Thrashers, in which
it went 3-for-7, talks apparently got a lot more serious. Nothing
is set yet, so there still is a chance it won't get worked out,
but, with apologies to Jerry Seinfeld, the wheels seem to be in
motion.
Tocchet declined to talk about the possibility directly. But when
asked if Oates has a chance to stick around once preseason ends,
the coach said, "I think so. I probably have one more dinner with
him tonight and see where his head is at. I would like to have him.
He's added a lot to us."
Complete article can be accessed via the Times Web site by clicking here.
