Melrose Bay

On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Lightning hired former Los Angeles Kings Coach Barry Melrose. From 1996-2008, Melrose served as an ESPN analyst. “They [Tampa Bay] approached me. I couldn't wait to say yes,” said Melrose. “Watching successful teams, and watching teams that work and watching teams that don't work, it just reinforced what I believe in and how I coached, and the way we're going to play here. You don't win by accident. You don't lose by accident. There are reasons certain teams win all the time, and there's a reason certain teams lose all the time.”

During his career, Melrose logged an 82-103-31 ledger. He accrued one Western Conference championship. In 1992-1993, he was 39-35-10. In 1993-1994, he was 27-45-12. In 1994-1995, he was 16-23-9. “I think it's wonderful. I think it's a great opportunity for Barry. He's a tremendous coach, and he's a players' coach,” said Wayne Gretzky. “And just as important, he understands the media and understands the marketplace that he's in, Tampa Bay. It's not the same as being in a place like Montreal or Toronto. His experience of being in L.A. and dealing with that, this will be a real positive. He'll do a tremendous job.”

Analysts are trendy. On television, they are knowledgeable. They posses unique insight. Unfortunately, reality never mirrors expectations. Concerning Melrose, the aforesaid will continue.