Florida fans won't have to suffer through the mind numbingly boring and listless neutral zone trap. Jacques Lemaire has said no to coaching the Lightning. You have to wonder if Lemaire is sick of coaching after last season?
Jacques Lemaire says thanks but no thanks to Lightning
The Lightning's flirtation with Jacques Lemaire has come to an end, and apparently on good terms. Tampa Bay wanted to hire the former Wild coach as a senior consultant. But Lemaire said on Monday he has told Lightning GM Brian Lawton he has another offer that has gained his interest and which he is pursuing.
"Brian showed a lot of interest and I was pleased about that," Lemaire said. "He told me he really wanted me to be part of the organization. He was very patient."
Lemaire, 63, who lives in Palmetto, stepped down as Wild coach after the season. He would not say with what team to which he was talking, but the New York Times reported he might be hired, perhaps as an assistant, by the Canadiens, the team with which he won eight Stanley Cups as a player.
Lemaire said he likely would give Lawton a call to see if the Lightning position was still available if the other situation fell through, but as it stands now, Lemaire said, "I don't think Brian thinks I'm going to be there." [Tampabay.com]
