2022-23 Lightning season

[matz2589]

The accusations need to be vetted. Was an anonymous account with one previous post. Could be a shit poster like Trump.

I'm sure the team will do its due diligence, as they should. Just a real bad look following his indiscretions in carolina.

[RSchmitz]

If true, the bragging to teammates bit is, wow…

[dmaxf9]

Hopefully this is cleared up quickly.

[Bolthed]

Suspended until investigations are completed. Wonder if the guy ever plays a game for the Bolts? What he did in Carolina, having an affair with their ice-level reporter, makes him a piece of shit human. These sickening allegations, if they can be substantiated, would make this a terrible signing considering the affair with the reporter was public knowledge when free agency began.

[Bolthed]

Please just sign Mike Reilly off waivers and get rid of Creepy Cole. I don’t want to see him wear the bolt

[Hoek]

We don't have the cap space and Ian Cole won't be off the books until we terminate his contract.

What a big mistake signing even if the accusations aren't substantiated.

[Bolthed]

Yep, first true failure I’d associate with JBB and his management team

[dmaxf9]

If Lightning knew about the allegations prior to Cole’s signing offering him a contract simply unacceptable. Hopefully this ugly situation gets sorted out quickly. Team obviously not giving him due process as he is suspended which makes you wonder how much they really know.

[Bolthed]

No, these are new allegations. What everyone in the hockey world, including Bolts brass, knew about was that Cole is a scumbag who cheated on his wife with a young ice-level reporter who worked for the Carolina Hurricanes. That information came out right before free agency began. The Lightning should have stayed far away. Now the stench of these new allegations make it a stain on the Lightning’s pristine image. There is almost zero chance that this investigation will result in a clear facts. These things are always messy, and in this case (as opposed to Creepy Cole simply having an affair) it’s also a crime. I have to think Vinnik is having a very pointed conversation with JBB about auditing the decision to sign someone of such low morality. I also think JBB and his staff are looking for a way to release Cole without a cap penalty so they can try to get a replacement. Anyway, I’m like 90% expecting Cole to be cut loose any minute now. This story truly sucks.

[Puckhead]

So, can they terminate him "for cause" or do they just have to fire him and eat the contract? Either way, he's got to go, ASAP. Then, as you mentioned, will Reilly fit under the cap?

[RSchmitz]

If his contract is terminated we are on the hook for the full thing. The accuser has yet to come forward to authorities, without a cooperating victim the NHL is unlikely to authenticate any part of the story

[Puckhead]

Cap hit of $3M…one year. Of course, the story would benefit from being corroborated. But I’m thinking the accuser is no longer a minor and should come forward. Her story read as though she was really pissed about his shenanigans with other minors as well. So what are the odds that, in the event she or some other young woman does not come forward, that JBB will “reinstate” him instead of just cutting him loose?

[RSchmitz]

It's not worth the distraction. Fair or not

[Hoek]

So, can they terminate him "for cause" or do they just have to fire him and eat the contract? Either way, he's got to go, ASAP. Then, as you mentioned, will Reilly fit under the cap?

They can, but the NHLPA can appeal it, if they don't mind being seen as defending him. Without some real evidence it may be hard to pull off and the union probably doesn't want to set a precedent of guys being able to get terminated without proof. Evander Kane's cap hit was reduced when the Sharks were able to put him on unconditional waivers and terminate his contract, thanks to a settlement with the PA on their grievance.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/...ract-grievance

[Bolthed]

If he bragged about it to canes teammates and if he did this to other minors — both of which the accuser claimed — then there likely is corroborating evidence. I’m starting to doubt this cretin ever touches NHL ice again