Barry Melrose on Tampa Bay: 'I Hope Tampa Bay Doesn't Win a Game the Rest of the Year'

Things are starting to get hilarious when the topic of the Tampa Bay Lightning comes up. Unless, of course, you're a fan of the Lightning, in which case, it's probably not a laughing matter at all. But for the rest of us, man, it just keeps getting better.

After cornering the market on free agents this summer -- and dumping them two months into the season -- the Lightning find themselves in the basement of the NHL, having won just twice in their past 17 games.

They've already fired head coach Barry Melrose -- who lasted just 16 games -- and have won only once since naming Rick Tocchet as his replacement. And you know who finds all of this funny, and is taking great delight in it? Melrose himself.

Melrose appeared on Toronto's Fan590 this week with morning show hosts Don Landry and Gord Stellick, and let loose on his feelings regarding his former team, players, and organization. Say this about the man: he's brutally honest, and he holds a grudge.

Melrose talked about how he had guys in Tampa Bay that "wanted to run the team" and he simply would not let them. When asked if he takes any glee in the fact they've only won once since he was fired, Melrose responded, "I'm not going to lie to you, yeah it does, and any coach that says it doesn't is a liar. I hope Tampa Bay doesn't win a game the rest of the year."

He then went on to talk about how he likes Tampa Bay co-owner Oren Koules and that he's good for the NHL, but when asked how he feels about co-owner Len Barrie: "They hired me, they gave me a chance to coach, and I will always appreciate that. But like I said, I hope Oren Koules does well, I like Oren." Translation: I hate Len Barrie's guts.

Among the other things Melrose mentioned:

1. Steven Stamkos is not ready to play in the NHL.

2. He was never able to get close to any player in Tampa Bay.

3. He also addressed the rumor that a front office employee came into the locker room during a game and attempted to diagram plays:

"No, because I wouldn't let it happen, but I can guarantee you that was one of the reasons I was let go because I wouldn't let stuff like that happen. Now they can do whatever they want, it doesn't matter to me and they've got the guys in charge to let them do it."

Yeah. Things are going great down in Tampa Bay.

(H/T KuklasKorner)