Lightning set to pick Stamkos

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2008 | by Kevin Allen

Although facts said otherwise, Tampa Bay Lightning general Jay Feaster just could not view his team as the NHL's worst of 2007-08.

"We honestly don't believe that we are as bad as 30th place looked on us," Feaster said. "I really don't think we are that far away."

The NHL board of governors' decision Wednesday to approve the sale of the Lightning to a group led by Oren Koules and Len Barrie is expected to give Feaster more payroll to improve.

"What I've been told by the new owners is that we will be very active," Feaster said. "The number we are throwing around isn't the cap, but it will be enough to assemble a pretty good group."

The new owners' aggressiveness showed Wednesday when the Lightning traded a seventh-round pick to the...