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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has a new problem: The Tampa Bay Lightning, owned by two squabbling partners who have different visions for the beleaguered NHL franchise.
One owner -- former player Len Barrie -- wants to keep team captain Vincent Lecavalier and dip into the free agent market for more help.
The other -- movie producer Oren Koules -- is determined to move Lecavalier and stop the financial bleeding.
Bettman, according to the St. Petersburg Times, is meeting with both owners in New York this morning, hoping to sort out the mess.
The paper says Koules and Barrie have been fighting for months -- not surprising considering a series of embarrassing incidents since the new owners gained control of the Bolts last year.
Barrie was accused of holding an impromptu chalk-talk with the players during an exhibition tournament in Europe prior to the start of the 2008-09 season.
Head coach Barry Melrose was fired a month later, while former star defenceman Dan Boyle accused the team of dishonesty in their dealings with him.
The Bolts are the second NHL team in turmoil requiring Bettman's immediate attention. The financially bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes need new owners or will be forced to relocate.
Blackberry owner Jim Balsillie has been trying, so far unsuccessfully, to move the Coyotes to Hamilton.