Michael Russo of The Athletic shows why he is one of the top writers covering the NHL.

Let’s be honest: There are 31 NHL teams out there with owners who have every right to be envious — even jealous — of what Jeff Vinik has accomplished in his 12 years of owning the Tampa Bay Lightning, not only on the ice but off it.

When Vinik bought the franchise for a reported $170 million in the middle of a recession in 2010, the Lightning had 2,000 full season-ticket holders, less than a dozen suite holders and little corporate support. They played in an unfinished arena with few bells and whistles because they ran out of money when constructing the building in the mid-90s. There was almost nothing for fans to do in the barren surrounding area of downtown Tampa. They were about to miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season and were accruing annual losses well into eight figures.

“If I knew then what I know now, I probably wouldn’t have bought the team,” Vinik says with a chuckle and wry grin.

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