Nix the Kevin Dineen discussion. Put Gerard Gallant on hold, and Mike Haviland can look elsewhere after the 'Hawks season is complete.

A news report out this evening suggests that Guy Boucher, former QMJHL coach and current AHL Hamilton Bulldogs coach, will be hired as Tampa Bay's new head coach. Reports suggest that he will be signed a four year deal, with terms finalized in the morning.

PPP from SB Nation's Pension Plan Puppets graciously handed me a legible translation of the article. Let me give you the gist of the news report:The second offer was the charm. After having previous turned down the Columbus Blue Jackets' job offer Guy Boucher has accepted the position as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

According to three sources, the hiring will be announced at a press conference in Tampa on Wednesday. The most coveted coach in America has tendered his resignation to the Canadiens and Bulldogs organisations and is headed to Florida in the company of two of his assitants Martin Raymond and Daniel Lacroix. The departure of his assistants is still uncertain according to our sources. However, it does seem strongly possible that they will rejoin Boucher behind the bench in Tampa.

Now, before believing what we're reading -- lets throw some water on the rumor. I don't mean to doubt a news source but some of the most wild speculation is renown to come from the Quebec-based media.

But as I write this, TSN's Bob MacKenzie confirms that Boucher is the guy in Tampa.

[Note by John Fontana, 06/07/10 11:45 PM EDT ] As the quote suggests, Boucher had turned down the Columbus Blue Jacket earlier in the day. This had been after reports surfaced that Boucher had been offered the job on Friday (6-05). There had been speculation -- wild at that on Twitter -- that Steve Yzerman had grabbed his ear.

And the most common thread of thought that is being pointed out right now (via Twitter chatter) is looking at team captain Vincent Lecavalier and wondering if Boucher can light his fire?

[Note by John Fontana, 06/07/10 11:54 PM EDT ] Boucher's head coaching experience: two seasons at two different levels:

2008-09 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL Head 68 54 10 0 4 0.824 2009-10 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL Head 80 52 17 0 11 0.719



[Note by John Fontana, 06/08/10 1:12 PM EDT ] The above stats do not reflect the entirety of Boucher's coaching experience -- either as a head coach or an assistant. In fact, besides two assistant tenures, the above were the only statistics include at HockeyDB.com for Boucher.

We have more info by way of Wikipedia:

So three seasons in Drummondville before leaving for the Bulldogs. He was 105-87-3 (.538 win percentage) in those three seasons.

[Note by John Fontana, 06/08/10 3:47 PM EDT ] ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports negotiations are still ongoing with Boucher. Things are not finalized yet...