From The Tampa Bay Times
Doug Maclean said his disappointment after the failed attempt by Absolute Hockey Enterprises to buy the Lightning was bad enough.
But to be involved in a lawsuit against one of his former partners, well, that is something he does not wish to be part of again.
"It wasn't a very comfortable thing," said Maclean, who along with Jeff Sherrin sued Hollywood producer Oren Koules for allegedly defaulting on his part of a scheduled payment to the Lightning and trying to arrange his own deal with team owner Palace Sports & Entertainment. The lawsuit was settled last week.
"I've never been involved with anything like that in my life. I put six months into this ...an unbelievable grind like I've never grinded in my life. I was just really disappointed. I just didn't like it at all."
Maclean will be in the Tampa Bay area this week to talk to local businesspeople, including Tampa attorneys Steve Burton and Tom Scarritt, about, perhaps, joining their still-forming effort to mount a bid for the team.
Maclean, the former Panthers coach and Blue Jackets president, said he hasn't discussed employment with any NHL team, though the Toronto Star speculated he would be a fit with the Maple Leafs if general manager John Ferguson is fired.
He said he has had inquiries about being a television analyst.
"There's nothing going on right now in the league," Maclean said, "so I'm just going to wait and see where this goes with Steve Burton. So, we'll see."