Tampa Bay Lightning: Bolts News And Updates From Around The NHL
By Will Clewis
As the offseason continues, the regular season keeps getting closer and the Tampa Bay Lightning still have some work to do before the 2016-17 campaign begins.
We are one day closer to the regular season, Bolts Nation. Hang in there. It’ll come soon enough. However, before the 2016-17 season actually begins, the Tampa Bay Lightning still has a few things to get done in order to be ready for the new year.
Forwards Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov and defenseman Nikita Nesterov have yet to be signed and Namestnikov is headed towards arbitration on July 29th if both sides don’t agree on a deal before then.
As we know, locking up Kucherov is of the utmost importance in terms of keeping this core together. Losing him really isn’t an option if the team wants to continue having long-term success. And for reference, the Lightning has around $8.5 million in salary cap space to work in these contracts with.
Tampa Bay Lightning
If these players get contract extensions, we’ll have more on that later. We’re confident it’ll happen, though.
In case you missed it, former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richards retired last week after a solid 15-year career in the NHL. The two-time Stanley Cup Champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2004 played for the Lightning, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings, in that order. He amassed 298 goals and 932 points from 2000 to 2016. Congrats to Brad and his family and best of luck to them in the future. [Bolts By The Bay]
Some of Richard’s former teammates and his friends reacted to his retirement on social media. Well-deserved praise, indeed. [Bolts By The Bay]
Another former Bolt has come up in the news, but this one isn’t retiring. In fact, after getting shipped off to the Ottawa Senators in the Ben Bishop trade three years ago, forward Cory Conacher is back with the team after bouncing around several other NHL organizations, including a stop in Switzerland. The last time Conacher was with Tampa Bay, he was in the race for the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year. He’s come full circle and we’re glad that he’s back. [Bolts By The Bay]
Bolt Prospects recently released their 2016 supplemental rankings list as they insert the Tampa Bay Lightning’s newest draft picks into the current list of top prospects. While reading through this post, you won’t be surprised to see who landed at number one and two. [Bolt Prospects]
After some of the moves Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman pulled off this summer, the team is primed for another deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman will be here long-term and Ben Bishop is here for at least another season.
Related Story: Tampa Bay Lightning Salary Cap Situation Going Forward
With most of their core intact and a couple of pieces still pending, can this Lightning team win it all this season? We think so, but we’ll have to wait and see. Check out this analysis and the projected lineup come opening night on October 13. [NHL.com]
And from our friends over at Raw Charge on SB Nation, we want to spread awareness for an ongoing fundraiser helping out a local arena in Pasco County. The All Sports Arena in New Port Richey is in dire need of AC unit repairs and you can support them by donating here, if you wish.
Also, don’t forget to vote for the Best of the Bay 2016 presented by Creative Loafing. The poll is open through August 16 and there are a few Tampa Bay Lightning bloggers that are up for the Best of the Bay!
News From Around The NHL
The New York Islanders and its fans already want to move out of the basketball-specific Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY and we don’t blame them. The 15,795 seat arena (set up for hockey) is cramped and has poor sight-lines for over 1,000 seats, which makes for a non-pleasurable viewing experience. There has been talk that the Belmont Park and Willets Point, which is near Citi Field where the New York Mets play, areas are up for consideration. [FanSided]
As we know, the Pittsburgh Penguins are the 2016 Stanley Cup Champions and with that comes increased attention and respect. In addition, each player on the team gets a day with the Cup and many of them choose to take the prized trophy back to their individual hometowns. Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley decided to spend his day with the local youth and firemen of Toronto. Good move, Trevor. [FanSided]
Professional Tennis players lead busy lives, especially with all of the tournaments happening around the clock. But, these athletes have to have a little fun on the side and one of the best men’s players in the world, Novak Djokovic, showcased his ball hockey skills in the 2016 Ball Hockey Challenge at the Rogers Cup tournament in Toronto. Check out the video here.
The young NHL phenom, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, appears to be ready to lead the team that drafted him number one overall in 2015. If he is tapped for the captaincy, McDavid would become the youngest captain in the league. That’d be very impressive for the 19-year-old Ontario native, but he’s led in that position before and we know he has the skills on the ice to show for it. He’d certainly be honored to do so. [NHL.com]
And finally, the NHL’s newest franchise in Las Vegas has its General Manager in George McPhee, but is still nameless. In the meantime, though, McPhee is looking forward and will begin the process of building a hockey operations staff and scouting players on both the amateur and professional sides. Jason Pothier from The Sin Bin in Vegas describes the former Washington Capitals GM’s calm and cool demeanor and his vision for the team in a recent interview. [The Sin Bin]
Next: Steven Stamkos Setting The Bar For The Locker Room
Continue to follow us here and on social media for news and updates about the Tampa Bay Lightning. The offseason isn’t over yet and there are still a few things that need to be accomplished before the regular season rolls around. We have faith in you, Mr. Yzerman.