Tampa Bay Lightning Headlines: 30 In 30, Conacher Interview, And More
As the Tampa Bay Lightning get one day closer to returning to the ice, let’s take a closer look at some of the top Lightning headlines around the Bolts Nation and other news from around the NHL.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the Bolts Nation. The sun is rising and we are about to embark on another amazing day here in Hockey Paradise. The only thing missing right now is the Tampa Bay Lightning taking the ice.
The good news is, Tampa Bay Lightning fans don’t have much longer to wait before their favorite Boys in Blue return to the ice for the next chapter in their journey to hold the Stanley Cup high above their heads. For those of you like us who have been counting the days until the first official puck drop of the 2016-17 season, the moment you have been waiting for is about to be upon us.
As another day gets marked off the calendar, Tampa Bay Lightning fans find themselves just 51 days away from the start of the 2016-17 season. As you know by now, the season kicks off with the Tampa Bay Lightning Home Opener, which is scheduled for October 13th against the Detroit Red Wings.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Unfortunately, there is still some dark clouds looming off in the distance here in the Bolts Nation. The Tampa Bay Lightning’s leading point scorer in the 2015-16 season, Nikita Kucherov, has yet to be re-signed by the organization. We have said this before, but it bears repeating. If there is a deal to be done, Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman is the man to get the job done.
In other words, keep calm and cheer on until otherwise notified.
While we wait to see how some of the changes to the team come into play in the upcoming season, let’s take a closer look at some of the top Tampa Bay Lightning headlines making their way around Tampa Bay today as well as other news from around the National Hockey League.
During the month of August, NHL.com has been doing a series called 30 In 30. Each day, they take a closer look at each of the 30 teams in the National Hockey League. It just so happens we have finally come upon the day when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
NHL.com correspondent Corey Long takes a look at some of the transactions the Tampa Bay Lightning have made over the course of the off-season, how these changes will affect the Lightning in the upcoming season and some of the deals that are yet to be made. (Tampa Bay Lightning)
As many of you know by now, the Tampa Bay Lightning have come to terms with Free Agent defenseman James Wisniewski on a Professional Tryout Contract. This means the 32-year-old veteran defenseman will be joining the Lightning when training camp opens next month.
It seems rather odd the Tampa Bay Lightning would be looking to add to their defensive core when there are so many players with the Lightning’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, who are just dying for the opportunity to make their way into the Lightning’s main roster.
Jonathan Willis, NHL National Correspondent for Bleacher Report, takes a closer look at Wisniewski and what he could potentially bring to the table for the Lightning and how this could impact the upcoming season. (Bleacher Report)
Over the course of the off-season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been conducting a competition that gave fans the opportunity to vote for some of their favorite moments from the 2015-16 season. They’ve called this competition, the Best of the Bolts.
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Now, the competition has come down to the final eight. Right now, we are in the middle of voting for the second bracket. Lightning fans will have until noon on August 24th in order to cast their vote on two of the greatest moments of the season.
One of our favorite moments from the 2015-16 season appears in this bracket. On January 15th, a hat trick by young Lightning sensation Vladislav Namestnikov would score the first hat trick of his career, which would help secure the victory for the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
To cast your vote for your favorite moment in this bracket, head on over to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s official site. Don’t wait too long, though! The voting for this bracket ends on Wednesday, August 24th at noon. (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Tampa Bay Lightning fans were incredibly excited when the news broke that the Bolts had come to terms with former Lightning forward Cory Conacher on a one-year deal. This meant one of the Lightning’s favorite former rookies would be making their way back to the Bolts Nation.
Before Cory Conacher hits the ice with the Tampa Bay Lightning next month in Training Camp, Bolts By The Bay contributor Chase Kimball had the opportunity to speak with Conacher and get his feelings on returning to the Bolts Nation, his expectations for the upcoming season, and even a special message for Lightning fans. (Bolts By The Bay)
News From Around The National Hockey League
The 2016-17 season is going to be exponentially different than some of the other seasons that have come before it. This season, hockey fans will get some “bonus hockey” before the start of the season thanks to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
As each team prepares to take the ice at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, for the upcoming international tournament, the National Hockey League has broken down the rosters and singled out some of the best players at each position.
In this particular article, the NHL has taken a look at some of the centers in the competition and compiled a list of who they believe is number one on each team. There aren’t very many surprises on this list, but it’s certainly interested to see how the panel voted on each team. (NHL.com)
It seems as if the NCAA’s most eligible Free Agent has finally made his decision. Jimmy Vesey will be headed to the New York Rangers. It may seem like the hard part is over for the National Hockey League’s biggest and brightest future star, but things are just going to get harder from here on out.
Now, the pressure is on as he has to not only adjust to his new settings, but he’s going to have to prove that his name and the hype surrounding it can be backed up with pure on-ice skill. NHL.com Columnist Nicholas J. Cotsonkika takes a closer look at what the future holds for Jimmy Vesey. (NHL.com)
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The month of August is almost over and the 30 teams in the National Hockey League are preparing to get down to business as many training camps open early next month. Much like the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Chicago Blackhawks have a lot to fight for in the upcoming season.
The Hawks have always been a competitive team that has been seen in the final rounds of the postseason for many years. Mario Tirabassi, a contributor to our friends over at Blackhawk Up, has taken a closer look at the Chicago Blackhawks roster and compiled an in-depth look at what the top line combinations could look like. (Blackhawk Up)
It seems as if the Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t the only team in the National Hockey League who are looking to potentially add some new blood to their lineup next season. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who are in the middle of a massive rebuilding phase, have decided to add some new blood to their training camp as well.
Tim Chiasson, one of the Hockey Experts over at Editor In Leaf, takes a look at Brandon Prust and Raman Hrabarenka, the newest players to earn Professional Tryouts with the Leafs, and breaks down where they fit in the grand scheme of things and what kind of impact they could have on the team. (Editor In Leaf)
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning Rival Report: Ottawa Senators
The off-season is quickly coming to an end. Before you know it, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be back on the ice fighting for a chance to once again compete for the greatest trophy in all sports, the Stanley Cup. There are still a few pieces to the puzzle the Lightning need to fall into place, but if there is anyone who can get the job done, it’s Steve Yzerman.