Opinion

It’s days before Steven Stamkos‘ 22nd birthday, and I sit here pondering why he doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves. It’s no mystery that Stamkos is the best player the Tampa Bay Lightning has, but in my opinion, he’s the best player currently in the NHL. His numbers speak volumes, and I don’t feel that he’s recognized as much as the other ‘elite’ players in the NHL. When you think of the best young players of the NHL, a few names come to mind. Some of the names you may think of are SidneyCrosby or even Alex Ovechkin. Love them or hate them, they’re still considered some [...]

Over the last few years there has been a few grumblings here and there amongst writers and talk-show hosts that there is no longer a need for an All Star Game, in any league.  Hockey’s All Star Game is brought up more and more as the best example why, as the type of game played is not quite the same as the game we all know and love.  How so?  There is no hitting or hard checking, which is completely understandable as this is supposed to be a fun game and exhibition of the skills of the best skaters and [...]

I recently published an opinion piece for my college newspaper, The Humber Et Cetera. I focused on the topic of non-concussion head injuries and how they seem to be overlooked by the NHLPA in a time where concussions are happening of a rate close to 100 per game (this is a rough estimate). As serious as concussions are, other head injuries are occuring just as much – potential career-ending injuries that could easily be avoided with the simple implementation of a rule that helmets and visors be mandatory at all times on the ice, especially when pucks are in play. [...]

Recently our favorite THN columnist, Ken Campbell, penned another winner about our Tampa Bay Lightning.  This one entitled “Campbell: Why the Lightning and Canadiens should trade coaches.”  Yes, you read that right.  Now I am not going to spend much time on the main subject of this recent bit of delusional thinking, because I am hoping at best, it is more sarcasm than honest feelings.  However there was one reason he gave for why this bench boss deal should happen and that is what I am focusing on tonight:  “After one wildly successful season, Boucher appears to have lost the [...]

It’s been no secret that team rivalries within the NHL have been dwindling. Games that used to mean something, and that could not be missed by fans for any reason, seem to have all but disappeared (Toronto/Ottawa) and the few that still exist rarely get to be seen (Vancouver/Boston). The proposed realignment was supposed to change this by scheduling more regional rivalry games as well as assuring each team played each other at least twice – once at home and once on the road. But with the NHLPA objecting the plan, holding it off indefinitely, the NHL now must think [...]

Before we get started, if you have not read my previous posting on my thoughts on the 1-3-1 please take a look here. Now, as noted in the previous posting, this was not the first time Ken Campbell decried Coach Guy Boucher for implementing the 1-3-1 defensive scheme.  His May 2,2011  article was entitled, “Trap-happy Lightning killing excitement of NHL playoffs.”  I can only speak for myself on this one, but it was pretty exciting to see the Bolts come back against the Penguins by winning three games straight each time facing elimination.  It was exhilarating watching the team sweep [...]

As the Tampa Bay Lightning return home for a game Tuesday night, fans once again feel relieved. This sense of relief stems from the Lightning’s terrible road record, and solid play at home. The Bolts once again lost multiple games on the road this past week, losing in three straight during their Eastern Canadian trip to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. As the road struggles continue for Tampa Bay, fans continue to rely on home wins to keep satisfied. However, if the Lightning cannot solve their lackluster play on the road, don’t expect postseason hockey for the Bolts this spring.

The Lightning were swept on this three game road trip. They are now  6-15-3 on the road.