Tampa Bay Lightning F Cory Conacher Calls Signing A ‘Dream Come True’
Newly reacquired Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cory Conacher considering his new contract with the Lightning a “dream come true.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning has made quite a few moves during the off-season. The biggest of these moves was the signing of Lightning captain Steven Stamkos to an eight-year contract extension. Not far behind the Stamkos deal is the signing of Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman to a similar eight-year contract extension.
Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman has made a number of smaller-scale moves during the off-season as well. One of the bigger of those moves was the re-signing of Lightning center Alex Killorn to a seven-year contract extension.
The remainder of the aforementioned moves surrounds a number of younger players who are more than capable performing at a level that could help build the future of the team. Many of them will find themselves with positions on the Lightning’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, in the 2016-17 season.
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One of the most recent signings has the ears of the fans here in the Bolts Nation ringing. Early last week, Steve Yzerman was able to come to terms with newly re-acquired Lightning forward Cory Conacher on a one-year deal worth $575,000.
As most Tampa Bay Lightning fans will remember, Cory Conacher was the instrumental piece in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s trade with the Ottawa Senators that saw Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop make his way to the Bolts Nation. Many people, ourselves included, were rather angry at the time. Fortunately, this is one of those rare occasions where we are pleasantly pleased to be proven wrong.
While most Tampa Bay Lightning fans are elated to have a goaltender like Ben Bishop guarding the pipes for the Lightning, there are many who still hold a place in their hearts for the young Ontario native. Now, Lightning fans will finally be able to have their cake and eat it too. Next season, both Cory Conacher and Ben Bishop will have an opportunity to work together towards a chance at winning Lord Stanley’s Cup.
This is definitely going to be an exciting season for Lightning fans; however, there is one person in the Bolts Nation who has reason to be even happier than the happiest Tampa Bay Lightning fan…Cory Conacher himself.
In an interview with Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Cory Conacher said his new contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning is nothing short of a “dream come true.” According to Smith, one of the things driving Conacher as he embarks on his second time around with the Tampa Bay Lightning is his knowledge of the system and his familiarity with the players and coaches.
"“I’m signing for the opportunity,” Conacher told Smith. “If it was another team where I didn’t know the players or the coaches as well I would have to think about it. But I know Tampa. I know the system. I know how Coop coaches. It’s a system where I can thrive.”"
There something to be said about the last comment Conacher made here. When Conacher was a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and even the Lightning’s then-AHL affiliate the Norfolk Admirals, Conacher had really found his place on the roster and was ready to help his team go all the way. In his first, and only, season on the Lightning roster, Conacher was on his way to being considered for Rookie of the Year.
Unfortunately, in his time with the three other NHL teams he’s been with since leaving the Tampa Bay Lightning – the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Islanders respectively – Conacher was never quite able to reach the same level of success as he did when he was here in the Bolts Nation.
As the Tampa Bay Lightning begin to make preparations for the upcoming 2016-17 season, it will be interesting to see how Cory Conacher fits in with the current Lightning lineup. The good news is, he’s already had an opportunity to play with a number of them like Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn and a few more.
This should make it that much easier for Conacher to quickly find his place on the team and get ready to pick up where he left off all those seasons ago. The old saying says, “you can never go home again.” Well…sometimes you can.
Next: Steven Stamkos Setting The Bar In The Locker Room
There are still some unanswered questions in the Tampa Bay Lightning locker room as the 2016-17 looms in the near future. The one thing we know is it’s going to be another exciting rollercoaster ride for players and fans alike. We don’t know about you, but we don’t want to miss a moment of the action.