As we wake to another beautiful day here in the Sunshine State, let’s take a closer look at some of the top Tampa Bay Lightning headlines and other news from around the NHL.
Good morning, Bolts Nation! The work week is over and it’s finally time for a little rest and relaxation. What better place to sit back and relax than the place that is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world? Unfortunately, the one thing we still lack is hockey.
On the bright side, with another day marked off the calendar, we are that much closer to the first official puck drop of the 2016-17 season. If you are the kind of fan we are and have been counting the days until the Tampa Bay Lightning take the ice once again, we are just 61 days away from flooding into the Amalie Arena and screaming our heads off for our Boys in Blue.
Unfortunately, there are still some storm clouds lingering off in the distance for the Tampa Bay Lightning. One of the most violent of those storms surrounds the Lightning’s leading goal scorer last season, Nikita Kucherov. Without a contract for the next season, Tampa Bay Lightning fans continue to question whether or not the Russian sniper will be making his way back to the ice with the Bolts next season.
Tampa Bay Lightning
We’ll admit, as the days pass us by, our faith continues to be tested. However, at the current time, we still believe in the skills of Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman. If there is a deal to be done, he’ll be the one who will get it executed. Sometimes, all these sorts of things need are time.
In the meantime, before everyone heads out on whatever adventure they have set for the day, let’s take a closer look at some of the top Lightning headlines making their way around the Bolts Nation and some other news from around the National Hockey League.
Every time a fan steps foot into the Amalie Arena, they are greeted by a sea of smiling faces ready to make their experience the kind of world class experience we have come to expect from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, what do I have to do to get in on some of this action?
Well, it seems the answer to this question is much simpler than one would imagine. On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Amalie Arena will be hosting a part-time job fair in order to fill positions at Lightning games, Tampa Bay Storm games, and other events that make their way to the Amalie Arena.
So…what do you need to bring with you in order to take part in the festivities? Well, head on over to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s website and get all the information your Lightning loving heart desires. (Tampa Bay Lightning)
As if Lightning game day at the Amalie Arena wasn’t amazing enough, it seems as if the organization is striving to make things even better. As most of you know by now, the Tampa Bay Lightning really stepped up their game last season, implementing many new tech aspects into game day; one of which was the Fan Cap app they used during intermissions to get fans in on the theme of the night.
Now, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hired former NBA executive Sean Walker as the newly-minted Vice President of Innovation and Technology. As this is a new position here in the Bolts Nation, this opens the door to all kinds of new opportunities. Want more information on the Lightning’s newest Vice President? Head on over to the Tampa Bay Business Journal and take a look for yourselves. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
If you have been following the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Best of the Bolts voting, you’ll know they have started a whole new voting period. This means there are two brand new competitions for you to cast your vote on. The first of those competitions is one of our personal favorites, Vladislav Namestnikov’ hat trick against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 15th.
If you want to cast your vote, you’d better hurry. This particular round of the competition ends on Monday, August 15th. What are you waiting for? Head on over to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s site and cast your vote for your favorite moments of the season. (Tampa Bay Lightning)
News From Around the National Hockey League
There was quite a shake up in the Western Conference over the course of the last week. As most hockey fans know by now, Colorado Avalanche Head Coach Patrick Roy has tendered his resignation to the team. Now, with just over two months before the start of the regular season, the Avalanche are tasked with finding a replacement for one of the best-known names in hockey.
Of course, there are a plethora of people out there capable of filling the position. The big question is, how do you choose the right one? Our friends over at FanSided take a closer look at this very question by taking a look at three potential coaches would be able to pick up where Roy left off and lead the Avalanche into a new era. (FanSided)
What’s in a name? Well, when it comes to a hockey team, it serves as the identity of the team and the surrounding community. Now that Las Vegas has officially been granted an expansion franchise, one of the many decisions that will need to be made is what the new team will be called.
Right now, there seem to be three names in contention for the upcoming expansion team. Las Vegas Owner Bill Foley has dropped some hints as to which of the naming options is his favorite, but he has not yet outright said what the name of the new franchise will be when they suit up in the 2017-18 season. (NHL.com)
As we mentioned before, former Colorado Avalanche Head Coach Patrick Roy is about to have a lot of free time on his hands. Fortunately, when your name is so easily recognizable in a sport, it isn’t long until the job offers start rolling in. While there hasn’t been word of any official offers yet, or even his intention to go back to work in any capacity in the National Hockey League, the chances are still out there.
ESPN Senior Writer Scott Burnside takes a closer look at the situation at hand, what really went down in the Mile High State, and some of the potential landing places for Patrick Roy. (ESPN)
One of the biggest stories making its way around the National Hockey League right now is the impending Free Agent status of NCAA standout Jimmy Vesey. Vesey, who plays for the same Harvard Crimson our very own Alex Killorn used to play for, is set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent on Monday, which essentially gives him free reign to use his skills to earn him a pretty sweet payday.
Just about every team has thrown their name in the hat at one point or another in an attempt to lure Vesey to their team. Unfortunately for a majority of those teams, it seems as if the NCAA standout has narrowed his list to six teams. While the Buffalo Sabres currently have exclusive negotiating rights, that door will soon be slamming shut. (Boston Herald)
Next: NHL 17 First Impressions: Online Versus Mode
While it may seem like forever since Tampa Bay Lightning fans have seen their favorite players on the ice, we can all take consolation in the fact that the upcoming season is now just about two months away. Thankfully, we’ll have an event like the 2016 World Cup of Hockey to sate our hockey desires until the new season starts.