Tampa Bay Lightning Headlines: Best Of The Bolts, Top Two-Way Defensemen, And More
As another day dawns here in the Bolts Nation, we take a look at some of the top Tampa Bay Lightning headlines and other news from around the NHL.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to another glorious day here in Hockey Paradise. According to weather reports, there is a pretty big storm headed our way, but those of us here in the Sunshine State have seen it all before. It won’t be the last time a storm is headed our way.
Of course, there is one particular storm we’d love to have back here in the Bolts Nation; a Lightning storm. No, not the one that earned us the title of the “Lightning capital of the world,” but the one that brings our favorite players like Steven Stamkos, Ben Bishop, Ryan Callahan and more back here to the Tampa Bay area.
For those of you like us here at Bolts By The Bay who have been counting down the days until the start of the 2016-17 season, be aware that we are closer than one may think. We are now just 48 days away from the first official puck drop of the 2016-17 Tampa Bay Lightning season.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Before everyone here in the Bolts Nation heads out into this brand new day, let’s take a closer look at some of the top Tampa Bay Lightning headlines making their way around the Bolts Nation as well as some news from around the National Hockey League.
As you have probably heard many times before, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been holding a competition called Best of the Bolts. This competition allows Lightning fans to cast their votes on some of the greatest moments from the 2015-16 season.
If you want to get in on the action in the final round of the “Elite Eight,” which includes two pretty amazing moments from last season, you’d better hurry. Today at noon is your last opportunity. After that, the field will be narrowed to the Final Four. What are you waiting for? Time is running out! (Tampa Bay Lightning)
On September 13th, EA Sports will be releasing their latest installment in the popular hockey series, NHL 17. Over the course of the off-season, Bolts By The Bay Contributor Chase Kimball has been breaking down the game, its many features, and what kind of Lightning goodies you can find within.
Recently, EA Sports has unveiled their rankings for the Top Defensemen in NHL 17. It should come as no surprise who the feature of the next article in his series is. In his latest article, Chase discusses Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman and where he fits among the Top 10 Defensemen in NHL 17. (Bolts By The Bay)
One of the best things a team can hope to have in their arsenal when they take the ice is a defenseman who can not only make the big hits and block the shots that count but a defenseman who can make some moves of their own. Unfortunately, a solid two-way defenseman doesn’t grow on trees.
must read: Tampa Bay Lightning Among Highest Scoring Teams In NHL
Thankfully, the Tampa Bay Lightning has a couple of them in their arsenal. The people over at Bleacher Report have taken a closer look at the defensemen in the National Hockey League and ranked the Top 10 Two-Way Defensemen in the NHL. You won’t be very shocked at who occupies the third place position. (Bleacher Report)
It seems like Bleacher Report aren’t the only people ranking players right now. Over the course of the off-season, NHL.com has been ranking the Top 50 Players in the National Hockey League. The rankings are being compiled by NHL Network Analysts, Producers, and On-Air Personalities and are based on a number of factors.
One of the top players on the Tampa Bay Lightning last season was Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov really stepped up his game when it mattered most. While Lightning captain Steven Stamkos was relegated to the sidelines, Kucherov continued to help the team press forward.
The question now is, where does Kucherov rank in NHL.com’s Top 50 List? Well, we guess you’ll have to mosey on over there and see for yourselves. (NHL.com)
News From Around The National Hockey League
The off-season is usually a blessing for hockey players. Not only do they have the opportunity to heal their bodies from any nagging injuries they may have acquired over the course of the season, but they finally have some real time to spend with their families before they have to lace up their skates and get down to business.
Sometimes, players use this time to do something a little extra special. For example, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Ondrej Palat used the off-season to marry his beautiful girlfriend Barbora. It seems Palat isn’t the only one who used the off-season to tie the knot.
According to NHL.com, Washington Capitals captain and 2016 Presidents’ Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin was married Russian model Nastya Shubskaya. Ovechkin even posted a picture to his Twitter page expressing his happiness. (NHL.com)
As most of you know, we are just a couple of weeks from the start of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. When it comes to international tournaments like these, there are always a lot of tough decisions to be made.
There are a lot of talented players in the National Hockey League and only so many spaces on any particular country’s team. This is where the word snub gets thrown around a lot. This word is used to define anyone who has the talent, but simply didn’t make the cut. Something like this can happen for a variety of reasons.
must read: Tampa Bay Lightning Announce Date For Fan Fest
Now, Tal Pinchevsky over at ESPN has taken a closer look at some of the players who didn’t make their respective country’s team heading into the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. From there, he has put together an All-Snubs Team. Some of the names on the list are pretty interesting. (ESPN)
It seems as we get closer to the start of the 2016-17 season, every hockey analyst is looking at the players in the NHL and attempting to determine which players are the best of the very best in the league. Every season has to have a starting point, right?
Sports Illustrated’s Allan Muir has taken a look at all 30 starting goaltenders in the National Hockey League and ranked them accordingly. It should come as no surprise to Lightning fans where the Tampa Bay Lightning and goaltender Ben Bishop appear on his list. (SI.com)
One of the worst pieces of news coming out of the Bolts Nation this off-season was the news that Lightning alternate captain Ryan Callahan would be forced to miss the first part of the 2016-17 season after undergoing surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip.
Unfortunately for Detroit Red Wings fans, it seems as if they are going to start the season without two pieces to their puzzle as well. According to Joseph Karbousky, Red Wings expert over at Octopus Thrower, the Wings will be without the assistance of forward Tomas Jurco and prospect Vili Saarijarvi when Training Camp opens up. (Octopus Thrower)
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning Year In Review: Nikita Nesterov
There are a lot more storylines to play out over the course of the remaining off-season. There are still many questions in need of answers for Tampa Bay Lightning fans; especially when it comes to the contract situation of Nikita Kucherov. Unfortunately, only time will tell how this saga will play out.