Tuesday night open thread and link dump

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:30 PM EDT in Blogs

Development, Young Guns game, then a whole lot of nothing until September. Do not forget to vote in this week's Fan-confidence poll.

Lightning links

A couple of questions for Dan Ellis [Bolts By The Bay]
Three questions for "Killer", aka James Wright [TBO]
The first-year-pro trials and tribulations of Dustin Tokarski [TBO]
Brett Connolly is a rising titan [Hockey Prospect]
Do not forget the fundraiser ties to the Curtis/Kocab Memorial Fund at tomorrow's Young Guns game. [Tampa Bay Lightning]
Speaking of development camp, Coach Boucher (who is not in attendance due to moving to Tampa), makes it a point that camp is for learning, not for impressing [TampaBay.com]
Mike Corcoran talked with Coach Boucher last week, and touched on a number of subjects including Paul Ranger [Creative Loafing]
The Bolts bolstered blue-line, by the numbers [TSN]
The writing is on the wall [Don'T Trade Vinny]
It was first given out to "The Michael Jordan of Hockey" and now it can be yours! [Raw Charge Store]

Hockey links

The Olympic Games, or the World Cup of Hockey? Mike Chen discusses the two. [From the Rink]
"The Dan Boyle Treatment" -- it's a legacy of Len Barrie's that is now encroaching on Marc Savard [Puck Daddy]
Former Bolt Darryl Sydor retires after 18 seasons in the NHL. He'll help coach the Houston Aeros of the AHL now. [Minnesota Wild]
Hoosier Hockey celebrates USA Hockey's successes, and ponders if the NHL in the sunbelt is finally producing talent [Hoosier Hockey]
The nine best free agents left (who are not named Ilya Kovalchuk) [FanHouse]
The Top Ten GM's BR would trust to rebuild around [Bleacher Report]
Top Ten worst playoff goals [Hockey, Hot Chicks]
Tom Costello gives a parents take on concussions in the game of hockey [USCHO]
Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood: a match made on TMZ [The Hockey Plumber]
ESPN's Sportscenter coverage of the NHL is lackluster at best, but ESPN thinks they are doing just fine by them [Puck Daddy]

General links

So the Rays have attendance problems. Everyone and their uncle has a theory why [Tampabay.com]

Lightning Fan Confidence Poll

Last tallied on 07/14.

30|1:|0|100&chxt=x,y&chco=5098c7&chd=t:51

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Comments

I found this story late and it would have been included above: Joe Bucs Fan’s interactions with George Steinbrenner from the past: http://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=31755

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:32 PM EDT reply actions

;Steinbrenner passing is a big story in TB mostly because he was a local resident and very much a part of the community. Big on Philanthropy and what not.

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Yawn. Like this was a surprise. Seriously. The man was 80 years old – literally, in fact. At least he had the decency to go during the All-Star break.

Wait – it is too soon for jokes? ;o)

There's nothing quite like the sound of a frozen puck hitting the glass. It makes me happy.

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Jul 13, 2010 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Begs the question: Would you say the same thing if it were Paul Allen that died?

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

No one would care this much if Paul Allen died – let alone me.

There's nothing quite like the sound of a frozen puck hitting the glass. It makes me happy.

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Jul 13, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Cassie is in San Diego for a convention

Though she plans to drop in to say hi…

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:35 PM EDT reply actions

Why yes, I am – and I do. ;o)

There's nothing quite like the sound of a frozen puck hitting the glass. It makes me happy.

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Jul 13, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Greetings from San Diego, everyone! Er, someone. :oD

I won’t be around long. I’m meeting people for dinner. So what have I missed?

There's nothing quite like the sound of a frozen puck hitting the glass. It makes me happy.

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Jul 13, 2010 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

Hello

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I get to go to Montreal Tomorrow. This will be fun.

In Lou We Trust: Now More productive than a New Jersey Devils Powerplay
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 13, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

What for? Hi Kevin

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m going to go visit my brother and help him unpack. Even then, i wasn’t going to be doing much the next two days.

In Lou We Trust: Now More productive than a New Jersey Devils Powerplay
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 13, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s still something. He living in the city or in the suburbs?

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure. He hasn’t given us a location yet, I’m guessing city though. He’s living near McGill apparently.

In Lou We Trust: Now More productive than a New Jersey Devils Powerplay
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 13, 2010 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Very nice. He’s attending school or?

Sorry if you’ve already brought this up in the past on here.

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s taking french lessons, and i’m not sure what he’s doing after. I think he’s looking into law school.

In Lou We Trust: Now More productive than a New Jersey Devils Powerplay
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 13, 2010 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve never heard a French speaking lawyer deliberate before…

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s also mentioned teaching english overseas to kids in Korea. I’m not too sure what he will choose in the end.

In Lou We Trust: Now More productive than a New Jersey Devils Powerplay
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 13, 2010 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Both are large endeavors

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you able to view video from where you are Cassie?

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I haven’t had a chance to try yet. I’ve been a little busy. Maybe when I come back from dinner – which I should probably go now. Later, everyone!

There's nothing quite like the sound of a frozen puck hitting the glass. It makes me happy.

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Jul 13, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

b’bye.

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Anyone catch Su & my show with our boy Ryan Classic and Sean Leahy last weekend? Guess we’ve already got TJ Oshie’s dad booked for this coming Sunday. So says Su, anyways. :o)

(I’ll be back to check on this question later!)

There's nothing quite like the sound of a frozen puck hitting the glass. It makes me happy.

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Jul 13, 2010 7:45 PM EDT reply actions

Crap, I never add you guys to the link dump, and I should.

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

We have that big story suggesting Tampa Bay should go after Gagne

…if LA gets Kovy, that is. But really, is it a good idea? Or is the reality that the Lightning are much further from contention than it looks?

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:50 PM EDT reply actions

Personally I see it both ways: We ould use Gagne but the entire team is deceptively good. The Lightnign were just on the outside of the playoffs this season but the East was very very weak. That’s something that has got to be accepted as a fact.

Then there’s the entire coaching situation. Tocchet was not playing to all of his players strengths in how he put together the game plan. That, and yet the team was performing (consistently inconsistent but) competitively in spite of it. If the Wes Walz firing hadn’t happened, the team still could have made the playoffs inspite of coaching failings.

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Guy Boucher and Steve Yzerman are on the same page going into things, unlike Lawton and Tocchet. The team is being put together with cooperation between the two.

That’s why people see the Gagne (or another big name addition) as something that could likely happen. Things seem to be going in the right direction… So adding the big cog may be justifiable.

But Yzerman and Boucher also are preaching patience, so that’s why it won’t happen. The team is going to get put together slowly, building (and rebuilding) with the cogs they have. The Playoffs may be in reach, but Cup Contention will be a ways off.

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

The preaching of patience came before Gagne became available

Not that will change their MO, but I guess the way I see it is this is an opportunity that has presented itself. Deciding to act up on that opportunity is not contradictory to other comments that Yzerman has made.

If you’re Steve Yzerman and you have a chance to better your odds at a very sudden return to the playoffs without “mortgaging” your future like you might at the trade deadline for a Cup run, do you do it? I think it’s something he’d at least have to consider.

This same logic could apply to Sharp, too, as somebody brought up in the comments of the article I wrote.

by Michael Gallimore on Jul 13, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, it’s been a while since an open thread of any type was DOA. Between this being summer and everyone being elsewhere to enjoy it… Well, things are silent.

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jul 13, 2010 8:08 PM EDT reply actions