Latvian defenseman Kaspars Astashenko has passed, according to a Latvian news report. He was 37. How familiar the name Kaspars Astashenko is with Tampa Bay Lightning fans is, is likely subjective to how long one has been a fan, how intense of a fan they are, and how closely they followed things during the team's proverbial lean years. Astashenko played only 23 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, between 1999 and 2001, his only play at the NHL level. Kaspars also played for the Latvian National Team in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Once again, via syracusecrunch.com, here's the story on last night's preseason game 2. Once again, stay out of the damn box.

via Syracusecrunch.com, the boys had a dandy 3rd period last night.

He might be turning 43 in a matter of days, but Dwayne Roloson still wants to play in the NHL.But the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted him to try his hand at coaching. A role that Roloson turned down. Roloson became an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. He's just as locked-out as any other NHL player, though.

Linking over to SB Nation baseball site Bleed Cubbie Blue here, we'd like to make you aware of profound and exciting changes that are forthcoming fro Raw Charge and the rest of the sites on the SB Nation sports network.