First, a couple of housekeeping notes: This week's fan confidence poll should be the last for a couple of weeks. Seeing the dog-days of summer are ahead, there will be little reason for confidence to build or decline until September.

Secondly, I'd like to note that he Lined-Up Update remains in place tracking the various transactions for the club this off-season.

Aaaaaand, that's about it. ON WITH THE LINKS!

Lightning news

• One (Seattle) fan's perspective on the loss of Tod Leiweke [SB Nation Seattle]
• While Damian Cristordero had an article in the Times today about the Leiweke hiring (with Tod's own words), it didn't present the full interview he conducted with. The full interview with Tod Leiweke is posted here [Lightning Strikes]
• For those on Facebook, did you have Steve Yzerman request to be your friend? Or did you have him pop up as a friend suggestion? No, it wasn't really him, and it's causing a stir [The Beach Bucket]
• The bitter-sweet ending of the Gagne saga [Broad Street Hockey]
• More Flyers angle on the Gagne deal: Simon's career summarized on Broad Street Hockeyi in two parts [Part 1] [Part 2]
• Nolan analyzes the Gagne trade with help of his drunken expert friends [Frozen Sheets]
• Yzerman makes signing Steve Downie a priority [Lightning Strikes]
• Are you a fan of Raw Charge on Facebook? [Facebook]

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It seems like every other week there is something major that goes down for the Lightning.  First, Yzerman.  Two weeks later, Boucher.  

This time, it's the acquisition of Simon Gagne.

Lightning links

• It's "The Summer of Stevie" [The Sporting News]
• The Gagne deal is a backwards-building move but it's a good move says Joe Henderson [TBO]
• Even at it's worst possible outcome, the Bolts come out on top with this trade (well, unless that fourth round draft pick...) [TampaBay.com]
• Quotes from the team and around the league about the deal. [Tampabay.com]
• Video of Steven Stamkos being told about the trade, and his reaction [TSN]
• It's a Flyers perspective but The Hockey Writers are questioning the Simon Gagne trade -- as they should.  As Any Flyer fan should.  [The Hockey Writers]
• Mike Corcoran gives a rundown of the day -- Gagne fallout (and Malone rumors), the new coaching staff, and taking the naysaying traditional media to task. [Creative Loafing]
• Lost Amid the hubbub of the deal yesterday, the Lightning had a feature article about a groundbreaking player that once wore Lightning colors:  netminder Manon Rheaume [Tampa Bay Lightning]
• Speaking of names from the Lightning's past, did you know former Bolts defenseman and fan favorite Enrico Ciccone is on Twitter? [Twitter]
• Su Ring interviewed Bolts draft pick Radko Gudas before the Developmental Camp last week [King 5]
• Lost and Found [Don't Trade Vinny]

League wide links below the jump, and don't forget to vote int eh fan confidence poll!

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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]

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The Draft is done, free agency is well underway, the schedule released...  Now comes the hard part.

The wait for September and the opening of camp...  

Make sure you vote in the Fan Confidence Poll below.

Lightning Links

• How did the Lightning manage to trade Andrej Meszaros?  The Force had influence on this one.  [Don't Trade Vinny]
• Newton's Third Law at work [Loving The Lightning]
• Steven Stamkos is up for an ESPY Award, given out by ESPN, as the best NHL Player.  Yeah, you read that right.  And you can help his case by voting for him [ESPN] 
• Yzerman is settling in as GM of the Bolts [Detroit Free Press]
• It's all Nolan's fault the Lightning have lost Zenon Konopka [Frozen Sheets]
• Colorado Avalanche fans reaction to losing Brett Clark to the Lightning  [Mile High Hockey]
• Whatever happened to Femmes and Fisticuffs?

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So the draft is done, free agency starts on Thursday.  here's some of the things going on in Lightning world as well as the rest of the hockey and sports world.  Make sure to vote in the team confidence poll.

Lightning News

• Bolt Prospects supplemental rankings are out post-draft.  [Bolt Prospects]
• It's several months old, but here's an interview of 3rd round pick Radko Gudas, done by our friend Su Ring.  [King 5]
• The Prince George Cougars congratulated Brett Connolly on his selection [YouTube]
• An aspect of the Thrashers trade for Dustin Byfuglien that many overlooked, that has Downie-drama written all over it [Frozen Sheets]
• Brett Connolly's pre-Draft interview with Matthew Gunning...  [Bird Watchers Anonymous]
• ...and Brett Connolly's post-draft interview with Damian Cristordero [Lightning Strikes]
• Lightning power play guru / assistant coach Adam Oates has been hired by the New Jersey Devils as an assistant coach [Fire & Ice]
• Meanwhile, Lightning Head Coach Guy Boucher's assistant search is just getting underway. [TBO]
• 4th round pick James Mullin was surprised how high he went at #118 overall [Philly.com ]
• You likely missed the news Steve Yzerman has acquired some goalie help for the Lightning [Don't Trade Vinny]

General league news below the jump, and of course we are chatting in comments.  Join us (live at 7:30 PM and still open for later)

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Shut the door, there's a draft edition:

Lightning News

Nolan Whyte returns from a vacation and ponders the looming off-season.  [Frozen Sheets ]

Vinny's a happy daddy [Tampabay.com]

Times Palace gets a little cosmetic surgery [Tampa Bay Lightning]

Tim Thomas, Tampa Bay?  [Lightning Strikes]

Kurtis Foster would like to be re-signed by the Lightning.  [The Guardian]

And let me stress this:  Keep up with Bolt Prospects in the coming days regarding the NHL Draft.  We'll be covering it here at Raw Charge, but BP are the experts in this field.  Pete, Timothy and Chad have what you want; Pete, Timothy and Chad have what you need...

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The Stanley Cup has been awarded, the Bolts have named their GM and head coach...  Now comes the hard part:  the next 3 months of no hockey.  

Lightning News

Breaking story of the day:  Ryan Martin is not leaving the Red Wings to serve as Steve Yzerman's capologist in TB. [Detroit Free Press]

Is Jeff Vinik taking cues on business practices from Steve Jobs?  [Loving the Lightning]

Steve Yzerman brings the Red Wings way to Tampa Bay [Sports Illustrated]

Bolt Prospects has released their final Tampa Bay Lightning prospect rankings for 2009-10.  This gives you an idea of franchise developmental depth.  [Bolt Prospects]

Kurtis Foster was one of the best dollar values (when tied to point-production) in the NHL last season [Pro Hockey Talk]

Is Dave Andreychuk Hockey Hall of Fame worthy? [Greatest Hockey Legends]

Whatever happened to Joe Bolts Fan? 

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Guy Boucher, the Stanley Cup Finals, the NHL Draft...  what a week for Lightning fans.

Lightning links

The Tampa Bay Rays had their themed road trip to Toronto last week, in celebration of the sport of hockey.  It didn't sit well with some that the majority of the team had Blackhawks sweaters on.  [Creative Loafing]

With Harvard losing talent, questions surround the future of Alex Killorn == continue playing collegiate hockey or go pro?  [Bolt Prospects]

Nolan wonders if Mike Leighton should be looked at as a possibility as a backup goalie for the Bolts?  [Frozen Sheets Hockey]

Pat Verbeek was officially name a member of the Lightning scouting staff today.  Welcome to Tampa, Little Ball of Hate.  [TBO]

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