Quick Strikes: Are the Tampa Bay Lightning really shopping Jonathan Drouin to the LA Kings?

The Bolts

Are the Tampa Bay Lightning shopping Jonathan Drouin to the LA Kings for a return of Jake Muzzin? Once again I have to ask, is this verified by any other sites, aside from "sources close to the team?"

"While other teams have inquired about Drouin's availability, talks with Los Angeles are believed to center around Drouin and Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin, with additional assets being discussed. Muzzin, 28, has three-years left on a five-year, $20 million contract, while TFP has learned contract talks between the Bolts and Drouin are not presently ongoing." [The Fourth Period]

Please balance this with Fan Rag Sports’ speculation on Drouin’s next contract, linked a few days ago, and Joe Smith’s piece saying that talks with Drouin are ongoing.

Just to remind people what Drouin can do on the ice:

This was such a fun reminiscence from Justin. "So what exactly is the 1998 Entry Draft Information Guide? Well, think of it as the internet before the internet became what it is today. While the internet existed in 1998 (I have a Hotmail email address to prove it), it wasn’t as accessible or filled with information as it is today. There were not website running profiles on prospects available to the media or fans attending the draft in Buffalo, so it served as a guide to how the draft operated, who the top prospects were and the draft history of each team." [Raw Charge]

Jamie and I chatted about the Hurricane-Bolts season series, and she made me laugh. "Allow me to begin with hearty thanks for sending Ben Bishop (and his 7-1-1 record, 1.76 GAA, .945 save percentage and two shutouts in nine career games against the Canes) the hell out of the Eastern Conference." [Raw Charge]

The Crunch

The Tampa Bay Lightning are truly throwing it all in with supporting Syracuse this series:

Crunch goalie Mike McKenna has been a "calm voice" for the team, according to goalie coach David Alexander. [The Press Harold]

Here’s some fun facts about the Calder Cup for those into trivia as the Syracuse Crunch and the Grand Rapids Griffins fight for it. [Syracuse.com]

Crunch owner Howard Dolgon talked with Syracuse broadcaster Dan D’Uva yesterday about the Calder Cup finals returning to Syracuse tonight. [ESPN Syracuse]

The first 2,500 fans through the door of the Onondaga County War Memorial tonight will receive a free #FIN15H t-shirt. [Syracuse Crunch]

Crunch fans who have been going for the past few years will see a missed sight this week: the stage area will be full of seats - and fans - again. [Syracuse.com]

The Crunch are still confident in themselves (they should be!) and are looking forward to playing tonight:

For the Crunch, this is about more than winning a trophy:

The game

Nashville Predators forward Frederick Gaudreau has joined John Harms of the 1943-44 Chicago Blackhawks as the only players in league history to score their first three career NHL goals in the Cup Final. [Puck Daddy]

Speaking of the Predators, their AHL grads continued to make an impact on Monday:

Meanwhile, over on Pittsburgh’s side of things, their AHL grads ain’t too shabby:

The TV ratings for the Stanley Cup broadcasts so far are rather interesting:

Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs got inked and it’s pretty awesome. [The Score]

The Detroit Red Wings will keep their options open regarding forward Martin Frk, and are holding their annual pro scouting meetings this week in Syracuse. [The Detroit News]

The 30 clubs of the AHL raised nearly six million dollars for various charities this past season:

Looking for a piece of memorabilia from the 1980 US Olympic team? Check this out: