Quick Strikes: Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov ranked among best right wingers in the NHL

The Bolts

The NHL Network has ranked Tampa Bay Lightning superstar winger Nikita Kucherov as the second-best right winger in the league right now. The rest of the list is.. uh.. interesting. Tell us what you think the Top 20 should be!

The Hockey Writers looks at where the expectations are for Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan. “When the Lightning signed Ryan Callahan to his six-year $34.8 million dollar extension back in the summer of 2014, they expected to have a reliable two way player for years to come, but his game has become inconsistent lately.” [The Hockey Writers]

ThunderBug wishes us, the fans, a very happy #813Day! #ThePeoplesBug

Happy Birthday, Cedric Paquette!

The Prospects

The Syracuse Crunch and Daniel Walcott each wish Pierre-Luc Leblond all the best in his retirement, each in their own way:

Leblond played 37 games with the Syracuse Crunch in his final year in pro hockey. tallying 5 points and 121 PIM. #Beaut

The Game

From Martin St. Louis to Tyler Johnson to Kailer Yamamoto. The Edmonton Oilers draft pick says he’s been leaning on Tampa Bay Lightning centre, and fellow Spokane Chief, Tyler Johnson’s example to help him make it in the NHL. “Size doesn’t matter. It’s what’s in your heart – it’s whether you have no fear, if you have the confidence.” - Kailer Yamamoto. [Sportsnet]

Football season is back in Europe and around the world so I thought it would be nice to share Arsenal keeper Petr Cech who plays in the English Permier League playing goalie at Martin Havlat’s farewell exhibition match! His movement is very impressive, not to mention we have a summer Zdeno Chara sighting! (Thank you Reddit for the link)