Quick Strikes: In the clutch(es) of the off season

The Lightning

-Our player grades rolled on yesterday, and this time Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn took center stage.

Where Coburn shined the brightest, however, was on the penalty kill. He wasn’t utilized much on it this season, but when he was out there, he was one of the most effective defenders the Lightning had, a stark difference compared to previous seasons.

-Around 200 Lightning employees took yesterday to help families in need in the Tampa area.

The Crunch

The Syracuse Crunch is hosting an equipment sale on Wednesday, May 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the basement of the War Memorial Arena.

The Crunch will have new and used equipment, including, but not limited to skates, sticks, gloves, helmets and pads. The team will also have some game-used and game-issued jerseys available for purchase along with items from the 2018-19 campaign and previous seasons, such as bobbleheads, trading cards and more. Syracuse Crunch Head Equipment Manager Colten Wilsonwill be in attendance to answer questions on all equipment. Equipment will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

The Others

-The newest episode of Six Degrees of Mike McKenna is up! Mike sat down with Martin Biron.

-Scott Cruickshank of The Athletic wrote an ode to Curtis McElhinney, who is currently with the Carolina Hurricanes, and the journey his career has taken him on. (pay-walled)

-Joe Yerdon wrote a piece about Buffalo Sabres’ prospect Jacob Bryson for The Athletic. (pay-walled)

-Are you the Jonas Brothers?

Do you want to hire Gritty?

-Justin Bailey continues to keep in contact with the Amherst youth hockey player who was racially harassed at a game against Cheektowaga’s 18 and under team.

-Something something Edmonton Oilers something Todd Nelson (OH GOD, THAT PICTURE, IT HURTS) something.

-Patrick Williams ran down the upcoming summer for the American Hockey League. He also took a look at the summers of the past.

The days of chaotic AHL offseasons full of franchise and affiliation shuffles have become much more rare.

Contrast that with the summer of 1993 when five of the AHL’s 16 clubs had to find new homes. This year, the 31-team circuit stretches from Quebec to Southern California and will not have any market losses for a second consecutive year.

-The NWHL was shaken yesterday by the announcement that Pegula Sports & Entertainment, the owners of both the Sabres and the Rochester Americans of the AHL, will no longer operate the Buffalo Beauts.

The NWHL came out with a statement not long after that announcement that didn’t exactly clear things up.