Quick Strikes: NHL celebrates the start of Pride Month

The Bolts

Justin returns with a new edition of his Sweater Series, the next number is 30 [Raw Charge]

We’ve made it into the 30’s and reached the last of the jersey numbers that were worn by 10 or more players (although 44 is getting close). This number is traditionally worn by goaltenders and of the 11 players that have donned it for the Lightning, only one didn’t strap on the pads. The list includes two goalies with their names on the Stanley Cup and the player that appears at the very bottom of the register of all-time Lightning players when sorted alphabetically.

Our mock draft recap has been updated with picks 11 and 12

The Tampa Bay Lightning is aiming to construct 10 public outdoor street hockey rinks across the Tampa Bay area by the end of 2020. The rink in Oldsmar will be the second in this program

The Game

The NHL is celebrating the start of Pride Month

The Stanley Cup Finals moved St. Louis. Last night the St. Louis Blues got outclassed by the Boston Bruins in the third game of the series. The Blues lost 2-7 and the Bruins leading 2-1 in the finals.

Defenceman Torey Crug had a four-point night.

In the first game of the Calder Cup Finals, the Charlotte Checkers were defeated by the Chicago Wolves in overtime

The NHL draft combine continues in Buffalo and The Hockey News’ Steven Ellis and Ryan Kennedy discussing some interesting news

The Athletic spoked to the Buffalo Sabres director of amateur scouting Ryan Jankowski about their draft strategy [The Athletic, paid content]

Jankowski likes the center depth at the top of this year’s draft class as well as the quality of players from the US National Team Development Program. That’s not even counting likely No. 1 pick Jack Hughes. With centers like Alex Turcotte and Trevor Zegras and wingers Matthew Boldy and 72-goal scorer Cole Caufield to go along with Canadian junior players Kirby Dach and Dylan Cozens, Buffalo should get a very good player with the seventh pick no matter what.

The Anaheim Ducks remains one of the teams still looking for the new head coach

According to Elliotte Friedman the future of Erik Karlsson will be decided within next weeks [Sportsnet]

“The word is that Erik Karlsson is taking a long, hard look at deciding if he wants to stay in San Jose,” said Friedman during the ‘Headlines’ segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “And I think we’re going to know, in about a week, if he’s going to stay or if he’s going to investigate his other free agency options.

The Ice Garden continues to review the best freshman performances from the 2018-19 season

Mike McKenna with a new column for NHL.com

People love hockey in St. Louis, but they bleed blue. I can’t imagine the celebration that would ensue if the Blues won the Stanley Cup. I honestly think the economy in St. Louis would crash for a solid week; no one would be going to work. Colorado Eagles are still not willing to return the Kelly Cup [Denver Post]

And in the weirdest story of the day, the Colorado Eagles won’t return the ECHL cup.

The Eagles on Friday night confirmed to The Denver Post that they do have Kelly Cup and that it’s “safe” and in “pristine condition” somewhere in Colorado, and that it’s still in its case. The team would not comment about why the cup was still in its possession. One potential reason could be a dispute regarding exit fees for leaving the league.