:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67040271/1206282551.jpg.0.jpg)
The Tampa Bay Lightning are getting the band back together ahead of July 13th’s opening of training camp. Pat Maroon flew in yesterday and had a bit of fun on the plane.
I think I found a new job on the right side....Only thing is I had to make sure I fit good with my linemate Larry. #tampabound pic.twitter.com/TcdPX66vAq
— Pat Maroon (@patmaroon) July 10, 2020
Bubble Hotels Assigned
TSN shared hotel assignments for all 24 teams in the two bubbles in Canada. In Toronto, the Lightning will be living in the same building as the Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Talk about a room full of rivals. A divisional rival, and two ECF opponents from the past five years. Good thing the Red Wings are picking fourth overall (not first) this year.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) July 9, 2020
Front Office Changes
The New Jersey Devils announced yesterday their new General Manager and Head Coach. Jeremy Rutherford gets to keep his office after being promoted from interim GM into the permanent role. He has hired Lindy Ruff to be the Head Coach. The stale merry-go-round spins on.
#NEWS: The New Jersey Devils have signed Lindy Ruff to be the 19th head coach in franchise history.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) July 9, 2020
Welcome to Jersey, Lindy!
: https://t.co/lOVEHcKErq
#WeAreOne | #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/NvvLQEbMpG
Judd Brackett was with the Vancouver Canucks and in charge of their draft. They hit a wedge in their relationship and Brackett is now with the Minnesota Wild.
NEWS: The #mnwild has named Judd Brackett Director of Amateur Scouting.
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 9, 2020
» https://t.co/TRnknIiegb pic.twitter.com/pqP8DA8wid
Former NHLer Chris Pronger leaves the Florida Panthers to build a travel company.
Q&A: Chris Pronger explains why he’s leaving the Florida Panthers to build travel company. #stlblues https://t.co/LXce2wZFOs
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) July 9, 2020
Rules and Other Stuff
The NHL owners will have the new Return to Play Protocol and CBA explained to them on Friday. To be a fly on the wall of that crash course.
The NHL has scheduled a Board of Governors meeting for Friday afternoon at which point the league will walk owners through the tentative RTP-CBA MOU.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 9, 2020
Some unsigned prospects might be able to take part in the Phase 3 training camp after a loophole was found in the new CBA. They don’t have a contract for this season (2019-20) and won’t be allowed in the playoffs, but they might be allowed to skate with the team before they go into the bubble.
...but it’s “possible” that could be amended. Sounds to me like teams want to do everything possible to keep them busy and engaged here in North America, feeling like they’re part of the team, even if they can’t play in Phase 4 or be part of 52-person travelling group.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 9, 2020
This was an interesting story. The Sabres had to go to court for a green card for their strength and conditioning coach after he was “wrongfully denied.”
“The Sabres filed the application for permanent residency on Gannon’s behalf in October. To be granted a green card, Gannon had to demonstrate that he was at the top of his field, and the Sabres argued that he proved his abilities under USCIS’ criteria.”
It looks like the Montreal Canadiens are getting their own ECHL team. Their former affiliate was the Brampton Beast.
There will be a press conference in Trois-Rivières today at 3:30pm EST to announce that a deal has been reached for an ECHL team.
— Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) July 9, 2020