Local
Well-traveled goalie Ben Bishop could be starter for Tampa Bay Lightning – NHL.com – NHL Insider
Stuff in here about being competitive and feeling a responsibility to do well; nothing about wearing shorts to the rink. Oh well.
Lightning’s Hedman speaks against Russia’s antigay laws | Tampa Bay Times
That plus his personal expectations for the upcoming season.
Ten rookies set to become impact players this season – Features
Though this link takes you to the Lightning’s site, this was NHL.com’s list of the guys who could make an immediate impact. Funnily enough, it includes all the top draft picks. They do have Jonathan Drouin slotted into the top line with Stamkos and St. Louis, which is far from certain, but there’s also this:
“Jonathan has a special compete level and a special skill set that you very rarely see come along,” Tampa Bay director of amateur scouting Al Murray told NHL.com. “If any of the fans are watching the YouTube videos of Jonathan, the thing they should really keep in mind is that the best part of his game is his playmaking and not his individual 1-on-1 goal scoring. He’s very unselfish and sees the ice really well and really is a complete forward.”
New York Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist ranked top fantasy goalie – Fantasy Hockey Draft Rankings, Advice and Analysis
Justin Goldman projects about 50 games for Ben Bishop, which is as fair a projection as any can be at this point.
National
Casual reminder: Shallow nets are ready for training camp | ProHockeyTalk
I had completely forgotten about this.
Gregory Campbell won’t sign photos of his heroic broken leg playoff shift for Bruins – Yahoo! Sports
From Wyshinksi: “But a fan asking you to sign a photograph of the injury isn’t doing anything but acknowledging how you inspired them.” Inspired them to do what? Not give up in a marathon–great. Troll opposing fans on the internet–not so much. Basically, Campbell’s allowed to have his own feelings about the incident, and as long as he’s not a dick about it, he shouldn’t have to sign anything he doesn’t feel comfortable signing.
Brian Burke joins Calgary Flames as Jay Feaster’s boss: ‘It’s gonna work’ – Yahoo! Sports
Sure it is. We can all see that.
Bruce Arthur: Can Brian Burke be anyone but Brian Burke in Calgary? | National Post
This really isn’t looking good from the outside.
Calgary Saddledome almost ready for Flames, Eagles – NHL – Sporting News
But there is this good news.
Miikka Kiprusoff’s career was more than durable – NHL – Sporting News
I’m not sure how I feel about this, so I’ll just leave it with goodbye. Kipper.
Selanne to ‘take some nights off’ this season | ProHockeyTalk
My brain cannot cope with this. #Suomi 🙁
Sidney Crosby on NHL concussion policy: ‘You’re not going to be able to protect everyone’ – Yahoo! Sports
Real problem here though. How to tell what kinds of hits are the most dangerous, if the vast majority of concussions aren’t sustained on hits to the head.
Kings hand Garon paid try-out | ProHockeyTalk
Gumby’s going back to LA.
Inside Carolina Hurricanes’ awkward family drama, as Peter Karmanos fires his son – Yahoo! Sports
Oh, mercy.
Business
Buffalo Sabres reveal perhaps the NHL’s worst jersey: Pass or Fail? – Yahoo! Sports
I was going to make fun of these, but then I remembered that the Lightning have one of the most boring jerseys in pro sports (and one that looks EXACTLY like what two new divisional rivals have been doing for decades.)
Nazem Kadri walking the bridge to vilification – Yahoo! Sports
Come on. Players have as much right to “fight for every last cent they can squeeze out” as teams do. While the Leafs don’t owe Kadri a great contract, Kadri doesn’t owe the Leafs concern for their cap situation. It may be easier to work together when everyone likes one another, but it’s not necessary.
International
Jagr leads long list
Radko Gudas and Ondrej Palat are on the Czech preliminary roster for the Olympics. Of course, so are 66 other players.
Is this the Team Canada Olympic jersey? (Photo) – Yahoo! Sports
I do not like the whole “Nike designing all the jerseys” plan. The jerseys are all the same. It makes it feel less like representing your country and more like picking teams in a pickup game. Countries should design their own jerseys, bringing their own perspective to them. They’d still be bad, but they’d be bad with character.
Farm Report
Lightning coach Jon Cooper tells potential Syracuse Crunch prospects to not sweat tournament results | syracuse.com
The 2011-12 Tampa Bay prospects were crushed in a preseason tournament but got their acts together in time for a historic season in Norfolk.
Kucherov, Lightning prospects lead the way in weekend tourney – Tampa Bay Lightning – News
But that didn’t happen this year, as the Baby Bolts were the only team without a loss in the Coral Springs tourney.
Lightning prospect Erne embraces challenge
This is from last week, but is a pretty good look at the second-rounder.
Market and Numbers
Patient path for Stars goalie prospect Campbell – Prospects
“For any goaltender drafted at 18, you’re excited to get to the NHL as quick as you can,” Valley told NHL.com. “But the one thing you quickly realize is it takes time and it’s a process. I think most goalies playing in the NHL today broke in at an average age of 24.8, so it’s a process.” I found this interesting, given my current project on goaltender development (still unfinished). I haven’t looked at age yet, but I’d be interested to see how it plays out.
Post-Lockout Save Percentages & Assorted Goaltending Numbers – The Copper & Blue
You know, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Funnies
Twitter history of the NHL; who made the first Cindy Crosby joke on social media? – Yahoo! Sports
A reminder that nothing ever goes away (on the internet).
Down Goes Brown: Other cases of NHLers getting attacked by animals
In light of Mike Fisher‘s death match with a chipmunk.
