Lightning Round: Bolts fans celebrate 19 years since first Stanley Cup championship

June 7th, 2004 was when the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise hoisted the Stanley Cup for the very first time. They were the original “hockey in the south” success story and have added two additional championships to the rafts since that time.

Wishing a very happy June 7 to those who celebrate 🏆 pic.twitter.com/fPJtQhLMd8

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 7, 2023

19 Years Ago Today…

Posters & T-shirts proclaiming “STANLEY NEEDS A TAN” were everywhere in Tampa Bay that year.

“We play our game. We stick to the system. We can beat anybody. It was the key to the season.”

Here’s a look back..#GoBolts https://t.co/obS2GI44sA

— Diandra Loux (@Diandra_loux) June 7, 2023

Ok https://t.co/nyYwxslWvS pic.twitter.com/sjdwh0yMzX

— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) June 7, 2023

Happy 19th “Ruslan Fedotenko is a game 7 hero” Day for those who celebrate! #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/idUY7xbwad

— Bryant (@bwombat24) June 7, 2023

19 years ago tonight, the Lightning won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Happy anniversary, Bolts fans.#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/Bdw0sRHH7f

— Paul Driscoll (@ThePaulDriscoll) June 7, 2023

Love the throughline from Fedotenko to Coleman!

I have a bunch but this is one of my top ones I absolutely lost it when Coleman scored this #GoBolts https://t.co/XpGlU7FYeq pic.twitter.com/w1wOFfPw80

— cam (@camlovesflorida) June 7, 2023

Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals is tonight, here’s a story about Brandon Montour and Zach Whitecloud, who get to represent their Indigenous nations on hockey’s biggest stage.

Why this Stanley Cup is so important to Indigenous players Brandon Montour and Zach Whitecloud

Having Whitecloud and Montour both in the Cup Final is a source of great pride for both the players and their communities.

ESPNRyan S. Clark

In transaction news, we got two contracts signed yesterday. First, the expected Vladislav Gavrikov contract that did end up being two years long. I believe with this, Gavrikov will get a chance to sign an “into the sunset” contract in a couple years when the cap has risen when he’s still only 28.

Vladislav Gavrikov #GoKingsGo
$5.875M x 2 year extension

Confirmed Breakdown:
$775k base + $5.725M SB
$775k base + $4.475M SB
(Max signing bonuses)

Full NMC in both years

Rep’d by Dan Milstein @HockeyAgent1 of Gold Star Hockeyhttps://t.co/ymOLThTq0N

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 7, 2023

Kings Sign Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov To a Two-Year Contract Extension

Gavrikov’s contract runs through the 2024-25 season with an AAV of $5,875,000

NHL.com

Chicago signed Andreas Athanasiou to a two-year contract as well. He’s going to help fill out their tanking roster.

The Blackhawks have reportedly signed forward Andreas Athanasiou to a new contract

The veteran forward was heading towards unrestricted free agency this offseason.

Second City HockeyDave Melton

Chicago also hired Darren Pang to join their local TV Broadcast.

Report: Blackhawks hiring Darren Pang for TV broadcast role while another member departs

Pang’s reported arrival also means one member of the broadcast team is departing.

Second City HockeyDave Melton