Our very own honorary Florida Man, Pat Maroon, took to social media to say goodbye to Tampa Bay Lightning fans.
January 18 should be a fun night when the Lightning host the Minnesota Wild and the Big Rig makes his return to the Tampa area for the first time. It’s the first game after the Lightning’s break (they are off for four days). Oh, and by the way, the game before the break is on January 13 against the Anaheim Ducks and Alex Killorn…yeah, that’s not going to be emotional.
Lightning / NHL News
Alex Killorn talks about his legacy in Tampa [95.3 WDAE 620 AM]
Speaking of Killer, he called in to local radio to discuss all the things that have happened over his career and how he wants to be remembered.
Syracuse Speaks – Free agency and coaching changes [Spotify for Twitter]
From Alex Killorn to Alex Ackerman. Our good ol’ blog auntie discusses the changes that have happened to the Crunch over the last couple of weeks and expresses some trepidation over the line-up as it currently sits.
Lightning Lore – Episode 7: Manon Rheaume [Lightning YouTube]
It’s a Friday in July so we’re going audio-video heavy. Espo and Henry Paul sit around chatting about the initial roster and how Manon Rheaume joined the team. We learn that Uncle Phil is anti-captain.
Five players to watch following development camp [Tampa Bay Times]
As fans we tend to get a little too excited about our own prospects, especially when they are the only ones on the ice. It’s not likely that anyone that was on the ice at the TGH Ice Plex will break camp with the Bolts this fall, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep an eye on them.
Can Mark Walter Group Finalize Plans For Women’s Hockey League by January [Forbes]
Six months isn’t a long time to get a new professional league up and running. Erica Ayala details the timeline and what needs to be done before the new women’s professional hockey league can take to the ice.
Kings sign Anze Kopitar to two-year extension [LA Kings Insider]
The ageless Kopitar will be in LA for two more seasons after this one after agreeing to an extension that will carry an AAV of $7 million. Drafted back in 2005, the 35-year-old center has played in Los Angeles for 15 seasons and isn’t slowing down. Could this be a benchmark for a Steven Stamkos extension in Tampa?
David Reinbacher signs entry-level deal with Canadiens [Eyes on the Prize]
The Austrian defender became the second player from the 2023 NHL Draft to sign an entry-level contract (Adam Fantilli was the first) with the team that drafted him. A couple of things to note with Reinbacher, since he is coming over from a European league, he could start the season in the American Hockey League. Players drafted out of the CHL have to be at least 20 to play in the AHL, but not so for drafted Europeans. Reinbacher also has an European Clause in the first two years of the deal that will allow him to return to play in Europe should he choose.
Zadina, Andreoff to have contracts terminated [SportsNet]
Two players were placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating their contracts yesterday. Detroit’s Filip Zadina (who has already cleared regular waivers) and old friend Andy Andreoff from the New York Islanders. Both will forgo the remainder of their contracts and become unrestricted free agents.
