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Lightning Round: Tampa Bay’s Day at the White House

Posted on by Justin G.

Instead of hanging out at home on the off day, the Tampa Bay Lightning (and a few old friends) put on their suits and made a quick trip to the Nation’s Capital to have their picture taken. After a couple of Stanley Cups the Lightning finally got their day at the Oval Office as they were honored by President Joe Biden.

“I don’t know what the hell you have in the water down there,” President Biden had some warm remarks for the team and owner Jeff Vinik. “You’re gettin old, man,” the president quipped when commenting on Steven Stamkos’ career. Not only did he point out their success on the ice, but also the impact that they’ve had in the Tampa Bay area.

“Steve” Stamkos spoke of the experience after the ceremony:

“Yes, today is a good day.” Ryan McDonagh’s shares his thoughts, including the fact that it was Stamkos that recommended an American player make a speech after the president.

Coach Cooper hopes it’s “one last celebration” and that they are back in a couple of months doing it again.

Not only did they get to celebrate with the president, they were also able to tour the White House with a few of the players and staff getting invited inside the Oval Office. Some old friends stopped by – Mathieu Joseph, Braydon Coburn, Curtis McElhiney, and Pat Maroon’s hat were all in attendance.

Lightning / NHL News

Steven Stamkos named first star of the week [Raw Charge]

It wasn’t a bad week for the Lightning captain. His prolific output on the ice awarded him a league-wide honor. Timing is everything as the Bolts are firing on all cylinders as they head into the playoffs.

Alex Killorn is the Lightning’s nomination for the Masterton Trophy [PHWA]

Tampa Bay — Alex Killorn: Killorn, 32, broke his fibula in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, but planned on returning for a Game 6 or Game 7 if needed following surgery to insert a rod in his leg. The veteran wing bounced back with one of the best seasons of his career, entering Saturday with a career-high 54 points and just his second 20-plus goal season. Killorn has been a consistent part of the leadership group for several years and certainly displays the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. As former teammate Blake Coleman once put it, “He’s got his fingerprints all over this team. There’s not many things he doesn’t do for us.” Killorn has been active in the community over the years, with his “Dock Talk” Instagram jetski show raising more than $50,000, which all went to the Hillsborough Education Fund. He also co-hosted with Ryan McDonagh a “Jam Kancer in the Kan” KanJam tournament a couple of years ago, and that event raised $102,000 for the Adolescent and Young Adult program at Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Center. Killorn was also the Tampa chapter’s Masterton nominee in 2020.

If Killorn wins he would be the second member of the organization to win the award. John Cullen won back in 1999. While another trophy in the case would be nice, but we all know this is coming down to Jack Eichel vs. Carey Price.

Speaking of injuries and the Vegas Golden Knights:

Maple Leafs sign Dryden McKay [Pension Plan Puppets]

The undrafted Hobey Baker winner (currently serving a six-month suspension for unknowingly taking a banned supplement) signed a two-year AHL contract with the Marlies. He will be eligible to attend training camp and play for the Marlies starting on October 11th. There is a chance he could make the Maple Leafs squad as well based on their current goaltending situation.

There was some fallout from Sunday’s game between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning,

Talking Points