Thank you for indulging us as we took a small break to decompress from the end of the season and the run up to the draft and free agency. With things slowing down a bit we figured it was a good time to go dark for a couple of days. Now we’re back and ready to help you through the offseason.
If you had been paying attention this season, it seems like players’ off-the-ice fit has received more attention than ever before. Our friends at The Athletic had been ranking styles all season long and finally announced their 2021-22 Style King. The winner – David Pastrnak.
We crunched the numbers and we’re pleased to announce that David Pastrnak is the 2021-22 NHL style king https://t.co/iOfle69tiX pic.twitter.com/qcyj2neJef
— Sara Civ (@SaraCivian) July 19, 2022
The Tampa Bay Lightning were well represented with Mikhail Sergachev and Steven Stamkos finishing just outside of the top ten and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare finding a spot in the top 20. Mathieu Joseph piled up a bunch of points early in the season when he was still with the Bolts, so that should could for something as well.
The suits are all in the closet for now (we can assume) as the players enjoy the comforts of summer in more relaxing clothing, but expect some solid new looks next fall. I’m pretty sure Victor Hedman will look to find a spot on this list in 2022-23.
Lightning / NHL News
The kids seems to have some swagger to him, doesn’t he? Isaac Howard has always believed in himself and his play on the ice seems to make believers out of everyone who watches him play.
Lightning first-round pick Isaac Howard is fueled by competition https://t.co/KgfysmPqto
— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) July 19, 2022
Another former member of the Syracuse Crunch has joined their rivals north of the border in Laval. This time it was defenseman Alex Green signing a one-year AHL contract with the Rocket.
RHD Alex Green (#22-ranked free agent D @InsideAHLHockey‘s ‘Big Board’) signed a one-year AHL contract with @RocketLaval.
Last year with @SyracuseCrunch, Green tallied 26 points (5G-21A) in 73 games. #AHLFreeAgency22
— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) July 19, 2022
Green was a restricted free agent that wasn’t tendered a contract by the Lightning this summer and was free to sign with any team. The 24 year-old defenseman posted 26 points (5 goals, 21 assists) in his second season with the Crunch. The Rocket had previously signed Anthony Richard this summer. Former Crunch forward Mitchell Stephens also joined the Rocket in recent days.
The agents and lawyers for members of the 2018 Team Canada World Junior Hockey Team continue to release statements distancing themselves from the alleged sexual assault that happened at a team function.
Jordan Kyrou and Taylor Raddysh have made this list nine tonight. Kyrou wasn’t at the gala. Raddysh claims he wasn’t involved and learned about it in 2019. https://t.co/e0jTsh6LiU
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) July 20, 2022
While the Lightning pretty much have all of their offseason business wrapped up (I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of signings for the Crunch at some point) other teams are still trying to put their roster together. Things aren’t going well in Calgary. They lost Johnny Gaudreau in free agency and are now going to arbitration with one of their other young stars, Matthew Tkachuk.
Flames & Matthew Tkachuk Go To Arbitration https://t.co/UFQix4HQXC
— Matchsticks & Gasoline (@MatchsticksCGY) July 19, 2022
The New Jersey Devils signed their new goalie, Vitek Vanecek, to a three-year, $10.2 million contract. I guess they had plenty of money left over after missing out on the Gaudreau sweepstakes. Gotta give it to somebody.
#NJDevils Sign Vitek Vanecek to a 3 Season, $10.2 Million Contract – This was very good business by Fitzgerald and his staff. On to the other 5 RFAs now. Reaction: https://t.co/a8Pbrpo2Kt
— All About the Jersey (@AATJerseyBlog) July 19, 2022
Speaking of free agents that the Devils did sign, something about this just isn’t right. It’s going to take awhile to get used to.
F Ondrej Palat will wear jersey number 18 for the New Jersey Devils. Number last worn by Dawson Mercer in 2021-22. #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/NQ82bvVKlt
— NHL Jersey Numbers (@NHLNewNumbers) July 19, 2022
