The Bolts
So The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn wrote an article that describes how he’s using bookie lines from Bodog and his own model to project how many points each NHL team will have this season. He’s taking the under on 107.5 points for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but says “but if any team can hit such a high line, it’s them.” [The Athletic, paid content]
Here is the Bodog NHL page (requires a login). There’s not much explanation for how Luszczyszyn implemented his model, so that leaves me with a question for you guys: would you take the under or the over?
What a great experience at the @TitleistCA National Fitting Centre. Dialed in for some new 718 AP3 irons and Vokey SM7 wedges! Completing the rest of the set with Titleist TS metals very soon… #TSProject pic.twitter.com/DP8iRHOog4
— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) August 24, 2018
New kid wrote an article! Yanni Gourde’s breakout season further complicates the Lightning’s cap situation. Welcome, Lauren. [Raw Charge]
Unfortunately for Steve Yzerman, he has several decisions to make. There are a plethora of players who have contracts coming up at the end of this season, including Gourde (UFA) and Brayden Point (RFA). Depending on how both players perform this season, the Lightning could find themselves in a position where they can only afford to keep one. And despite Gourde’s coming-out party last season, there shouldn’t be a debate between which player Tampa Bay should keep if it comes to that.
Coburn family enjoying the scene in Amalie before the Monster Jam Tripple Threat Series on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/hmpCiq0HAh
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) August 24, 2018
This again. Garrioch: The Lightning? The Stars? The Golden Knights? Karlsson waiting game continues [Ottawa Sun]
Karlsson, who returned to Canada on Wednesday after being overseas, has been skating with some teammates and local pros in Kanata when he’s been in Ottawa, but the indications are he’s fully prepared to be moved, and if he isn’t then he knows he’ll have to report camp.
My two takeaways:
Salary dictates personnel which drives strategy and…
The @TBLightning team payroll will be about $9 million more than @RaysBaseball this season.#GoBolts https://t.co/k1C2xFT6yr
— Eric Blankenship (@eblankenship) August 24, 2018
It’s always fun catching our own man Chuky talking about his other teams: Catching up with Sabres legend Dave Andreychuk, who reflects on his ‘very, very lucky’ time in Buffalo. [The Athletic, paid content]
“Here in Tampa, it’s not a shock to anyone, but we’re still selling the game. We’re still selling the Tampa Bay Lightning and our brand, and that’s an ongoing struggle for us to get our brand out there so people understand hockey,” Andreychuk says.
The Prospects
Everyone is missing hockey.
The Game
Visit by Chandler Stephenson, Stanley Cup stirs emotion in Humboldt. [Tampa Bay Times]
Washington Capitals forward Chandler Stephenson brought the Stanley Cup to Humboldt to recognize the community’s strength and resilience after the April crash that killed 16 people — 10 of them players.
We miss you, Matthew Peca! Canadiens on the bubble: Jacob de la Rose faces battle for ice time [Montreal Gazette]
Habs general manager Marc Bergevin is on record as saying that Peca will play for the Canadiens this season. Bergevin backed up that statement by giving Peca a two-year, one-way contract with an annual cap hit of $1.3 million.
