Before we begin the usual round-up of Tampa Bay Lightning and prospect news, I’d like to highlight a piece that our editor, loserpoints, wrote up yesterday. He mused on the dehumanizing elements of professional sports where players are treated like commodities to be moved, and thought about his own role as an analytics writer who might tacitly endorse this position. It’s a very interesting piece and garnered some chatter in comments (which is always nice for this sleepy part of the summer).
Editorial: Fandom, analysis, and how they intersect to distort priorities. [Raw Charge]
A truly optimal organization is one that not only has success but treats people well. Treating people well means operating in good faith. It means paying people their worth. It means caring about their health and safety. It means striving for an environment where anyone with the ability to be successful will be successful. It means giving people the chance to find a role in the organization that fits them or in some cases, to move to a new organization where the fit will be better.
The Bolts and Prospects at Camp
Day 2 on the ISF ice for #Bolts rookie camp. #SyrCrunch head coach Benoit Groulx addressing the team, which will bus 2 hrs. south to Estero after today’s practice for the Prospects Showcase. pic.twitter.com/CGYJO4tMA9
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) September 8, 2018
Lightning ‘should win’ Stanley Cup, Kucherov says. [NHL]
”So, basically, we lost to the best teams in the League, and every time I talk to anybody they would say, ‘The Final would be easier to play against somebody else instead of you guys,’” Kucherov said. “It’s like, jeez. They were thinking we would have been the tougher opponent.
#Bolts 2018 7th Rd pick Radim Salda finds the back of the net through a screen off the rush. pic.twitter.com/KaDIp466P9
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) September 8, 2018
Sounds like Joseph, Stephens and Volkov won’t be playing in rookie tourney in Estero. Makes sense for top @SyracuseCrunch forwards who will compete for roster spot out of #tblightning camp. TB rookies had five lines w a few invitees so full lineup. Foote, Cernak etc playing
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) September 8, 2018
Groulx said he was very impressed this morning with the leadership of the older players at #Bolts rookie camp.
“It’s so rewarding for a coaching staff to come here and you see those guys from last year and they’re the best.”
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) September 7, 2018
The Prospects but not Camp News
In their own words: Cal Foote. [NHL]
I was lucky enough to score a goal on my first shot during that debut game with Syracuse. We were on the road in Binghamton. That was pretty special. It was a great play by (Alexander) Volkov. He entered the zone on the left side and went behind the net and passed the puck up to me at the right point. I got some good wood on it, and it found a way through. There were a few guys in front providing a screen, so it was a lucky shot that found its way.
Callan Foote made @TheWHL‘s First All-Star Team in 2017-18 after ranking sixth among defensemen with 19-51—70 in 60 GP as captain of the @Kelowna_Rockets.
More on @TBLightning prospects: https://t.co/HvIjI10wf1 #31in31 pic.twitter.com/GS2hZ6EugZ
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 8, 2018
Dahlin as obviously impressive, so were the other Swedes on the roster along with an RIT graduate. Here’s my #Amerks related takeaways from the game.https://t.co/pT39oCk1Vr
— Let’s Go Amerks (@LetsGoAmerks) September 8, 2018
Join us in Forman Park this Wednesday for @CPSyracuse’s Party @ The Plaza.
We’ll have music from @CountreeSwagg and a portion of the $5 cover will benefit the Crunch Foundation.
Details: https://t.co/O2OlH0hVeT pic.twitter.com/z71Rhi8rZa
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) September 8, 2018
Ribbon lights, bookends and center press box signage is on site. pic.twitter.com/2e1fu84HE1
— Jim Sarosy (@JimSarosy) September 8, 2018
It was a great day hanging out at the @ArcofOnondaga race! pic.twitter.com/zVNmHiFl3t
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) September 8, 2018
The Game
Haven’t seen anyone in Twitter land post it yet, but congrats are in order to one of the forefathers of hockey analytics, Rob Vollman, who landed the Senior Analyst position with the @LAKings.
— Christopher Baker (@ChrisBakerAM) September 8, 2018
Workers attempt to play hockey at work and accidentally end up destroying the warehouse. [BarDown]
The best part about this video is easily the three different reactions from the three guys. The first guy who bumps the shelves can only stand and watch in disbelief knowing there’s not much he can do to stop a bunch of shelves full of merchandise to come crashing down.
Bit odd seeing a Brodeur on the Rangers pic.twitter.com/AUkoBbUwk0
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) September 8, 2018
Stars prospect Jason Robertson put in the time to get in shape (with Gary Roberts). It’s paying off. [The Athletic: paid content]
“I feel a lot lighter out there, a lot quicker, a lot faster,” Robertson said. “And I’m stronger and more confident. This year, whatever happens, I’m going to keep the mentality that Gary Roberts has taught me to take care of my body.”
How the new Humboldt Broncos coach is leading his team into the next era. [Star Phoenix]
He didn’t think he’d get the job, but the Broncos liked him. They liked the way he carried himself, they liked his Saskatchewan roots (Oystrick grew up in Regina), they liked the fact that he chose to play junior A hockey, and then college, instead of taking the Western Hockey League route. They liked that he’s worn letters on many of his jerseys, and that he’s won a couple of championships. They liked his enthusiasm for coaching.
