Quick Strikes for Friday, December 18

• With all the talk of Steven Stamkos being on the trading block for the upcoming deadline, there are many teams who may be interested in his services. One writer wonders if the Montreal Canadiens are a target for General Manager (Jedi Master) Steve Yzerman to potentially make a deal. [Eyes on the Prize]
• The force is strong with Nikita Kucherov this season. He has proved recently that he can be a formidable scorer on the team if, by chance, Steven Stamkos does not get a deal done with the Bolts. [Tampa Bay Times]
• The roster shuffling continues – goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis and forward Mike Angelidis were called up to the Bolts roster yesterday. Andrei Vasilevskiy was sent down to the Syracuse Crunch to get some weekend playing time. [Tampa Bay Lightning Official Site]
• The Syracuse Crunch struggled a little bit last week and are on a three game losing streak. On the positive side, the Crunch continue to churn out talent that has been making quite the impression on the Bolts roster when called upon. [Tampa Bay Lightning Official Site]
• Henrik Sedin suffered a lower body injury last night in the game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Philadelphia Flyers. It remains to be seen as of this writing if he will miss any extended time. [Canucks Army]
• Remember Garret Sparks, the first Toronto Maple Leafs goalie to earn a shutout in his NHL debut? He was injured last night in the game against the San Jose Sharks. According to head coach Mike Babcock, it appears to be long term. [SB Nation NHL]
• Lightning fans remember the gruesome injury to Steven Stamkos in Game 7 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Final against the Boston Bruins. More recently, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis was hit in the face by a puck, resulting in several fractures. It is argued that full face shields could have prevented injuries such as these. [TSN]
• Patrick O’Sullivan, a former NHL forward who shared his story of the abusive relationship he had with his father, recently said Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows mocked his story during an altercation. [TSN]
• The miniseries Road to the Winter Classic has returned to Epix, chronicling the days leading up to the Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens. [All Habs]
• And we know you are all excited about Star Wars: The Force Awakens (you’re probably still sleeping after going to the midnight premiere). You have to check out the Chewbacca impression by Noah Hanifin and Mitch Marner! [TSN]

Yzerman is….