Quick Strikes for Friday, September 23rd

The Lightning remain in “constant communication” with Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson is healthy, Phil Kessel is awesome, and more in this morning’s reads.

The Bolts

The Lightning and Nikita Kucherov are in “constant communication.” [Tampa Bay Times]

Tyler Johnson says he’s fully healthy heading into training camp. [Today’s Slapshot]

Having so many players at the World Cup creates opportunities for the Lightning’s young players to showcase themselves in training camp. [Tampa Bay Times]

The League

Taylor Hall still isn’t happy about the way things ended in Edmonton. [Fire and Ice]

Adam Gretz reminds us all that Phil Kessel is awesome. [Today’s Slapshot]

Mikhail Grabovsky has not been cleared to return the Isles for the start of training camp meaning he’s still suffering from concussion symptoms. [Lighthouse Hockey]

Tomas Jurco will be out of the Detroit lineup until November due to back surgery. [Wings Nation]

Buffalo Sabres training camp opened yesterday. [Die by the Blade]

Sunil Agnihotri looks at a how Eric Gryba performed alongside Brandon Davidson last year in Edmonton. [Copper and Blue]

Patrik Laine faced his favorite player, Alex Ovechkin, in the World Cup of Hockey. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]

Alex Ovechkin doesn’t think anyone will break Wayne Gretzky’s goal scoring record. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]

Bobby Ryan isn’t apologizing for his tweet about USA Hockey after they were eliminated. [TSN]

The Game

Team North America could be an indication of how USA Hockey could improve its approach in the future. [Wingin’ it in Motown]

USA Hockey needs to make changes if they want to be competitive at the Olympics in 2018. [Today’s Slapshot]