The Bolts
A three-game losing streak is no fun. The Lightning know they can perform better. “We’ve got to find ourselves, we’ve lost a little bit of our identity,” Cooper said. “We can’t sit here and think we’re going to walk into a game and get three or four. That 2-1 mentality has got to return. It all comes down to defending, and right now we’re not defending with the passion we need to. We’re not paying the price in our own end.” [Tampa Bay Times]
With Anton Stralman missing the last nine games, the lack of depth on defense has become painfully obvious. “While the Lightning are lauded at times about the depth of their team, it is the goalies and forwards that live up to that reputation. The defense is noticeably thin at times.” [The Hockey Writers]
With Ryan Callahan suffering a lower-body injury, two high-power performers have earned call-ups to join the Bolts. [Tampa Bay Lightning]
We have recalled forwards Joel Vermin and Michael Bournival from the @SyracuseCrunch. https://t.co/opHCwGuG63
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 30, 2016
The Lightning continue to prove that hockey can thrive in a nontraditional market. “Tampa Bay Lightning viewership continued a season-long trend of record highs officially posting the most watched November of Bolts hockey ever on FOX Sports Sun. It marks the second consecutive month of record numbers following October’s strong start.” [Tampa Bay Lightning]
The League
Congratulations to Lightning alumnus Brad Richards! He will be inducted in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Hall of Fame. “At the age of 24 in 2003-04, Richards along with teammates Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis took the Tampa Bay Lightning to the conquest of their first Stanley Cup. Richards, with his 26 points; 12 of them goals and 7 of those, game-winners (a new record), was named winner of the Conn Smythe.” [QMJHL]
Brian Burke, President of Hockey Operations for the Calgary Flames, sets the record straight on the Dougie Hamilton trade rumors. “So we told this team – and by the way, the offer they made was insulting. So we told the team, ‘No, we’re not moving him and next time you have an idea that stupid, just save the quarter. Don’t go to the payphone.’” [FanRag Sports Network]
Our best wishes go out to Ottawa Senators netminder Craig Anderson and his wife Nicholle in this difficult time. “Goaltender Craig Anderson took an indefinite leave of absence from the Ottawa Senators to be with his wife, who began cancer treatment Wednesday. Nicholle Anderson was diagnosed with throat cancer and started chemotherapy and radiation treatment in New York.” [Ottawa Senators]
