The Bolts
Vincent Lecavalier and Dave Andreychuk headline the Lightning – Bruins alumni game this Saturday. Watch them practice at 10:30 AM before taking on Ray Borque and the rest of the Boston Alumni at 6:30 PM. [Tampa Bay Lightning]
Here’s hoping we get to see #4 score a few more goals on home ice.
With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, pending UFA Brian Boyle continues to be a topic of conversation. “The Lightning are hoping to continue the high level of hockey they played before their bye week and get closer to a playoff spot over the next two weeks. Boyle could be an 11th-hour decision closer to March 1.” [ESPN]
Syracuse Crunch Captain Luke Witkowski has spent most of the season with the Lightning. Is it time for the Crunch to appoint a new leader? “How much it hurts a team to play without a captain can certainly be debated. If there wasn’t a benefit to having one, teams wouldn’t name them in the first place.” [The Post-Standard]
Three Lightning prospects played in one of the most anticipated Ontario Hockey League games of the season last night. Anthony Cirelli and Taylor Raddysh of the Erie Otters routed Mitchell Stephens and the rest of the London Knights with a decisive 5-1 victory. [Otters Hockey]
Curious about Cirelli and Stephens? Learn a little bit about them as well as five other Lightning prospects who will make the jump from juniors to the pros (Syracuse or Tampa) next year. [Raw Charge]
The League
Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch shares his deeply personal struggle with mental health. “I’m going to see how fast this sports car can go … and drive it right off this cliff. And then, finally, I’ll be at peace. My thoughts will be gone.” [The Players’ Tribune]
Jaromir Jagr celebrated his 45th birthday by hitting a major milestone. He becomes only the second player in NHL history to collect 1,900 career points (the first being Wayne Gretzky with an incredible 2,857 career points).
And another Jagr milestone! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/i2OexhdNRx
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) February 16, 2017
Sell-out crowds are proof positive that an organization is growing its fan base and making them happy to attend games. The Lightning have been able to accomplish that for a few seasons and it looks like our fellow Southern expansion team Nashville Predators are headed in the same direction. “The hockey franchise is on track to sell out every home game this season, which would be a first in franchise history.” [The Tennessean]
Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist was suspended only six games for intentionally high-sticking (and trying to blind) Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon. The Department of Player Safety attempts to explain why he only received a six game ban.
