Quick Strikes: Lightning, Dotchin to part ways?
After a relatively quiet summer, the organization has certainly had a big three days.
The Headline
Yesterday morning, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s training camp started out with a rather odd mystery:
Jake Dotchin hasn’t been with any of the groups on the ice, or the injured players in red. #TBLightning hasn’t yet given an official update on his status. Cooper said Thursday Callahan was only player who finished season with them that wasn’t fully available to start camp.
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) September 14, 2018
It wasn’t long before news broke that the Lightning had placed defenseman Jake Dotchin on unconditional waivers. The 24-year-old defenseman has been in-and-out of the Lightning’s line up for the past year, and it appears as though things have come to a head between him and the organization. [Raw Charge]
Julien BriseBois’ first official transaction as the Tampa Bay Lightning’s new general manager was a big one, placing 24-year old Jake Dotchin on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract.
Of course, speculation ran rampant as to what had happened. Eventually, this was revealed:
Certainly, more will become known as the days go by. But, apparently, TB was extremely unhappy with Dotchin’s conditioning at arrival. We will see how the process plays out
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 14, 2018
Later on in the day, it was reported that the matter might not be as complete as it seems.
Jake Dotchin’s agent said they “respectfully disagree” with #TBLightning decision to pursue termination of contract. Will look at options available in CBA to appeal/fight this. Dotchin was put on unconditional waivers today after “material breach.” Has one year left on his deal.
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) September 14, 2018
Smith then went on to cover this event further (behind his paywall). [The Athletic]
The Bolts
Meanwhile, the Lightning’s camp seemed to proceed fairly normally. Head coach Jon Cooper was at the helm.
Coop explaining a drill on the first day of on-ice action at #Bolts training camp. pic.twitter.com/8k4M0xag3D
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) September 14, 2018
Forward Ryan Callahan was all smiles in his red no-contact jersey.
Happy Cally. 😄#BoltsCamp pic.twitter.com/Z6fWhzIDga
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 14, 2018
This simple, quiet prep video of Andrei Vasilevskiy is pretty fantastic.
The Big Cat.#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/oz2JtKwnop
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 14, 2018
J.T. Miller discussed his place on the team:
"This is my first long-term deal and I'm super excited to be here and be part of this team for the next few years... My family and I are really looking forward to it."#BoltsCamp | J.T. Miller: pic.twitter.com/cjR9YnJYpw
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 14, 2018
The Organization
As the Lightning camp got underway, Crunch fans kept their eyes on social media, hoping for an early glimpse of their favorites. The team’s official account did not disappoint.
The boys are back at it. 👊#BoltsCamp pic.twitter.com/YeorrhTv0D
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) September 14, 2018
Crunch new assistant head coach Gilles Bouchard talked with the Crunch’s play-by-play announcer Lukas Favale about his summer, his new home, and his new organization yesterday.
“Good prospects, good hockey players with good attitudes, so I’m very excited for the beginning of the season."
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) September 14, 2018
Hear from our new Assistant Coach @okboutch when we caught up with him during #StreetCrunch this summer. pic.twitter.com/SL9jTO3fRL
When season ticket holders got a sneak peak at the Crunch’s plans for the new boxes this past summer, they were told the seats that were being installed were from the same company the Lightning utilizes. Those seats are now in, and do they look comfy:
Now that’s luxury seating. 😎 pic.twitter.com/nEX9wdcNmm
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) September 14, 2018
The Crunch’s amazing media team is looking for interns!
Hockey season is almost here! Interns needed for the 2018-19 @SyracuseCrunch season. Apply online at https://t.co/P7VacuzpZX #IsItOctoberYet #Season25
— Fully Focused Media (@FullyFocusedMed) September 14, 2018
Crunch player and Lightning prospect Alexander Volkov impressed Syracuse fans all season long in 2017-18. Now outside people are starting to take notice. [Raw Charge]
...with that surprise season in the books, he has jumped up the public scouting rankings. Corey Pronman has him as the highest ranked Tampa Bay Lightning prospect at #71 overall in his recently released Top 100 NHL Prospects on The Athletic. While Pronman’s rankings seem to be higher than others, it still underlines how simple visibility has improved the perception of Volkov as a prospect.
Speaking of Lukas Favale, he raised some money for the Crunch Foundation in a rather fun - and filling - way yesterday:
What a feeling. So proud to raise some money for the Crunch Foundation while scarfing down those delicious meatballs. #SyrCrunch https://t.co/PZaHqN70Pk
— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) September 14, 2018
The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL team of the Lightning and the Crunch, have added another defenseman to their roster.
We've added defenseman Carter Struthers to our training camp roster! https://t.co/7x0l8SFx8e
— Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) September 14, 2018
Congratulations to Ryan Lohin!
#Bolts prospect Ryan Lohin will wear the C for the River Hawks this season.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 14, 2018
Congrats, @thereallohin! ⚡️🙌 https://t.co/O3t8KTNmIf
The Game
Some somber news came out yesterday when the Detroit Red Wings confirmed the end of Henrik Zetterberg’s career.
Henrik Zetterberg’s career is over due to his back condition, GM Ken Holland announced today. #RedWings
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) September 14, 2018
In continuing with a theme, the Ottawa Senators confirmed that they will be without Jean-Gabriel Pageau for a long while.
#Sens confirm Jean-Gabriel Pageau suffered a torn Achilles and is gone a minimum of six months.
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) September 14, 2018
The reality of blockbuster trades like the Erik Karlsson one is that there’s real people and emotions involved. It’s easy to get caught up in it all, but it can be also really hard on the people involved.
Thank you Ottawa for making this my home. All my love to the fans, community and former teammates. You will be dearly missed. On to the next chapter now. Shark nation I’m coming for you. 🦈
— Erik Karlsson (@ErikKarlsson65) September 14, 2018
Ottawa is where i grew up, where my family is and our home. I can’t express how much i love this city or how much I’ll miss it so I’m not going to try. I am so proud of my husband for handling himself with such dignity and class. You’re a gem babe, and now you’re a shark too.🦈
— Melinda Karlsson (@MelindaCurrey) September 14, 2018
Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts unsurprisingly covered the Karlsson trade.
31 Thoughts (thank you @GMCcanada) https://t.co/0VO3ne7FB4
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 14, 2018
The GM of the Edmonton Oilers has a potty mouth.
Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli on the Erik Karlsson trade: “I won’t lie. When he came to our division, there was an expletive coming out of my mouth. He’d be nice to have here, but we weren’t on his list. It was a non-starter.”
— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) September 14, 2018
On the other side of all of this is a fan base that doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going.
I tried to capture the reality of what it’s like to be a Senators fan right now.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) September 14, 2018
My https://t.co/E08b7NTT9U piece on another superstar walking out the door in Ottawa. https://t.co/Y7bLh15CLW pic.twitter.com/lY5nfCDdnZ
Speaking of their fans, if you don’t understand why they’re unhappy, Fulemin’s piece from yesterday morning also sums it up. [Pension Plan Puppets]
Former Syracuse Crunch goalie Mike McKenna, who is now with the Senators’ AHL club, has a rocking new mask.
Cleared customs! Thanks @warwickmask @BishopDesigns for knocking it out of the park as always! #Sens pic.twitter.com/egBv7sWBZb
— Mike McKenna (@MikeMcKenna56) September 14, 2018
I...don’t...know what’s happening here, but...it’s a thing!
“You brought your own robe?”
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 13, 2018
“Why wouldn’t I?” pic.twitter.com/3gtM7psYqx
It’s a pupper!
Just met @BarkAndreFurry ! pic.twitter.com/vfGCkItjfI
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 14, 2018
A look back at the past of hockey is incredibly fascinating, especially given what the modern NHL schedule looks like.
The NHL is considering compressing its playoff system by scheduling back-to-back games. This might cut as many as 8 days from the playoff slate, allowing for everything to be finished up by May 13. NHL governors feel the hockey season should not extend beyond the middle of May
— 1968 Hockey Tweets (@1968NHLtweets) September 14, 2018
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