The Bolts
Tampa Bay Lightning training camp opens today and we have the full roster list (including jersey number assignments), and the player schedule for the first week. “The Lightning will begin their preseason schedule on Tuesday, September 19th at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.” [Raw Charge]
Stan Drulia, the Assistant Coach for the Milwaukee Admirals, has a very interesting history with the Tampa Bay Lightning. “A member of the inaugural Lightning team, Drulia appeared in 24 games during the 1992-93 season recording two goals and an assist during that time. He etched his name in Lightning history on October 7th, 1992 when he recorded the first shot on goal in franchise history.” [Raw Charge]
Bryan Burns of NHL.com explores some of the storylines that might come out of the Bolts’ 2017 training camp. “Probably the biggest decision the Lightning will make in training camp is whether to bring highly-touted defenseman prospect Mikhail Sergachev up to the NHL for good or send him back to junior for one more season.” [NHL dot com]
Some very important Bolts Alumni have stepped up big for the City of Tampa and the State of Florida, donating over $42,000 to the Hurricane Relief Fund. Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, and Dave Andreychuk each donated $10,000 and Freddy Modin also donated $2,000 for the people of Florida. [NHL dot com]
The Prospects
The Tampa Bay Lightning Rookie Camp roster volunteering at “Metropolitan Ministries”, serving food for the homeless and those in need. Nice hats, boys!
All 24 Lightning prospects are here volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries to support the homeless & those in need #IrmaRecovery #Bolts ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Ic5tWBmRfh
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) September 13, 2017
Cake bosses 👨🍳🎂 #Bolts pic.twitter.com/e4231fyMO7
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) September 13, 2017
Getting ready to serve food to as many as 300 people here at Metropolitan Ministries #BoltsCamp pic.twitter.com/QHtQqi8ChP
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) September 13, 2017
You can help provide relief for those impacted by Irma by donating here! https://t.co/EsHAyGWPYb pic.twitter.com/f2VQkLgUsq
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) September 13, 2017
As NHL training camps open, there are several questions (ten, in fact) facing the Syracuse Crunch before hockey begins again. “If Leighton spends a lot of time with Tampa Bay, that will fast-track the development of rookie goalie Connor Ingram in Syracuse.” [Syracuse]
The rink is ready, Crunch fans!
Crunchman is in the building. pic.twitter.com/WtX4vtaCx0
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) September 13, 2017
The Game
The Colorado Avalanche will retire Milan Hejduk’s No. 23 on January 8th, 2018. “Hejduk played his entire 14 season career with the Avs. He trails only Joe Sakic with 1020 game played and his 375 goals places him 4th in franchise history.” [Mile High Hockey]
After playing 877 NHL games, Vernon Fiddler announces his retirement. “I know, I know. I really thought I was going to play longer than Jagr, too. But here we are.” [The Players Tribune]
The Vegas Golden Knights and LA Kings had a twitter fight for the ages. [SB Nation]
We think if @LAKings spent as much time focusing on the salary cap as they did worrying about us, they’d have far fewer problems🙄 https://t.co/fEqgQBc1Fb
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 13, 2017
It looks like Alex Ovechkin won’t be heading to the Olympics. “What is there for Ovechkin to do now? Nothing. Play for Washington. He has to accept that.” – Russia National Team Head Coach Vladislav Tretiak [Washington Post]
Some updates in the David Pastrnak vs. Boston Bruins contract dispute [CSN NE]
Multiple sources telling me today that #Pastrnak does want the 8-yr term #Draisaitl got, but is asking for $7.5 per yr. #NHLBruins
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) September 13, 2017
…Pastrnak remains in Czech Rep and has no intention of flying over without a new deal. Could start skating with a team there soon…
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 13, 2017
Shane Doan inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. “One thing sets Doan apart from every other player, he is the first hockey player to ever be inducted. It is only fitting that one of the pioneers of hockey in the desert would also be the first hockey player inducted into the Hall of Fame” [Five for Howling]
