The Bolts
The story of Steven Stamkos has a new chapter: his evolution from being arguably the leagues best sniper to be the main set-up man for his running-mate Nikita Kucherov. [Sportsnet]
“Despite the swing in his numbers, Stamkos downplays the notion that he has remade his game. ‘I’ve been asked that question a lot lately,’ he said on Prime Time Sports on Wednesday. ‘I haven’t really changed much.’ Elite players don’t have just one style of play, they have all kinds of arrows in their quiver.”
The Lightning are a hot team at the moment. What does that mean for their hockey card value? Stamkos’ definitely went up. “It isn’t just Stamkos and Kucherov that are seeing prices in their trading cards rise. Overall, the successful start to the season has resulted in interest for most of the current team with the main exception of Mikhail Sergachev.” [Raw Charge]
Gettin’ the band back together!
Great memories. 04 Champs back together. pic.twitter.com/5V47cMeCb7
— Brad Richards (@BRichards_1991) November 5, 2017
But first, lemme take a selfie:
Back with the 04 @TBLightning cup team. It’s like we were together yesterday. Thank you Mr.Vinik for making this possible. #goodtimes pic.twitter.com/OQ5h1RQEMQ
— Martin St.Louis (@mstlouis_26) November 4, 2017
The Bolts are what everyone thought they’d be in the off-season: Cup favorites. “It is worth mentioning just how hot the Lightning have started this NHL season. Currently leading the league with 24 points through 15 games, the Bolts are sizzling and show little signs of cooling off anytime soon.” [iSports]
Dan Girardi is one of the newest players on the team, it looks like his adjustment to a new city and new team have been going well so far. “Girardi was disappointed that the Rangers let him go, for he was planning to play out the rest of his career under the lights of Broadway, but in his new home in Florida, it’s all the more opportunity to prove himself, something that he is used to.” [Last Word on Hockey]
The Prospects
Christopher Paquette scored a short-handed goal early in Peterborough’s game in Mississauga, but it was the Steelheads who laughed last (eight more times, in fact) winning by a score of 9-2. I was in attendance for this and can say that Paquette is a first-line player for the Petes and is relentless on the PK, where he ended up scoring. [Steelheads]
Boris Katchouk also netted an empty-net goal in Sault Ste. Marie’s win over North Bay. [Bolt Prospects]
Brett Howden, and big brother Quinton, have had similar junior careers: they both were drafted by Moose Jaw, both played for Canada on multiple occasions, and both were a first-round pick. “‘Brett gives you a real honest effort,’ Head Coach Tim Hunter noted. ‘This year I’ve noticed that he’s really committed himself to going into puck battles with more bite, and as a result he is winning more of those and coming away with possession.’” [CHLCanadaRussia]
The Game
We have a trade to announce! Yesterday evening, Elliotte Friedman dropped a bomb on hockey twitter. The three-way deal between the Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, and Nashville Predators involving Matt Duchene and Kyle Turris was back on. Duchene, who in the middle of a game against the New York Islanders, was taken off the ice and, minutes later, it was confirmed that the trade was completed and the details began to come out.
The Trade
To Ottawa: Matt Duchene (via COL)
To Nashville: Kyle Turris* (via OTT)
To Colorado: 2018 first-round pick (OTT), 2018 second-round pick (NSH), 2018 third-round pick (OTT), Samuel Girard (NSH) and Vladislav Kamenev (NSH), Andrew Hammond (OTT), and Shane Bowers (OTT)
*As part of the trade, Turris signed a six-year, $36 million extension with the Preds. This year he is being paid $3.5 million, followed by $6 million per year until he is 35-years-old.
Head to Mile High Hockey for full details.
Matt Duchene first game for Sens will be Friday against Avs in Sweden. Can’t make this stuff up
— Adrian Dater (@adater) November 6, 2017
Takeaways: NASH is alllllllllllll-in for 2018. OTT badly wanted Duchene. COL continues to rebuild, adds a lot of future and cap space.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 6, 2017
Highlight of the Night: Mathew Barzel set the Islanders rookie record for most assists in a game with five. “Barzal was retroactively awarded an assist on Boychuk’s goal, giving him four for the evening. He would make it five – an Islanders rookie record – by feeding Eberle for his second of the night on a 2-on-1 early in the third.” And that’s when Peter Chiarelli tried to turn off the PS4, thinking that that was what he was watching. [Light House Hockey]
Charlie Lindgren recorded his first career shutout in a 2-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. “He was named the starter for Sunday’s game late in the afternoon, and he responded with his first-ever shutout on the strength of a 38-save performance. He’s now has a perfect 4-0 record in the NHL.” [Sportsnet]
