You asking Torts why I lapped you half way through the 15 lap test? https://t.co/ne71VXzwVu
— Brad Richards (@BRichards_1991) January 12, 2017
It’s good to see you again, Marty. #MSL26 pic.twitter.com/MpnbPd49jD
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 13, 2017
ICYMI
Our site has been kicking 4$$ this week. Here are our articles from yesterday:
A close look at Vasilevskiy’s unusual season
Tampa Bay Lightning end a losing streak and beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2
91 Days of Stamkos: Day 11, The first goal is the hardest
About that new Los Angeles Chargers logo…
Cruncher of the month: Death, taxes, Mike Halmo
Bolts in the Pipeline: Prospects recap for Jan 2-8
Commemorative patch @TBLightning dons Friday as #26 is retired. Tonight Marty drops the puck vs Sabres. 7pm FOX pic.twitter.com/ajjf2TUFlk
— Paul Kennedy (@PaulKennedyFOX) January 12, 2017
The Bolts
All Eyes photo gallery: Marty St. Louis through the years. “The image of Marty singing and partying on stage with his wife, Heather, and his favorite band, The Samples, on his cup day in Burlington, Vermont, was one of my favorites from the project. Which you’ll see in this collection of photos, is just one of the many times I had the opportunity to photograph # 26, Marty St. Louis.” [Dirk Shadd]
Martin St. Louis tweets memories ahead of jersey retirement (and then deletes them). “St. Louis, who retired this summer as the Lightning’s career points leader (953), shared the ice with some great players.” [CBC]
Lightning to retire Martin St. Louis’ number vs. Blue Jackets. “His No. 26 will be the first number ever retired by the Lightning, the team he played 13 seasons of his 17-year career with.” [Sportsnet]
Martin St. Louis gets ‘special’ honor from Lightning. “Vinny was the first-round pick and the face of the franchise, but I would say Marty was the heart and soul,” former Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle said. “A lot of people identify with the underdog, with that story. It doesn’t have to be hockey related. Anybody undersized or underappreciated in their jobs identified with Marty, and that’s why the fans reacted to him the way they did.” [NHL]
Tortorella to be part of ceremony honoring St. Louis on Friday. “Torts,” of course, is Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella, who, as Lightning coach in the early 2000s, saw something in St. Louis that nobody had seen previously. [Blue Jackets Xtra]
By the Numbers: 26 numbers to define the career of Marty St. Louis. “267 – Career points at the University of Vermont, still a school record.” [Lightning Insider – subscription]
Why Marty St. Louis hasn’t attended an NHL game in years. “On this morning, however, a chilly, tiny rink across the street from a 7-11, a Chevron station and the Raging Wool Yarn Shop is the center of St. Louis’ universe. This is the Second Act of Marty St. Louis. Dad. Husband. Youth hockey coach.” [Tampa Bay Times]
With Bishop back, Lightning’s Vasilevskiy ready for a break. “I think even the best goalies in the world, they need some days off from games, for sure,” Vasilevskiy said. “Because it’s tough to handle many games in a row.” [Tampa Bay Times]
Lightning ends losing streak at four. “It would have been nice to start with a little easier one,” Bishop said, smiling. [Tampa Bay Times]
Listen to my speech tomorrow night! https://t.co/C5gV7ByoTS
— Martin St.Louis (@mstlouis_26) January 12, 2017
The League
This headline is so full of hubris that I hope they don’t win a Cup for the next century: Do the modern Blackhawks have a true rival? [SCH]
Boston, Columbus fourth lines beginning to change NHL thinking. [SCOC]
Puck Lists: 30 NHL players with very ‘Star Wars’ names. “But here’s the thing: There are a lot of great names in hockey as well. So I figure why don’t I do two things I like best: Thinking about Star Wars and hockey.” [Puck Daddy]
