1.21 Gigawatts

Meanwhile Andrei Vasilevsky has dropped a bomb ''I much rather sit on a bench in #NHL than play in #KHL''

— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) July 25, 2016

Interesting quote from Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. There are many big names at the moment (read: Pavel Datsyuk) who contrast this form of opinion... At least for the moment.

So I was at a conference lunch w/ a rep from TOR, MTL & VAN listening to them make cases for Stamkos signing w/ them https://t.co/tVW2ARoqIW

— Eric Blankenship (@eblankenship) July 6, 2016

Recently, we posed the question: Where were you when Steven Stamkos re-signed with the Lightning? From being in Sweden (!!!) to being glued to the NHL Network (same) to being at work (ugh, #work), we'll remember where we were on the afternoon of June 29. Among all the answers, one stood out from the rest. And it's from the Lightning's own vice president of marketing! Here's the full set of tweets from above.

What to say in an NHL interview 101! Get acquainted with all the clichés used before, during or after a game.https://t.co/1iHWxFY630

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 9, 2016

Good effort. Played hard. Get pucks in deep. You've heard your favorite players speak in circles and cliches, but not quite like this. Sportsnet's cliche compilation video features Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, Guy Boucher, John Tortorella and more saying all the same things, and it's amusing to see it all together. It is what it is!

Among the highlights: There are no changes to the North Division, where the Syracuse Crunch currently resides. Also, some teams will continue to play less games. However, the crossover rule has been eliminated. The governors also have enacted new jersey rules for home and away colors. In addition, there are new "staged fighting" rules, a new icing rule, and the elimination of the "dry scrape" of the ice prior to OT.

1. Tampa is a great market 2. He'll have a chance to win some Rings with the group they have now. https://t.co/27dsdcHCab

— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) June 29, 2016

The almost always entertaining Paul Bissonnette, who's better known as @BizNasty responded to a follower who wondered why anyone (Steven Stamkos) would choose to play in a place where "no1 cares" (Tampa). We thank Biz for setting the record straight! Check out the tweet on the web to see some of the replies from other s on Twitter.

Yzerman: "Stammer has told me all along, throughout the process, he wants to win. He wants to play hockey. It's not about money."

— Paul Ryan (@WFLAPaul) June 30, 2016

In a way, this actually creates a question of how things have progressed to this point in time-- the delay in Stamkos re-signing, I mean. The direction of the Tampa Bay Lightning seems to be a correct one for the want to win.

Brayden Point on his Moose Jaw teammate Brett Howden: "He was a real leader in our room this year, even at 17." #TBLightning

— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) June 28, 2016

It stood out with Brett Howden upon his seleciton from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL this past weekend: He was a teammate of Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Braydon Point (who will be playing for the Syracuse Crunch this coming season).

2016 home opener for #TBLightning will be Thursday, October 13 vs. Detroit the NHL announces.

— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) June 20, 2016

The full schedule for next season is slated to be announced at 1 PM EDT on June 21st. The Lightning home opener being against an Atlantic Division rival adds weight to the game.

Time to return some fan mail!!! If you sent something it's coming....just might take a few days. pic.twitter.com/UABQo0MqZ3

— Ryan Callahan (@TheRealCally24) June 17, 2016

If you've written the man in the mail, keep your eyes peeled... You'll be hearing back from him.

Vote for @heds77 for the upcoming cover of NHL 17, first round ends May 2 #NHL17Hedman ---> https://t.co/cnRCYH4xcB pic.twitter.com/N1519teWPj

— Raw Charge (@RawCharge) April 26, 2016

Help Victor Hedman advance to the 2nd round of NHL '17 cover voting!

Brian Boyle, asked if he does the calculations to figure out #TBLightning magic # for playoffs: "Not me. That's too much thinking for me."

— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) March 31, 2016

Boyle's remarks are worth a chuckle but it is quizzical just what the Lightning need, to officially make the playoffs.

Me with international superstar @RcaAmarante, Brazil's best @TBLightning fan and @RawCharge reader #DistantThunder pic.twitter.com/QH6rVyFs2l

— clark brooks (@clarkbrooks) March 6, 2016

Writer and wunderkind Clark Brooks got to meet #DistantThunder personality and long-time Raw Charge community member Rafael Amarante last night. Rafael got a lot of face time around the building... And got to Be the Thunder up close. His usual place of roaring like thunder is from Brazil.

McKenzie: "I have no idea who the front-runner is right now" to land Jonathan Drouin." #TBLightning

— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) February 25, 2016

There's missing context here of where this was said, but it should not be a surprise that McKenzie is in the dark with Drouin suitors and what GM Steve Yzerman favors.

I do recommend following Today's Slapshot's Chris Nichols on Twitter. While he pulls quotes off radio and from elsewhere form prominent media names, it isn't always clear where they were speaking at the time.

#TBLightning dads and players lining up for a pic on the ice at Carolina. #boltsdads pic.twitter.com/bNe3jWUTTt

— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) February 21, 2016

@RawCharge the guy totally look like Drouin....it says in french : the st.valentine when you are broke as s,... haha pic.twitter.com/hlkzpgI0rf

— General Beaulieu (@joebeaulieu) February 14, 2016

I don't think the translation of the caption is right, but it is funny.

Info on Drouin situation from @Real_ESPNLeBrun via @NicholsOnHockey: pic.twitter.com/kGKskRL8lG

— Bolt Prospects (@BoltProspects) January 23, 2016

Stick tap / hat tip to Bolt Prospects. Interest may wane as Steve Yzerman holds steady. There's no necessity in trading Jonathan Drouin besides the desires of Jonathan Drouin.

Representatives tonight from NJ, Nashville, Florida, Toronto, Anaheim, Ottawa, Buffalo, Chicago

— Syracuse Hockey (@syrhockey) January 9, 2016

Of course there are two teams at play tonight in the Onondaga War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, but with how things have progressed in the last six days, you can get an inkling that this corps might be examining Jonathan Drouin more than who is on the Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals AHL affiliate).