There’s so much going on today with the Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the 2018 NHL All-Star Game that we decided to collect all of the best tweets and organize them for you. This morning there was media availability for Jon Cooper, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, and other important folk, and the best media quotes are below.
Jon Cooper
All-star coach has eyes on top prize. “Maybe the first couple minutes of the 3-on-3s will be wide-open but then the players will dig in once it gets down to the end. You just sit back and marvel at the skill of the players and the best part is we get to do it in front of our home fans.” [Prince George Citizen]
The most interesting man in hockey, #Bolts head coach Jon Cooper, addressing the media at #NHLAllStar Media Day. pic.twitter.com/d9c9HLc7kl
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) January 27, 2018
This has the making of a really good “eppie” @onthebenchcrew #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/47rMlgsYQC
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) January 27, 2018
Cooper on having 4 #Bolts playing at #NHLAllStar and 5 selected: “Its like a family. You go somewhere, you have an unbelievable experience, none of your family’s there, it makes the experience not as rewarding.”
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) January 27, 2018
Cooper: “It all starts with Jeff Vinik… He makes everything fan-friendly. Does it help that we’ve won a few games? I’m sure. But what he’s done in the community… You don’t want to let him down.” #NHLAllStar
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 27, 2018
Will we see all four Bolts on the ice together??
Cooper said, “This is the one time you get to see a Stamkos with Mathews.” The guys get to play 82 games together. We’re going to do what we have to do to win the game. #Bolts #NHLAllStar
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) January 27, 2018
Cooper on Kucherov’s explosive offense: The one guy who stuck around during the hot summer was Kuch. He rented out the rink by himself and was skating five days a week. If you want to get better its got to be inside you. “You got to give him a lot of credit for what hes done.”
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) January 27, 2018
Brian Boyle got a lot of love
Stamkos on Boyle becoming an All-Star, “Off the ice he’s one of those gentle giants, a great teammate, a great human. It was just special to see him come back and play an NHL game, let alone the season hes had.” #NHLAllStar
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) January 27, 2018
Stamkos on hearing Brian Boyle was named #NHLAllStar: I was very excited. I texted him right away…I know it’s very special for him…He was an unbelievable teammate…just a great human.”
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) January 27, 2018
Former #TBLightning @BriBrows22 arrives for All Star Game. Cooper said when Boyle is announced Sunday “the place will be rocking.” https://t.co/FdkKX2ggfY
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) January 27, 2018
Cooper on Boyle’s ASG nod: “It’s no secret what a fan I am of Brian Boyle… I have a lot of time for him. He puts other people ahead of himself, he comes from a great family. And on the ice, he did all these little things that helped us win.” #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/FV9Axrk4eh
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 27, 2018
Vasilevskiy and Kucherov
Kucherov on his chemistry with 90 and 91: “Every time we step on the ice, there were smiles on our faces… I know what Stammer is going to do, I know what Vladdy is going to do. You don’t have to tell us.” #NHLAllStar
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 27, 2018
Vasilevskiy: “To get here and play with the best in the world… I’m very proud to be here and play in front of Tampa.” #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/ydo3lmZYlF
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 27, 2018
In a more serious tone, Vasilevskiy said Kucherov is “a pain in the ass for a goalie.” #Bolts #NHLAllStar
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) January 27, 2018
Kucherov on Russian style of play: Its a different style, in Russia, “We play keep away, we don’t chip pucks in.” He said he looked up to the “Russian Five” and Datsyuk. He acknowledged Yzerman’s appreciation for Russians having played with many of the best in his career. pic.twitter.com/TyzS6me0G2
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) January 27, 2018
Vasilevskiy: “It’s my first so I didn’t want to be here by myself… It’s pretty cool to have a couple teammates on the team. There’s definitely going to be a couple jokes after [the weekend].” #NHLAllStar
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 27, 2018
Brayden Point is precious
It’s not exactly Jack Sparrow but #TBLightning #NHL All-Star Brayden Point gives his best #Gasparilla2018 pirate impersonation from the podium on media day in Tampa. @TBLightning pic.twitter.com/COv4j4Jx0t
— Dirk Shadd (@DirkShadd) January 27, 2018
Point on playing ASG host: “To have this in front of our fans is pretty awesome.” #NHLAllStar
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 27, 2018
Point on players he looked up to: “Tyler Seguin. Definitely Tyler Seguin.”
Said with a laugh as he’s sharing the media pod with Seguin. 🤣 #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/RFXTMqyDmq
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 27, 2018
Steven Stamkos
How Steven Stamkos became Mr. Tampa. “To be one of the elder statesmen of the team, it’s pretty surreal,” Stamkos said. “To just look around and see some of those young guys coming up and you can appreciate what they’re doing and how they’re feeling. It doesn’t feel like 10 years, but you can remember what they’re going through.” [Tampa Bay Times]
The Captain! Steven Stamkos alongside the “Great 8,” Alex Ovechkin. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/rX1vSjoUTv
— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) January 27, 2018
Now this is a fun idea for a first line:
Ovechkos. pic.twitter.com/GHQ095aTwf
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) January 27, 2018
Steven Stamkos on Tavares in free agent yr: ‘He’s having a tremendous season. He’s handling it probably better than I did.’
— Mark Herrmann (@markpherrmann) January 27, 2018
Stamkos on the younger scale of the league: “Kuch and Pointer and Vladdy, these guys are so good and they push you.” #NHLAllStar
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 27, 2018
Stamkos: “This is probably the most special by far [of all his ASG nods]… To be able to share it with my teammates is so special. We’re excited to show off what this city and community has become and what hockey has become here. This is a hockey town.” #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/5u5ftH5FAO
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 27, 2018
