The Bolts
Looking back on the Tampa Bay Lightning-hosted All-Star weekend, JustinG wrote about a chance encounter he had with a well-known hockey personality — none other than Jeremy Roenick. JustinG asked Jeremy a few questions, and got a few interesting answers. [Raw Charge]
“I’ve also been part of another big Tampa experience – the Stanley Cup. I got to the Finals in ‘92 [Roenick’s Blackhawks lost to Pittsburgh] and I was more upset losing in 2004 because I really felt that was the best team that I was ever on, the best chance I ever had of winning a cup was in 2004.”
We had some discussion yesterday in Twitter-dom yesterday about what the Top-25 All-Time write-in vote should be: not “best” Lightning players, “fan favorites.” And therefore we strongly suggest that for her contribution to the game, Manon Rheaume be considered as a write-in candidate. #HockeyIsForEveryone, after all, and who is a better ambassador than this outstanding woman goaltender? [Raw Charge]
With his 2nd assist of the night, Nikita Kucherov records his 300th career NHL point in game No. 337. Also ties Brian Bradley for 7th place on the #Bolts all-time scoring list. #TBLvsVAN pic.twitter.com/wNfoq252ev
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) February 4, 2018
Last night, our own Nikita Kucherov recorded his 300th NHL point. Go watch the prettiness. [Raw Charge] And then read the winning game recap! [also Raw Charge]
Mikhail Sergachev’s healthy-scratch lessons: Be consistent. Don’t get frustrated. “Sergachev said he learned a lot from the games in which he was a healthy scratch. Not only did he get more beneficial practice time, Sergachev watched the games on TV from the dressing room, getting a different perspective.” [TBO.com]
Wow what a move by Mikhail Sergachev to enter the zone for a scoring chance #tblightning. The kind of bold move we haven’t seen as much recently by rookie
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) February 4, 2018
Mishkin points out that this year’s challenge is to bring urgency to the last 30 games. “Obviously, this year’s team is in a much better spot. But many of its opponents down the stretch will be in a precarious position – on either side of the playoff cut line. They will be displaying the same level of desperation that we saw from the Lightning late last year.” [Tampa Bay Lightning]
Kuni with the redirect. 🙌 #TBLvsVAN pic.twitter.com/5ojrlkZMJl
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 4, 2018
Trade Speculation
Trade speculation is heating up as the February 26 deadline nears, and because of this, you’ll be seeing a lot of pieces like this one at THW: Lightning Should Consider Going Green. “Of the defensemen likely available at the deadline, Mike Green is the perfect player for the Lightning. While playing with a rebuilding Red Wing’s franchise, Green averaged 35 points each season in route to an All-Star nomination in 2018.” [THW]
Countdown to TradeCentre: Lightning, Predators geared to make moves? “McKenzie notes that Tampa Bay’s primary desire is for a veteran defenceman. They have all their draft picks for the next three years, which could set them up well for a deal. Nashville’s prime target would be a top-six scoring winger and while they have dealt some of their second and third rounders, they still own their next three first-round picks.” [TSN]
Joe wrote a bit more about Erik Karlsson, and seems to agree with us. “Anyone who thinks Point could be part of any deal is crazy. Point is a star and should be untouchable. Also, I can’t imagine Tampa Bay moving rookie defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, the prized piece in June’s trade of Jonathan Drouin to the Canadiens.” [Tampa Bay Times]
So a couple days after #tblightning had two reps at a Columbus game, there’s a BlueJackets scout slated to be here for Tampa-Vancouver. Been that way a lot this season
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) February 4, 2018
The Prospects
Nice article about Vladdy’s Daddy. Son of former Canuck farmhand Namestnikov providing scoring punch for Lightning. “If you’re a Vancouver Canucks fan of a certain vintage, you remember Namestnikov, the smallish, right-handed Russian defenceman who was part of the Vancouver system for several years in the 1990s.” [The Province]
The Crunch are not doing so well this weekend, losing to the Utica Comets twice, on Friday [3-1 loss] and Saturday [4-2 loss]. We’ll hear a lot more about the games on Monday with JustinG’s Crunch Corner.
Crunch loss drops team below Utica into fourth place in North, the last playoff spot in the division
— Syracuse Hockey (@syrhockey) February 4, 2018
The Olympics
Five members of @TeamUSA are natives of Florida. Two hockey players have games with the #TBLightning and #FlaPanthers on their resumes: https://t.co/A9taRrYonE #GoBolts #WinterOlympics #Peyonchang2018 #TeamUSA #Bolts
— TampaBayTimesSports (@TBTimes_Sports) February 3, 2018
