The Bolts & company
First off, No Joe:
Looks like Joe Pavelski will sign a three-year contract with Dallas tomorrow. Sounds like the AAV will be in the neighborhood of $7M.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 1, 2019
As expected. Moving on.
The Lightning did make a minor move signing Luke Schenn for defensive depth on the right side. Geo has the full rundown from last night.
So where does Schenn fit into the grand scheme of things for the Lightning? Well, he’s right handed depth. At the moment, the Lightning’s right handed depth consists of Erik Cernak, Jan Rutta, and Cal Foote. Mikhail Sergachev is also expected to play on the right side again this season though he is left handed. Braydon Coburn is also capable of playing on the right side, but like Sergachev, is left handed.
Aside from that, there is very little Bolts system news right now, mainly because (unlike some organizations) the Tampa Bay Lightning tend to run a tight ship about leaking their processes with RFAs such as Brayden Point. Nothing has been settled with Point just yet, but today starts the possibility of offer sheets, and … let’s just say that certain fanbases are a lot more paranoid about it than the Lightning.
Smart piece if you (like me) need brushing up on AHL free agency rules: ON THE AHL MARKET [Around the AHL]
The start of NHL free-agency often is busiest at the AHL level. That is where NHL organizations attempt to shore up their depth charts, construct a strong veteran core to guide their top prospects in the AHL, and build the sort of winning culture that clubs like the Toronto Marlies have built throughout the years.
Is This Finally the Year of the Offer Sheet? [The Hockey Writers]
This year, it’s possible with so many restricted free agents (RFAs) available, that the stigma surrounding them is finally broken. The list of high-end talent finishing their entry-level contracts this summer is staggering. It includes Mitch Marner, Matthew Tkachuk, Patrik Laine, Sebastian Aho, Brayden Point, Mikko Rantanen, Kyle Connor, Timo Meier, Brock Boeser, Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov and Charlie McAvoy.
Remember, Nolan. The journey of a thousand miles starts with one footestep.
“Still hasn’t settled in. It’s crazy. But I’m absolutely ready for this journey. And I’m so happy I’ll have my brother right there with me. I can’t wait.”
In their own words | Nolan Foote: https://t.co/Ei1GSpbpyc
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 30, 2019
From our colleagues at Puck 77, who write articles on Sunday: Tampa Bay Lightning: The Misconception Of Alex Killorn [Puck 77]
Part 17 of my Tampa Bay Lightning player evaluations has arrived. Last time, I looked at rookie forward Mathieu Joseph’s season, and he was far better than I had initially thought before I started. This next player is another in which I don’t believe he had a great season, but could definitely surprise me. He’s someone who I’ve seen thrown around by fans, including myself, in trades, and some fans just don’t like him at all. This intriguing third line winger, is Alex Killorn.
FREE AGENCY WOOOOOO
Last night got pretty crazy so we’re going to keep these quick:
The Oilers bought out Andrej Sekera
The Canes acquired James Reimer in exchange for Scott Darling whom the Panthers then bought out.
Chicago reacquired Andrew Shaw from the Canadiens in exchange for draft picks.
Tyler Myers is heading to Vancouver for five years and $30 million.
Matt Duchene is going to Nashville for seven years at $8 million per season.
Mats Zuccarello is headed to the Wild for five years at around $6 million.
Ryan Hartman will join Zucc in Minnesota.
Brett Connolly is on his way to Edmonton for four years.
Richard Panik is signing in Washington for four years.
Corey Perry is joining Pavelski in Dallas for one season.
The trade between the Leafs and Senators still isn’t finalized but it’s now confirmed that it includes Cody Ceci going to Toronto in exchange for Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Brown. The latest is that the trade is expected to include at least three more pieces.
The Game
St. Louis Blues: Brace Yourselves, The Central Is About To Get Better [Bleedin Blue]
As a part-time Lightning fan, I would love to see Pavelski play in Tampa. However, as a die-hard Blues fan, I want to see Pavelski as far away from the Enterprise Center as humanly possible.
MONEY MATTERS: THE BEST FREE AGENT SIGNINGS FOR EVERY TEAM IN THE SALARY CAP ERA [The Hockey News]
Tampa Bay Lightning – Anton Stralman ($4.5 million per/five years in 2014-15)
Stralman was a key member of Tampa Bay’s defensive core, pairing up nicely with Victor Hedman. He’ll become a free agent this summer and his future destination is still unknown.
NWHL Suing Buffalo Beauts Hockey [Victory Press]
The National Women’s Hockey League yesterday filed a federal lawsuit in United States District Court, seeking a declaratory judgment stating that it is permitted to use the Buffalo Beauts trademarks held by Buffalo Beauts Hockey (BBH), the subsidiary used by Pegula Sports & Entertainment to operate the team.
Random interesting tweets:
FYI: 55 players in the AHL last season played enough games to achieve veteran status going into 2019-20. Some of them as young as 23 years old.
— Mike McKenna (@MikeMcKenna56) June 30, 2019
What a fun day yesterday in @WHockeytownUSA as we celebrated the jersey retirement (@WarroadHShockey) of our teammate Dave Christian & his dad Bill Christian! Pretty special to share a @usahockey 🏅w/ your dad (60 & 80)! Glad a few of us & some other 🏒 Olympians could be there! pic.twitter.com/8YhOcAhdfg
— 1980 Miracle Team (@1980MiracleTeam) June 30, 2019
Pride month continues!
#ChicagoPride with the @NHLBlackhawks! #YouCanPlay #HockeyIsForEveryone pic.twitter.com/YDLHNQh9kA
— You Can Play (@YouCanPlayTeam) June 30, 2019
Ending with an AWWWW:
My nephews found my equipment when I was away 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/nUmtTcObGM
— Malcolm Subban (@Subbz3r0) June 30, 2019
