Riku Helenius Photo by Alexis Boucher

Even as the NHL delivered their notice of termination for the current CBA to the Players Association today, Lightning GM Steve Yzerman is still working with next season in mind.

He has expressed interest in bringing former goaltending prospect Riku Helenius back to the organization. Helenius was the 15th overall pick in the 2006 draft. The 6’3″ Finn only appeared in one game for the Lightning and has spent the last several years in Europe.

Helenius lead JYP to a Finnish Elite League title this past season, recording a 1.64 goals-against average and .936 save percentage in 33 games. Per the Tampa Tribune, Yzerman did reach out to the netminder while he is in Europe for the World Championships.

Stevie Y is also interested in bolstering the Lightning’s squad with a top six forward. Damien Brunner of the Swiss team has caught his eye.

Brunner is known for his speed, skill with the puck, and is having a heck of a tournament. In seven games the 5’11″ forward has three goals, seven points, and is a plus-2.

The 26 year old played for Zug of the Swiss League this season, scoring 24 goals and 60 points in 45 regular season games. His numbers led the league in scoring.

He also clearly went to the same school of hockey wizardry that Pavel Datsyuk did:

» Continue reading “Lightning May Look To Europe This Offseason”

The Lightning's Place On The Cup Photo by Linda Hamilton

I spent Saturday night like many of my fellow hockey fans: glued the the television in anticipation of another Game 7. The Rangers ended up eliminating the Washington Capitals in the culmination of an excellent series.  I was glad with the outcome. There are enough former Lightning players and coaches on the squad, after all.  As the game ended and I turned off the tv it hit me. The playoffs suck.

Don’t get me wrong, I was happy for the Rangers and I still am. A good friend of mine is a big fan of theirs and was even at the game to see the victory in person. The hockey is riveting and I’m definitely enjoying the post season. It’s just not the same as when it’s YOUR team. I’m happy for the fans who get to go on this journey with their teams but I’m also insanely jealous.

A year ago the Lightning were playing in the Eastern Conference Finals against Boston.  There were games every two or three days and I was exhausted from being at the arena or a sports bar watching away games. I was drinking way too much beer and eating way too much greasy food. I was living and dying with every shift and every shot on goal. It was absolutely grueling and left me wrecked. It was glorious and I would give anything to be losing that much sleep again.

We all love watching our teams play, but the post season kicks it up to a whole other level. There’s nothing like it. Whether you’re a number 1 seed or number 8, you have a chance at winning the best trophy in sports. Your team will live on forever etched in the silver of Lord Stanley’s Cup.

It’s been 8 years since my team hoisted that trophy for the first and so far only time in their history. The elation and joy I feel when remembering it hasn’t tempered over the years one bit. I’m excited for the fans of the teams still in the fight. One of them will get to experience something insanely special. As a hardcore hockey fan there is nothing like it. Once you’ve experienced it, you hunger for it. That’s probably what’s fueling my jealousy.

As the regular season wound down and the Lightning’s chance of making the playoffs dwindled, I asked Jason Haas a question. Is it worse for your team to miss the post season all together or get in and get bounced early? I believe I have my answer.

Richard Panik Photo by Alexis Boucher

The Lightning’s AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals punched their ticket to the Calder Cup Eastern Conference in dramatic fashion on Friday night.

Richard Panik scored the game winner in overtime, returning to the ice after being hit in the face by a Tyler Johnson slapshot and missing most of the third period. Panik sustained two chipped teeth and needed some stitches.

The OT winner was the result of a big rally for Norfolk as they trailed on the scoreboard and in shots on goal for two periods.

Connecticut opened the scoring in the first period and led until the Ads came to play in the third. Tyler Johnson tied the game at 9:08.

Their rally continued with an offensive flurry that saw Norfolk outshoot the  Whale 33-7 in the third and the overtime period.

Goalie Jaroslav Janus also deserves a large amount of credit for keeping the score close enough through two to allow his teammates to get on the board. He made 30 saves on the evening.

Before this season, no AHL affiliate of the Lightning had ever won a playoff series in the Calder Cup Playoffs. They officially have 2 under their belts and are looking to keep winning when the Conference Finals begin Thursday against the St. John’s Ice Caps.

» Continue reading “Panik Attack: Admirals Headed To Conference Finals”

Mattias Ohlund Photo by Linda Hamilton

An interesting thing happened this week in hockey news. There’s no pretending that anyone at Sons of Andreychuk can read Swedish, but an article on the Swedish newspaper site Expressen published an interview with Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund.

If we’re to believe the rumors and others attempts at Google Translate, Ohlund told the publication that he is unsure if he will be able to play hockey again.Given the defensive struggles the Lightning had this season on more than one occasion, the immediate reaction to this revelation is profanity mumbled under your breath.

» Continue reading “The Curious Case Of Mattias Ohlund”

 - Lightning forward Steven Stamkos can add another honor to his 2011-12 season. He was announced as a finalist for the Ted Lindsay award, the trophy voted on by the members of the NHLPA.

The players who comprise the league agreed completely with the writers who nominated Stamkos, Evgeni Malkin, and Henrik Lundqvist for the Hart. The same three men are up for the Lindsay.

Both trophies will be handed out at the NHL awards on June 20th in Las Vegas.

-It was announced last Thursday that Lightning owner Jeff Vinik is privately funding a brand new video board for the Tampa Bay Times Forum. The state of the art jumbotron is valued at $5 million and will be the largest center hung high definition board in any U.S. or Canadian arena.

The two side displays are so large that they will stretch from blueline to blueline. There will be two large screens at the ends as well so fans in all areas of the arena are guaranteed a great view.

- Lightning forward Nate Thompson scored a goal in Team USA’s 5-3 victory over Canada in the World Championships on Saturday. It was only the second win over the Canadians in 18 games since 1985. Our condolences to Teddy Purcell on Team Canada, but this one feels damn good!

Nate Thompson Photo by Linda Hamilton

The International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championships get underway tomorrow in Finland, so all of the rosters have come together before the first puck drops. A number of Lightning players and staff members are suiting up for their countries, but some momentous news was announced for Nate Thompson today.

USA Hockey announced their captains for the tournament. Columbus’ Jack Johnson was named captain while Nate and Jim Slater of the Winnipeg Jets were named the alternate captains. This is a great honor combined with the fact that this is Nate’s first time playing for the USA national team.

Team USA opens their tournament tomorrow at 5 am EST against France. NBC Sports Network will be broadcasting all of their games, so make sure you tune in. Check out the Intermission Report for all of your World Championships news.

Jaroslav Halak Photo by Bridget Samuels/Flickr

Amid all of the goaltending talk surrounding the Tampa Bay Lightning, a few names always seem to be come up.  Cory Schneider, Roberto Luongo, Jonathan Bernier, Anders Lindback, Tim Thomas, Josh Harding…well, I think it’s time to consider a dark horse candidate: Jaroslav Halak of the St. Louis Blues.

Halak started 46 games this year for St. Louis with 26 wins, a stellar 1.97 GAA, .926 save percentage and six shutouts.  He also sports a career 2.43 GAA over the course of 204 NHL games.  Halak may best be remembered as the juggernaut Canadiens goaltender that took down the Penguins and Capitals in the 2010 playoffs before bowing out to Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Why would St. Louis trade him?  Because they don’t need two starters.  Brian Elliot has proven himself capable in the regular season and now has in the playoffs as well with Halak injured.  Elliot is also the cheaper of the two ($1.8 million).  St. Louis can use Halak’s $3.75 million in cap space to add some scoring.  Additionally, young goaltender Jake Allen will be ready soon and a platoon with Elliot would be a good place for him to start.

» Continue reading “A Dark Horse In The Goalie Games, Accepted With Halakrity”

Tim Thomas Photo by Linda Hamilton

The summer of 2011 saw the Lightning weathering Stammergeddon. This summer seems destined to be known as The Goalie Games for Tampa. Ever since Cory Schneider came onto everyone’s radar during Vancouver’s first round series, many pundits seem to have written him off as a possible off season acquisition for the Lightning. A number of other names are coming out of the woodwork. First Roberto Luongo, and now Boston Bruins netminder Tim Thomas.

On the surface this doesn’t seem too far fetched, if the Bruins are looking to trade Thomas with 1 year left on his contract that is. The Bruins have to re-sign Tuukka Rask, Thomas’ current back up and the man largely viewed as the future of the position for the black and gold. That’s going to take some cash if they want to keep him in Boston.

» Continue reading “Doubting Thomas: Tampa’s Goalie Quest Continues”

Steven Stamkos Photo by Linda Hamilton

Lightning forward Steven Stamkos’ incredible season has earned him another honor. The finalists for this year’s Hart Memorial Trophy were announced today.

Stamkos joins the Pittsburgh Penguins’ center Evgeni Malkin and New York Rangers’ goaltender Henrik Lundqvist in being considered for the award.

During our award predictions, I already gave my guesses as to who would be nominated. While there is some satisfaction in being right, it’s tempered by the fact that I know Stamkos isn’t going to win.

Each year The Professional Hockey Writers Association votes on who they think the player most valuable to his respective team during the regular season is.

Stamkos had an exceptional season, becoming only the second player to reach the 60 goal mark since the 1995-96 season.  In doing so, he captured his second Maurice Richard trophy in the last three years.

He tied for the league lead in game winning goals, and set an NHL record by scoring five overtime goals. He also scored 48 even strength goals, the most for any player since 1992-1993.

The biggest reason why the Lightning star won’t win the award is the fact that the team didn’t make the playoffs. The last time a player was even nominated for the Hart without his team being in the post season was Jarome Iginla in 2002.

Even though the Hart is supposed to be for the MVP of the regular season, the post season is a big qualification for the winners. As predicted, Malkin will take it. That doesn’t lessen the honor. Stamkos’ star continues to rise in the NHL and as the Lightning continue to improve, I see a Marty St. Louis-esque awards tear in his future.

Roberto Luongo Photo by Bridget Samuels/ Flickr

Roberto Luongo is well on his way to being used as a scapegoat for Vancouver’s early playoff exit this season. What makes the situation different from last year is that there is talk that Luongo may have asked the Canucks for a trade. This came after the goaltender told the media that he wouldn’t stand in the way of a deal if the ‘Nucks decided to head forward with Cory Schneider as their number 1 netminder.

This is where things may get interesting for the Lightning. James Duthie of TSN reported that Luongo will submit a list of teams that he would be willing to waive his no trade clause for. He notes that Toronto will be on that list, but places like Puck Daddy are reporting that Tampa Bay will be included there as well.

It’s a move that makes a lot of sense on the surface as the Bolts’ goaltending is pretty much in shambles. Dwayne Roloson has said he wants to play another year, but it’s extremely unlikely that it will be in a Lightning sweater. To say that his outings during the season were dismal is being kind. Mathieu Garon did a great job until suffering a groin injury, but he can’t carry the work load of a starter.

Tampa has $16.5 million under cap next year. Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis, and Victor Hedman all have quite a bit of time left on their current contracts. They have enough space to absorb Luongo’s contract. It’s a move that could definitely be made, possibly by sending Ryan Malone to a Vancouver team that’s looking to get bigger and tougher.

» Continue reading “Luongo To The Lightning? Meeeeeeeeeeeh.”