Tampa Bay Times Forum & Esposito’s New Statue Photo by Linda Hamilton

When the NHL realignment plan first came to light, there were a lot of questions. What about old rivalries like Detroit & Chicago? How does this make more geographic sense than the current lay out? With a league comprised of four conferences back in popular conversation, there’s been a lot of talk about how this would effect the Tampa Bay Lightning. In short, it could be great for the Florida teams and it could be terrible.

In hockey, as in life, it often helps to make a list of pros and cons:

» Continue reading “NHL Realignment: Bad or Boon For The Tampa Bay Lightning?”

Slater Koekkoek photo by Jason Haas

Junior hockey fans on Twitter are all…a-flutter over a tweet from Barrie Colts beat writer Gene Pereira: Lightning prospect Slater Koekkoek has requested a trade from the Peterborough Petes.  Pereira also says that Alan Quine (Red Wings) and Nick Ritchie (not yet draft eligible) have requested trades as well.  Petes Insider also tweeted this rumor.  Even if this proves to be untrue (of course there will be denials), it is easy to believe given that Peterborough is dead last in the OHL with a record of 8-23-3-1 through 35 games. » Continue reading “Rumor Mill: Slater Koekkoek Requests Trade From Peterborough”

Schemin’ Steve Yzerman honed his skills on the forest moon of Endor.

While doing a little research on the 2013 draft class I came across Nikita Zadorov.  The 17 year old Russian-born defenseman is playing his first North American season for the London Knights of the OHL.  Despite not being a legal adult in the eyes of many countries, Zadorov clocks in at 6′ 5″ and 229 lbs.  Many pundits see Zadorov’s stock rising and Brendan of Dobber Prospects sees him as a top 10 talent that could be the first OHL defenseman taken in 2013.  If the Tampa Bay ends up in a similar draft position (10th overall or so), could Zadorov be on their radar? » Continue reading “Le Cinq Nikitas: A Lockout-Induced Thought”

Nicklas Lidstrom Photo by Bridget Samuels/ Flickr

On the morning of May 31st, with much of the hockey world watching, 42-year old Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom announced his retirement. You can see that announcement here: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=53&id=179874&lang=en.

Being a Tampa Bay Lightning fan, and with Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman as our general manager, I’ve gotten the opportunity to see Lidstrom play and he is, by many accounts, sure to be a Hall-of-Famer. Not only that but he honors the sport by playing the game the right way; the way it should be played.

» Continue reading “A Lightning Perspective: Nicklas Lidstrom Calls It A Career”