With all signs pointing towards today’s trade deadline being uneventful, there were more than a few surprising moves leading up to 3 pm. The Lightning joined in as well, making headlines with a shocking trade. Their quest for a number one goaltender sent them to Ottawa and a goalie they expressed interest in last year, 6’8″ Ben Bishop. In return, the Senators acquired forward Cory Conacher and a fourth round draft pick. This was a head scratcher for many fans, the jury here remains out until we see exactly what we’re working with.
There have been some other moves so far this week as well. Defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Bolts picked up a seventh round draft pick and forward Adam Hall. Yes, the very same Adam Hall that the ‘Canes claimed off of waivers on March 16th. To make things even more confusing, the Philadelphia Flyers claimed Hall off of waivers today. No one would have been surprised to hear he was dealt back to the Bolts yet again, but it looks like he’s sticking on Broad Street for now.
Today also saw a number of roster shifts between Tampa and Syracuse. Brett Connolly and Dana Tyrell were called up from the Crunch. Cedrick Desjardins, Andrej Sustr, Mike Angelidis, and Ondrej Palat are on their way back to the ‘Cuse. Moves done most likely to bolster the Crunch ahead of the AHL playoffs.
The Lightning issued an announcement on Sunday that they were going to add 4 additional players to their training camp roster. J.T. Wyman, Mark Barberio, Tyler Johnson, & Radko Gudas have joined the squad by now ahead of their first session in Estero, FL this evening.
Syracuse is well represented during this week’s session. Mike Angelidis, Cory Conacher, Pierre-Cedric Labrie, Keith Aulie, and Matt Taormina took place in Sunday’s session.
Defenseman Evan Oberg was placed on waivers, ending another rash of “Oberging” before it even begins.
The arena lights dimmed and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” blared through the sound system. A spotlight illuminated the tunnel exit on the home team’s bench. Fans went wild as their team took to the ice and the famed Tesla coils cracked to life amid wild cheers. If it sounds like any number of Lightning home games, you wouldn’t be too far off. It was a bit different, though. This was training camp.
Tampa’s shortened season is just 6 days away and they started things off with a bang. An estimated 5500 fans poured into the Tampa Bay Times Forum and I was privileged enough to be one of them. Festivities kicked off with an autograph session by all attendees of training camp.
Guy Boucher spearheaded his first practice of the year and definitely put the boys through their paces. A few thoughts on the session:
The month of November has become a very special time among hockey players and this year was no different. A number of locked out NHLers participated and raised money for men’s health issues. The AHLers got in on the action as well. After a month of stiff competition, Mark Barberio’s mustache reigned supreme among the Syracuse Crunch.
If there’s one thing Lightning fans learned about their minor league affiliate this year it’s that they are a gifted lot when it comes to facial hair. We all remember those beards on the way to a Calder Cup Championship.
As Movember comes to a close for the year and our players pick up their razors, it’s a perfect time to relive their journey.
In lieu of discussing the increasingly depressing lockout news, let’s head back to the AHL. For those of you following your team’s respective affiliates, boy are you missing some good stuff. Take the Syracuse Crunch. A number of young players who had a chance to crack the roster out of camp are there. Add on the roster that won the Calder Cup earlier this year and this is quality viewing.
It’s not always pretty, especially in the case of the Crunch’s 6-5 win over Binghamton last Saturday. There were a plethora of fights over the course of the evening. It’s rare that any game has two fights, let alone 7 or 8.
A long time ago in an arena by the bay… two hockey bloggers found themselves sitting at home on a Friday night. Dinner had been consumed, pajamas were on, and the only thing left to do was to find a movie on television. Enter “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back”.
As the movies progressed, Jason Haas and I did the only thing we could to make the evening complete. We cast Lightning players past and present in George Lucas’ space epic. The original trilogy only, of course. We’re not complete heathens.
Who’s who in our Lightning/Star Wars crossover? Read on…
With Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate changing to the Syracuse Crunch next season, a lot is in flux with the Lightning’s system. One thing they may not have to worry about is replacing the squad’s captain.
The Lightning announced on Monday that former Admirals forward Mike Angelidis has been re-signed to a one year, two way contract.
Angelidis played in 54 games for the Admirals during the 2011-12 season. He recorded 14 goals, 27 points, and 135 penalty minutes. He did suffer a knee injury, but recovered in time to join his team to the playoffs.
During their Calder Cup winning post season, the captain had 1 goal and 6 points. He also helped steer the Admirals to their first championship in franchise history.
He even found his way to Tampa for six games this past season, scoring his first career goal in his NHL debut on March 24th. To make the story even better? The goal came on just his second shift.
Angelidis would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, but he had other ideas.
“I have a lot of respect for the organization. They’ve given me a lot over the last couple of years,” he said. “I could say, let’s hold off. But me and my agent felt this was the right move to make. They’ve helped me get so far. I hope they can get me to the next level.” (Quote Source: Syracuse.com)
In celebration of the signing, let’s relive his first NHL goal. His reaction was one of the best home game moments of the season in my estimation.
