The first time I met new Tampa Bay Lightning owner, Jeff Vinik, was a very casual encounter prior to the last home game of this past season as we both stepped onto the elevator that ascends to the St. Pete Times Forum press box. After simple introductions, the conversation quickly turned to what was on everyone’s mind that night: Steven Stamkos’ pursuit of the 50-goal mark.

I proclaimed how…

Sure, the San Jose Sharks have their work cut out for them after falling at home in game one of the Western Conference Final and, yes, Philadelphia’s lead over Montreal is just one game despite the lopsided victory in the East opener.

But isn’t there something at least moderately intriguing for Tampa Bay Lightning fans about the possibility of a Dan Boyle/Matt Carle showdown in the Stanley…

Suffice it to say, the rest did me well.

I stayed away exactly a month, which was the minimum I’d promised myself. The itch was there to return early on a few different occasions but I resisted – made myself hold back – and I feel recharged and ready to tackle another active off-season for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

But first, some shameless self-promotion …

Over the course of the…

From great friend of the blog Nicholas Montemagno at The Rangers Tribune:

In 27 games played with the Devils this season, Kovalchuk had just ten goals, in addition to the two he netted in five games played against the Flyers in the quarterfinals. Those are not horrible numbers, obviously, but they are not what we have seen in previous years of his career and they are the only reason why he does not have an atrocious plus/minus rating. His performance in the playoffs this season was below-par, and I think that was the assuring fact that he will not be back with the Devils next season.

This may sound harsh, but Kovalchuk does not give a rat’s tail about the defensive end of the rink. He does not make an effort to backcheck, he does not make an effort to help around by the net, and he is not an option to put on the penalty kill. His only ability is scoring, which he can do quite well, but only when he chooses that he wants to.

People have recently been asking why Kovalchuk did not fit in New Jersey. Well, the Devils, sine their birth, have always been a defense-first team. Kovalchuk does not know how to play a system like that, in fact, he doesn’t know how to play much of any system at all. He is a floater that waits for the puck, and when he gets it, he chooses if he wants to do something with it or not.

Click here for more great stuff from Nicholas.