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.

Welcome, everyone, to the second annual JJ Awards, named ever-so-modestly after yours truly (who also serves as the “model” for the “hardware” itself). These awards showcase both the positive and the negative of the 2009-10 Tampa Bay Lightning season (though, for those of a depressing nature, no “presentation” is actually made).

Before we begin, a little clarity so we’re all on t…

The JJ Awards are about half way done and on the way later today.

In the interim, though I said I would never do this again, my flawed playoff predictions:

East Quarters
(1) Washington over (8) Montreal in five
(7) Philadelphia over (2) New Jersey in seven
(3) Buffalo over (6) Boston in six
(4) Pittsburgh over (5) Ottawa in five

West Quarters
(8) Colorado over (1) San Jose in six
(2…

Neither general manager Brian Lawton nor head coach Rick Tocchet will return to the Tampa Bay Lightning next season, as owner Jeff Vinik announced this morning, paving the way for the fresh start that the organization appears to desperately need after two-plus seasons of turmoil on and off the ice.

Lawton’s ousting came as no surprise, if for no other reason than that an incoming owner severi…

10:00 am presser with Lightning owner Jeff Vinik here at the Forum, where I suspect we will hear of several significant personnel changes.

I am on hand and will update whenever possible, most quickly via Twitter, I imagine.

JJ

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“It’s pretty special.”

That phrase, uttered time and time again in postgame conversation last night by Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos doesn’t do justice to the 50-goal feat he accomplished in just his second season.

It was beyond special, for all involved.

For Stamkos himself, who was drafted first overall, amid Crosby and Ovechkin-like fanfare in 2008 that seemed a…

As promised, here are the finalists (as voted on by the nearly 200 complete responses received) for The 2009-2010 JJ Awards. Thanks to all who voted and a special thanks to those of you displaying a sense of humor in your votes.

Winners (the fan vote as well as my personal choices) will be announced early next week.

Team MVP: Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos
Best Forward: Steve Downie, Mart…

Theoretically, neither team had much to play for last night. The playoff-bound Ottawa Senators are locked in as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, while the beach-bound Tampa Bay Lightning are locked out.

But, for much of last night’s game, you would think you were watching two clubs clawing at each other with everything on the line.

It was nice to see that kind of intensity on one…

As the latest lost Tampa Bay Lightning season draws to a close, there is reason for optimism, if only because Jeff Vinik has taken over solitary ownership of the organization, which means significant changes are most certainly on the way.

Make no mistake, sweeping change here is a good thing, even for a franchise that has done so much of just that in recent years. There is plenty to be said fo…

Just a quick pair of notes on a very busy Tuesday for yours truly:

Stamkos Watch Continues
Two non-playoff clubs meet at the St. Pete Times Forum tonight, with the Carolina Hurricanes in town to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning and all eyes will be on Steven Stamkos in his quest for 50 goals and a scoring title.

I’ll have the “iso-kam” on #91 myself this evening, following his every move as…