Anders Lindback

Tampa Bay Lightning's Brendan Mikkelson Will Play In Sweden

October 30, 2012

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Brendan Mikkelson will play lockout hockey in Sweden's Allsvenskan league for Vasteras.

The Saskatchewan native played in 41 games for Tampa Bay in 2011-12 accumulating three points and 13 penalty minutes.

(Photograph/Linda Hamilton)

He is the fourth member of the Lightning to play in Europe, joining forward Adam Hall (Ravensburg/Germany), defenseman Victor Hedman (Astana Barys/KHL) and goaltender Anders Lindback (Ilves/Finland).

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Tampa Bay Lightning Goalie Anders Lindback To Play In Europe

October 28, 2012

Bill Philp

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The third Tampa Bay Lightning player is heading overseas during the NHL lockout. Goalie Anders Lindback has signed a two month contract to play in Finland with Ilves.

The new Bolts backstop joins defenseman Victor Hedman and forward Adam Hall in Europe.

(Photograph/Linda Hamilton)

Lindback will return to the Bolts if the lockout is resolved before the contract is up.

The 6'6" goalie worked out in Tampa until he returned to Sweden to continue his training.

Follow me on Twitter @LightningShout and make sure to “like” The Checking Line on Facebook and on Twitter @The...

Tampa Bay Lightning Forward Adam Hall Will Play In Germany

October 10, 2012

Bill Philp

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Tampa Bay Lightning forward and player representative Adam Hall has signed a lockout contract with Ravensburg in the German second division. (Photograph/Linda Hamilton)

According to Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune, Hall will make his debut on Friday versus Rosenheim. Hall spoke about his decision to play overseas:

Via the Tampa Tribune:

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity. It'll be great to play and keep that competitive edge. You have to do whatever you can, whether it's here in Tampa or guys going back home or finding other places to train or play. Guys just need to find the best places to train."

Hall had been informally ...

Tampa Bay Lightning Players Hopeful But Preparing For Worst

September 12, 2012

Bill Philp

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The players union seems steadfastly united as 250-300 members are expected to meet in New York, today and tomorrow. Lightning players planning on attending are Adam Hall, Nate Thompson, Mathieu Garon, BJ Crombeen, Brian Lee, Matt Carle and Marc-Andre Bergeron.

The NHL and the NHLPA have plans to meet this morning at 10:00 a.m. despite still remaining far apart. If the two sides don’t reach an agreement, the lockout will officially start at midnight on Sunday.

The Lightning players are preparing for a work stoppage. In that case, they will not be able to enter the Tampa Bay Times Forum or any other team facility.

Bolts beat reporter Damian Cristo...

Tampa Bay Lightning News and Notes: CBA Tough Talk, Paul Ranger Found, Mathieu Garon's Health and More

September 10, 2012

Bill Philp

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Here are some Hockey Bay tidbits to hold you over until training camp opens…hopefully.

An NHL work stoppage is nearing reality as the September 15 deadline is fast approaching. A group of Lightning players continue to work towards the scheduled September 21 training camp opening, assembling most mornings at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon, Florida for informal practice. Martin St. Louis, Ryan Malone, Adam Hall, Eric Brewer, Marc-Andre Bergeron, BJ Crombeen, Sami Salo, Mathieu Garon, Dmitri Korobov and free agent Brett Clark are regulars at the morning skates.

These union members are upset that the basis of the league's proposal cuts the players' share of hockey-...

Isles Shut Down by Preds Defense

January 17, 2012

Evan Pivnick

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"I didn't know the Predators were this good!" Said many Islander fans who watched Monday afternoon's 3-1 Islanders loss to Nashville. Maybe no one realized that they are so talented because they only play the Islanders once a year. And that is definitely something a realignment can change, but that is a discussion for another time.

If you read my pregame report for this game, you will know that 1 out of the 3 things that I suggested happened. The one being that the Islanders started Kevin Poulin. Poulin had been stellar in Bridgeport, being named AHL Player of the Week stopping 98 of his last 100 shots faced prior to Monday's game.