Victor Hedman

Where Are They Now? A Look Back At The Islanders' 2009 Draft

March 4, 2013

The Isles went with Tavares and it certainly is looking like the right choice. He is one of the hardest working players in the National Hockey League and he is super competitive. He leads by example and makes those around him better.

But what about the rest of the 2009 draft?

Let's take a look at that draft and see where they are now.

Will The Real Tampa Bay Lightning Team Please Stand Up

February 11, 2013

Bill Philp

0 Comments

The first seven games for the Tampa Bay Lightning were a scoring fest. The Bolts netted 37 goals and went 6-1. Over the last four games, three on the road, the Bolts have scored just six goals and lost all four contests.

Tampa Bay is now 6-5 and leads the Carolina Hurricanes and Winnipeg Jets by one point in the Southeastern Division.

The best thing that happened on the Bolts first extended road trip of the season was the cancellation of their game versus the Boston Bruins on Saturday night. (Steven Stamkos photograph/Susan Ferlita)

On Sunday night the New York Hagelins trounced the Lightning 5-1. Carl Hagelin had t...

Tampa Bay Lightning Early Season Notes And Numbers

January 25, 2013

Bill Philp

0 Comments

After three games the Tampa Bay Lightning are 2-1 with four points and are first in the Southeast division. While it is all but impossible to glean much information from such a small sample of games, the Bolts are buying into Coach Guy Boucher’s platform and are showing signs of improvement on defense and in the net. "It’s going to be defense first. That’s our mindset, because we’ve got the offense," said Boucher. (Photo/Susan Ferlita)

Tampa Bay opened the season at home on Saturday night with a well earned 6-3 victory over division rival Washington. Martin St. Louis and Eric Brewer each scored two goa...

Tampa Bay Lightning Opening Night Roster Set

January 17, 2013

Bill Philp

0 Comments

NHL rosters aren't due until tomorrow at 5:00 pm, but after stating the team that practices on Friday will be the opening night squad, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher has made up his mind on his 2013 team.

At noon today, Mike Angelidis, JT Wyman, Matt Taorminaand Kyle Wilson were placed on waivers with the intent of being sent to Syracuse. This means that defenseman Keith Aulie and forwards Cory Conacher and Pierre-Cedric Labrie have made the team. (Labrie Photo/Linda Hamilton)

Tyler Johnson, Radko Gudas and Mark Barberio will be returned to the Syracuse Crunch...

A Quick Tampa Bay Lightning Abbreviated Season Preview

January 6, 2013

Bill Philp

0 Comments

NHL hockey is back!

It took a long 16 hour negotiating session in New York yesterday, but the NHL and NHLPA hashed out an agreement in principle around 6 a.m. today.

The NHL did not announce the start date of the season or the number of games each team will play, but it is expected to be a 48 or 50 game season starting on either January 15 or January 19 with teams only playing within their respective conferences. The Bolts had January 15, 17 and 19 as scheduled home games, thus it is a good bet that they will open the season at the Forum.

The new CBA still has to be drafted and ratified by both sides. It is for ten years with an eight year opt-out.

...

Tampa Bay Lightning's Brendan Mikkelson Will Play In Sweden

October 30, 2012

Bill Philp

0 Comments

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).

Follow me on Twitter @LightningShout and make sure to “like” The Checking Line on Facebook and on Twitter @TheCheckingLine to stay up to the minute w...

Tampa Bay Lightning Goalie Anders Lindback To Play In Europe

October 28, 2012

Bill Philp

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

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 Defenseman Victor Hedman Signs KHL Deal

September 25, 2012

Bill Philp

0 Comments

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman has signed a contract with Barys Astana of the KHL. The big Swede is the first Bolts player to decide to play in Europe during the lockout. The 21 year old blue liner had five goals and 18 assists in 61 games with Tampa Bay last season. (Hedman photograph/Linda Hamilton)

Teams in the KHL can sign up to three NHL players at a maximum of 65% of their NHL salary during the lockout. Barys has also signed Winnipeg Jets center Nik Antropov.

Should the lockout continue, expect Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis to take their talents overseas. Both have had preliminary talks with European teams.

In other Lightning news, defenseman Ke...

Tampa Bay Lightning Players Hopeful But Preparing For Worst

September 12, 2012

Bill Philp

0 Comments

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...