tbl-Lightning Morning News: We’re Back!

Summary

For the first time since May, the Tampa Bay Lightning have some game action to recap. It’s only preseason, obviously, but the new season is finally upon us. The NHL will expand to 84 regular season games starting this season for a balanced schedule, with only four preseason games (a home-and-home with Nashville and Florida) scheduled until the regular season begins in New York City on October 1st! Lightning News: It was one of the busiest sports days imaginable in Tampa Bay yesterday as the Buccaneers, Rays and Lightning all played home games. The Buccaneers lost in a game delayed by… lightning. Fortunately the Rays won and have nearly clinched the Division and the Lightning opened up the preseason with a victory over the Nashville Predators. The Lightning appeared to dress close to their opening night roster while the Predators didn’t dress their best and it showed as Nashville only managed 13 shots on goal and the Lightning came away with the 2-1 victory. Sam O’Reilly was the first star, recording one assist in 15:11 of ice time and more importantly, he won 6/8 faceoffs. Ilya Mikheyev and Conor Geekie scored for the Lightning. [ NHL ] Dylan Duke couldn’t find his way into the first game but expect him to be on display Tuesday in Nashville. Conor Geekie scored the game-winning goal yesterday and Sam O’Reilly was the first star. Duke is going to have to stick out in a good way if he wants to earn his chance with the big club. [ NHL ] League News: There’s a few RFAs remaining to be signed, and it doesn’t look very promising for their respective teams. The Blue Jackets are in familiar territory with another young, talented player who doesn’t seem too interested in staying long term in Columbus. Adam Fantilli has not been with the team for their training camp as he’s sitting out waiting for a contract. General Manager Don Waddell is confident a deal will get done soon. [ NHL ] Alexander Nikishin is fresh off a Stanley Cup victory with the Carolina Hurricanes but remains unsigned after he requested a trade. Nikishin believes he’s locked in as the 3LD, behind some more established defensemen in Carolina, and is looking to go to a team to have a bigger role. His agent is pointing his finger at the Hurricanes front office for taking their time in trade negotiations as Nikishin remains unsigned with no trade looming in the near future. [ Yahoo! ] It’s a much different story in Detroit with their unsigned RFA Simon Edvinsson. Edvinsson has reported to camp and is practicing with the team despite not having a signed contract. That has more to do with the front office woes in Detroit, as interim GM Shawn Horcoff has been given the ability to negotiate with Edvinsson while their permanent GM search continues. Talks are progressing between the two sides. [ Detroit Hockey Now ] The preseason officially began on Friday across the league and recent first overall pick Gavin McKenna got his first taste of NHL action. The Leafs fell 4-1 to Montreal at home (the two teams also played a second game in Montreal that Montreal also won 4-3 in OT), but McKenna played 19:34 of ice-time on a line with John Tavares (who is also his landlord) and William Nylander. Old friend Darren Raddysh scored the only goal for Toronto with his patented 100 mph slap shot. [ TSN ] Game one of the preseason is in the books. The Predators and Lightning will meet again in Nashville tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET. Be sure to check back later for more Tampa Bay Lightning news!