|
Lightning News & Notes + The Mailbag |
|
|
|
|
|
It was a busy week for the Tampa Bay Lightning. While the fury that came with the first few days of free agent frenzy has died down, business hasn’t come to a halt. As such, it’s time for another installment of ‘Lightning News & Notes’ here at Hockey Buzz. In addition, I’ve also opened up the mailbag at the bottom of the page. You can submit your questions on just about anything and I’ll get around to answering them in a future blog.
* On Monday, the Lightning announced that they have re-signed forward J.T. Brown to a one-year, two-way deal. After signing with the Lightning near the end of the 2012 season, Brown made his NHL debut on March 31, 2012. He spent this past season with the Syracuse Crunch and registered 10 goals and 28 points in 51 games. A former college standout, the 5-foot-11 forward will most likely spend next season in the minors given the Lightning’s glut of offensive weapons. With a little more seasoning, Brown could be a key contributor for the Lightning in future years. He’s offensively gifted, defensively aware, and very smart.
* Following up on the Brown deal, Yzerman announced on Tuesday that the team has signed defenseman Mark Barberio to a one-year, two-way deal as well. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 draft, Barberio has truly blossomed into one of the American Hockey League’s elite offensive defensemen. After a 61 point season with the Norfolk Admirals in 2011-12, Barberio tallied 42 points this past year with the Syracuse Crunch. With his offensive acumen, he brings a lot to the Lightning organization. Really and truly, the team doesn’t have anyone else quite like him in the prospect line. Whether or not he is ready for full-time NHL duty remains to be seen, but he will certainly be given every opportunity to make the Lightning.
* Late last week the Lightning’s pre-season schedule was released. The schedule features a lot of hockey in Florida against a fairly small group of teams. The Bolts will take on the Florida Panthers three times in addition to facing the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators twice each. The team will make its way through Orlando, Tampa, St. Louis, Nashville, Estero, and Sunrise. With seven games compacted into a ten day period, the pre-season will serve as a great way to kick off what should be a mighty entertaining 2013-14 season.
--
Well, now you’re up-to-date with all things Lightning. Feel free to submit your questions about anything and everything in the form below!
As always, thanks for reading.
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»