Looking Back at the Brandon Hagel and Nick Paul Trades
Also, Nikita Kucherov reaches the 100-point plateau and more.
Welcome to the THW Tampa Bay Lightning Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Lightning writers.
In today’s edition, we look back at two major acquisitions the Lightning made as the second anniversary of both deals approaches, we discuss Nikita Kucherov’s latest season milestone and more.
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Now, on to the good stuff…
Time to Bolt Audio Report: Lightning Continue To Struggle With Consistency
March 2, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits (Premium THW Substack content)
Welcome to the sixth episode of the Time to Bolt Audio Report…
In this edition, we discuss the Lightning’s up-and-down week. Perhaps Vasilevskiy should sit out a few games due to his workload. The Lightning game in Philadelphia had a strange turn of events. A costly penalty caps off what should’ve been a winnable game for the Lightning against the Sabres.
Stay tuned until the end for the Lightning Three Stars of the Week.
Evaluating the Lightning Trade for Brandon Hagel 2 Years Later
February 28, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
It’s been nearly two years since the Tampa Bay Lightning acquired Brandon Hagel in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The price for Hagel, along with two fourth-round picks? Forwards Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk plus two first-round picks (2023, 2024). How has the trade worked out for the Lightning so far? It’s safe to say it’s worked out pretty well.
Nick Paul Is Proving the Lightning Were Right to Trade for Him
March 1, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
During the 2021-22 NHL season, the Tampa Bay Lightning made significant buyer moves in an attempt to secure their third-straight Stanley Cup. On March 20, 2022, three days after their blockbuster trade for Brandon Hagel, they made another move to acquire Nick Paul from the Ottawa Senators. In return, the Senators received Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
Kucherov Eclipses 100 Points, Remains Hart Trophy Contender
February 26, 2024 by Nick Haydon
Nikita Kucherov scored his 38th goal and added three assists to reach 102 points and lead the Tampa Bay Lightning past the New Jersey Devils 4-1 on Sunday (Feb. 25). His 100th point came as an assist on Brayden Point’s 30th goal of the season.
That Time Vincent Lecavalier Played Jean Beliveau in a Movie
February 26, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
The No. 4 is important to both the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning. In Montreal, it holds importance because it was worn by Jean Beliveau. In Tampa Bay, its significance comes from Lightning Hall of Famer Vincent Lecavlier. It’s important to note that both teams have retired the number and hung it from the rafters. Even with this note, both teams’ No. 4s are more intertwined than you may realize.
The 4 Hart Trophy Frontrunners Making Good Cases for the Award
February 25, 2024 by Mike Fink
The 2023-24 season has put together one of the most exciting Hart Trophy races in recent memory and possibly of all time. Usually, there is a clear favorite or it’s a two-player race with one of them standing out as the one most deserving of the award. This season, four skaters have a strong argument to win the Hart Trophy, and one skater worthy of winning it won’t even be a finalist.