http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/teams/tampa_bay_lightning/105 Recent articles about Tampa Bay Lightning en-us Brad Richards won a Conn Smythe under John Tortorella in 2004 when the two were teaming up to win a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. That now seems like a very, very long time ago. The two are now in New York, of course, and Tortorella will go into Thursday’s do-or-die Game 4 against the Bruins without Richards. The head coach has decided to make Richards a healthy scratch for Game 4, a seemingly unprecedented move, even with the forward’s recent struggles. That’s not the only change Tortorella will make for his Game 4 lineup. Forward Arron Asham will also be a healthy scratch as the Rangers look to climb out of a 3-0 series whole. Kris Newbury and Micheal Haley, who have one Stanley Cup playoff game between the two of them, will be in for Richards and Asham. Defenseman Anton Stralman, who sufferd an injury in Game 3, is also expected to be out. The initial speculation is that veteran blue liner Roman Hamrlik will replace Stralman. The big story, though, is Richards. The ve... Thu, 23 May 2013 12:25:50 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/brad_richards_a_healthy_scratch_for_rangers_in_game_4_against_bruins/13679465 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/brad_richards_a_healthy_scratch_for_rangers_in_game_4_against_bruins/13679465 Brad Richards a Healthy Scratch for Rangers in Game 4 Against Bruins http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/brad_richards_a_healthy_scratch_for_rangers_in_game_4_against_bruins/13679465 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/6/b6d7cff7ff32c9b596eac3613f2c05bd4ce8c21a/mini/6239976.jpg In this weeks edition of the “feelgood Five” I look back at Simon Gagne’s return to Philadelphia. Gagne, a fan favorite, was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in July of 2010 as a move to free up money on the salary cap. Following his heroic performance in the 2010 playoffs, coming off a broken [...] Mon, 20 May 2013 10:08:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/2013_in_review_feelgood_five_3/13654402 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/2013_in_review_feelgood_five_3/13654402 2013 in Review: feelgood Five #3 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/2013_in_review_feelgood_five_3/13654402 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Earlier this week, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis was named as a finalist for the 2013 Lady Byng Trophy, an award given to the league’s most “gentlemanlyâ€* player. Reading between the lines, the award really comes down to which player exhibits the best sportsmanship over the course of the season. St. Louis, for his part, has already taken home the trophy twice during his award... Sat, 18 May 2013 05:23:38 -0400 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=51633 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=51633 Michael Stuart: Martin St. Louis a Future Hockey Hall of Fame Member? http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/michael_stuart_martin_st_louis_a_future_hockey_hall_of_fame_member/13643875 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/3/a31abc4351b4268af76041c0517b531fd2372ce5/mini/tampa-bay-lightning-los.jpg Lightning right winger Martin St. Louis has been named a finalist for the NHL’s Lady Byng Trophy, which is awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association submitted ballots for the Lady Byng Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, with more detail on format to be released at a later date. Following are the finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy, in alphabetical order: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks Kane ranked fifth in the NHL in both goals (23) and points (55), leading Chicago to its second Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history. He played in 47 games, averaging 20:03 of playing time, but was whistled for just eight penalty minutes – the fewest among the top 20 point-producers in the League. Ka... Thu, 16 May 2013 11:21:54 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/martin_st_louis_a_finalist_for_another_award/13630331 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/martin_st_louis_a_finalist_for_another_award/13630331 Martin St. Louis a finalist for another award http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/martin_st_louis_a_finalist_for_another_award/13630331 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/0/20fff0c963da5fa116deb55b359acfcd66d479be/mini/PicImg_NHL_FEB_27_4448.jpg TAMPA, Fla. The NHL announced that Tampa Bay Lightning winger Martin St. Louis is a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane and New York Islanders winger Matt Moulson are also finalists. The winner, as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, will be announced during the Stanley Cup Finals. St. Louis, who led the NHL with 60 points and 43 assists, is a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner (2009-10 and 2010-11). He was named a finalist for the award on four other occasions. You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter@aastlefordor email him ataastleford@gmail.com. Thu, 16 May 2013 10:39:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/st_louis_named_lady_byng_finalist/13629968 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/st_louis_named_lady_byng_finalist/13629968 St. Louis named Lady Byng finalist http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/st_louis_named_lady_byng_finalist/13629968 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/3/a31abc4351b4268af76041c0517b531fd2372ce5/mini/tampa-bay-lightning-los.jpg The NHLPA has announced finalists for the “Most Outstanding Player” award — or the Ted Lindsay Award — and Tampa Bay Lightning veteran Martin St. Louis is among three named for the awards.  Here is the press release: The Ted Lindsay Award is the only award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established by the Lester B. Pearson Award since 1970-71. The Award honours Ted Lindsay, an All-Star forward known for his skill, tenacity, leadership, and for his role in establishing the original Players’ Association. Crosby, Ovechkin and St. Louis are all previous recipients of the “Most Outstanding Player” award, and this group of finalists will have received six of the last nine awards, including this season. The 2012-13 Ted Lindsay Award recipient will be announced during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. The following players are finalists for the 2012-13 Ted Lindsay Award (in alphabetical order): Sidney Crosby, of Cole Harbour, NS, Canada, appeared in 36 games for the Fri, 10 May 2013 12:55:53 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightnings_martin_st_louis_a_finalist_for_award/13590758 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightnings_martin_st_louis_a_finalist_for_award/13590758 Lightning’s Martin St. Louis a finalist for award http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightnings_martin_st_louis_a_finalist_for_award/13590758 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/0/8076ddb3eab9e3fd02d80d8cdc31d71a6a039f0f/mini/Montreal_Canadiens_v_a962.jpg TAMPA, Fla. Martin St. Louis could be named the NHLs best. On Thursday morning, the league announced that the veteran Tampa Bay Lightningwinger is one of three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, presented annuallyto the NHLs Most Outstanding Player. Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosbyand Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin also are finalists. The players vote on the award, which honors Lindsay, 87, a former winger for theDetroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. St. Louis (once), Crosby (once) andOvechkin (three times) are all previous recipients of the honor. Before the2009-10 season, the accolade was known as the Lester B. Pearson Award. St. Louis, a 14-year veteran, led the league in points (60) this season, winninghis second career Art Ross Trophy, following his first after the 2003-04campaign. He also ranked first in assists (43), second in points per game (1.25)and fifth in power play assists. Hey, Im proud, St. Louis said of winning the Art Ross Trophy, after aseason-ending loss to the Thu, 09 May 2013 11:11:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightnings_martin_st_louis_finalist_for_nhl_mop_award/13583054 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightnings_martin_st_louis_finalist_for_nhl_mop_award/13583054 Lightning's Martin St. Louis finalist for NHL MOP award http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightnings_martin_st_louis_finalist_for_nhl_mop_award/13583054 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/3/a31abc4351b4268af76041c0517b531fd2372ce5/mini/tampa-bay-lightning-los.jpg This season, Martin St. Louis, 37, became the oldest player in NHL history to claim the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points. Courtesy the Tampa Bay Lightning, here's an infographic breaking down the accomplishment. Wed, 08 May 2013 17:52:54 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/martin_st_louis_art_ross_trophy_winner_infographic/13578356 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/martin_st_louis_art_ross_trophy_winner_infographic/13578356 Martin St. Louis: Art Ross Trophy winner infographic http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/martin_st_louis_art_ross_trophy_winner_infographic/13578356 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/0/8076ddb3eab9e3fd02d80d8cdc31d71a6a039f0f/mini/Montreal_Canadiens_v_a962.jpg The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Radko Gudas to a three-year contract, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today. Gudas, 22, played in 22 games with the Lightning this past season, collecting two goals and five points to go along with a plus-3 rating and 38 penalty minutes. He made his NHL debut on March 12 at Florida and scored his first career NHL goal on March 20 at Toronto. Gudas ranked seventh in the NHL among rookies with 87 hits despite playing in only 22 games during the 2012-13 regular season. The 6-foot, 204-pound defenseman skated in 57 games this season with the Crunch, notching four goals and 20 points. Gudas ranked first in the American Hockey League with a plus-32 rating and was seventh in the league with 207 penalty minutes. During the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs, he has recorded one goal and four penalty minutes, helping the Crunch sweep their first round opponent, the Portland Pirates. The Prague, Czech Republic, native was origin... Mon, 06 May 2013 15:27:05 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_sign_defenseman_radko_gudas/13561397 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_sign_defenseman_radko_gudas/13561397 Lightning sign defenseman Radko Gudas http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_sign_defenseman_radko_gudas/13561397 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms with center Cedric Paquette on a three-year, entry-level contract today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.  Paquette also signed an AHL ATO for the remainder of the season. Paquette, 6-foot, 187 pounds, played in 63 games with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this past season, recording 27 goals, including six on the power-play, and 83 points with a plus-29 rating and 103 penalty minutes.   He led the Armada for points, assists and shots on goal with 261, while ranking second for plus/minus and penalty minutes.  Paquette was also fourth on the team in goals.  He played in 15 postseason games, registering seven goals and 12 points.  Paquette was tied for the team lead for goals and led for penalty minutes with 33. A native of Gaspe, Quebec, Paquette has played in 126 QMJHL games during his two-year career with Blainville-Boisbriand, amassing 58 goals and 131 points with 19... Thu, 02 May 2013 21:21:40 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_and_center_cedric_paquette_come_to_terms/13539659 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_and_center_cedric_paquette_come_to_terms/13539659 Lightning and center Cedric Paquette come to terms http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_and_center_cedric_paquette_come_to_terms/13539659 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TAMPA, Fla. Little about this season, from a coaching change to boasting two of the games most prolific offensive threats, was typical for the Tampa Bay Lightning.That must be kept in mind when crafting the epitaph for what was a frustrating, inconsistent year for a franchise that expected more. When considering the potential and star power on its roster, Tampa Bay, simply, should have been better. Winger Martin St. Louis led the NHL in points with 60, and center Steven Stamkos finished second with 57. Meanwhile, St. Louis led the league in assists (43), and Stamkos finished second in goals (29). Still, somehow, the Lightning were little more than an afterthought in the Eastern Conference by late March, once again absent from the postseason for the fifth time in six long years.The Lightning totaled 40points with an 18-26-4 record, good for second-to-last in the conference and four points ahead of the Florida Panthers for the 15th spot. The aftermath left a sense of the unfulfilled, the searching, for a franc Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:25:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_season_included_change_and_frustration/13521533 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_season_included_change_and_frustration/13521533 Lightning season included change and frustration http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_season_included_change_and_frustration/13521533 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/5/65810fe501652e8a1041f204b367c7d2f4101210/mini/6161280.jpg The Tampa Bay Lightning have a 14.2 percent chance of winning the 2013 Scotiabank NHL Draft Lottery which will take place tonight, Monday, April 29, at 8 p.m. The lottery results will be announced live on NBC Sports Network in the U.S. and on TSN in Canada. The Lightning have the third-highest chance of being awarded the NHL’s No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, which will take place on Sunday, June 30, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Florida Panthers (25.0%) and Colorado Avalanche (18.8%) are the only teams with higher odds. Teams’ chances at winning the lottery are determined by their regular-season point totals. This is the first time in the NHL’s history that all 14 non-playoff teams have a chance to obtain the No. 1 pick. In previous years, the lottery winner was only allowed to move up four spots in the draft order. Since the implementation of the lottery in 1995, the Lightning have had the first overall selection twice, in 1998 and 2008. In 1998, Ta... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:26:16 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_have_142_chance_of_winning_the_draft_lottery/13514018 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_have_142_chance_of_winning_the_draft_lottery/13514018 Lightning have 14.2% chance of winning the draft lottery http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_have_142_chance_of_winning_the_draft_lottery/13514018 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Martin St. Louis had a remarkable year, leading the NHL in scoring at age 37. Still, the Tampa Bay Lightning forward would give up it all up to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Tampa Bay failed to make the postseason for the second straight season despite having the league's top two scorers in St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. ''The summer's long when you don't make the playoffs,'' Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. ''We're about to experience that and it's not a great feeling.'' St. Louis finished with 60 points, becoming the oldest Art Ross Trophy winner. He also captured the scoring title in 2004, when Tampa Bay won its only Stanley Cup championship. Stamkos wound up second in the points race with 57. ''I'd trade a lot of that to be in the playoffs and have a chance at the Stanley Cup,'' St. Louis said. ''But then when all that kind of goes away, the hope of getting in, you try to finish strong and play the right way.'' Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:29:53 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/disappointed_lightning_miss_playoffs_again/13513034 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/disappointed_lightning_miss_playoffs_again/13513034 Disappointed Lightning miss playoffs again http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/disappointed_lightning_miss_playoffs_again/13513034 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/0/20fff0c963da5fa116deb55b359acfcd66d479be/mini/PicImg_NHL_FEB_27_4448.jpg The final game of the Lightning season played out just like how the entire season has. An inconsistent game played on both ends of the ice resulted in a 5-3 loss to the Panthers.  The NHL points leader Martin St. Louis broke a 2-2 tie in the second when his wrist shot from the side of the crease to make it 3-2. But two third period goals by Florida put the Bolts down 4-3 before they added the empty net goal. “We have two of the top scorers in the league and we aren’t making the playoffs,” head coach Jon Cooper said after the game. “That is where we have to turn that into winning hockey games.” With a goal and an assist tonight, Martin St. Louis leads teammate Steven Stamkos by three points for the NHL scoring title with 60 points. Stamkos finished the year with 29 goals and is currently the NHL’s second leading goal scorer behind Alex Ovechkin who finished with 32 goals. Stamkos also ranks second in the league with 57 points. The post Lightning lose their fin... Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:49:35 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_lose_their_final_game_of_the_season/13504313 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_lose_their_final_game_of_the_season/13504313 Lightning lose their final game of the season http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_lose_their_final_game_of_the_season/13504313 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/3/a31abc4351b4268af76041c0517b531fd2372ce5/mini/tampa-bay-lightning-los.jpg TAMPA, Fla. This season has long been lost for the Tampa Bay Lightning, from a strong start (6-1) wasted in February, to a coaching change (Guy Boucher to Jon Cooper) in March to an end Saturday night that signifies how much of a contradiction these 48 games became. Fourteen-year veteran winger Martin St. Louis, who finished with 60 points after a goal and an assist in a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Times Forum, will become the oldest winner of the Art Ross Trophy when the NHLs regular season ends Sunday. Hes 37 years old and looks the part of a dressing-room leader with scars stern, composed, a no-nonsense presence, even when hes asked to describe what its like to weigh a strong individual season against an unsatisfying team campaign. Id trade a lot of that to be in a playoff and have a chance at a Stanley Cup, St. Louis said. When all that kind of goes away, the hope of getting in (the playoffs), you try to finish strong and play the right way. When youre trying to make the best of t Sun, 28 Apr 2013 01:06:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/st_louis_scoring_title_dulled_by_frustrating_season/13503140 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/st_louis_scoring_title_dulled_by_frustrating_season/13503140 St. Louis' scoring title dulled by frustrating season http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/st_louis_scoring_title_dulled_by_frustrating_season/13503140 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/b/3b90280c7edbe1879b773c3dac6d1bc025bf0a8b/mini/Tampa_Bay_Lightning_0171.jpg The Tampa Bay Lightning have long been out of the Eastern Conference playoff race, but Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos are still in a race of their own. Either one could win the Art Ross Trophy in the season finale Saturday night when the Lightning try to extend their point streak over the league-worst Florida Panthers to nine. The Lightning (18-25-4) will miss the playoffs for the second straight season despite a 6-1-0 start that was Tampa Bay's best since 2003-04. The club's fortunes went downhill quickly after that, eventually costing Guy Boucher his job late last month. With everything that's gone wrong with the team of current coach Jon Cooper - Tampa Bay lost 2-0 to Boston on Thursday in its latest contest - the solid play of St. Louis and Stamkos has been a constant. With his seventh career hat trick in a 5-2 win over Toronto on Wednesday, St. Louis improved his league-best point total to 58. Stamkos, who has 29 goals and trails Washington's Alex Ovechkin for the NHL lead with 32, c Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:07:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/panthers_at_lightning_game_preview/13498088 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/panthers_at_lightning_game_preview/13498088 Panthers at Lightning game preview http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/panthers_at_lightning_game_preview/13498088 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/b/3b90280c7edbe1879b773c3dac6d1bc025bf0a8b/mini/Tampa_Bay_Lightning_0171.jpg TAMPA, Fla. Three members of the Tampa Bay Lightning were named to Team USA for the IIHF World Championships, USA Hockey announced Thursday.Goaltender Ben Bishop, forward Nate Thompson and defenseman Matt Carle will take part in the event, which starts May 3 in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden.Bishop, acquired from the Ottawa Senators on April 3, has played in nine games for Tampa Bay and has posted a 3-4-1 record with a .917 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average. Thompson, who will make his second consecutive Team USA appearance, has played in 43 games this season and has earned seven goals and 15 points. Carle, who will make his third Team USA appearance, has played in 46 games this season and has four goals and 21 points.The Lightning, with a 18-24-4 record, have 40 points and are in fourth place in the Southeast Division. You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:11:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_players_named_to_team_usa_roster_for_world_championships/13483303 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_players_named_to_team_usa_roster_for_world_championships/13483303 Lightning players named to Team USA roster for World Championships http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_players_named_to_team_usa_roster_for_world_championships/13483303 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TAMPA, Fla. Ben Bishop will stay with the Tampa Bay Lightning for at least a few more years. The fourth-year goalie was signed to a two-year extension, the team announced Monday. Bishop has appeared in six games with the Lightning after he was acquired from the Ottawa Senators at the April 3 trade deadline. He has earned a 2-3-0 record with a .916 save percentage and a 3.21 goals-against average. He made a strong debut against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 4, stopping 45 shots in a 5-0 victory. Bishop, a native of Denver, has appeared in 42 career NHL games. In that span, he has earned a 17-16-3 record with a .912 save percentage and a 2.67 goals-against average. He played in 13 games with the St. Louis Blues during the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons before joining the Senators prior to the 2011-12 campaign. The Lightning have 37 points, nine behind the New York Rangers for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They play at the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @ Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:49:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_sign_bishop_to_two_year_extension/13405117 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_sign_bishop_to_two_year_extension/13405117 Lightning sign Bishop to two-year extension http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_sign_bishop_to_two_year_extension/13405117 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TAMPA, Fla. Ben Bishop wanted this night to be as normal as possible. The intrigue was obvious the Tampa Bay Lightnings new goalie faces his former team six days after a trade but he wanted little part of that story line. The predictable was too dull, too mundane, too unlike him. So Bishop simplified things, and observing the 6-foot-7 netminder, its easy to see why. He spent the better part of a four-minute give-and-take with local and Canadian media Tuesday morning offering a glimpse at a more complete profile of him, one free of exaggeration and sugarcoated compliments. He said there would be some feeling of nostalgia playing the Ottawa Senators, the team he spent parts of the past two seasons with, but he would consider them just another opponent once the puck dropped and his adrenaline peaked. He said he would consider Kyle Turris, Sergei Gonchar, Daniel Alfredsson and other former teammates-turned-foes to be the enemy out there once pregame goodwill became in-the-moment heat. After the game, we Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:03:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_hope_for_long_term_returns_in_bishop/13360933 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_hope_for_long_term_returns_in_bishop/13360933 Lightning hope for long-term returns in Bishop http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_hope_for_long_term_returns_in_bishop/13360933 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png After several reports, the Tampa Bay Lightning make it official by naming Jon Cooper the eighth head coach in franchise history.  Cooper joins the Lightning after having spent the previous three seasons behind the bench of Tampa Bay’s top minor league affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals from 2010-12 and this season with the Syracuse Crunch, compiling a 133-62-26 (.661) record in 221 AHL games. Cooper will coach his first game for the Lightning on Friday night versus the New Jersey Devils. From the team’s press release: “We are very pleased to introduce Jon as our head coach today,” Yzerman said. “He has had success at every level he has coached and is extremely familiar with our organization, as well as our players.  He has a tremendous record at all levels and we feel he is ready to make the move to the NHL.” “There is no other team in hockey that I would rather be coaching than the Tampa Bay Lightning,” said Cooper upon accepting the position. “It’s quite a tribute to Steve Yzerman, J... Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:08:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_announce_theyve_hired_jon_cooper_as_coach/13233682 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/lightning_announce_theyve_hired_jon_cooper_as_coach/13233682 Lightning announce they’ve hired Jon Cooper as coach http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_announce_theyve_hired_jon_cooper_as_coach/13233682 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png