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Lightning journal: Plans set for 25th anniversary season

 
fit test: Top draft pick Cal Foote puts on his Lightning jersey.
fit test: Top draft pick Cal Foote puts on his Lightning jersey.
Published June 24, 2017

CHICAGO — The Lightning revealed some of its plans for its 25th anniversary season Friday, including a ceremony to honor the 2004 Stanley Cup team.

That event will be held Nov. 4 before a game against the Blue Jackets, coached by John Tortorella, the coach of the Cup team. That means Marty St. Louis, Vinny Lecavalier and Brad Richards will likely be reunited again.

Other events include a Brew Fest on Aug. 5 and a ceremony to recognize the inaugural 1992-93 team Oct. 14. There also will be a ceremony celebrating the 25 favorite Lightning personnel (players, executives, personalities); the date will be announced later.

Also, Tampa Bay will host the All-Star Game on Jan. 27-28.

There is no plan yet to retire another jersey, Lightning VP Bill Wickett said. Would think Lecavalier's No. 4 is next, after St. Louis' No. 26 was the first to be retired last season.

The Lightning also unveiled its new road jersey, which will no longer have "Tampa Bay" on the front, just the logo. A 25th anniversary patch will be on the right shoulder.

2017 DRAFT: Lightning takes defenseman Cal Foote in the first round.

Backing up

Lightning goalie coach Frantz Jean was thrilled about Thursday's re-signing of G Peter Budaj to a two-year extension. Jean believes Budaj, 34, complemented No. 1 Andrei Vasilevskiy perfectly last season after coming over in the Ben Bishop trade to the Kings near the deadline.

Jean said the Lightning hasn't decided on how to split the starts between Vasilevskiy and Budaj but he'd like to see Vasilevskiy start between 50 and 60 games and Budaj 25 to 30.

"My philosophy has always been play the backup once a week," Jean said.

"Keep the backup sharp. Now, with back-to-backs (games), there's no reason not to use your backup."

Not first time

D Anthony DeAngelo, the Lightning's 2014 first-round draft pick, was traded on the first day of the draft for the second year in a row.

DeAngelo, picked 19th overall by Tampa Bay, was dealt from the Coyotes to the Rangers along with the No. 7 pick Friday for C Derek Stepan and G Antti Raanta. The Lightning traded DeAngelo at last year's draft to Arizona for a pick that became D Libor Hajek.

Still think DeAngelo, 21, has promise as a prospect. But it's not a good look for a first-rounder to get traded in back-to-back years. DeAngelo had 14 points in 39 games for the Coyotes in his first NHL season but also got suspended for abuse of officials when he put his hands on the arm of an official to break away from him.

Rangers GM Jeff Gorton said DeAngelo can run a power play and that the team has no concerns after doing its homework on the defenseman's maturity.

The Lightning didn't have concerns, either.

Slap shots

•With T.J. Oshie (Capitals) and Patrick Eaves (Ducks) each re-signing, that takes two potential free agent forwards off the board.

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•The booing of commissioner Gary Bettman at the draft has become such a thing that he actually egged on the United Center fans Friday. "You can do better than that!" They booed louder.