At the NHL's All-Star weekend in Tampa Bay, Lighting captain Steven Stamkos admitted he was recruiting players to come to Tampa.
Stamkos was asked if he dropped any hints to Atlantic teammate D Mike Green about possibly joining the #Bolts. "I dropped hints to every single player in this dressing room. And they were doing the same to everyone else. That’s the way it goes." #NHLAllStar
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) January 29, 2018
Now that we're even close to TradeCentre, this quote is even more impactful given all of the Erik Karlsson trade rumours involving the Lightning.
Erik Karlsson on playing with Kucherov and Stamkos: "I was really happy about that one. That's two pure goal scorers with great hockey sense. So for me, who doesn't shoot the puck as well anymore, nice to have those guys on each side." #tblightning
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) January 29, 2018
Fans were freaking out back then and they're going even crazier now, especially with Tampa Bay in Ottawa to take on the Senators. If you thought things couldn't get any more insane, though, think again.
This was tweeted by Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun and while he, nor anyone has confirmed if this actually happened or not, Bob McKenzie did confirm that Karlsson shook hands with some Tampa Bay staff and trainers.I didn’t see it, but guys are saying Karlsson faked going into the Tampa room when he got to the rink. Totally believe it. He’s a fun guy #Senators
— Don Brennan (@SunDoniB) February 22, 2018
First, let me say I know nothing for sure. Second, I saw video of EK walking in. What I saw was he shook hands/talked to member of TB staff in main hall, stepped into doorway of what I think is trainer’s room to shake hands with another TB trainer... https://t.co/Ze1fv6mkrW
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 23, 2018
Only mentioned it because I see some people are making a “thing” of it, which is fine. I’m just not entirely sure EK was doing anything other than talking to TB trainers, who I presume he saw at All-Star weekend.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 23, 2018
As Bob said, this shouldn't be a big deal, but based on what people are saying on Twitter, apparently it's a huge deal.The awesome thing about Twitter is that I’m explaining why I’m not sure why anyone would be making a big deal of something, which some (not me) are, when I don’t think it’s anything at all. LOL. 👀😜
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 23, 2018
Erik Karlsson just winked at the camera. How should I read into this?!!1??
— Mike Corcoran (@MikeCorcoranNHL) February 23, 2018
Erik Karlsson's new team takes the ice. pic.twitter.com/qL3I5zDgMJ
— Brown Girl in the Rink (@Fffeisty) February 23, 2018
even Bob is trolling us... the end of this Trade Deadline can’t come soon enough https://t.co/zS1glDs96H
— Brittani 🌵🌺 (@TheBrittWithAnI) February 23, 2018
Everything is fine. Erik Karlsson will be a Senators for life. Everything is fine. pic.twitter.com/6OtbNrDLEO
— Brian of Canada 🇨🇦 (@BrianOfOttawa) February 23, 2018
Here's what aired on TV from @FOXSportsBolts @ErikKarlsson65 @TBLightning @Senators #TBLvsOTT #GoBolts #Sens pic.twitter.com/ba9N73ViTw
— 12-9-1 2018⚡ (@Bolt_Man1992) February 23, 2018
Erik Karlsson playing against his future team tonight 👀🤞🏻
— Glenny Beezy (@GlenBerlettano) February 23, 2018
Erik Karlsson is about to be traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning isn’t he 👀
— 🅶🆁🅰🅽🆃 (@Gr4ntyPanty) February 23, 2018
Imagine being Erik Karlsson and taking warmups to play against the team you’re leaving with on the plane to go to Saturday’s game.
— Brian (@TBLfan37) February 23, 2018
Erik Karlsson is too good for the NHL. Has anyone asked him if he can play basketball? https://t.co/6zsn0Emyhe
— I, Ryan (@rharding326) February 23, 2018
BRO JUST DO IT ALREADY @ErikKarlsson65 https://t.co/uQ3sj1xKzP
— Samvit Iyer (@SamvitIyer) February 23, 2018
KARLSSON TO TAMPA CONFIRMED!
— Pierre McGuire (@MobilePierre) February 23, 2018
— Mike (@1c3p1ckL0b0t0my) February 23, 2018
What did his hair look like? Was he smiling? What kind of body language was he showing? What pace was he breathing at?
— Brennan Klak (@nhlupdate) February 23, 2018
@loserpoints like even bob mckenzie is trolling this now GET ME TO MONDAY ALREADY
— Austin Terry (@a_terry28) February 23, 2018
He was just making sure his second period jersey is ready to go.
— JC (@Mikeroesoft) February 23, 2018
HERE WE GO
— Liam (@gohabsgo92) February 23, 2018
— Phiil7 (@phiil7) February 23, 2018
Reminder, TradeCentre is Monday, so we've still got a few more days of rumours left.
(H/T: Bob McKenzie, Don Brennan)
