The full run

Though I shared my top five hounding trips for the 2008-09 NHL season down here in Humidity Bay, here's a complete listing of the planned campaign:

Preseason

TBD: Lightning training camp
Monday, Sept. 22: Pittsburgh Penguins (Will Sidney sign?) %
Tuesday, Sept. 23: New York Rangers %

Regular season

Saturday, Oct. 11: Carolina Hurricanes (Lightning's home opener) *
Thursday, Oct. 16: New York Islanders
Saturday, Oct. 18: Minnesota Wild (Redemption, please) *#
Tuesday, Oct. 21: Atlanta Thrashers
Saturday, Oct. 25: San Jose Sharks (Welcome back, Dan Boyle) *

Saturday, Nov. 1: Ottawa Senators (Working a team helmet)
Thursday, Nov. 13: Detroit Red Wings *#
Tuesday, Nov. 18: Florida Panthers (Working a team helmet)
Friday, Nov. 21: Nashville Predators *
Wednesday, Nov. 26: New York Rangers

Thursday, Dec. 4: Boston Bruins (Welcome back, Patrice) *#
Saturday, Dec. 6: Buffalo Sabres %
Thursday, Dec. 18: Colorado Avalanche (Another five from Joey?) *
Tuesday, Dec. 30: Montreal Canadiens (Considering a team helmet)

Thursday, Jan. 15: Philadelphia Flyers
Monday, Jan. 19: Dallas Stars (Welcome back, Brad Richards) *#
Wednesday, Jan. 21: Buffalo Sabres
Tuesday, Jan. 27: Montreal Canadiens

Thursday, Feb. 12: Toronto Maple Leafs %
Tuesday, Feb. 17: Chicago Blackhawks (Hello, Mssrs. Kane and Toews) *#
Thursday, Feb. 19: New Jersey Devils
Sunday, Feb. 22: Boston Bruins *

Tuesday, March 3: Pittsburgh Penguins
Friday, March 6: St. Louis Blues *
Thursday, March 19: Washington Capitals %
Tuesday, March 24: Columbus Blue Jackets *

Tuesday, April 7: Pittsburgh Penguins %
Thursday, April 9: Washington Capitals (Lightning's home closer)

* = One of the 12-plus games we'll attend this season
# = Part of Top Five trips
% = Optional trip

My kind of six pack

Now that former NHL goalie Mike Vernon has become the special assistant to Brian Lawton, Tampa Bay's vice president of hockey operations, I'll have to add another stack to my Lightning-only puck-hounding want list. And, no, I'm not complaining.

Not only did Vernon win Stanley Cups with Calgary (1998-99 season) and Detroit (1996-97 season, winning the Conn Smythe), but he also won a Memorial Cup with the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League.

Though he's not in the Hall of Fame, a player of Vernon's stature is certainly worthy of pursuing an NHL career collection. Maybe I'll make it a side project this season, meaning I'll also need pucks of the Lightning, Panthers and Sharks.

Moment of recognition

How can a hockey hound tell when he's become a recognizable face? When Tampa Bay's Vinny Lecavalier, the signer of thousands of autographs, remembers you as he inks a 2008 NHL All Star Game puck.

Normally, this recognition could easily become the death knell for any collector, as the thinking goes that once this happens, the player has decided that he's done signing for you.

But when our brief meeting, held yesterday during a meet-and-greet with Lightning season-ticket holders, ended with a firm handshake and his telling me that he'll see me at training camp, I got the sense that I'll have little to worry about.

If I'm wrong, I'll take solace in knowing it was the 10th puck that Lecavalier has signed for us. And, to be perfectly honest with you, I'm running out of pucks for him to sign.

Then again, maybe he was in a good mood after officially signing a contract (11 years, $85 million) that will make him a Lightning for life. Right now, though, I'll take Vinny at his word.

Multidimensional, that's me

Just to prove that I'm much more than just pucks, I added to Colin's autograph collection yesterday, asking Lightning Girls Karen and Eva to sign this team sheet while waiting to get Vinny Lecavalier's autograph.

It's a tough job being a Daddy, but I'm more than happy to be one.

On Patrice, Vinny and online shopping

Three hockey-related thoughts before I head off this afternoon to inform and enlighten readers of the St. Petersburg Times up north in Hernando County:

~ It's great reading that Boston's Patrice Bergeron, a favorite of Hound Central 3.0, joined the Bruins' youngsters last week at the team's development camp north of Boston.

Bergeron, who sustained a nasty concussion early last season after a questionable hit from Philly's Randy Jones, said he's looking forward to playing again.

"I want to make sure I'm ready," he told NHL.com correspondent John Bishop. “That’s why I came down here this week, to skate and work out and make sure I’m in the best shape I can be.”

Down here in Humidity Bay, we can't wait to see Bergie play again. Like most Bruins fans, we missed him last season.

~ Great, but expected, move by the Lightning's new ownership to lock up Vinny Lecavalier, signing the team's superstar to an 11-year, $85 million contract. Since he was drafted first overall by the Lightning in 1998, Vinny's been the face of the organization.

This deal, expected to be a hot topic Tuesday at a meet-and-greet autograph session (a future posting, perhaps?) for season-ticket holders, is expected to keep Lecavalier a member of the Lightning for life. I certainly hope so.

~ Why is it whenever I believe I've found a good online deal on a piece of hockey equipment for Colin, be it gloves, shin guards or pants, the supplier never has it in his correct size?

Sure, I understand the concept behind closeouts (supplies are limited and no exchanges are allowed), but offering only a handful of products in useless sizes rivals conduct that would earn a chippy player an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Low prices may lure people to Web sites, but if they can't find products at those advertised prices, a move that may steer some (but not me) to pay for more expensive gear, then they run the risk of alienating customers.

I, for one, took our business ($125, this order: helmet with faceshield, pants, gloves and shin guards) elsewhere.

And it wasn't any Florida-based pro shop; their prices ($44 for an off-brand pair of youth gloves, for instance, while I paid $25 for Mission Fuel 60s) are even higher.

Lots for the Lightning

Given all of the movements made by the Tampa Bay Lightning's new ownership, with the team drafting Steven Stamkos first overall and signing such free agents as Olaf Kolzig, Ryan Malone, Mark Recchi, Gary Roberts and Radim Vrbata, I could very well add another 75 pucks from the Lightning alone this season:

Len Barrie (co-owner): Lightning and Kamloops Blazers

Brandon Bochenski: Lightning *

Matt Carle: Lightning and San Jose Sharks

Adam Hall: Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators

Andrew Hutchinson: Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes *

Olaf Kolzig: Lightning, Washington Capitals new logo, Washington Capitals eagle, Washington Capitals original logo, 2000 NHL All Star Game, Washington Capitals 25th anniversary (above, right), 1998 NHL All Star Game (above, left), Rochester Americans, Portland Pirates and Tri-City Americans

Oren Koules (co-owner): Lightning and Saw DVD cover

Tom Kurvers (co-assistant GM): Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils

Brian Lawton (director of hockey operations): Lightning and Minnesota North Stars

Vincent Lecavalier: Lightning three-stripe (above) and 2008 NHL All Star Game

Claude Loiselle (co-assistant GM): Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils and Quebec Nordiques

Ryan Malone: Lightning

Barry Melrose: Lightning, NHL 2Nite, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets

Andrej Meszaros: Lightning

Vinny Prospal: Philadelphia Flyers

Kari Ramo: Tampa Bay Lightning-Norfolk Admirals (at left), Norfolk Admirals and Springfield Falcons *

Mark Recchi: Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens and Kamloops Blazers

Gary Roberts: Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins

Matt Smaby: Lightning, Tampa Bay Lightning-Norfolk Admirals first year affiliation, Norfolk Admirals and Springfield Falcons

Mike Smith: Lightning, Dallas Stars and Utah Grizzlies

Steven Stamkos: Lightning, Lightning three-stripe and Team Canada

Rick Tocchet (assistant coach): Lightning, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes and Phoenix Coyotes geodesic design

Mike Vernon (special assistant to Brian Lawton): Lightning, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks and Portland Winter Hawks #

Radim Vrbata: Lightning, Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes

Wes Walz (assistant coach): Lightning, Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild inaugural season (at left)

Ty Wishart: Lightning, San Jose Sharks and Prince George Cougars *

I'll have no pucks for Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Halpern, Mike Lundin, Shane O'Brien, Paul Ranger and Martin St. Louis.

* Provided, of course, he makes the team;

# provided he visits Tampa

What do you think?

I was thinking of adding this program from the 2008 NHL Entry Draft to my want list for Tampa Bay's top pick Steven Stamkos.

I suppose, too, I should try to get fellow first-rounders Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings, second overall), Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis Blues, fourth overall), Tyler Myers (Buffalo Sabres, 12th overall), Zach Bogosian (Atlanta Thrashers, third overall) and Luke Schenn (Toronto Maple Leafs, fifth overall).

Busy, busy, busy

Every summer, NHL teams try to retool their lineups for the season ahead. In some cases, it's the addition of a key free agent or the promotion of a vaunted rookie. In others, there will be a modest amount of change, perhaps two to three new faces.

Down here in Humidity Bay, though, Lightning fans have witnessed a near-wholesale change in the lineup, given the team's uberactive wheelings and dealings. How busy have the Lightning been? On opening night, there could be as many as eight or nine new faces in the lineup and one mulleted mug behind the bench.

From a hounding standpoint, what I thought would be an easy season of hounding the Lightning, focusing on Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis, now presents a challenge worthy of my time and expertise:

Olaf Kolzig: Nearing the end of his NHL career, he tops my list of new Lightning faces. Though the Lightning represent only his second NHL team, there should be ample opportunities to have him sign some specialty (AHL, All Star Game and anniversary) pucks.

Steve Stamkos: Being the No. 1 overall draft pick puts a bull's eye on his autograph. Given the team's pre-draft publicity surrounding him, it should be relatively easy to snag quite a few more autographs from him. My wish lists includes Lightning pucks, magazines, a Team Canada jersey and that picture of he and Colin at the team's meet-and-greet.

Gary Roberts: Brought onto to the team to provide some grizzled leadership to Stamkos, I've had the pleasure of getting his autograph numerous times. Still, though, it won't keep me from having him sign a Lightning puck.

Mark Recchi: Here's another player brought aboard to provide leadership. Like most veteran players nearing the end of their runs, he's become much more willing to sign. That's good, because I'll have four to five pucks for him to sign throughout the season.

Ryan Malone: Another addition designed to add some grit to the Lightning's soft lineup. I'll focus on cards more than multiple pucks. Having hounded him in the minors, all I really need from Malone is a signed Lightning puck.

Radim Vrbata: My most recent puck order contains three pucks for him: Lightning, Blackhawks and Avalanche. I might as well get him while I can, right?

Matt Carle: Of all the new faces, I predict that he'll make one of the biggest differences in the lineup. Coming off of a sophomore slump, the former Hobey Baker Award winner should show why he's certainly worthy of pucks.

Adam Hall: Playing for his fifth team (Nashville, Rangers, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay) in four seasons, he represents the proverbial handful for puckhounds such as myself. Given his ever-decreasing point total, though, I'll likely limit him to two pucks -- Nashville and Tampa Bay.

Brandon Bochenski: Yeah, he's bounced around a bit lately, becoming the NHL's poster boy for adventure-seeking job-hoppers. That doesn't mean I'll load up on pucks, though. Maybe a Lightning puck, but that's about it.

Andrew Hutchinson: Not exactly a household name, but he did win a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes. That alone, I believe, is worthy of at least a couple pucks to go with the Nashville Predators and Milwaukee Admirals pucks in the collection.

Barry Melrose: Though I'll resist the temptation to have him sign a mullet wig, I'd like to find an ESPN NHL 2nite promotional puck for him to sign. Until then, I'll use the L.A. Kings, Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets pucks I've ordered.

Proof positive

Imagine my surprise just a few minutes ago when checking out the Tampa Bay Lightning's Web site I stumbled across this photo gallery image of Steven Stamkos signing Colin's jersey earlier today during a meet-and-greet with season-ticket holders.

To see the gallery, click on the link inside this story. Colin's is the fourth of seven photographs.

A good start

Say what you will about new Tampa Bay Lightning coach Barry Melrose (he's been out of the game too long to what's up with the mullet?), but he certainly has a knack for putting people at ease.

Though Lightning officials asked that autographs be kept to one per person and that posed photos wait until another day, Melrose entertained nearly every request Thursday during a meet-and-greet with Lightning season-ticket holders.

My question? Will John Buccigross, Melrose's journalist sidekick during ESPN's NHL 2Night run, be joining the Lightning front office?

"Nope, Bucci's staying in Connecticut," Melrose said, laughing. "Right where he belongs."

Not sweating the details

I might have been the only one to notice, but the new Tampa Bay Lightning sign hanging outside the St. Pete Times Forum contains a pretty serious error.

The sign, sandwiched between a couple of tall ads for Heineken, shows the Lightning's newly anointed Big Four -- Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Dan Boyle and Steven Stamkos, the team's No. 1 draft pick for 2008.

The only problem, however, is that the sign shows Stamkos, wearing a No. 91 Lightning sweater in game action, as a lefthanded shot. Sorry, but he's a righthanded shot.

And, for the sake of accuracy, it matters.

Mission accomplished

Seeing that it rains down here in Humidity Bay nearly every afternoon during the summer, our trip over to downtown Tampa was in doubt for awhile earlier today. It wasn't so much the rain, though, as it was the nasty thunder and lightning.

Still, once the storm passed we headed east, dodging a few raindrops along the way, for some more Lightning. Namely, the team's No. 1 overall draft pick, Steven Stamkos.

After the meet-and-greet with season-ticket holders, we were able to get Stamkos to sign this Sarnia Sting puck. Sure, I had more items that I would've liked to gotten signed, but there was a strict one-per limit. Colin had him sign his Lightning jersey.

Once Stamkos signed, we completed a neat little autograph trick -- getting two No. 1 overall picks within a week. Last Thursday, we scored Tim Beckham, the Tampa Bay Rays' first selection in the 2008 MLB draft.

One down ... one to go

With a little bit of luck, we might be able to add autographs from two No. 1 overall picks in little more than a week.

Last Thursday, with the Cubs in town for an interleague matchup with the Rays, Colin scored Tim Beckham, Tampa Bay's top 2008 pick on June 5, on an official practice ball (see stamp on top of ball) that someone gave to him during batting practice.

Tomorrow, we'll head over to Tampa to get Steven Stamkos, taken first overall last Friday by the Lightning in last week's NHL draft. The event is for season-ticket holders, so we'll have to catch him outside. New coach Barry Melrose will be there, too.

A side note on the baseball: Had I been thinking, we should have had Beckham's brother, Jeremy, a 17th-round pick (503rd overall) of the Rays, sign the ball. He was there. It'll have to wait, I suppose.

Hockey always comes first.

Wasn't even close

As expected, the Tampa Bay Lightning made quick work of their No. 1 overall pick at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, selecting center Steven Stamkos of the Sarnia Sting. Still, though, that didn't end the drama inside Scotiabank Place in Kanata, Ontario.

The biggest question, it seems, was who would go second overall -- Guelph's Drew Doughty or Petersborough's Zach Bogosian?

Once again, Hound Central 3.0's readers proved their hockey IQ by overwhelmingly picking Doughty, who went second to Los Angeles, over Bogosian, taken third by Atlanta.

Question: Who will be the No. 2 pick overall at the 2008 NHL Draft?

Drew Doughty: 15 out of 21 votes cast (71.4 percent)
Zach Bogosian: 6 out of 21 (28.6 percent)

Gee, what can I do with this?

If the Tampa Bay Lightning makes, as is expected, Steven Stamkos the No. 1 overall pick of the NHL Draft tonight, do you think this Sarnia Sting puck might come in handy? I do.

Though I've read that Stamkos is planning to spend the weekend in Kanata, Ontario, where the draft is taking place, I'm sure the Lightning will be making the Sarnia Sting star available to its fan base soon enough.

I'm hoping to have this, as well as a few other items, signed by month's end. If not, there's always rookie camp.

Stamkos fans would be well-served to visit this site at the St. Petersburg Times. The newspaper (disclosure notice: my employer) has created a five-card set of Stamkos, available for download, printing and, I imagine, getting autographed.

Please note, though, they won't be considered his true rookie cards.

Take 'em when you can get 'em

Just because the NHL season is over doesn't mean that you can't snag an autograph or two. Look at the three we added to our collection earlier this evening.

The old school Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning pucks, shown above, were signed by former NHL player John Tucker, who runs a pro shop and coaches teams at the Clearwater Ice Arena.

I'd been carrying the pucks with me for a couple weeks now, as Colin skates and takes lessons at the arena. Tonight was the first time I'd seen Tucker when he wasn't on the ice.

This card, signed to Colin by another former NHL player Chris Dingman, was obtained following Colin's skating practice when we returned to the Wing House restaurant in Pinellas Park, where the Lightning were holding a live radio broadcast and an event for season ticket-holders.

Now, some might say that these former players are hardly worth the effort. With all due respect, however, I disagree. Sure, both are unlikely candidates for the Hockey Hall of Fame. But, both also played in the NHL, something that, in the grand scheme of things, not too many people get to do.

Even though I'll plead guilty to cherry picking during the season, I'm always happy to add autographs during the offseason.

I think I'll wait

I was going to order three 2008 NHL Draft pucks today from Sensations, the Ottawa Senators' team store at Scotiabank Place in Kanata, until I learned that the shipping to Florida would be $30.

It's bad enough the puck was $7. I get mine for less than $2.75. I'd pay $5 for shipping. Maybe even $8. But $30? I don't think so.

Hopefully, my patience will be rewarded. It's my guess Steven Stamkos, projected as Tampa Bay's first overall pick Friday night, will be around Humidity Bay for quite a while.

Sunday morning homily XXX

Now that I've dried off and got the water out of one of my ears following a mid-morning battle with super soakers (my Father's Day present) with Colin (that's him, on the right, with me at a Bolts game), it'll be much easier to share with you why, from my point of view, that Father's Day is, indeed, the best holiday of the year:

~ Fathers get to revel in the joy that they have helped to create. From skating backwards to fishing to sharing a recliner, spending time with your children is the best thing a father can do. Granted, most fathers I know, myself included, want to spend more time with their children and families. At least, though, we all have today.

~ Fathers get to pass along their experience, their love and their beliefs. From working hard at everything you do to remembering to look both ways when entering an intersection after the traffic light has turned green, it's our job, as a child's most important role model, to pass along the wisdom we've gained over the years.

~ If you're lucky (like I am), you'll get one of your better meals of the year today. For me, it'll be grilled steak, marinating for the past three days; twice-baked potatoes, including real bits of bacon and sour cream; and one of my favorite foods -- canned carrots. A slice of cake (or two or three) will top it off.

And though it was nice to open cards and unwrap presents on this day, the best gift I'll ever get is the one I receive every day from Colin -- a hug, a kiss and my favorite words: "I love you, Daddy."

To me, it just doesn't get any better than that.

Stoked, and stocked, for Stamkos

Maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit here, but I can't wait for this Friday, when the 2008 NHL Entry Draft kicks off in Kanata, Ontario. If perception becomes reality, that is when the Tampa Bay Lightning, picking first overall, will draft Sarnia's Steven Stamkos, a talented center who many believe is NHL-ready.

Really, it's not that I'm the biggest Lightning fan down here in Humidity Bay. Sure, they're my most recent "hometown team," and I'll root for them to do well every season, but they reside a couple notches down the list.

No, what I'm waiting for is Stamkos' first public visit to Tampa. I'm certain the Lightning, given their "Seen Stamkos" campaign, will be more than happy to show off their latest star. Work schedule permitting, I plan on attending as many introductory events as I can.

Why? Another no-brainer. I have quite a few items -- three pucks, a couple of magazines, a few cards and a Team Canada jersey waiting to be signed. And that, my friends, is just the beginning.

Thanks, again and again and again

As I bring the final Sunday morning homily of the season to a close, I want to thank everyone who has taken time to stop by Hound Central 3.0. I know this blog is an acquired taste, focusing much more on autographs than hockey in general.

And while the summer always represents a slowdown in the hockey autograph cycle, I'm hoping that there's enough news -- within hockey and my hounding activities -- to offer, at the least, a weekly posting until training camps open in September.

As always, folks, I appreciate your support.

The only award show I watch

Five things about last night's NHL awards ceremony in Toronto:

~ Perhaps it was a bit too predictable, but the NHL's awarding of its first Lifetime Achievement Award to Gordie Howe was pretty darn touching. I can't help but wonder, though, if that award will someday be named after Mr. Hockey.

~ It was nice to see Tampa Bay's Vinny Lecavalier honored across the league for his philanthropic efforts, winning the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Then again, Hockey Bay has known about Vinny's off-the-ice contributions for some time.

~ I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised that Washington's Bruce Boudreau won the Jack Adams Award, for the NHL's best coach. Long before he took his spot behind the Capitals' bench, I watched quite a few games when he was coach of the AHL's Manchester (N.H.) Monarchs. Though he had a tough time getting the Monarchs deep into the playoffs, he led the Hershey Bears to the 2006 Calder Cup championship.

~ Someone from the Anchor Bar ought to send Chicago's Patrick Kane a couple heaping, steaming plates of chicken wings for his shout-out to Buffalo during his acceptance speech after winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. As a native western New Yorker, it's always sweet to see a Buffalo kid do good.

~ For as long as Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk has played in the NHL, don't you think that his English would be a bit better by now. I must admit, though, his acceptance speeches for winning the Frank Selke (defensive forward) and Lady Byng (gentlemanly player) trophies had to be among the shortest in award show history.

Take 2 for No. 2

Really, I should have given much more thought to the most recent Hound Central 3.0 poll, which asked (foolishly) who would be the No. 1 pick at the NHL draft -- Sarnia's Steven Stamkos or Peterborough's Zach Bogosian?

More than anything else, when The Hockey News calls you a "savior" on the cover of its draft preview, I'd say it's a done deal.

Closer to home, though, the Lightning have made no attempt to conceal their intentions with the No. 1 pick. In fact, the big hockey question all over Humidity Bay is have you Seen Stamkos?

So, yes, it's a given Stamkos will bring his talents to the Lightning. That's why I brought the Stamkos-Bogosian poll to a quick end.

The first eight votes, all in Stamkos' favor, further convinced me that there is a much better question to be asked of Hound Central 3.0's faithful: Who's the No. 2 overall pick? Is it Bogosian or Guelph's Drew Doughty?

Question: Who will be the No. 1 pick at the 2008 NHL Draft?

Steven Stamkos: 8 out of 8 votes cast (100 percent)
Zach Bogosian: 0 out of 8