Lightning’s Game 7 viewing party nixed due to NHL policy

Divide the fans, conquer the ratings.

That appears to be the NHL's approach to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final in Tampa Bay, at least.

As the Lightning visit the Pittsburgh Penguins to fight for the right to play for the Stanley Cup, fans will not be allowed to gather for a viewing party outside Amalie Arena.

The Lightning, as well as several other teams around the league, have held many viewing parties over the course of the playoffs, but the league is choosing Thursday to clamp down, as per its policy.

The impetus behind the decision would seem to be lighting up as many screens as possible in an attempt to boost ratings.

Owner Jeff Vink will host a "rally with opportunities to view Game 7" at a nearby parking lot, which he owns, which should help to boost his ratings with the Lightning fanbase.

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Report: Gudbranson turned down 4-year, $18M extension from Panthers

Erik Gudbranson could have been with the Florida Panthers for a few more years at least.

The young defenseman was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, circa two weeks after signing a one-year, $3.5-million contract extension with the team.

According to George Richards of the Miami Herald, Gudbranson had turned down a four-year deal worth $18 million before signing the one-year bridge contract.

That's significant for his new club seeing as Gudbranson will be a restricted free agent once again at the conclusion of 2016-17, with the ability to become unrestricted in 2018. In order to lock him up and justify dealing prospect Jared McCann along with second- and fourth-round draft picks to Florida, they'll seemingly have to top that offer.

In 309 career games, Gudbranson has recorded 11 goals, 32 assists, and 73 shots on goal.

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Report: Gudbranson turned down 4-year, $18M extension from Panthers

Erik Gudbranson could have been with the Florida Panthers for a few more years at least.

The young defenseman was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, circa two weeks after signing a one-year, $3.5-million contract extension with the team.

According to George Richards of the Miami Herald, Gudbranson had turned down a four-year deal worth $18 million before signing the one-year bridge contract.

That's significant for his new club seeing as Gudbranson will be a restricted free agent once again at the conclusion of 2016-17, with the ability to become unrestricted in 2018. In order to lock him up and justify dealing prospect Jared McCann along with second- and fourth-round draft picks to Florida, they'll seemingly have to top that offer.

In 309 career games, Gudbranson has recorded 11 goals, 32 assists, and 73 shots on goal.

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Coyotes name Steve Sullivan director of player development

The changes continue in Arizona.

Coyotes general manager John Chayka announced the club has promoted Steve Sullivan to director of player development, signing him to a multi-year contract extension in the process.

Sullivan served as the team’s development coach over the past two seasons, working with coaches and players in the Coyotes’ minor league system.

"Steve has done an excellent job monitoring and developing our top prospects the past two seasons," said Chayka. "We are pleased with his work and he is very deserving of this promotion."

Sullivan recorded 747 points in 1,011 NHL games.

Newell Brown has also been signed to a multi-year contract extension to continue his role as the team's assistant coach.

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Senators’ Lazar needs new ride after Phillips announces retirement

Curtis Lazar will miss Chris Phillips for a number of reasons.

After the veteran defenseman announced his retirement, the young Ottawa Senators forward tweeted out his appreciation for being taken under Phillips' wing early in his career.

On the flip side, Lazar needs to find a new carpool.

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Senators’ Phillips announces retirement, takes on community engagement role

The Big Rig is putting it in park.

Defenseman Chris Phillips has officially announced his retirement from professional hockey after 18 seasons, all with the Ottawa Senators.

The decision, made along with family and doctors, was a result of a back injury that kept him off the ice for the entirety of the 2015-16 season.

The Senators concurrently announced Phillips will remain with the organization in a front office position. He will continue to engage with the Ottawa-Gatineau community while being involved in community programs, alumni relations, and business development.

Drafted first overall by the Senators in 1996, Phillips made the jump to the NHL at age 19, and went on to appear in 1,179 games with the club, setting a franchise record.

Former and current general managers Bryan Murray and Pierre Dorion were in attendance when Phillips made the announcement Thursday, and praised his time with the club.

"He's been a leader in our dressing room, a leader in our community and he’s had a great career," said Dorion, who also listed off the 20-plus charities Phillips is involved with in the community. "He represents loyalty and what it means to be an Ottawa Senator."

A prototypical stay-at-home defenseman, Phillips scored 71 goals and added 218 assists over the course of his career.

He also appeared in 114 playoff games for the Senators, where he helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first and only time in 2007 - which they lost to Anaheim in five games - and recorded his most memorable goal in a 2003 series against New Jersey.

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Luongo pays tribute to traded Gudbranson

As only he can, Roberto Luongo took to Twitter on Thursday to pay tribute to Erik Gudbranson, who was traded to the Vancouver Canucks a day earlier.

Related: Panthers' Mitchell tweets 'WTF' after Gudbranson-McCann trade

Gudbranson was drafted third overall by the Panthers in 2010, three years before Luongo rejoined the team.

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