At this time last season, the talk throughout the hockey world was whether pending unrestricted free agent?Steven Stamkos would sign an extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning or test the market and sign elsewhere.The process lasted through the season and into the playoffs, and only two days before the official start of free agency, on July 1, did the Lightning captain finally agree to an eight-year deal worth $8.5 million annually. The 26-year-old forward could have earned more on the open market, but he wanted to stay and help the Lightning finally win a Stanley Cup under his watch.Not much has changed for Tampa Bay entering this season -- and thats a good thing for the Lightning, who finished second in the division last season with 97 points. Probably the only question this season is the future status of goaltender Ben Bishop, who has one year remaining on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1.Best new facesAfter the saga that played out last season, lets consider Jonathan Drouin a new face for the franchise. The 21-year-old forward, a former first-round pick (third overall) in the 2013 draft, suffered through some bad decisions and growing pains the past two years. Early last season, he asked for a trade, but Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman never relented and instead sent Drouin to the AHL.After a tumultuous start in the minors, he finally cleaned up his act and was summoned back to Tampa at the end of the regular season. During the playoffs, Drouin was outstanding. He registered five goals and nine assists for 14 points in 17 games as the Lightning reached the Eastern Conference finals. Despite a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, it was a promising end to what seemed like a bad relationship that could be headed for a divorce. Drouin enters this season with more responsibility and should produce.Biggest unknownsEverything is pretty much status quo for the Lightning. There arent any surprises entering the season. The only matter on the docket is whether Bishop remains beyond this season. Yzerman inked backup goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, 22, to a three-year contract extension worth $3.5 million per season last July.After Bishop, 30, suffered a leg injury during the Eastern Conference finals, Vasilevskiy proved he could handle the challenge and played well for the Lightning. Depending how the goaltending duties are divided this season, its possible Bishop could be moved at the trade deadline. Yzerman and coach Jon Cooper realize, however, that to win the Stanley Cup, a team needs to rely on two quality goaltenders. It would take a massive trade offer to convince Yzerman to move Bishop at the deadline.Sure thingsNow that theres no contract pressure on Stamkos, whos healthy after dealing with a blood clot near his collarbone last March that forced him to miss every playoff game with the exception of Game 7 of the conference finals, he should be ready to have a productive season. He had 36 goals and 28 assists for 64 points in 77 games during the regular season and proved during the World Cup of Hockey that hes healthy after helping Team Canada to a championship.Defenseman Victor Hedman, 25, was a Norris Trophy candidate last season, and had the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in either of the past two postseasons, Hedman would have been considered for the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP. Along with defensive partner Anton Stralman, Hedman should have another strong season. Both played for Team Sweden during the World Cup of Hockey.If Cooper decides to keep The Triplets line of Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat together again, expect plenty of offensive punch from that threesome.PredictionAfter losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Cup finals two seasons ago, and then missing out on a return trip to the finals by losing to the Penguins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last spring, the Lightning are poised for another championship run. This could be the season for Tampa. First in the Atlantic. Cheap Yeezys Ireland . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Wholesale Adidas Nmd . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. http://www.cheapnmdsneakersireland.com/adidas-nmd-womens-cheap-ireland.html . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. Cheapest Adidas Basketball Shoes . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. Adidas Nmd Cheap Ireland . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. BATON ROUGE, La. - Casie Ramsier scored twice, including the game-winner in the 89th minute, to seal a 2-1 victory for No. 11 Auburn at LSU on Thursday night. The Tigers (12-4-0, 8-1-0 SEC) tallied their seventh-straight victory, setting a new program record.Credit this team and their mental toughness, said head coach Karen Hoppa. They played hard and did everything [the coaching staff] asked of them. They dealt with adversity on the road and giving up a goal, but what a performance by Casie Ramsier. It was just unbelievable from our senior and Im really proud of this team.Ramsier tallied her 30th and 31st career goal, moving into a tie for third on the programs all-time list, while also netting her 10th career match-winner, good for third all-time at Auburn.The team came out and they were ready to play, stated Ramsier. It wasnt easy and we knew it was going to be tough, especially playing [at LSU] and with the break at halftime, we knew wed have to come out with energy in the second half.After a dominant start to the match for Auburn, the senior midfielder put the guests ahead in the first half when shee laced a shot across the face of goal in the 36th minute, a lead Auburn would hold into the break.ddddddddddddLightning would then hold off play for 81 minutes as the teams stayed in the locker rooms with 45 minutes remaining in the match.In the second half, LSU (7-10-0, 2-7-0) tied it back up with a goal in the 80th minute on a one-timer inside the box.With time nearly gone, Bri Folds was responsible the games final chance and played through Ramsier in the middle of the box where the Dallas, Texas native slotted home the match-winner with just 53 seconds left on the clock.Auburn would hold on as time ticked away and came to a close, sending the road team to its seventh-consecutive conference win and sixth-straight result on the road.The Tigers held a 21-13 advantage in shots and drew eight fouls in the contest.Auburn gets back on the pitch Sunday evening when it takes on Texas A&M. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. in College Station, Texas and will be televised on the SEC Network. ' ' '