Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has made it clear for years to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman that he'd like to host one of the league's major events in Tampa.
The last one in was the 1999 All Star Game at the then Ice Palace.
"Every time, he says, 'You're on the list,' and 'You're moving toward the head of the list,'" Vinik said. "We'll get one."
But when? It sounds like there might be some momentum for the Lightning and Tampa Bay to host a special NHL event sooner than later. A few reps from the league visited Tampa last month as part of a multi-city scouting tour for potential sites for the All-Star Game, NHL Draft, Stadium Series and Winter Classic Games, among others.