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TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning arent in a hurry to anoint themselves championship contenders.They expect to be in the hunt for the NHL title after reaching the Stanley Cup final two years ago and coming within one victory of a return trip last spring, however theyre not taking anything for granted.Weve accomplished a lot and weve done a lot, but at the same time that doesnt really matter. This time of year every team starts 0-0 and it doesnt matter that we won a conference title two years ago, forward Tyler Johnson said.Whether were picked first or last were thinking were a team thats going to win, Johnson added. Obviously were happy people have faith in us and want us to do well and think we have a chance to do well. But at the same time we have our own expectations, and thats to win.General manager Steve Yzerman enhanced the chances for another deep run in the playoffs by keeping a talented nucleus intact, beginning with re-signing captain Steven Stamkos to an eight-year, $68 million contract.Defenseman Victor Hedman received an eight-year, $63 million deal. Backup goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy got a new deal worth about $3.5 million per season after filling in admirably for an injured Ben Bishop during the playoffs.I dont really talk about the Stanley Cup today because its so far off and so much needs to happen between now and then, Yzerman said.Our focus is to make the playoffs, and we go through the steps to get there, the GM added. Last year, our record wasnt great. I thought we played reasonably well, but we didnt score goals. We lost a lot of games and points because we didnt score enough.The Lightning lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. They made it back to the Eastern Conference finals last season, falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games.I think last year was good practice for this year, Bishop said. Going into last year we had a big target on our backs and that hasnt changed this year. I think you look around our division and you see every team added a lot.JOHNSONS JOURNEYCenter Tyler Johnson feels rejuvenated and is looking for a bounce-back year after a wrist injury affected his production last season. He said the wrist didnt feel like it did pre-injury until July. After scoring 13 times in the playoffs two years ago, Johnson had just 14 goals during the 2015-16 regular season.WHERES THE JUICE?Surprisingly, the usually potent Lightning offense struggled last season on the power play. Tampa Bay finished tied for 26th in the NHL, converting 15.8 percent of its chances. The team was last in road power play at 10.1 percent.Our power play wasnt effective, but in general we didnt score enough goals, Yzerman said.BISHOPS RETURNBishop got an early start on his comeback from an ankle and shin injury that sidelined the last six games of the Eastern Conference final against Pittsburgh, taking part in last months World Cup of Hockey. I feel good, the goalie said, adding he faced some pretty intense practices up there against some really good shooters. Definitely kind of a step in the right direction.HOME-ICEThe Lightning saw a dip in their home record last season, going 25-13-3. Tampa Bay had a 32-8-1 record en route to the Eastern Conference championship two years ago.Our team plays hard, these guys are very competitive, they are very professional, Yzerman said.I think going through the start of last season it was a grind coming back after making the finals. They will be better prepared for the grind this year, the GM added. But talking about whos the favorite for the Stanley Cup and what not, thats too far off.Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Bears Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. David Montgomery Youth Jersey . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. http://www.chicagobearfootballauthentic.com/authentic-jim-mcmahon-bears-jersey/ . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. William Perry Bears Jersey . 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. David Montgomery Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract to keep right-handed reliever Andrew Bailey, the first of this years 157 free agents to reach a deal.Bailey revitalized his career last season with the Angels, posting six saves with a 2.38 ERA in 12 appearances. He became Los Angeles closer after Huston Streets season-ending injury.The Angels are the 32-year-old Baileys fifthh big-league team.dddddddddddd He is a two-time All-Star who won the ALs Rookie of the Year award in 2009 with Oakland, but he struggled with shoulder injuries for the previous three seasons.To clear a roster spot, the Angels designated outfielder Shane Robinson for assignment Wednesday. ' ' '