Despite missing the playoffs this season, the Lightning said that their season-ticket sales are up to 14,500, a "huge jump" from the 4,000 when Owner Jeff Vinik took over in '10, according to Joe Smith of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The team said that it "broke even this season even with no playoff games" Meanwhile, Lightning C Steven Stamkos "sounds genuine in saying he's excited" for Tampa to host the '18 NHL All-Star Game, but it is still hard for him to "hide the disappointment of what the game signals: that the NHL won't be participating" in the '18 PyeongChang Games. Stamkos said, "It's a little bittersweet. If there's the Olympics, then the (All-Star Game) doesn't come to Tampa, so it's a double-edged sword. If it comes to the point where there's no Olympics, I couldn't think of a better place to host the game. We've proven the hockey market that we are, how great we are. I think it'd be a great time." Smith noted Vinik is caught "in the middle" between his preference to host an ASG and supporting his players. Asked what his message is to his players, Vinik said, "I'm empathetic towards the players. I understand their points of view. But I also understand the point of view of the owners and commissioner that we are shutting down our season for three weeks. No other professional sports league does that. It's a strong belief of the owners that it doesn't make sense." Meanwhile, Smith noted the Lightning are not "stopping" with the ASG, and are "pushing to host an outdoor game and a draft in future years." NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that the league "will consider Tampa for an outdoor game." NHL Exec VP & Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer said, "We believe their is a viable option in Tampa" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/4).
