Summer commences in the northern hemisphere at 12:38 p.m. on June 21. So, with all due respect to the recent 80-degree temps in our region, to the Pirates' season already having been buried and brought back to life, to Mike Tomlin already having downplayed the importance of 'football in shorts' and, yeah, to those gagging Capitals suddenly golfing after blowing another big series lead, scientists will insist that spring still has a few weeks to run.
In that spirit, then, allow me to offer this list of 15 potentially wonderful events I'd love to see bloom in the still-to-come summer of '15:
15. Lightning vs. Ducks
Nothing partial here. I'd just rather enjoy a Stanley Cup final that has the best chance of not being marred by blocked shots (Rangers) and/or bad goaltending (Blackhawks). I'd also welcome watching the two teams with enough forward depth to allow their stars the freedom to operate. The Lightning strikes in so many waves that Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson can't become anyone's singular focus. Same goes for hockey's best 1-2 punch -- and, yes, that's written as intended -- in Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.
Sure, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin would be more productive with stronger support. But watch enough of Perry and Getzlaf, and it's easy to believe no one anywhere could check them for long.
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