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Tampa Bay Lightning


The Seventh Year: Why Nikita Kucherov Stays a Bolt
The new CBA gave the Tampa Bay Lightning an offer no other team can make, and the reigning MVP has every reason to take it: Seven years. Only one team can offer Nikita Kucherov that seventh year.
Ernie Norquist
1 day ago5 min read


Lightning Announces 2026-27 Opening Roster
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced the club’s season-opening roster for the 2026-27 NHL season today. Tampa Bay’s roster includes 15 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goaltenders. Bolts Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois also announced that forward Benjamin Rautiainen has been loaned to Tappara of the Finnish Liiga.

Mike Smith
2 days ago2 min read


Verhaeghe Left. Barré-Boulet Stalled. Now Duke and O'Reilly Wait.
Timing is everything. My case for Sam O'Reilly and Dylan Duke went up Sunday. By Sunday afternoon, both were headed to Syracuse. I missed by a few hours. The Lightning risk missing by a season.
Ernie Norquist
3 days ago5 min read


Lightning Reduce Training Camp Roster by 11
The Tampa Bay Lightning cut their training camp roster by 11 on Sunday afternoon, effectively setting their regular season roster. General Manager Julien BriseBois announced the lineup of 16 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goalies.

Mike Smith
3 days ago1 min read


Rautiainen, Mercuri Lead Lightning to OT Win Over Florida
Benjamin Rautiainen scored a power play goal, then scored the game-winning shootout goal as the Tampa Bay Lightning came back to defeat the Florida Panthers, 3-2. Lucas Mercuri added a goal in his first appearance with the Bolts.

Mike Smith
4 days ago5 min read


Game Preview: The Battle of Florida, Preseason Round Two, Gives Bolts' Prospects Last Chance to Make an Impression
The Tampa Bay Lightning wrapped up their final preseason warm-up Saturday morning before heading to South Florida to face the Florida Panthers. The game will cap a grueling two weeks of training camp, where 67 players vied for a spot on the team's 23-player roster.

Mike Smith
4 days ago4 min read


Harkins, Geekie Impress; Lightning Lose to Panthers
Cole Reinhardt scored the game-winning goal and added an assist as the Florida Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night, 5-3. Bokondji Imama and Kai Schwindt also added a goal and an assist each in the first of two preseason games between the teams this week. Despite the loss, several positives emerged for Lightning players still looking to find a place on the roster for next week's regular season.

Mike Smith
5 days ago5 min read


Game Preview: Lightning Prepare for Panthers; Waive Johanssen
The Tampa Bay Lightning spent Wednesday's training camp session preparing for another round of the Battle of Florida against the Panthers. While the Bolts expect to play most of their veterans Thursday night, Florida will bring a roster of prospects to Tampa. The Lightning also waived backup goalie Johan Johanssen.

Mike Smith
7 days ago4 min read


Lightning Young Guns Show Promise as well as Inexperience in Loss to Predators
The Tampa Bay Lightning controlled much of the play in the second preseason game against the Nashville Predators, but sloppy late turnovers ultimately led to a 3-2 overtime loss. With many of the team's marquee names staying home, the Bolts' pipeline prospects had a golden opportunity to make their case for staying up with the club to start the season.
Alyssa Shimko
Sep 234 min read


Lightning Reduce Training Camp Roster, Announce Lineup for Nashville Away Game
The Tampa Bay Lightning assigned seven players to their respective lower-level teams on Monday, reducing the training camp roster to 58. General Manager Julien BriseBois announced the moves a day ahead of Tuesday night's preseason matchup against the Nashville Predators. The team also announced the players traveling to Nashville Tuesday.

Mike Smith
Sep 223 min read


Bolts Down Preds as Part of Fast-Paced Training Camp Weekend
Ilya Mikheyev scored early, and Conor Geekie added the game-winning goal as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Nashville Predators, 2-1, Sunday night in a preseason matchup at Benchmark International Arena. The game wrapped up a fast-paced opening weekend of training camp for the Bolts and featured a mix of team veterans and prospects looking to fill out the final roster.

Mike Smith
Sep 213 min read


Bolts Open Training Camp With Renewed Hopes, Fast Pace, and Surprise Injuries
The Tampa Bay Lightning opened the 2026-27 season with an invigorating first day of training camp Thursday. As 67 players ran drills and shook off the rust, the Bolts entered the Brandon TGH Ice Plex with renewed hope that the playoff demon that has plagued them for the past four seasons could be exorcised this year.

Mike Smith
Sep 186 min read


Kucherov, Bolts Unable To Extend Contract Before Training Camp Begins
Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning continue to discuss a new contract extension as training camp begins, with Bolts General Manager Julien BriseBois expecting the elite forward to remain with the organization for "many years to come." When that deal will be inked and what it will entail remain a mystery.

Mike Smith
Sep 174 min read


Lightning Release 2026-27 Schedule with New 84-Game Format
The Tampa Bay Lightning released their schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 season on Thursday. The Lightning will open the season on the road Thursday, October 1st, at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers. Then, the Bolts begin the home regular season schedule at Benchmark International Arena on Saturday, October 3rd, against a returning Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

Mike Smith
Jul 162 min read


Carlson, Lightning Excited For New Beginnings
After six hours of speculation, deals, and trades, the night looked to be over for the Tampa Bay Lightning on the first day of free agency on Wednesday. Then, literally at the twelfth hour, as the clock neared midnight and many fans had gone to bed, the Bolts secured one last move: Signing veteran defenseman John Carlson to a two-year, $17 million deal. A deal that can be the difference as the team looks for a deep playoff run next season.

Mike Smith
Jul 35 min read


Lightning Add Carlson, Deal Paul As Free Agency Begins
The Tampa Bay Lightning had an active first day of free agency as the 2026-27 season got underway on Wednesday, right up until the clock struck midnight. The Bolts signed two forwards, one huge late-night signing in defenseman John Carlson, and a new backup goalie.

Mike Smith
Jul 26 min read


Raddysh Departs for Toronto; Bolts Acquire Draft Pick
Darren Raddysh bid farewell to Tampa as the Lightning traded the defenseman to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a sign-and-trade deal on Friday. The Lightning acquire a 2026 fifth-round pick.

Mike Smith
Jun 192 min read


Kucherov Wins Hart Memorial Trophy as League MVP
Win or lose, Nikita Kucherov has been known to hit the practice ice quickly once the offseason comes to hone his skills and prepare for the upcoming fall. Teammates and other NHL players line up for the opportunity to join the talented forward. He was surprised at practice recently by a special guest waiting for him at the Lightning's practice facility:
The Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to Kucherov for being voted the National Hockey League's Most Valuable Player for the 202

Mike Smith
Jun 114 min read


Winning the Game, Losing the Score – Why Analytics Matter
Image Credit: Michelle Gordon | Thunderstruck Sports Four straight seasons. Four straight first-round exits—cue all the armchair general managers in the Tampa Bay area... the window has closed! The core has aged out! Cooper has lost the room! It's time to tear it all down! But let's slow down and take a breath. Yes, the Lightning lost to the Montreal Canadiens in round one, and yes, results matter. However, results don't always tell the whole story in hockey. This is where un
Michelle Gordon
Jun 73 min read


Vasilevskiy Earns Second Vezina Trophy Award With Aid From Police K-9
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy found himself in a potential legal quandary last week when the Tampa Police Department arrived at Benchmark International Arena looking for him. Officers met with the Bolts netminder after a morning workout to investigate suspicious activity involving his car.

Mike Smith
Jun 62 min read
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