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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
12 hours ago3 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
4 days ago6 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
5 days ago4 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


Cooper Earns Top Coaching Honors, Wins 2026 Jack Adams Award
You can add one more accolade to the long list of accomplishments for Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper: 2026 Jack Adams Award winner for "contributing the most to his team's success."

Mike Smith
Jun 32 min read


The Weight of the Warrior
Claude Lemieux was a hockey player, controversial to some, a hero to others. On the ice, he was a fierce competitor. He lifted the Stanley Cup four times, a feat that more than validates his place in hockey history. He entered the league in an era when physicality reigned supreme, and he thrived, even as the game evolved around him.
Ernie Norquist
May 283 min read


Cooper Remains In Charge Despite Recent Playoff Woes
Tampa Bay Head Coach Jon Cooper is the longest-serving coach in the NHL, having joined the Lightning in March 2013. In January, the two-time Stanley Cup champion became the third-fastest coach to reach 500 wins, and the quickest to do so with one franchise. Despite four consecutive first-round playoff exits leading to murmurs from dissatisfied fans, the team has a response for those advocating for a coaching change behind the Bolts' bench:
"Coop" isn't going anywhere.

Mike Smith
May 146 min read


After Breakthrough Year, Will Raddysh Stay or Will He Go?
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh had a breakthrough year in 2025-26. Scoring 22 goals, Raddysh broke the team record for most goals scored by a defenseman. He also grounded a Tampa Bay defense mired by injuries, and found his niche on the Bolts' power play unit. Raddysh has also quickly become a fan favorite. As he enters free agency this offseason, one question remains: Will he stay in Tampa Bay, or will he find fortune elsewhere?

Mike Smith
May 115 min read


Vasilevskiy Airs Grievances, Gets Brutally Honest Regarding Bolts' Early Exit
The Tampa Bay Lightning wrapped up what many would consider a successful regular season: 50 wins with 106 points, good enough for second place in the very competitive Atlantic Division. However, another early first-round exit in the Stanley Cup playoffs has left many with a sour taste in their mouths, including Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy's.

Mike Smith
May 73 min read


Hedman Opens Up About Absence, Mental Health Challenges
Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Victor Hedman spoke to the media Tuesday morning, saying he stepped away from the team and sport he loves to focus on his mental health. Already an advocate of mental health awareness, the 35-year-old defenseman called the decision difficult but necessary.

Mike Smith
May 63 min read


Dobeš, Newhook, and Two Bad Bounces Doom Another Lightning Postseason
Imagine having 29 shots on net and holding your opponent to only nine in a decisive Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, only to lose the game and have your season ended. That's exactly what happened to the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night when Jakub Dobes and the Montreal Canadiens eliminated them, 2-1.

Mike Smith
May 47 min read


Season Ends as Bolts Drop Game 7 Despite Valiant Effort
It was do or die tonight as the Lightning hosted the Montreal Canadiens for a winner-take-all game 7. Unfortunately for the Tampa Bay Lightning, their season came to an end despite a valiant effort. Tampa Bay was the better team throughout the game tonight, but just couldn't find the back of the net when they needed to.
Michelle Gordon
May 32 min read


Lightning Not Just Trying to Keep Momentum Going, But Instill the Right Mindset Entering Decisive Game 7
Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens will face off in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference First Round series. As game time approaches, both teams have a clear goal: to advance to the second round. However, there's something more as this heated rivalry comes to a head at Benchmark International Arena:
The Tampa Bay Lightning aim to continue their legacy, while the Montreal Canadiens are looking to begin theirs.

Mike Smith
May 34 min read


Vasilevskiy Shows Why He is Still The Best with Stellar Game 6 Performance
Questions abounded in the days leading up to Friday night's crucial Game 6 regarding the effectiveness and performance of Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. Is he not living up to the series' expectations? Is he past his prime? Is "The Big Cat" no longer the threat he once was during the Stanley Cup Championship years?
After a dominating performance at the Bell Centre on Friday night, it can be confirmed that Vasilevskiy is doing just fine.

Mike Smith
May 25 min read


With Their Backs Against The Wall, Lightning Need to Come Out Fighting in Game 6
The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in an all too familiar position headed into Game 6 at the Bell Centre on Friday night: facing early elimination and a trip to the offseason. After a disappointing Game 5 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at home on Wednesday night, the Lightning must find a way to put together 60 great minutes of hockey, or spend the next five months wondering 'what could have been.'

Mike Smith
May 15 min read


Canadiens Overpower Lightning to Take Control of Series
Alexandre Texier scored the game-winning goal early in the third period as the Montreal Canadiens upended the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday night, 3-2. Brendan Gallagher returned to the Habs lineup for the first time in the playoffs to score early in the game, and Kirby Dach added a goal in the second period. The win puts Montreal in control of the Eastern Conference First Round series with a 3-2 lead, and the teams head back north on Friday for Game 6.

Mike Smith
Apr 305 min read
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