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2026-27 NHL team preview: Tampa Bay Lightning

LAST SEASON As long as the current core exists, the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s expectations every season is Stanley Cup or bust. But after three consecutive first-round exits and minimal changes in the offseason, there was plenty of concern they were finally over the hill. Losing six of their first seven games certainly didn’t help their case, but that slump was followed by five-consecutive wins to bring them back to .500, and a seven-game win streak at the end of November and 11-game win streak th...

Weekly Fall Thread – 9/21

Welcome to the Fall Thread for the week of 9/21. It was interesting yesterday to watch all the young guys take on Tampa Bay’s veterans. The power play was ineffective, but the penalty kill was pretty good. Juuse Saros got into a dust up and there were a surprising number of board meetings. Next up Tampa is coming to Nashville to see a more veteran Predators squad. Just a reminder – we’re always looking for new people to chat with and to be part of our community. Feel free to shar...

Lightning Morning News: WE’RE BACK!

For the first time since May, the Tampa Bay Lightning have some game action to recap. It’s only preseason, obviously, but the new season is finally upon us. The NHL will expand to 84 regular season games starting this season for a balanced schedule, with only four preseason games (a home-and-home with Nashville and Florida) scheduled until the regular season begins in New York City on October 1st! Lightning News: It was one of the busiest sports days imaginable in Tampa Bay yest...

Game Day Thread – Predators vs Lightning PreSeason

Welcome to the Game Day Thread for the first hockey of the season! I have no idea what the product will look like after only a couple days of camp. It’s going to be a time just trying to learn all the new numbers. Just a reminder – we’re always looking for new people to chat with and to be part of our community. Feel free to share the link to our thread with potential new members! Sunday 9/20 at Tampa Bay Lightning 4pm Central on the Spot in Nashville and multiple stations i...

Game Day! The Lightning take on the Predators to kick off their preseason campaign

The first competitive shifts of the 2026-27 season will soon take to the ice as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Nashville Predators at Benchmark International Arena this evening at 5:00 PM EST. With only four preseason games prior to the season starting, the Bolts are kicking things off with a NHL-veteran heavy line-up tonight. a look at the #Bolts lines and D pairings from their first morning skate of the preseason: Mikheyev – Point – Kucherov Hagel – Cirelli – Guentzel Geekie – O’Rei...

Training Camp Cuts: 9/20/26

By Josh Erickson | at September 20, 2026 8:24 am We’re already on the second day of preseason in a new, tightened-up training camp. Several teams have already made their first round of big cuts, with more sure to come today after a handful of youngsters and fringe players got their one-and-done exhibition action completed last night. Here are all the cuts for Sunday as they’re announced: Tampa Bay Lightning (per the team’s Benjamin Pierce) D Jaxen Adam – released from ATO to WHL Tri-City D Ell...

Lightning Notes: Kucherov, Glendening, Konin

By Brian La Rose | at September 19, 2026 9:43 am Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov is entering the final year of his contract, making him eligible for a contract extension. There was an expectation that something would get done quickly but nothing has materialized yet. That might have to do with his apparent asking price. On the latest Chris Johnston Show (video link), the insider reported that the veteran was seeking around $20MM per season on a six-year deal. That price tag would more than do...

Report: Patrik Laine to the Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have made headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, and finally, there's some positive news linked to the franchise. TSN's Pierre LeBrun wonders if free-agent forward Patrik Laine is a good fit to sign in Motown. I wonder about Patrik Laine as a possible fit in Detroit ? https://t.co/4NsapYA6zx — Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 19, 2026 Laine, 28, has been skating in south Florida and many felt he could be a potential fit with the Lightning or Panthers, but the...

Kyle Konin to serve as Lightning’s EBUG for 2026-27

A somewhat familiar face might have a more significant role this year. According to Lightning Insider Erik Erlendsson, Kyle Konin is reportedly set to be the Tampa Bay Lightning’s emergency backup goaltender for the 2026-27 season. The news comes as the NHL turns the page to its new collective bargaining agreement. Along with a playoff salary cap and a looser dress code, teams must now have full-time emergency backups on staff, rather than a person waiting in the stands on game nights, in case...

Lightning Morning News: Last Friday before the games begin!

Today is the last Friday without Lightning hockey until at least April, hopefully all the way until the middle of June. Let’s check out some headlines around the NHL. Lightning News: The Lightning got some unfortunate news that Yanni Gourde and Dominic James will not be with the team to start the season. However, that opens the door for some young talent to make a name for themselves this preseason. [ Raw Charge ] Another day closer to the regular season and there doesn’t seem t...

Massive Asking Price Emerges In Nikita Kucherov Talks

Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning let the NHL's contract deadline pass this week without a new deal in place.  According to TSN's Chris Johnston , the number being discussed in those negotiations is almost hard to believe. Deadline Passed Without A Deal Kucherov is entering the final season of the eight-year, $76 million contract he signed back in 2018, carrying a $9.5 million cap hit that looks almost quaint given his production since.  He's eligible for unrestricted free ...

BriseBois’ update on contract negotiations points to cloudy future

The Tampa Bay Lightning open up camp today and the good news is that everyone who is healthy should be on the ice. That can’t be said for every team (cough, Winnipeg , cough). Due to a couple of injuries, there are some questions that need to be answered in terms of the roster, but the biggest organizational question remains the same from July – what is going on with Nikita Kucherov? A small, somewhat consequential deadline passed earlier this week when the new memorandum of understanding...

Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov gets brutally honest on ‘low IQ’ hockey of today

Nikita Kucherov has never been one to pad an answer. Asked at Lightning media day on Wednesday how hockey has changed over the years, the Tampa Bay star gave a response that spread across the sport within hours. “The game is faster, but very dumb. Low IQ,” Kucherov told reporters. Reporter Jay Recher followed up, […] The post Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov gets brutally honest on ‘low IQ’ hockey of today appeared first on ClutchPoints .

Penguins Sign Collin Delia To PTO

By Ethan Hetu | at September 16, 2026 5:30 pm The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that the team has signed veteran forward Luke Glendening to a PTO, giving him the chance to compete for a roster spot in the team’s training camp and preseason. Tampa’s on-ice practices begin tomorrow. Glendening, 37, is a veteran of 934 NHL games who most recently played for the Philadelphia Flyers. Glendening split 2025-26 between the Flyers and the New Jersey Devils, scoring two goals and nine points in 70...

Lightning GM 'Would Have Preferred' To Have Kucherov Extension Done By Now

One intriguing development as training camps open around the league is that the Tampa Bay Lightning and superstar forward and pending UFA, Nikita Kucherov, do NOT have an extension in place. At this point, if nothing gets done, he will be playing out the final year of his contract, with free agency beckoning at season's end.  Key takeaway here is that BriseBois wishes Kucherov would have been extended by now. They’ll keep at it. Eight years now off the table in new CBA. Reigning Hart Trop...

Injury news could provide opportunities for young players

With the prospect showcase firmly in the rearview mirror it is time for the real fun to begin – training camp. The 2026-27 season is right around the corner and the Tampa Bay Lightning are ready to get back on the ice. Well, most of them are. At the pre-camp conference, general manager Julien BriseBois addressed the media and updated them in regards to a couple of injuries. Injury updates from #GoBolts GM Julien BriseBois: Forward Yanni Gourde had offseason hip surgery and will be out unt...