Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Inside The Rink / July 7

ECHL: Jack LaFontaine and Jackson Jutting Head Overseas

Kansas City Mavericks forward Jackson Jutting and goaltender Jack LaFontaine are both heading overseas for the 2026-27 season. This is the third player from the Mavericks to take the overseas route, following Ryan Jones, who headed overseas in June.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 3

Lightning Sign Tomas Kralovic To Entry-Level Contract

A Tampa Bay Lightning third-round pick has become the second in the 2026 NHL Draft to sign an entry-level contract. The Bolts signed defenseman Tomas Kralovic to a three-year, entry-level contract on the ice after the team’s Friday morning skate.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / July 3

Lightning sign Tomas Kralovic to entry-level contract

An intriguing European prospect has signed his first NHL contract. On Friday, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois announced that the team has signed defenseman Tomas Kralovic to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Macklin Celebrini News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"

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Nikita Kucherov News / NHL on ClutchPoints / July 2

Lightning GM doesn’t want to mess around with Nikita Kucherov contract extension

Wednesday’s opening of NHL free agency also kicked off the window for players entering the final year of their contracts to negotiate extensions with their current clubs before becoming unrestricted free agents next offseason.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The most underrated player for every NHL franchise

The best player in Washington Capitals history? Alex Ovechkin. The best Red Wing? Gordie Howe or Steve Yzerman…or maybe Nicklas Lidstrom. Some NHL franchises have a clear best player, while others have the proverbial Mount Rushmore of potential choices.

John Carlson News / NHL on ClutchPoints / July 2

Lightning GM sheds light on how John Carlson signing developed

It’s been four consecutive eliminations in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who haven’t advanced once since their most recent trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2022.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / July 2

Grading the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Early Offseason Moves

Free agency on the NHL calendar is a go, and the Tampa Bay Lightning were hard at work from the jump. Pens have been put to paper on contracts, and trades have been made.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL Trade Talk / July 1

John Carlson Signs a 2-Year Deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning

John Carlson is heading to Tampa. The veteran defenseman has signed a two-year contract with the Lightning worth $17 million total, an $8.5 million average annual value, according to Pierre LeBrun.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / June 30

What will Nikita Kucherov’s extension look like?

While NHL’s unrestricted free agency window opens on Wednesday, it also marks the start of the period in which players with just one year left on their current contracts are eligible for extensions.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL on ClutchPoints / June 29

The 2 Lightning forwards who will be testing free agency on July 1

Securing 106 points and a second-place finish in the Atlantic Division was supposed to propel the Tampa Bay Lightning to a deep playoff run. After bowing out in the first round of the last three campaigns, this season was supposed to be different.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 28

Lightning’s Corey Perry, Oliver Bjorkstrand To Reach Free Agency

The Tampa Bay Lightning should have the bulk of their projected $13.17MM in cap space available when free agency kicks off. Tampa Bay is planning to let wingers Oliver Bjorkstrand and Corey Perry hit the open market, general manager Julien BriseBois shared with reporters including NHL.com’s Benjamin Pierce following the 2026 NHL Draft.

NHL News / NHL Rumors / June 29

NHL Rumors: Latest news on Alex Ovechkin

Sammi Silber of The Hockey News: “GM Chris Patrick also said he has a number in mind for what Alex Ovechkin’s next contract looks like *if* he returns.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / June 26

What will Lightning do with cap space this summer?

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in an unfamiliar position: they have plenty of players under contract and a whole lot of salary cap space to bolster the team if general manager Julien BriseBois deems it beneficial.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / June 23

Tampa Bay Lightning’s Top Free Agent Fits This Offseason

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a position to make some solid additions to the roster this offseason. They have the cap space and can address some key needs.

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Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 19

Offseason Checklist: Tampa Bay Lightning

The offseason is now in full effect following Carolina’s Stanley Cup title. Accordingly, it’s now time to examine what teams will need to accomplish over the coming months. Next up is a look at Tampa Bay.

NHL News / Yardbarker / June 19

Maple Leafs' move for Darren Raddysh is first big risk of offseason

Maple Leafs' move for Darren Raddysh is first big risk of NHL offseason

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a massive offseason when it comes to the short-term and long-term outlook of their franchise. After shockingly missing

Leafs GM John Chayka speaks out amid Matthew Knies trade rumors

Three-time Stanley Cup champion retires after 16-year NHL career

Red Wings want him back, but Patrick Kane has other plans

Brendan Gallagher situation: Canucks hoping for a sweet deal from Canadiens

Former NHLer: Mike Babcock is 'only guy that has ever made me hate hockey'

Darren Raddysh News / Field Level Media / June 19

Leafs add D Darren Raddysh in sign-and-trade deal with Lightning

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday in a sign-and-trade deal, taking the defenseman off the upcoming NHL free agent market.

Darren Raddysh News / NHL Trade Talk / June 19

Maple Leafs Completing Sign-and-Trade with Lightning for Darren Raddysh

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are working on a sign-and-trade for defenseman Darren Raddysh. Elliotte Friedman was first to break the news, saying the deal should be announced in the morning on Friday.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Field Level Media / June 11

Lightning F Nikita Kucherov wins second Hart Trophy

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov won his second Hart Trophy on Thursday, nearly a decade after he won his first. Kucherov previously won the award, given to the player voted most valuable to their team by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, in 2018-19.

NHL News / Yardbarker / June 11

Nikita Kucherov wins MVP in closest vote in over two decades

Lightning's Nikita Kucherov wins NHL MVP in closest vote in over two decades

This is Kucherov's second MVP award, making him one of just 20 players in NHL history to win it at least two times.

Oilers star requests trade

Oilers need to end their Mike Babcock pursuit before they do even more damage

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Andrei Vasilevskiy News / Field Level Media / June 6

Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy wins 2nd Vezina Trophy

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is now a two-time Vezina Trophy winner. The NHL on Saturday named Vasilevskiy as the 2025-26 recipient of the honor, which is awarded "to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position," as selected by league general managers.

NHL News / Yardbarker / June 3