Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL on ClutchPoints / July 27

Lightning’s biggest mistake so far in 2026 NHL free agency

The Tampa Bay Lightning fell in round one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And they had one major goal in mind heading into the 2026 offseason. They needed to find a way to get over the first-round hump and return to their status as a true Stanley Cup contender.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Tampa Bay Lightning On SI / July 22

Tampa Bay Lightning Announce 2026-27 Regular Season Schedule

The Tampa Bay Lightning officially know the road ahead. The organization unveiled its 2026-27 regular season schedule, marking the beginning of a new era with the NHL's expanded 84-game format.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / July 19

Reasons for Optimism & Pessimism for Lightning’s 2026-27 Season

The Tampa Bay Lightning have begun the latest phase of preparing for the 2026-27 season. As usual, there is a reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season.

Macklin Celebrini News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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Ryan Fanti News / Inside The Rink / July 17

AHL: Hamilton Hammers Sign Ryan Fanti

The Hamilton Hammers, according to Tony Androckitis of InsideAHLHockey, are signing goalie Ryan Fanti to an AHL contract for 2026-27. Fanti played 27 games for Syracuse last season, going 13-12-1 with a 2.41 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and two shutouts.

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.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / July 14

How the Lightning Can Best Use Remaining Cap Space

The Tampa Bay Lightning are tasked with assembling a competitive team for the upcoming 2026-27 season. In what feels like a tale as old as time, they’re looking to maximize the remaining cap space that they have.

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.

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.

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.

Nikita Kucherov 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.

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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.

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.

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.

Nikita Kucherov 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

Lightning's Jon Cooper finally named Coach of the Year, but it doesn't feel right

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper was announced as the winner of the 2025-26 Jack Adams Award, giving him his first Coach of the Year honor.

Three-time Stanley Cup champion 'likely' to retire from NHL

NHL superstar named grand marshal for NASCAR race in Michigan

Hurricanes' top line is getting chances, not results. What’s wrong?

Golden Knights took advantage of Hurricanes’ systems in Game 1

Could the Montreal Canadiens sell high on Jakub Dobes?

NHL News / Yardbarker / May 25

Winners, losers from Sunday's Stanley Cup playoffs: Vegas stuns Avalanche for 3-0 series lead

In what is turning out to be one of the most stunning playoff series in recent NHL history, the Vegas Golden Knights took a commanding 3-0 lead over the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final.

Golden Knights make franchise history with comeback win

Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon limited after taking shot to knee

Hurricanes' OT win evens series, snaps long drought for franchise

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Former Maple Leafs defenseman signs shocking extension

A Scott Laughton extension is in the cards for the Kings