Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Lightning Goalie Set to Make Return vs. Kings

The Tampa Bay Lightning have reason to rejoice. After being without star goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy since he went down with an undisclosed injury on Dec.

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ECHL: Odeen Tufto Heads Overseas

Fort Wayne Komets Odeen Tufto is heading overseas to Germany to join the Ravensburg Towerstars (DEL2). This will be the second time he’s played in the DEL2, as he had five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 12 games with the Krefeld Pinguine.

Ryan McDonagh News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 18

Lightning Activate Ryan McDonagh From Injured Reserve

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Ryan McDonagh has been activated from injured reserve and will be in the Lightning’s lineup on Thursday evening versus the Kings, Erik Erlendsson of Lightning Insider reports.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / December 18

Vasilevskiy, McDonagh expected to return against Kings; Hagel a game-time decision

A couple of significant roster notes for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After the team’s morning skate on Thursday, reports say that goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and defenseman Ryan McDonagh are slated to return to the lineup for that night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Drew Doughty News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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Bobby Orr won the last of his eight Norris Trophies during the 1974-75 season. Can you name every defenseman who won the trophy since then?

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NHL News / Last Word On Sports / December 18

NHL Predictions: Tampa Bay Lightning vs the L.A Kings

Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out.

NHL News / Yardbarker

Who is the winningest coach for every NHL franchise?

NHL head coaches have to hire good assistants. They have to set an overarching philosophy, juggle lineup configurations, and do the kind of “man management” that is impossible to track statistically.

NHL News / Field Level Media / December 18

Lightning eager to improve at home in encounter vs. Kings

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper noticed the wear on his club after it lost for the eighth time in 16 home games on Monday night. The Lightning will try to get on the north side of their .500 home mark on Thursday night when they host the Los Angeles Kings in the first of two meetings between the clubs in a two-week span.

Brandon Hagel News / Daily Faceoff / December 17

Lightning’s Brandon Hagel out day-to-day, not ruled out for Thursday

Some uncertain future for one of the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s top players. When speaking to the media on Wednesday, assistant coach Rob Zettler stated that forward Brandon Hagel is out day-to-day, but has yet to be ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

NHL News / Yardbarker / December 16

NHL Department of Player Safety has stopped caring about player safety

Now the department is run by George Parros, a former NHL player whose only claim to fame in the league was for fighting people.

Igor Shesterkin had violent outburst after Rangers loss

Nick Saban purchases a stake in an NHL team

Leafs' Anthony Stolarz 'not making progress' on injury, seeing specialist

Devils' Simon Nemec placed on injured reserve

Kings place Darcy Kuemper on injured reserve

Which coach or general manager has the hottest seat right now?

Andrei Vasilevskiy News / Field Level Media / December 16

Report: Lightning activate G Andrei Vasilevskiy from IR

After missing seven games with an undisclosed injury, Tampa Bay Lightning No. 1 goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was activated from the injured reserve, LightningInsider.com reported on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Breakaway on SI / December 16

Lightning’s Nick Paul Hits Two Massive Milestones

If there are two players laughing at practice in Tampa Bay, chances are Nick Paul is one of them. He brings energy everywhere he goes — on the ice, on the bench and inside the room.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 16

Lightning Expected To Activate Andrei Vasilevskiy From IR

The Lightning announced today that they’ve reassigned goaltender Brandon Halverson and winger Scott Sabourin to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. Halverson’s demotion means they’ll use one of the open roster spots to activate Andrei Vasilevskiy from injured reserve before Thursday’s game against the Kings.

Jon Cooper News / NHL on ClutchPoints / December 16

Jon Cooper’s ‘tired’ admission after crushing Panthers loss

The Tampa Bay Lightning took a step back in ClutchPoints’ most recent power rankings. But the Atlantic Division leaders are still in the thick of the playoff race.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / December 15

Lightning’s Emil Lilleberg out week-to-week; Vasilevsky return potentially before Christmas

Some injury updates for one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. When speaking to the media on Monday, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper revealed that defenseman Emil Lilleberg is going to miss a few weeks due to injury.

Steven Santini News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 15

Lightning Recall Steven Santini, Place Emil Lilleberg On IR

10:30 a.m.: As alluded to earlier, the Lightning have placed Lilleberg on the team’s IR, according to Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. Lightning

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NHL News / Field Level Media / December 14

Lightning return home to face rigorous test in Panthers

After a successful four-game road trip, the Tampa Bay Lightning are returning for some home cooking when they host the rival Florida Panthers on Monday night.

Jon Cooper News / Daily Faceoff / December 14

How Jon Cooper operates with his players

Few coaches have defined success in the last decade of the NHL like the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jon Cooper, who is set to lead Team Canada into the 2026

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / December 14

Islanders Hold Off Lightning Comeback, Win 3-2 in Shootout

The New York Islanders prevail over the Tampa Bay Lightning again, this time taking them down in the shootout, 3-2. The Lightning mounted a comeback after falling behind 2-0, but they weren’t able to seal the deal.

Jon Cooper News / Breakaway on SI / December 13

Jon Cooper Opens Up About Lightning's Unique Team Dynamics

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2025–26 season has felt like a roller coaster, but for most fans, it’s been a fun one. After starting the year with just one win in their first seven games, Tampa flipped the script in dramatic fashion, ripping off a 15–3 stretch that catapulted them to the top of the Eastern Conference.

Victor Hedman News / Field Level Media / December 12

Lightning captain Victor Hedman to have elbow surgery

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman and captain Victor Hedman has an elbow injury that will require surgery and keep him out for several weeks. One day after he returned to injured reserve, the team announced Friday that Hedman will undergo a procedure on his elbow Monday.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / December 12

Lightning Set to Lose Victor Headman Due to Elbow Surgery

Just as soon as they get him back, the Tampa Bay Lightning will lose their star defenseman again. The Lightning announced that Victor Hedman will undergo an elbow procedure on Monday.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Last Word On Sports / December 4

Tampa Bay Lightning Defenceman Signs Extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced they have come to terms and re-signed defenceman Ryan McDonagh to a three-year, $12.3 million contract extension. The deal will carry a $4.1M average annual value salary cap hit.