Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

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 / ESPN / July 2

Lightning add D Carlson after Werenski reports

The Lightning have signed coveted free agent John Carlson to a two-year deal to fill the need on the right side of their defense corps.

Gavin Mckenna News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

In the history of the NHL Draft, 64 players have been selected No. 1 overall. How many of the can you name in eight minutes?

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Single-playoff goal leaders' quiz

The 'NHL saves leaders since 1995-96' quiz

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.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

There have been successful rookie seasons in NHL history, and there have been superior efforts worth celebrating time and time again. Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

Oliver Bjorkstrand News / ESPN / July 1

Rangers sign Bjorkstrand, 31, away from Lightning

The New York Rangers signed free-agent winger Oliver Bjorkstrand to a one-year contract with a $4.5 million salary cap hit on Wednesday, after the 31-year-old veteran had 12 goals and 20 assists in 80 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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.

Zach Werenski News / The Hockey Writers / June 30

How the Lightning Can Trade for Zach Werenski

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in need of a defenseman this offseason. Naturally, this need, along with their status as a contender, has made them a notable candidate to acquire Zach Werenski.

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.

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.

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The '2018-19 PPG leaders by team' quiz

The 'NBA Rookies of the Year' quiz

The 'Active MLB XBH leaders' quiz

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

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'

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 19

Free Agent Focus: Tampa Bay Lightning

Free agency is now less than a month away, and teams are looking ahead to when it opens. Even with the UFA crop being thinned out in recent months, there will be some quality veterans set to hit the open market in July, while many teams also have key restricted free agents to re-sign.

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 / Daily Faceoff / June 19

Report: Leafs working on sign-and-trade for Lightning’s Darren Raddysh

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are working on a sign-and-trade deal that involves defenseman Darren Raddysh, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shared on social media.

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

The 'Most 5-point NHL games' quiz

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.