Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Diving Into the Lightning’s Early Season Struggles

The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in unfamiliar territory, or at least territory they haven’t experienced in a long time. They currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

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Lightning juggle lines in practice as injured player returns

After an off day (at least on the ice) the Tampa Bay Lightning returned to practice on Tuesday with a little different look to their lines. It was encouraging to see a couple of faces skating regular shifts again as Nikita Kucherov returned from his illness and Zemgus Girgensons, out since the pre-season, took regular shifts on the fourth line.

Niko Huuhtanen News / Raw Charge / October 21

2025 Tampa Bay Lightning Top 25 Under 25: #9 Niko Huuhtanen

We pick the series back up with an intriguing prospect. In our very first inclusion of Niko Huutanen in the Top 25 Under 25, which was all the way back in 2022, Hardev titled the post “Niko Huutanen should be a top ten prospect”.

NHL News / Breakaway on SI / October 20

Major Issue Plaguing Lightning, Senators’ Poor Starts

The Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning are dealing with a major issue as they start the 2025-2026 campaign. Two playoff teams from the Atlantic Division last season, the Sens and Lightning are off to poor starts this season.

Sidney Crosby News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Maurice Richard Trophy winners' quiz

How many of the Maurice Richard trophy winners since the award was first given out in 1998-99 can you name in five minutes?

The 'NHL all-time goals leaders' quiz

The 'NHL 1,600 point club' quiz

The 'Team Canada 2025 Four Nations Face-Off roster' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Raw Charge / October 19

Lightning make some roster moves, and a look down the road

With four days between games, the Tampa Bay Lightning made a couple of roster moves as they assigned forward Scott Sabourin and defenseman Steven Santini to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 20 NHL players under the most pressure for the 2025-26 season

Some players certainly face more pressure than most, and of course inherently some players are facing the most pressure.

Maple Leafs making the right call with major roster decision

How long is Steve Yzerman's leash with the Detroit Red Wings?

Matthew Schaefer impressed in his NHL debut with Islanders

One rookie to watch on all 32 NHL teams in 2025-26

Best hockey line nicknames of all time

Brandon Hagel News / Raw Charge / October 19

Some more thoughts on… Brandon Hagel, the offense, and a slow start

The Tampa Bay Lightning are getting a bit of a break after a pair of back-to-backs on the road. It went, okay. They picked up their first win (against Boston of all teams) and then a pair of points in overtime losses before ending things with a loss to Columbus.

Brandon Hagel News / Raw Charge / October 18

Lightning end road trip with 3-2 loss to Blue Jackets

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s final shot of the night was wristed just wide of the net by a frustrated Brandon Hagel. Seeing how it came a full second or two

NHL News / Raw Charge / October 18

Lightning head to Columbus in search of elusive second win

Game Six: Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-2) at Columbus Blue Jackets (1-3-0) Time: 7:00 PM Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus TV/Stream/Radio: Scripps, FDSNOH, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning +100 Know the Opponents: Jackets Cannon The Lightning have little time to dwell on their overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Field Level Media / October 18

Lightning, Jackets attempt to remedy to early-season issues

It hasn't been the start to the season that either Columbus or Tampa Bay envisioned. Both are stuck on one win, a matter they will each aim to rectify when the Blue Jackets host the Lightning on Saturday.

Victor Hedman News / NHL on ClutchPoints / October 18

Lightning’s Victor Hedman shrugs off missed scoring chance in OT loss to Red Wings

The Tampa Bay Lightning did not have Nikita Kucherov on the ice for Friday’s matchup with the Detroit Red Wings. It was a brutal blow for a Tampa team still trying to find its footing early in the season.

Nikita Kucherov News / Pro Hockey Rumors / October 17

Lightning star winger misses game vs. Red Wings due to illness

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that star winger Nikita Kucherov will be held out of Friday night’s game due to an illness. Kucherov has three points, one penalty, and a minus-eight through four games this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / October 17

Lightning place rookie defenseman on injured reserve

The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed rookie defenseman Maxwell Crozier on injured reserve.

Multiple NHL teams need their stars to break early-season funk

The 20 NHL players under the most pressure for the 2025-26 season

The '2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning' quiz

NHL News / Inside The Rink / October 17

ECHL: Orlando Solar Bears Announce 2025–26 Season-Opening Roster

The Orlando Solar Bears have announced their 2025–26 Season-Opening Roster ahead of the franchise’s 14th season in the ECHL. The team begins the new campaign tonight, hosting the Florida Everblades at the Kia Center with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM (EDT).

Andrei Vasilevskiy News / Daily Faceoff / October 16

The Lightning aren’t doing a good enough job of protecting Andrei Vasilevskiy

It’s been a disappointing start to the season for the Tampa Bay Lightning, a talented team that owns a 1-2-1 record and has allowed five goals in both of its regulation losses.

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The 'College basketball AP preseason No. 1 teams' quiz

Steven Stamkos News / NHL on ClutchPoints / October 16

Steven Stamkos throws shade at Lightning front office for lowballing him

The Tampa Bay Lightning still have most of their championship core together, looking for a third title in the 2020s. But one key member is a few hundred miles northwest in the Western Conference, looking for a bounce-back season.

Cam Atkinson News / Daily Faceoff / October 16

Cam Atkinson signs one-day contract with Blue Jackets, officially retires

Cam Atkinson officially retired Thursday, signing a one-day contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets so he can hang up his skates as a member of the team he spent a decade representing.

Jack LaFontaine News / Inside The Rink / October 13

ECHL: Goaltender Jack LaFontaine returns to Kansas City

On Monday afternoon, the Coachella Valley Firebirds announced the team was loaning goaltender Jack LaFontaine to the Kansas City Mavericks. Though LaFontaine has spent most of the last two seasons with the Mavericks, the Firebirds re-signed him to a one-year AHL contract through this season.

NHL News / Field Level Media / October 13

Lightning start fast, hand Bruins first loss of season

Anthony Cirelli's pair of first-period goals helped the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning build a three-goal lead and hold off the Boston Bruins for a 4-3 victory on Monday afternoon.

NHL News / Last Word On Sports / October 13

NHL Predictions: October 13th, Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins

Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. 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.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / October 12

3 Takeaways From Lightning’s Slow Start

The Tampa Bay Lightning stumbled out of the gate, losing both games on home ice to start the season. They had their moments where things looked like they were clicking, but they haven’t controlled the game long enough to hang on and win yet.

Jeff Tambellini News / Daily Faceoff / October 10

A journeyman career prepared Jeff Tambellini to flourish in Lightning’s front office

Life as a hockey player can pull you in many different directions. For Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Jeff Tambellini, a 17-year career took him from

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Last Word On Sports / October 6

Suspensions Handed Out to Tampa Bay Lightning Players

After a wild preseason finale between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, suspensions and discipline have been handed out. The NHL announced on Monday that both J.J.

Conor Sheary News / Yardbarker / October 3

NHL insider shares promising news about Conor Sheary

NHL insider shares promising news on Conor Sheary's future with Rangers

The New York Rangers have entered a rebuilding stage after Mike Sullivan's arrival as coach and some key moves.

Rangers send Gabe Perreault to AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack

Rangers winger may miss initial roster, but still has a role to play

Third line remains in flux for Rangers as former promising prospect falls out of favor

The 20 greatest nicknames in NHL history

The 'NHL goalie all-time save percentage leaders' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Last Word On Sports / September 25

Tampa Bay Lightning: Training Camp Roster Update

Vice President and general manager Julien BriseBois confirmed the Tampa Bay Lightning roster update, which reduced their training roster by a total of 10 players.

Andrei Vasilevskiy News / NHL Trade Talk / September 24

Concerns Mount as Vasilevskiy Misses Multiple Lightning Practices

Concern is starting to grow in Tampa Bay, where superstar goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has missed four straight days of practice. He has not been skating during training camp, which has garnered attention around the NHL and with fans in the Tampa market.