Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Lightning likely to activate captain Victor Hedman

In what could be the most positive injury update for the team in some time, it appears the Tampa Bay Lightning will welcome back their captain tonight.

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Ryan McDonagh, Lightning grades for $12.3 million contract extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning have come to terms with veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh on a three-year contract extension worth a total of $12.3 million, meaning he’ll carry a salary cap hit of $4.1 million over the following three seasons.

Ryan McDonagh News / The Hockey Writers / December 6

Lightning Extension Candidates After Ryan McDonagh’s Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning pulled the trigger this week on locking down defenseman Ryan McDonagh for another three seasons. Instead of waiting for the end of the season, they figured it out way ahead of schedule.

NHL News / Field Level Media / December 5

Islanders riding high into rematch with Lightning

It would be easy for Tampa Bay to lament over two tight losses, one in controversial fashion, but the Lightning need to put it behind them when the New York Islanders visit Saturday night in the teams' second matchup this week.

Alexander Ovechkin News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / December 5

Is Jon Cooper justified in his argument for Hagel’s hand pass?

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper didn’t hold back in his postgame press conference following Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Late in the third period with their goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov scored what appeared to be the game-tying goal.

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 / Breakaway on SI / December 5

Controversial Call Ends Dramatic Penguins vs. Lightning Game

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins have been living opposite storylines through the first stretch of the season. Tampa opened the year in freefall but has since roared back, climbing toward the top of the Atlantic Division and looking every bit like the powerhouse they were supposed to be.

Jon Cooper News / NHL on ClutchPoints / December 5

Lightning HC Jon Cooper rips refs for ‘laughable’ hand pass call during Penguins game

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper openly rebuked the referees following Thursday’s 4-3 defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins at Benchmark International Arena.

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.

Ryan McDonagh News / Field Level Media / December 4

Lightning D Ryan McDonagh inks 3-year, $12.3M extension

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh signed a three-year, $12.3 million contract extension Thursday. McDonagh, 36, has six points (three goals, three assists) in 15 games this season while playing in the final campaign of a seven-year, $47.25 million contract.

Brandon Halverson News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 4

Lightning recall Brandon Halverson

The Lightning announced they’ve recalled goaltender Brandon Halverson from AHL Syracuse. They had an open roster spot after reassigning Maxim Groshev yesterday.

Ryan McDonagh News / The Hockey Writers / December 4

Lightning Extend Ryan McDonagh to 3-Year Contract

In a stunning midseason move, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that defenseman Ryan McDonagh had been extended on a three-year contract. The 34-year-old defenseman agreed to a deal that has an average annual value (AAV) of $4.1 million.

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Ryan McDonagh News / Daily Faceoff / December 4

Lightning sign Ryan McDonagh to three-year contract extension

A veteran blueliner will be staying in the Sunshine State for a few more years. On Thursday, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois announced that the team has signed defenseman Ryan McDonagh to a three-year contract extension.

Jon Cooper News / Breakaway on SI / December 4

Jon Cooper Reveals What Makes New Lightning Line Special

The Tampa Bay Lightning are back to looking like the class of the Atlantic Division — and lately, they’ve been playing like it too. After a slow, uneven start that had some wondering whether their best days were behind them, the Lightning have surged with a level of rhythm and confidence that feels awfully familiar.

Maxim Groshev News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 3

Lightning reassign Maxim Groshev

12/3/2025: Tampa announced today that they’ve reassigned Groshev back to AHL Syracuse, one day after they recalled him. Groshev was a healthy scratch for the team’s loss to the New York Islanders last night, meaning he heads back to Syracuse still waiting on the chance to make his NHL debut.

NHL News / Field Level Media / November 29

Lightning handle Rangers 4-1, extend win streak to seven

Brandon Hagel scored two goals as the surging Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to seven games with a 4-1 victory Saturday over the New York Rangers, who continued their home woes.

Andrei Vasilevskiy News / The Hockey Writers / November 28

Vasilevskiy Finds Needed Stride for Lightning in November

The Tampa Bay Lightning keep finding ways to get into the win column, and a cornerstone piece of this run is goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. After missing virtually all of training camp and preseason, he took some time to shake the rust off.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Stadium Rant / November 27

Tampa Bay Lightning Showcasing Grit After Slow Start

The Tampa Bay Lightning were one of the league’s biggest storylines early this season—mostly due to a slow start and lingering questions. The team found themselves at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 1-4-2 record through their first seven games.

Nikita Kucherov News / NHL Trade Talk / November 26

Nikita Kucherov Was Almost Offer Sheeted by Lightning’s Biggest Rival

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been one of the most successful teams in the NHL over the last decade, and a lot of that can be attributed to Nikita Kucherov.

Brandon Hagel News / Daily Faceoff / November 25

Brandon Hagel will be in tough to make Team Canada

For any season in which the NHL sends their players to the Olympics, the first few months of that season serve a dual purpose. Sure, teams are still fighting for points and jockeying for playoff positioning, but players are also auditioning to make their respective nations’ Olympic teams, trying to make their resume as attractive as possible.