Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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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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.

Toronto Maple Leafs 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 / 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.

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.

John Carlson News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 20

Lightning Will Be Among Suitors For John Carlson

The Lightning will be among the suitors for veteran defenseman John Carlson in free agency this summer, Pierre LeBrun of TSN wrote Friday. There’s an obvious fit as the Bolts look to replace the Darren Raddysh-sized hole in their lineup – particularly on their power play.

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.

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.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / June 19

Raddysh was the easiest solution for the Leafs’ blueline

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2026 fifth-round pick on Friday. The 30-year-old blueliner is expected to sign an eight-year contract extension that will pay him around $8.5 million per year.

Tampa Bay Lightning 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.

Tampa Bay Lightning 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.

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The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

The 'Triple-Double leaders by team' quiz

The '2nd-overall NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / June 18

Tampa Bay Lightning’s Biggest Positional Need This Offseason

This offseason, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be tasked with positioning themselves for another playoff run in 2026-27, and to do so, they must figure out what position to prioritize.

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.

NHL News / Yardbarker / June 3