Lightning Rumors & News

NHL.com " Jon Cooper knows the questions will follow the Tampa Bay Lightning all season. After a history-making 2018-19 that saw the Lightning tie the NHL record with 62 regular-season wins (62-16-4) before being stunned by the Columbus Blue Jackets in a four-game sweep in the Eastern..." September 20

NHL.com "Brayden Point and the Tampa Bay Lightning aren't close to agreeing to terms on a contract, his agent said Thursday. "We're a ways apart right now, but like I said, I say all the time, you can do a deal in a day if you're so inclined, so things can move quickly,..." September 20

Tampa Bay Times "Roster spots aren’t the only competition in Lightning training camp. Players are also jockeying for positioning within the lineup. “The bottom line is there are spots that are open on this team,” coach Jon Cooper said, “probably more than there have ever been..." September 20

NHL.com "Former Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi announced his retirement today after 13 NHL seasons, including two with the Bolts.  "I would like to thank all my coaches, family, friends and teammates for supporting me throughout my entire hockey career," Girardi..." September 20

TSN "When the Canadian Women’s Hockey League shuttered last spring, the move united 200 female hockey players in a common goal – to build a better, more sustainable future for their sport for the next generation of girls.   It was that dream that spawned the aptly..." September 20

The Hockey News "Things can change with one conversation, but as it stands right now, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Brayden Point do not have a contract. Not only do they not have a contract, they’re not even close to having one. “We haven’t made any progress,” said Point’s agent..." September 19

The Score "There's no shortage of bench bosses who will begin 2019-20 feeling the heat. Whether they guide a team on the rise that hasn't gone deep enough, a franchise that's stuck in the mud, or a historically great regular-season club that hasn't achieved Stanley Cup glory,..." September 19

The Score "Load management has become one of the hottest topics in the modern NHL, with teams looking for new ways to gain an advantage during the regular-season slog. In 2018-19, we saw more teams shift toward a platoon between the pipes, and the need for multiple netminders who can handle a..." September 18

Pro Hockey Rumors "The NHL’s Public Relations team has released a video updating all of the rule changes for the upcoming season, agreed upon earlier this year. The five-minute video goes in-depth on each change, noting that the focus was on expanded video review, promoting player safety and..." September 18

The Score "The following players likely won't be fantasy relevant for the 2019-20 season, but could become incredibly valuable in keeper leagues down the road. These NHLers will need to be designated as not active, so be sure to check your league's settings before drafting any of..." September 17

TSN "The National Hockey League Players' Association has declined their option to re-open the collective bargaining agreement, which will now remain in effect through the 2021-2022 season. The NHL declined their option to re-open the CBA in August, leaving the the..." September 16

The Score "Every year, there are players fantasy owners avoid for one reason or another. Injury concerns, inconsistency, and adjusting to a new team can all turn a once-dependable name into anything but. Despite those factors, there are always a few players with particularly uncertain futures..." September 16

The Score "Among all the positions in hockey, there's no question goaltenders take the longest to realize their potential. With so much uncertainty in the crease, it can be tricky to land two proven netminders come fantasy draft day. Sometimes an increase in opportunity or a change of..." September 15

Pro Hockey Rumors "After the NHL announced that they have formally declined using their opt-out clause to re-0pen the current CBA early, the NHLPA has until Sept. 15th to make their decision on whether they want to opt-out of the current agreement after the 2019-20 season. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman..." September 14

The Score "The Tampa Bay Lightning and restricted free-agent forward Brayden Point are "not remotely close" to agreeing on a new contract, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. LeBrun added that he's sure a deal will get done, but that there's been..." September 13

Pro Hockey Rumors "When the Tampa Bay Lightning signed Curtis McElhinney to a two-year, $2.6MM contract at the start of free agency, eyebrows were raised all around the league. The Lightning already had Louis Domingue in the organization and had given him a similar contract just a year prior...." September 13

The Score "The following five players disappointed last season but are primed to bounce back in 2019-20: William Nylander, C/RW, Maple Leafs Nylander never got comfortable last season. He was mired in a contract holdout well into the campaign, ultimately signing minutes before the..." September 13

Raw Charge "The Tampa Bay Lightning signed Kevin Shattenkirk to a one-year contract after he was bought out by the New York Rangers. It was a good buy-low deal for the Lightning to add a defenseman with his pedigree at a cheap price. Injuries hampered him in his two seasons with the New York Rangers. The..." September 11

The Score "Age should always be a concern in fantasy, but it shouldn't deter owners from drafting certain players altogether. While most veterans experience a natural decline in production after playing for a decade or so, some remain effective well into their 30s for a variety of reasons...." September 11

NHL.com "Four women officials had the career opportunity of a lifetime at NHL prospect tournaments this week, and each loved every second of it.  "It's more than I could have ever imagined," said Kirsten Welsh, a first-year official. "Incredible and a dream come..." September 11

The Score "It's difficult to break into the NHL and contribute right away. Most players need a year or two of experience before beginning to produce consistently, though a select few make an immediate impact. Here are some rookies who will be fantasy difference-makers in their first NHL..." September 10

The Score "Negotiations between the Tampa Bay Lightning and restricted free-agent forward Brayden Point reportedly remain at an impasse. The two sides are not close to a new contract with training camp set to begin Sept.12, according to The Athletic's Joe Smith. The 23-year-old..." September 09

Pro Hockey Rumors "The KHL’s Board of Governors was busy this weekend, discussing and ultimately deciding on a number of major issues. The league approved the use of “smart puck” tracking technology, distributed television revenue to each team, and formally open up investigations into both..." September 09

The Score "You shouldn't completely avoid the following players in fantasy hockey this season, but they're unlikely to meet expectations relative to how high you'll have to draft them. Morgan Rielly, D, Maple Leafs Rielly finished third among NHL defensemen with 72 points..." September 09

Pro Hockey Talk "Alex Ovechkin has been the NHL’s most dominant goal-scorer from the moment he entered the league and has a chance to finish his career as the league’s all-time goal-scoring leader. Even if he doesn’t eclipse Wayne Gretzky’s mark of 894, there were still be an argument to..." September 08

CBC "The NHL for the first time selected four female officials to work on the ice at prospect tournaments held this weekend. Katie Guay and Kelly Cooke were selected as referees, while Kirsten Welsh and Kendall Hanley will work as linesmen, the league announced Friday. The four..." September 07

USA Today "Sometimes, the NHL makes good ads. Take a look, for example, at some of their Stanley Cup hype spots and feel the chills run down your spine. Those are legitimately stirring spots that naturally draw viewers to the game. Not as successful are a current spate of digital ads the NHL is running to..." September 06

The Score "The 2019-20 fantasy hockey season is fast approaching, and after a summer filled with roster moves throughout the NHL, it's important to keep tabs on all the new faces in new places as you gear up for your draft. With that in mind, here are four players set to excel on their new..." September 05

TSN "To poke or not poke the bear: that is the question staring down the NHL Players’ Association as they convene here for a meeting on Wednesday evening. In this case, that bear is commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL’s Board of Governors. The NHLPA has until Sept...." September 05

ESPN "This summer, the NHL was split into two camps when it came to restricted free agents and their unsigned contracts covered in nervous droplets of flop sweat from general managers: Those who believed this was the new normal, and those who believed this offseason was an anomaly. I've..." September 05

The Score "Donald Fehr says it's essentially status quo after the NHLPA met Wednesday night in Chicago, and the notion of postponing the union's opt-out deadline hasn't been broached, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. The NHLPA's executive director said no decisions were..." September 05

The Score "One can debate whether Sidney Crosby is still the NHL's best player, but judging by jersey sales, he's still the most popular. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain topped the list of the league's most purchased sweaters from 2018-19 after finishing second to Toronto Maple Leafs..." September 04

Pro Hockey Talk "With training camps nearing, it’s not surprising that you won’t find a ton of great NHL-ready options in free agency as of Sept. 3. That’s especially true once you start crossing certain names off of the list with the help of context. Jake Gardiner’s either..." September 04

NHL.com "NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, the driving force behind the League's financial stability and growth since taking office 26 years ago, is among five people who will be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Dec. 12, it was announced Wednesday. Former NHL players and Stanley..." September 04

Sporting News "The age-old debate when it comes to any sport, any league, any team: who are the best of the best? With the NHL's preseason on the horizon, let's takes a look at the top 25 players at each position right now: forward, defense and goalie. This list takes into account both..." August 30

Pro Hockey Rumors "The NHL has notified the NHLPA that they will not be using their opt-out clause to terminate the current CBA early according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The agreement currently runs until September, 2022 but both sides had the ability to end it two years early. The NHL has decided..." August 30

Pro Hockey Talk "One of the things that makes the Tampa Bay Lightning such a dangerous team is they not only have a collection of All-Stars, but also another wave of young talent coming behind them that serve as a perfect complement. You see it at forward with players like Brayden Point, Yanni Gourde, and..." August 26

Pro Hockey Talk "Three pressing questions for the 2019-20 Tampa Bay Lightning. 1. What if they fall short again? Looking at a season as a failure because it does not result in a championship is a foolish approach to take in sports. Even if you are the best team in the league on paper the..." August 26

Yahoo! Sports "When the St. Louis Blues won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history this year, fans were treated to multiple storylines that made this feat one of the most memorable, and heartwarming moments in recent sports history. There’s the meteoric rise from dead last in January, to..." August 26

TSN "Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk led National Hockey League goalies in games played (67) last season, and finished second to Montreal’s Carey Price in usage, playing just 25 fewer minutes. Dubnyk and Price were absolute workhorses for their respective teams, but that term has..." August 26

Pro Hockey Talk "The Lightning went into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the clear-cut favorites. After all, they picked up 128 points during the regular season, which was 21 points more than the team that finished in second place, the Calgary Flames. So when the playoffs kicked off in April, the Bolts..." August 26

NHL.com "The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent forward Pat Maroon to a one-year contract worth $900,000, vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced today. "We're very pleased to add Pat to our organization today," BriseBois said. "He brings size..." August 24

The Score "With a ton of restricted free-agent chatter around the league - but little action - we thought it would be interesting to review which players performed the best while on their entry-level deals since the salary cap era began in 2005-06. Our list summarizes the 10 most productive..." August 22

Sporting News "Charles Dickens opened "A Tale of Two Cities" with: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness" - or, what the hockey world calls, free agency. Some of the biggest names in the game will be..." August 22

ESPN "A lot changed in the NHL standings during the past decade. There was an expansion team added, another that relocated and another that was renamed. There were six divisions when the decade began, with the top eight teams in each conference advancing to the playoffs; by 2014, we were..." August 21

Sporting News "The general managers who run NHL front offices, with support from their staff, use a variety of methods to identify, develop and assess the future talent within their own organizations. Unfortunately for the general public, they tend to keep us in the dark about the inner workings, which is why..." August 20

NHL.com "Whether it's breaking up a big play, setting up a goal, or scoring on the power play, some defensemen can do it all. NHL Network producers and analysts chose the top 20 defensemen in the League for a special program that premiered Sunday as the third in a nine-part series leading up to the..." August 19

ESPN "In 2009-10, the New Jersey Devils were confident that 25-year-old Zach Parisewould help define their next decade in the NHL. Ditto the Washington Capitals, and their 25-year-old, 40-goal scorer Alex Semin. The Columbus Blue Jacketshad a 25-year-old franchise player..." August 19

The Score "With news that the NHL is "cautiously optimistic" that current CBA talks might lead to a World Cup in February 2021, we've decided to predict what each team's roster could look like should the tournament take place. We adopted the NHL's format for the..." August 16

Sportsnet "Deputy commissioner Bill Daly says he’s “cautiously optimistic” about the direction of collective bargaining talks with the NHL Players’ Association and believes the sides are committed to staging the next World Cup in February 2021 if they can extend or renew the..." August 16