2025–26 Tampa Bay Lightning season

2025–26 Tampa Bay Lightning
DivisionAtlantic
ConferenceEastern
Team information
General managerJulien BriseBois
CoachJon Cooper
CaptainVictor Hedman
Alternate captainsNikita Kucherov
Ryan McDonagh
ArenaAmalie Arena
Minor league affiliate(s)Syracuse Crunch (AHL)
Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)

The 2025–26 Tampa Bay Lightning season will be the 34th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991.[1]

Off-season

April

The Lightning's off-season began after losing to the Florida Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in five games.[2]

May

On May 5, 2025, the Lightning signed defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous to a one-year contract for the upcoming season. D'Astous played this past season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Brynäs IF. D'Astous played in 49 games, recording 12 goals and 39 points. D'Astous also was tied for second in goals and points for defensemen in the SHL.[3]

On May 7, 2025, the Lightning re-signed Jonas Johansson to a two-year contract extension worth $2.5 million. Johansson appeared in 19 games last season as backup goaltender to Andrei Vasilevskiy. Johansson also backed-up Vasilevskiy the prior two seasons before signing the extension with the team.[4]

On May 22, 2025, the Chicago Blackhawks hired Lightning assistant coach Jeff Blashill as their 42nd head coach. Blashill spent the past three seasons with the Lightning.[5]

On the same day the Lightning signed free agent forward Wojciech Stachowiak to a one-year contract. Stachowiak played in 52 games this past season with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Stachowiak recorded 10 goals and 30 points in those 52 appearances[6]

On May 23, 2025, the New York Islanders hired Lightning assistant general manager Mathieu Darche as their general manager. Darche has worked in the Lightning's front office since 2019 and was part of the management group that won back-to-back Stanley Cups.[7]

On May 28, 2025, it was reported that Stacy Roest had left the organization. Roest had spent the prior 12-years with the Lightning. Roest primarily oversaw the Lightning's player development department. Roest also served as an assistant general manager with the team after being promoted.[8]

June

On June 2, 2025, the Lightning re-signed forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract extension that carries a cap hit of 2.33 million. Gourde was brought back to the Lightning prior to the trade deadline this past season from the Seattle Kraken. Gourde notably was part of the Lightning's back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.[9] Gourde also has appeared in 602 games with the Lightning, recording 133 goals and 214 assists (347 points).[10]

On June 3, 2025, the Lightning re-signed defenseman Steve Santini to a two-year contract extension. Santini appeared in 58 games with the Syracuse Crunch this past season, recording 6 goals and 17 points. Santini also appeared in one game this past season with the Lightning.[11]

On June 4, 2025, Nikita Kucherov won his second Ted Lindsay Award. The award is given every season to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted on by the National Hockey League Players' Association. Kucherov captured his second straight Art Ross Trophy after leading the NHL in scoring with 37 goals and 84 assists (121 points). He also led the league in power play points (8 goals, 38 assists, 46 points).[12]

On June 6, 2025, the Lightning re-signed defenseman Max Crozier to a 3-year contract extension. Crozier appeared in 52 games with Syracuse this past season, recording 34 points. Crozier also has appeared in 18 games with the Lightning.[13]

That same day the Lightning announced that it had signed Dan Hinote as its new assistant coach. Hinote previously was an assistant coach in the NHL with the Nashville Predators (2020-24). Hinote spent the past season as an associate coach with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League. In addition to his coaching experience, Hinote previously played in 503 regular season games in the NHL and also won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. Hinote also is a native of Leesburg, Florida.[14]

On June 8, 2025, the Lightning announced it had re-signed forward Jack Finley to a 3-year contract extension. Finley appeared in 40 games with the Syracuse Crunch, recording 14 goals and 28 points. Finley also made his NHL debut this past season with the Lightning in January.[15]

On June 28, 2025, the Lightning made eight selections on the second day of the 2025 NHL entry draft. The Lightning selected Ethan Czata (#56), Benjamin Rautiainen (#121), Aiden Foster (#127), Everett Baldwin (#151), Caleb Heil (#193), Roman Luttsev (#206), Grant Spada (#212) and Marco Migmosa (#215).[16]

On June 29, 2025, the Lightning place Conor Sheary on unconditional waivers to mutually terminate his contract. Sheary appeared in 5 games this past season with the Lightning and spent the majority of the season with the Syracuse Crunch. Sheary has one year remaining on his 3-year contract with the team at the time of being placed on waivers.[17]

Schedule and results

Preseason

2025 preseason game log: 0–0–0 (Home: 0–0–0; Road: 0–0–0)
Game Date Opponent Score OT Location Attendance Record
1 September 22 @ Carolina Hurricanes – Lenovo Center 0–0–0
2 September 23 @ Nashville Predators – Bridgestone Arena 0–0–0
3 September 26 Carolina Hurricanes – Amalie Arena 0–0–0
4 September 27 Nashville Predators – Amalie Arena 0–0–0
5 September 30 Florida Panthers – Kia Center 0–0–0
6 October 2 Florida Panthers – Amalie Arena 0–0–0
7 October 4 @ Florida Panthers – Amerant Bank Arena 0–0–0
Lightning score listed first;

  Win   Loss   Overtime/shootout loss

Regular season

Player stats

Skaters

Goaltenders

Roster

Updated July 2, 2025[18][19]

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
22 Oliver Bjorkstrand RW R 30 2025 Herning, Denmark
81 Erik Cernak D R 28 2017 Košice, Slovakia
41 Mitchell Chaffee RW R 27 2023 Rockford, Michigan
71 Anthony Cirelli C L 27 2015 Woodbridge, Ontario
28 Zemgus Girgensons LW L 31 2024 Riga, Latvia
93 Gage Goncalves C R 24 2020 Mission, British Columbia
37 Yanni Gourde C L 33 2025 Saint-Narcisse, Quebec
59 Jake Guentzel LW L 30 2024 Omaha, Nebraska
38 Brandon Hagel LW L 26 2022 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
77 Victor Hedman (C) D L 34 2009 Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
– Pontus Holmberg RW L 26 2025 Västerås, Sweden
31 Jonas Johansson G L 29 2023 Gävle, Sweden
86 Nikita Kucherov (A) RW L 32 2011 Maykop, Russia
78 Emil Lilleberg D L 24 2023 Sarpsborg, Norway
27 Ryan McDonagh (A) D L 36 2024 Saint Paul, Minnesota
90 J.J. Moser D L 25 2024 Biel, Switzerland
20 Nick Paul LW L 30 2022 Mississauga, Ontario
– Jakob Pelletier LW L 24 2025 Quebec City, Quebec
21 Brayden Point C R 29 2014 Calgary, Alberta
43 Darren Raddysh D R 29 2021 Caledon, Ontario
88 Andrei Vasilevskiy G L 30 2012 Tyumen, Russia


Suspensions/fines

Player Explanation Length Salary Date issued

Awards and honours

Awards

Regular season
Player Award Awarded

Milestones

Regular season
Player Milestone Reached

Records

Regular season
Player Record Reached

Transactions

The Lightning have been involved in the following transactions during the 2025–26 season.

Trades

Date Details Ref
June 28, 2025 (2025-06-28) To Boston Bruins
4nd-round pick in 2026 		To Tampa Bay Lightning
2nd-round pick in 2025 		[20]

Free agents

Date Player Team Contract term Ref
July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) Nick Abruzzese from Toronto Maple Leafs 1-year [21]
July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) Simon Lundmark from Winnipeg Jets 2-year [22]
July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) Boris Katchouk from Pittsburgh Penguins 1-year [23]
July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) Pontus Holmberg from Toronto Maple Leafs 2-year [24]
July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) Nick Perbix to Nashville Predators 2-year [25]
July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) Matt Tomkins to Edmonton Oilers 2-year [26]

Waivers

Date Player Team Ref

Signings

Key:

 †  Contract is entry-level.

Date Player Contract term Ref
July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) Gage Goncalves 2-year [28]
July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) Ryan Fanti 1-year [29]
July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) Tristan Allard 2-year† [30]

Draft picks

See also: List of Tampa Bay Lightning draft picks

Below are the Tampa Bay Lightning's selections at the 2025 NHL entry draft, which was held on June 27 and 28, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club (League)
2 56[A] Ethan Czata C  Canada Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
4 108[B] Benjamin Rautiainen C  Finland Tappara (Liiga)
127[C] Aiden Foster C  Canada Prince George Cougars (WHL)
5 151 Everett Baldwin D  United States U.S. NTDP (USHL)
7 193[D] Caleb Heil G  United States Madison Capitals (USHL)
206[E] Roman Luttsev C  Russia Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
212[F] Grant Spada D  Canada Guelph Storm (OHL)
215 Marco Mignosa RW  Canada Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

Notes

  1. ^ The Los Angeles Kings' second-round pick went to the Tampa Bay Lightning as the result of a trade on June 29, 2024, that sent Tanner Jeannot to Los Angeles in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2024 and this pick.[31]
  2. ^ The Detroit Red Wings' fourth-round pick went to the Lightning as the result of a trade on June 28, 2025, that sent a fourth-round pick in 2026 to Boston in exchange for this pick.
  3. ^ The Edmonton Oilers' fourth-round pick went to the Lightning as the result of a trade on March 6, 2024, that sent Adam Henrique to Edmonton in exchange for this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[32] The condition – Tampa Bay will receive a fourth-round pick in 2025 if Edmonton does not win the Stanley Cup in 2024[32] – was converted when the Oilers lost the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals on June 24, 2024.[33]
  4. ^ The San Jose Sharksꞌ seventh-round pick went to the Lightning as the result of a trade on March 7, 2024, that sent Jack Thompson and a third-round pick in 2024 to San Jose in exchange for Anthony Duclair and this pick.[34]
  5. ^ The Utah Mammothꞌs seventh-round pick went to the Lightning as the result of a trade on March 8, 2024, that sent a fifth-round pick in 2027 to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Matt Dumba and this pick.[35]
  6. ^ The Minnesota Wild's seventh-round pick went to the Lightning as the result of a trade on November 8, 2023, that sent Zach Bogosian to Minnesota in exchange for this pick.[36]

References

  1. ^ National Hockey League (2013). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2014. Diamond Sports Data, Inc. p. 121. ISBN 978-1-894801-26-3.
  2. ^ "Lightning Grounded in Another First-Round Loss". si.com. May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  3. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous To One-Year, Two-Way Contract". syracusecrunch.com. May 5, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  4. ^ "Lightning G Jonas Johansson inks 2-year extension". deadspin.com. May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  5. ^ "Rebuilding Blackhawks hire Jeff Blashill as head coach". espn.com. May 22, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  6. ^ "Lightning sign F Wojciech Stachowiak to a one-year, entry-level contract". nhl.com. May 22, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  7. ^ "Sources: Islanders hiring Lightning's Mathieu Darche as GM". espn.com. May 23, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  8. ^ "Lightning player development head Stacy Roest out as assistant GM". yahoo.com. May 28, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  9. ^ "Rebuilding Blackhawks hire Jeff Blashill as head coach". sportsnet.ca. June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  10. ^ "Gourde signs 6-year contract with Lightning". nhl.com. June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  11. ^ "Lightning sign defenseman Steven Santini to a two-year contract". nhl.com. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  12. ^ "Lightning's Nikita Kucherov wins second Ted Lindsay Award". espn.com. June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  13. ^ "Lightning's Max Crozier: Signs three-year deal". cbsports.com. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  14. ^ "Former Nashville Predators assistant Dan Hinote hired by Tampa Bay Lightning". thehockeynews.com. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  15. ^ "Lightning continue to check boxes with offseason signings". thehockeynews.com. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  16. ^ "Lightning make eight picks during Day 2 of 2025 NHL Draft". nhl.com. June 30, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  17. ^ "Lightning place Conor Sheary on waivers to terminate contract". espn.com. June 30, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  18. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning Roster". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  19. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning Roster Transactions". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  20. ^ "Utah acquires Sergachev, Marino to bolster blue line". thehockeynews.com. June 28, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  21. ^ "Lightning sign forward Nick Abruzzese to a one-year, two-way contract". nhl.com. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  22. ^ "Lightning's Simon Lundmark: Signs two-way contract". cbssports.com. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "Lightning sign forward Boris Katchouk to a two-way contract". nhl.com. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  24. ^ "Lightning sign Pontus Holmberg, Simon Lundmark and Boris Katchouk to deals". dailyfaceoff.com. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  25. ^ "Nashville Predators sign former Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbix to 2-year deal". tennessean.com. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  26. ^ "Edmonton Oilers add organizational depth with UFA D-man Riley Stillman, G Matt Tompkins". edmontonjournal.com. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  27. ^ "Lightning place Conor Sheary on waivers to terminate contract". espn.com. June 29, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  28. ^ "Lightning re-sign forward Gage Goncalves to a two-year contract". nhl.com. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  29. ^ "Lightning sign goaltender Ryan Fanti to a one-year, two-way contract". nhl.com. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  30. ^ "Lightning sign forward Tristan Allard to a two-year, entry-level contract". nhl.com. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  31. ^ "Lightning deal Tanner Jeannot to Kings for picks". June 29, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Ducks Acquire 2024 First-Round Pick, Conditional 2025 Fifth-Round Selection from Edmonton". March 6, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  33. ^ Rosen, Dan (June 24, 2024). "Panthers recover, defeat Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final for 1st title". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L. P. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  34. ^ "Sharks acquire 2024 third-round selection and Jack Thompson from the Tampa Bay Lightning". March 7, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  35. ^ "Lightning acquire D Matt Dumba and a 2025 seventh-round pick from Arizona". March 8, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  36. ^ "Lightning trade Zach Bogosian to Wild for 2025 seventh-round pick". sportsnet.ca. November 8, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
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