Tampa Bay Lightning News, Trades & Rumors

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The Tampa Bay Lightning were founded in 1992 by a group led by NHL legend Phil Esposito. The team’s first game was played on Oct. 7, 1992, versus the Chicago Blackhawks and resulted in a 7-4 victory. Throughout its history, the team has reached the playoffs 17 times and won three Stanley Cups—2004, 2020, and 2021. They have reached two additional Stanley Cup Finals, once in 2015 and again in 2022. They are one of the NHL’s most successful franchises the 2010s and 2020s.

Lightning News, Analysis & Commentary

Lightning Legend Martin St. Louis’ Impact on Hockey in Tampa
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Just over one quarter-century ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning gave an undersized and undrafted 25-year-old forward a chance. It would end up changing their franchise forever. The signing of Martin St. Louis, known by many in the hockey world as “Marty,” would surprise everyone by becoming a top player of his generation and ultimately left a legacy in the Tampa Bay area. Let’s look back at how an unlikely success story of one man helped create the unlikely success story of hockey thriving in a non-traditional market. An Unlikely Face of the Franchise Here’s a little backstory of how it…

Revisiting the Lightning’s Blockbuster Trade for Blake Coleman
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For the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 2019-20 season was a make-or-break moment for a franchise that had become known as good enough to make deep runs in the postseason but not good enough to win a Stanley Cup. After the well-documented 2019 Postseason collapse, it became clear that the team would have to find a way to win it all soon, or risk seeing another talented player core torn down after coming up empty-handed one too many times. Given this atmosphere, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois decided it was time to go all-in and buff his already impressive roster at…

Today in Hockey History: July 31
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Yesterday in Hockey History: July 30 Tomorrow in Hockey History: Aug 1 July 31 is full of big names. One of the greatest undrafted players in the history of the NHL signed with the team where he became a Hall of Famer. An all-time great goaltender returned to where he had great success. Plus, the best coach in league history took a new position to work with a very familiar face. So, let’s begin our daily trip back in time to relive all the memories made on this date. St. Louis Lands in Tampa Bay The Tampa Bay Lightning made…

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Lightning’s 5 Best Offseason Moves
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The Tampa Bay Lightning have not been the most active team this offseason, largely due to a tepid free agent market, a lack of salary cap space, and the realization that they have a talented team that can still make a deep playoff run. However, the organization made some moves…

Today in Hockey History: July 10
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Yesterday in Hockey History: July 9 Tomorrow in Hockey History: July 11 July 10 saw a big trade between two “Original Six” franchises that saw one of them obtain the greatest goal scorer in their team’s history. Also, a current star inked a new contract, and one of the greatest…

 

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Lightning FAQ

What year were the Tampa Bay Lightning founded?

The Tampa Bay Lightning were founded in 1992 by a group led by NHL legend Phil Esposito.

When did the Tampa Bay Lightning play their first game?

The team’s first game was played on Oct. 7, 1992, versus the Chicago Blackhawks and resulted in a 7-4 victory.

Who is the current head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning?

Jon Cooper is the current head coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning.