If nothing else, the pre-season version of the Tampa Bay Lightning are showing themselves to be a team that can grind out victories. Heading into the third period with a 3-1 win on the backs of goals from Oliver Bjorkstrand (power play), Conor Geekie, and Jakob Pelletier, they stumbled, allowing a tally from Ryan McAllister, before shutting things down to pick up their fifth victory.
It was another roster full of younger players trying to earn a spot on the roster. Pelletier, Max Crozier, and Wojceich Stachowiak all had solid games and made Jon Cooper’s final roster decisions even tougher. The Bolts have two more games left in the pre-season to sort out the final 10 cuts. Thursday’s line-up should give everyone a good look at what the coaching staff is thinking of for the regular season.
Hockey News
In second go-round with Lightning, Katchouk returns a different player [Lightning Insider – Subscription]
It’s been a long roundabout trip back to Tampa, but Boris is trying to make the best of it as he fights for a spot on the roster.
Jakob Pelletier, Boris Katchouk making decisions harder for Lightning [Tampa Bay Times]
These are good problems to have. The sense of competition in training camp has brought out the best of the players trying to make the roster.
Kirill Kaprizov got paid [Gone Puck Wild]
The first domino fell in the 2026 free agency market. Kirill Kaprizov, who like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Kyle Connor are set to be free agents next summer, is off the market as he signed a record-setting 8-year, $136 million contract. His AAV of $17 million is the highest in NHL history.
Max Pacioretty joins Michigan hockey staff [University of Michigan]
The long-time forward has officially hung up his playing skates and returned to his alma mater as a special assistant. Injuries at the end dulled what was an extremely steady 17-year career. He finished his NHL stint with 939 games played for five teams. He scored 335 goals and added another 346 assists. He had four seasons in a row with 30+ goals for Montreal.
NHL Team Values [Sportico]
Team Values are going up. Yay!
2025-26 NHL Predictions: The Atlantic Division [Yahoo Sports]
Okay SBNation/Yahoo, we see you.
