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, two current stars inked new contracts, and one of the greatest goaltenders of all time came out of retirement. The THW time machine is warmed up and ready to
Lightning History
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in the midst of their first-ever Stanley Cup playoff series against their in-state rival Florida Panthers. The two teams have a long history of playing against each other in the Sunshine State Showdown but have never made any blockbuster transactions on the business side of the game. The Lightning, however,
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Nashville Predators finished up a two-game set on Monday, with each claiming a win. Both clubs have been great examples over the years of what NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman envisioned when the league expanded into the southern United States. In cities where the sport of ice hockey was mostly
At the start of the 2010s, the Tampa Bay Lightning were a franchise mired with poor asset management. In recent years, a series of trades that were meant to shed veteran players for younger prospects backfired, leaving the team with a weak prospect pool and a lack of on-the-ice talent. Since the start of the
The Tampa Bay Lightning went through an offseason of celebration. The organization had just won its first Stanley Cup since 2004, and star talents like Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman finally were able to hoist the trophy many dream about ever since they were little kids. With all of the fun, there still came some
One of the greatest lines in National Hockey League history was put together for the first time on this date. Also, one of Montreal’s biggest legends hits two personal milestones, 12 years apart, and perhaps hockey’s most famous family sets a league record. A Punchy Day in 1943 The puck dropped on the 1943-44 season,
July 20 has been an eventful date in National Hockey League history despite no games being played. A Hall of Fame goaltender finally lands in a spot where he can get a crack at the NHL. A two-time Stanley Cup winner retires. There was a historic hire among the scouting ranks and a very talented
July 16 has not been the busiest day in National Hockey League history. However, a pair of Hockey Hall of Famers found new homes and two playoff heroes were born on this date, as well. Stevens Heads to St. Louis The St. Louis Blues signed free-agent defenseman and future Hockey Hall of Famer, Scott Stevens,
National Hockey League fans who love blockbuster trades have had plenty to be happy about on June 29 over the years. There was an action-packed day in 2016 and two Hall of Famers were traded to their hometowns in 1990. A Crazy 23 Minutes The news couldn’t break fast enough on June 29, 2016, during
A pair of National Hockey League Entry Drafts were held on this date, with both teams from the Sunshine State getting a crack at the top pick. Also, the NHL newest rival made a huge splash on this date in 1972. Lightning Strike First The 27 teams of the NHL got together in Buffalo, NY,
Welcome to the second part of a series that looks back on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s draft picks over the years and where they are now. This part will discuss the picks from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. This draft is one that Lightning fans remember with joy. Although they did not know it at
June 5 has given us a little bit of everything throughout National Hockey League history. There were epic comebacks, expansion, awards given out and even one of the greatest NHL players signed on with a competing league. Cardiac Canes The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, on
There was still plenty of hockey played on June 7 and we got to see a trio of unique Stanley Cup winners, some overtime drama, clutch goaltending and one streak extended while another was snapped. Plus, some of the best players in National Hockey League history got their calls to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Today was a big date in National Hockey League history for teams making to the Stanley Cup Final. Some teams made for the first time ever, while others returned for the first time in a long while. Motown Memories May 22 has been very kind to the Detroit Red Wings over the years. In 1997,
No matter what team you cheer for in any sport, your franchise of choice will always have those players that you look back on and think… how did we let him go? That future All-Star who looked just average as a rookie, or a veteran that was traded just before they became a stalwart at their
As time marches forward, we are now approaching the four-year anniversary of former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier announcing his retirement from the NHL. He played in 1,212 games, scoring 421 goals and 949 points while playing for the Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers before ending his career with the Los Angeles Kings. Vincent Lecavalier
Whenever a new franchise enters the NHL, you never know what that teams’ identity will become. While some teams never develop a single trait that defines them, others seemingly double down on one aspect of the game to be the best at. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, the pathway to prominence has been paved on
Considering the powerhouse the Tampa Bay Lightning have become, it’s easy to forget their early years. Or, at least, it’s easy to want to forget, if you’re a fan. From the Lightning’s first season in 1992-93, up until after the turn of the century, the Bolts struggled to put it mildly. They enjoyed a single