With a new hockey season approaching, let’s go down memory lane and highlight some interesting Tampa Bay Lightning news.
Amalie no more
The Lightning had a relatively quiet offseason. During the 2025 NHL Draft, the club chose eight players. The team does not have a first-round pick until 2028. It is what it is. A more drastic change has come from a different angle.
Amalie Arena, which welcomed back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2020 and 2021 and hosted the Bolts for over 10 years, officially has a new name. Only time will show if Benchmark International Arena will become a lucky charm for the three-time Stanley Cup champions. Since September 2014, the oil company Amalie Oil owned the naming rights to the stadium but decided not to renew them. Although the structure still displays its old name, Amalie Arena, the organization announced a significant change on the 813 City Day, August 13, 2025.
News Digest
1. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy spent the morning of his birthday, July 25, at the team’s practice rink in the Brandon area. He not only managed to work on his on-ice drills but also accepted congratulations from staff and teammates, and a cake from fans. Additionally, he stopped by the LHSHL team practice, sharing advice and jokes with local high school players. In early September, Vasilevskiy posted an IG story of his new helmet. He “Big Cat” is getting ready.
2. Victor Hedman is everywhere these days. In early September, the Lightning captain attended a concert by comedian and actor Adam Sandler and starred in a digital ad for an upcoming soccer match between Team USA and Team Uruguay, scheduled for November 18 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. A few days later, the Swedish defenseman traveled to Las Vegas for the annual NHL Media Tour.
3. The Lightning’s radio voice, Dave Mishkin, talked with FL Teams about his book Blind Squirrel, the NHL playoffs, and Nikita Kucherov’s work ethic.
4. The Lightning will host the Boston Bruins as part of the regular season on February 1, 2026, at the home stadium of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So, it’s no surprise that the franchise is actively promoting the event. New merchandise and general public tickets are on sale now.
5. The 2025 Prospect Tournament will run from September 12 to September 15 at Advent Health Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, FL. The Lightning, Panthers, Hurricanes, and Predators will challenge their rookies before the NHL’s main camps open the following week. Some of them will have the opportunity to join it, including five players selected by the Bolts at the 2025 NHL Draft. All Lightning games will be streamed on the club’s official website.
More news and details about the Lightning Prospect Tournament and the 2026 NHL Stadium Series can be found on all FL Teams sources.