Hockey is back! The Tampa Bay Lightning officially started training camp with 63 players on the roster. Three groups have held four on-ice and off-ice sessions from September 18 to September 21.
Media Day Recap
Another mandatory part of the preseason is media day. The leaders took the stand, but most of the questions were related to the last season and the early playoffs. What needs to be done to challenge the reigning Stanley Cup Champions?
Victor Hedman
As the Lightning captain enters his 17th NHL season, he mentioned that “every year is an opportunity to make something great.” The Swedish defenseman finished the last regular season with 66 points and +18 in 79 games. The Bolts were knocked out of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers in five games in the first round. Hedman believes they still have enough depth to take things to the next level.
Brandon Hagel
Hagel, who will also play for Team Canada during the upcoming 2026 Olympics, said that he feels great and has no concussion symptoms. Summertime was enough to recover fully. The Panthers’ veteran blueliner, Aaron Ekblad, brutally collided with Hagel, hitting him in the head. He was suspended for two games, but the injury ended Hagel’s playoff run in Game 4 of the first round. Hagel specified that the neighboring Panthers are a formidable opponent who the Lightning “need to get through to get to the top”.
Nikita Kucherov
Kucherov was in an excellent mood and joked around. The team’s best scorer explained his preferred season preparation techniques. He doesn’t lift weights anymore but instead focuses on stretching and mobility off the ice. He is known for skating and shooting all year round, with occasional short breaks. Consistency and discipline are his two keys to the team’s success. “That’s the difference!” Kucherov said, stressing that the Panthers were consistent with their performance for three years in a row.
Jon Cooper and the crew are excited and motivated to get into the season, which opens at home against the Ottawa Senators on Oct.9.
Schedule
On Monday, Sept. 22, a game group will head to North Carolina to face the Hurricanes, while the rest of the players will stay and practice in Brandon, FL. On Tuesday, Sept. 23, the selected roster will meet with the Nashville Predators in Tennessee.
The first Lightning preseason home game against the Carolina Hurricanes will happen on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7:00 PM.
When it comes to team-bonding activities, senior Bolts attended the Tampa Bay Rays game last Saturday. Ryan McDonagh, Anthony Cirelli, Nick Paul, Yanni Gourde, Brandon Hagel, and JJ Moser watched Victor Hedman throw out the first pitch.