Lightning Fighting the Injury Bug & Paying the Captain
Also, a look at Jon Cooper's road to 500 wins and more.
Welcome to the THW Tampa Bay Lightning Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Lightning writers.
In today’s edition, we look at how the injury bug is biting the Lightning, the team at the halfway point of the season and more.
It would be great if you’d share the THW Lightning Substack with your friends and family so that they can subscribe and enjoy all the latest.
Jon Cooper’s Unique Path to 500 Wins
January 10, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
The Tampa Bay Lightning came back from down 2-0 to beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday night. From a season-specific standpoint, there was a lot to be excited about. They picked up a huge win against a road warrior and got production from players outside the core. But there was an even greater sense of achievement with this win. It’s not any ordinary overtime win. This was head coach Jon Cooper‘s 500th career win in the NHL. Cooper also separates himself with his unique path to reaching 500 wins in the NHL.
Lightning Injury Updates: Jeannot, Sergachev & Cernak
January 8, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
The injury bug continues its way around the Tampa Bay Lightning clubhouse. According to Tampa Bay Lightning beat writer Chris Krenn, forward Tanner Jeannot was missing at practice earlier today. He left the Jan. 6 against the Boston Bruins early with an apparent injury. Jeannot is being evaluated today, but Lightning head coach Jon Cooper indicated the 26-year-old could miss time. Krenn also tweeted that Cooper said Jeannot’s status could be week-to-week.
Lightning at the Halfway Mark: Stars Shining but Struggles Remain
January 8, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
Forty-one games down, 41 left to go. The Tampa Bay Lightning reached the halfway mark on the season following their 7-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on the road. This season has featured a level of turbulence the team has not seen in some time. Even with the slide to end last season, it’s not a level of performance that anyone has gotten used to quite yet – nor do they want to. Since we’re at this point in the season, it’s time to do an in-depth evaluation and reflect. There will be a look at a couple of positives and a couple of negatives.
Lightning Should Pay the Price to Extend Steven Stamkos
January 8, 2024 by Nick Haydon
Picture for a second, if you will, Anze Kopitar in a jersey other than the Los Angeles Kings. Imagine, if you can, Evgeni Malkin signing with a team other than the Pittsburgh Penguins. This thoughtcrime has been committed in Tampa Bay, FL. The perpetrator: Julien BriseBois. The victim: Steven Stamkos. The captain is playing in the final year of his eight-year, $68 million contract, and BriseBois has gone out of his way to say negotiations will not begin until the end of the season. However, regardless of the complexities, Tampa Bay should pay to keep Stamkos a Lightning until he retires.
Darren Raddysh Having a Sneaky Good Season for the Lightning
January 6, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Jan. 4 featured a career night for defenseman Darren Raddysh. He scored his first two goals of the season en route to being the first star of the night. He had one career goal heading into the game, so the multi-goal performance was in turn the first of his career. This performance is a reflection of his quiet growth during the season. Raddysh took longer than he would’ve liked to secure his spot on an NHL roster, but now that he’s here, he’s showing he can make an impact.