| League: | NHL |
| Season: | 2023–24 |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Team: | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Division: | Atlantic |
| Divisionrank: | 4th |
| Conference: | Eastern |
| Conferencerank: | 6th |
| Record: | 45–29–8 |
| Homerecord: | 25–11–5 |
| Roadrecord: | 20–18–3 |
| Goalsfor: | 291 |
| Goalsagainst: | 268 |
| Generalmanager: | Julien BriseBois |
| Coach: | Jon Cooper |
| Captain: | Steven Stamkos |
| Altcaptain: | Victor Hedman Nikita Kucherov |
| Arena: | Amalie Arena |
| Minorleague: | Syracuse Crunch (AHL) Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) |
| Goalsleader: | Brayden Point (46) |
| Assistsleader: | Nikita Kucherov (100) |
| Pointsleader: | Nikita Kucherov (144) |
| Plusminusleader: | Victor Hedman (+18) |
| Pimleader: | Mikey Eyssimont (104) |
| Winsleader: | Andrei Vasilevskiy (30) |
| Gaaleader: | Andrei Vasilevskiy (2.90) |
The 2023–24 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 32nd season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991.[1]
On April 5, 2024, the Lightning clinched a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season after losses by the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals.[2] They were eliminated in the first round by their intra-state rival and eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers in five games.
The Lightning's off-season began after losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in six games.[3]
On May 1, 2023, the Lightning signed forward prospect Maxim Groshev to a three-year entry-level contract. Groshev was originally selected by the Lightning in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Groshev appeared in 34 games this past season with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, recording four goals and six points. Groshev also played in the VHL with SKA-Neva St. Petersburg.[4]
On May 2, 2023, Brayden Point was announced as a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy. Point recorded career in both goals (51) a points (95) this past season while averaging slightly under 20 minutes a night. During the season point only recorded 7 total penalty minutes.[5]
On May 5, 2023, the Lightning re-signed Michael Eyssimont to a two-year contract extension that careers an annual cap hit of 800k. The team acquired him this past season in a trade with the San Jose Sharks. In the playoffs Eyssimont recorded two points in the series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.[6]
May 10, 2023, the Lightning signed free agent goaltender Matt Tomkins to a two-year contract. Notably Thomkins played in 3 games for Team Canada in the 2022 Olympics. Thomkins had spent the past two seasons playing for Farjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League.[7]
On June 5, 2023, the Lightning signed free agent forward Waltteri Merela to a one-year contract.[8] Merela had spent the past two seasons with Tappara in the Finnish Elite League. During that time Merela helped Tappara win back to back championships.
That same day the Lightning also signed free agent defenseman Emil Lilleberg to a two-year contract. Lilleberg spent the last season playing for IK Oskarshamn of the Swedish Hockey League. Lilleberg also represented Norway in the last three World Championships.[9]
On June 14, 2023, the Lightning re-signed forward Cole Koepke to a one-year contract extension.[10] Koepke appeared in 17 games with the team and recorded one goal over that period of time.[11] Koepke also played 52 games with the Syracuse Crunch. He recorded 7 goals and 19 points during his assignment with the Crunch.
On June 21, 2023, the Lightning re-signed forward Gabriel Fortier to a one-year contract extension.[12] [13] Fortier appear in one game with the Lightning last season which brought his career total to 11 NHL games. Fortier also appeared in 67 games with the Crunch last season, recording 11 goals and 29 points.
On June 26, 2023, the Lightning announced a change to the coaching staff of their AHL affiliate the Syracuse Crunch. Benoit Groulx was stepping down as head coach of the Crunch and taking another position within the organization. The Lightning also relieved assistant coaches Gilles Bouchard and Eric Veilleux of their duties. Groulx finishes his stint with the Crunch with a franchise record 256 wins, two division championships, and one conference championship.[14]
The Lightning announced Joel Bouchard as Groulx's replacement in the same press release. Bouchard has previously been a head coach AHL (242 games) between the San Diego Gulls and the Laval Rocket. Bouchard is also a veteran of 364 NHL games and 293 AHL games over his playing career. The Lightning also announced that Daniel Jacob would be joining Bouchard's staff as an assistant coach.[15]
On June 26, 2023, Steven Stamkos was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Mark Messier Leadership Award.[16] The award is given annually to a player "who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey."
On June 28, 2023, the Lightning traded forward Ross Colton to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2nd-round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.[17] Colton was originally acquired by the Lightning in the 4th round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Colton appeared in 190 games with the Lightning, recording 47 goals and 36 assists. Colton's biggest moment with the team came when he scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens.
On July 1, 2023, the Lightning were involved in the following player signings during the first day of NHL free agency.
The Lightning signed Conor Sheary to a three-year contract valued at $6 million.[18] This past season Shear appeared in 82 games with the Washington Capitals, recording 15 goals and 37 points.[19] Sheary has appeared in 531 NHL games between stints with the Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres.
The Lightning signed Josh Archibald to a two-year contract with an annual cap hit for $800,000.[20] Last season Archibald appeared in 62 games, recording six goals and six assists. Archibald is also a veteran of 305 career NHL games, recording 45 goals and 38 assists.
The Lightning signed Luke Glendening to a two-year contract worth $1.6 million.[21] Glendening was a member of the Dallas Stars the prior two seasons. Glendening has appeared in 148 career games between the Stars and the Detroit Red Wings, recording 69 goals and 79 assists.
The Lightning signed Jonas Johansson to a two-year contract with a $775,000 annual cap hit.[22] This past season Johansson appeared in three games with the Colorado Avalanche, recording 2 wins and a .932 save percentage.
The Lightning signed Logan Brown to a one-year contract valued at $775,000. Brown was a member of the St. Louis Blues the past two season.[23] This past season Brown skated in 69 games, recording six goals and 17 points. Brown was previously a first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators. Brown enters the season one game shy of reaching 100 career NHL games.
The Lightning signed Mitchell Chaffee to a one-year contract that carries a cap hit of $775,000.[24] Chaffee has appeared in two NHL games, all which came with the Minnesota Wild.
On July 2, 2023, the Lightning signed Calvin de Haan to a one-year contract, which carries a $775,000 cap hit.[25] De Haan appeared in 53 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, recording 2 goals and 10 assists. De Haan has 131 career points in his NHL career between the New York Islanders, Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks.
On July 15, 2023, the Lightning signed Tanner Jeannot to a two-year contract extension which carries an annual cap hit of $2.66 million. Jeannot was acquired by the Lightning in a trade with the Nashville Predators the previous season.[26]
On August 22, 2023, the Lightning announced the signing of Brandon Hagel to an eight-year contract extension with an AAV of $6.5 million. Hagel posted 30 goals, 34 assists and 64 points in his first full season with the team, all of which were career highs for Hagel.[27]
On August 23, 2023, the Lightning announced the signing of Darren Raddysh to a two-year contract extension valued at $1.95 million. Raddysh recorded a goal and three assists in 17 appearances with the Lighting this past season. Raddysh also skated in 51 games with the Crunch last season.[28]
September 9, 2023, the Lightning announced that it had placed Josh Archibald on waivers for the purposes of termination of his contract. While the exact reason is unknown, Archibald indicated that he did not intend on attending training camp or play this season.[29] On the same day, the Lightning announced that it had signed Tyler Motte to a one-year contract valued at $800,000. Motte skated in 62 games last season, recording 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points.[30]
On September 19, 2023, the Lightning announced its training camp roster.[31]
Forwards
Tristan Allard, Alex Barre-Boulet, Logan Brown, Joe Carroll, Mitchell Chaffee, Anthony Cirelli, Gabriel Dumont, Jaydon Dureau, Lucas Edmonds, Shawn Element, Mikey Eyssimont, Jack Finley, Gabriel Fortier, Ethan Gauthier, Luke Glendening, Gage Goncalves, Maxim Groshev, Brandon Hagel, Ethan Hay, Tanner Jeannot, Cole Koepke, Nikita Kucherov, Bennett MacArthur, Waltteri Merela, Tyler Motte, Nick Paul, Brayden Point, Felix Robert, Conor Sheary, Steven Stamkos Gabriel Szturc, Ilya Usau, Daniel Walcott, Daniel Walker and Austin Watson.
Defensemen
Zach Bogosian, Declan Carlile, Erik Cernak, Maxwell Crozier, Sean Day, Calvin de Haan, Haydn Fleury, Dyllan Gill, Victor Hedman, Louka Henault, Emil Lilleberg, Philippe Myers, Nick Perbix, Darren Raddysh, Roman Schmidt, Mikhail Sergachev, Devante Stephens, Jack Thompson and Scott Walford.
Goaltenders
Hugo Alnefelt, Evan Fitzpatrick, Ben Gaudreau, Jonas Johansson, Matt Tomkins and Andrei Vasilevskiy
On September 27, 2023, the Lightning announced that it had reduced it training camp roster by four players. Ethan Gauthier, Ethan Hay and Dyllan Gill were release from camp to join their junior teams. Scott Walford was released from his tryout agreement. The cuts reduce the camp roster to 56 players.[32]
On September 28, 2023, the Lightning announced that Andrei Vasilevskiy underwent a microdiscectomy to repair a lumbar disc herniation. Vasilevskiy is expected to miss the first two months of the season due to the surgery. The team stated that it will continue with Jonas Johansson and Matt Tomkins while Vasilevskiy recovers.[33]
On September 30, 2023, the Lightning announced that it had reduced its training camp roster by 30 players. The following players where either assigned to Syracuse or their respective junior clubs: Tristan Allard, Hugo Alnefelt, Logan Brown, Declan Carlile, Joe Carroll, Mitchell Chaffee, Maxwell Crozier, Sean Day, Gabriel Dumont, Lucas Edmonds, Shawn Element, Jack Finley, Evan Fitzpatrick, Ben Gaudreau, Gage Goncalves, Maxim Groshev, Louka Henault, Cole Koepke, Emil Lilleberg, Bennett MacArthur, Philippe Myers, Felix Robert, Roman Schmidt, Devante Stephens, Gabriel Szturc, Jack Thompson, Ilya Usau, Daniel Walcott and Daniel Walker.[34]
On October 8, 2023, the Lightning placed Zach Bogosian and Gabriel Fortier on waivers.[35] Both players cleared the following day and are eligible to be assigned to the Syracuse Crunch.
On October 9, 2023, the Lightning announced that it had signed Austin Watson to a one-year deal. Watson was previously on a PTO agreement prior to signing. The contract will carry a cap hit of $776,655.[36]
That same day the Lightning finalized its roster for opening night.[37] The below forwards, defensemen and goalies were named to the finalized roster.
Forwards
Alex Barre-Boulet, Anthony Cirelli, Mikey Eyssimont, Luke Glendening, Brandon Hagel, Tanner Jeannot, Nikita Kucherov, Waltteri Merela, Tyler Motte, Nick Paul, Brayden Point, Conor Sheary, Steven Stamkos and Austin Watson
Defensemen
Erik Cernak, Calvin de Haan, Haydn Fleury, Victor Hedman, Nick Perbix, Darren Raddysh and Mikhail Sergachev
Goaltenders
Jonas Johansson, Matt Tomkins and Andrei Vasilevskiy (IR)
|- style="background:#ffcccc;"| 1 || September 26 || @ Carolina Hurricanes || 2–5 || || Alnefelt || PNC Arena || 12,430 || 0–1–0 || [38] |- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 2 || September 27 || @ Nashville Predators || 2–1 || OT || Tomkins || Bridgestone Arena || 17,159 || 1–1–0 || [39] |- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 3 || September 29 || Carolina Hurricanes || 4–0 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 13,635 || 2–1–0 || [40] |- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 4 || September 30 || Nashville Predators || 5–4 || || Tomkins || Amalie Arena || 14,197 || 3–1–0 || [41] |- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 5 || October 3 || vs. Florida Panthers || 2–0 || || Johansson || Amway Center || 16,802 || 4–1–0 || [42] |- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 6 || October 5 || Florida Panthers || 3–6 || || Tomkins || Amalie Arena || 12,294 || 4–2–0 || [43] |- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 7 || October 7 || @ Florida Panthers || 4–2 || || Johansson || Amerant Bank Arena || 13,780 || 5–2–0 || [44] |-|-| Lightning score listed first;
|- style="background:#ccffcc;"| 1 || October 10 || Nashville Predators || 5–3 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 1–0–0 || 2 || [45] |- style="background:#ffcccc;"| 2 || October 14 || @ Detroit Red Wings || 4–6 || || Johansson || Little Caesars Arena || 19,515 || 1–1–0 || 2 || [46] |- style="background:#ffcccc;"| 3 || October 15 || @ Ottawa Senators || 2–5 || || Tomkins || Canadian Tire Centre || 15,584 || 1–2–0 || 2 || [47] |- style="background:#B0C4DE;"| 4 || October 17 || @ Buffalo Sabres || 2–3 || OT || Johansson || KeyBank Center || 12,598 || 1–2–1 || 3 ||[48] |- style="background:#ccffcc;"| 5 || October 19 || Vancouver Canucks || 4–3 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 2–2–1 || 5 ||[49] |- style="background:#B0C4DE;"| 6 || October 21 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 3–4 || OT || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 2–2–2 || 6 ||[50] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 7 || October 24 || Carolina Hurricanes || 3–0 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 3–2–2 || 8 ||[51] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 8 || October 26 || San Jose Sharks || 6–0 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 4–2–2 || 10 ||[52] |- style="background:#B0C4DE;"| 9 || October 30 || Seattle Kraken || 3–4 || OT || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 4–2–3 || 11 || [53] |-|-|- style="background:#fcc;"| 10 || November 2 || @ Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–4 || || Tomkins || Nationwide Arena || 14,276 || 4–3–3 || 11 || [54] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 11 || November 4 || @ Ottawa Senators || 6–4 || || Johansson || Canadian Tire Centre || 17,387 || 5–3–3 || 13 || [55] |- style="background:#B0C4DE;"| 12 || November 6 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 5–6 || OT || Johansson || Scotiabank Arena || 18,445 || 5–3–4 || 14 || [56] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 13 || November 7 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 5–3 || || Tomkins || Bell Centre || 21,105 || 6–3–4 || 16 || [57] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 14 || November 9 || Chicago Blackhawks || 3–5 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 6–4–4 || 16 || [58] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 15 || November 11 || Carolina Hurricanes || 0–4 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 6–5–4 || 16 || [59] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 16 || November 14 || @ St. Louis Blues || 0–5 || || Johansson || Enterprise Center || 17,621 || 6–6–4 || 16 || [60] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 17 || November 16 || @ Chicago Blackhawks || 4–2 || || Johansson || United Center || 18,691 || 7–6–4 || 18 || [61] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 18 || November 18 || Edmonton Oilers || 6–4 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 8–6–4 || 20 || [62] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 19 || November 20 || Boston Bruins || 5–4 || OT || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 9–6–4 || 22 || [63] |- style="background:#B0C4DE;"| 20 || November 22 || Winnipeg Jets || 2–3 || OT || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 9–6–5 || 23 || [64] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 21 || November 24 || @ Carolina Hurricanes || 8–2 || || Vasilevskiy || PNC Arena || 18,802 || 10–6–5 || 25 || [65] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 22 || November 27 || @ Colorado Avalanche || 1–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Ball Arena || 18,009 || 10–7–5 || 25 || [66] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 23 || November 28 || @ Arizona Coyotes || 1–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Mullett Arena || 4,600 || 10–8–5 || 25 || [67] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 24 || November 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 10–9–5 || 25 || [68] |-|-|- style="background:#fcc;"| 25 || December 2 || @ Dallas Stars || 1–8 || || Vasilevskiy || American Airlines Center || 18,532 || 10–10–5 || 25 || [69] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 26 || December 4 || Dallas Stars || 4–0 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 11–10–5 || 27 || [70] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 27 || December 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 12–10–5 || 29 || [71] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 28 || December 7 || @ Nashville Predators || 1–5 || || Johansson || Bridgestone Arena || 17,159 || 12–11–5 || 29 || [72] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 29 || December 9 || @ Seattle Kraken || 4–3 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Climate Pledge Arena || 17,151 || 13–11–5 || 31 || [73] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 30 || December 12 || @ Vancouver Canucks || 1–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Rogers Arena || 18,771 || 13–12–5 || 31 || [74] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 31 || December 14 || @ Edmonton Oilers || 7–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Rogers Place || 18,060 || 14–12–5 || 33 || [75] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 32 || December 16 || @ Calgary Flames || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Scotiabank Saddledome || 16,081 || 14–13–5 || 33 || [76] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 33 || December 19 || St. Louis Blues || 6–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 15–13–5 || 35 || [77] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 34 || December 21 || Vegas Golden Knights || 5–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 16–13–5 || 37 || [78] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 35 || December 23 || @ Washington Capitals || 2–1 || SO || Vasilevskiy || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 17–13–5 || 39 || [79] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 36 || December 27 || Florida Panthers || 2–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 17–14–5 || 39 || [80] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 37 || December 30 || New York Rangers || 1–5 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 17–15–5 || 39 || [81] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 38 || December 31 || Montreal Canadiens || 4–3 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 18–15–5 || 41 || [82] |-|-|- style="background:#fcc;"| 39 || January 2 || @ Winnipeg Jets || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Canada Life Centre || 14,157 || 18–16–5 || 41 || [83] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 40 || January 4 || @ Minnesota Wild || 4–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Xcel Energy Center || 18,689 || 19–16–5 || 43 || [84] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 41 || January 6 || @ Boston Bruins || 3–7 || || Vasilevskiy || TD Garden || 17,850 || 19–17–5 || 43 || [85] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 42 || January 9 || Los Angeles Kings || 3–2 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 20–17–5 || 45 || [86] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 43 || January 11 || New Jersey Devils || 4–3 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 21–17–5 || 47 || [87] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 44 || January 13 || Anaheim Ducks || 5–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 22–17–5 || 49 || [88] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 45 || January 18 || Minnesota Wild || 7–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 23–17–5 || 51 || [89] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 46 || January 20 || @ Buffalo Sabres || 3–1 || || Johansson || KeyBank Center || 18,246 || 24–17–5 || 53 || [90] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 47 || January 21 || @ Detroit Red Wings || 1–2 || || Vasilevskiy || Little Caesars Arena || 19,515 || 24–18–5 || 53 || [91] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 48 || January 23 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Wells Fargo Center || 17,937 || 25–18–5 || 55 || [92] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 49 || January 25 || Arizona Coyotes || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 26–18–5 || 57 || [93] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 50 || January 27 || New Jersey Devils || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 27–18–5 || 59 || [94] |-|-|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| colspan="11"|All-Star Break (February 1–4)|- style="background:#fcc;"| 51 || February 7 || @ New York Rangers || 1–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Madison Square Garden || 17,208 || 27–19–5 || 59 || [95] |-|- style="background:#fcc;"| 52 || February 8 || @ New York Islanders || 2–6 || || Johansson || UBS Arena || 17,255 || 27–20–5 || 59 || [96] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 53 || February 10 || @ Columbus Blue Jackets || 4–2 || || Vasilevskiy || Nationwide Arena || 18,876 || 28–20–5 || 61 || [97] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 54 || February 13 || @ Boston Bruins || 3–2 || SO || Vasilevskiy || TD Garden || 17,850 || 29–20–5 || 63 || [98] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 55 || February 15 || Colorado Avalanche || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 30–20–5 || 65 || [99] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 56 || February 17 || Florida Panthers || 2–9 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 30–21–5 || 65 || [100] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 57 || February 19 || Ottawa Senators || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 30–22–5 || 65 || [101] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 58 || February 22 || Washington Capitals || 3–5 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 30–23–5 || 65 || [102] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 59 || February 24 || @ New York Islanders || 4–2 || || Vasilevskiy || UBS Arena || 17,255 || 31–23–5 || 67 || [103] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 60 || February 25 || @ New Jersey Devils || 4–1 || || Johansson || Prudential Center || 16,514 || 32–23–5 || 69 || [104] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 61 || February 27 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 2–6 || || Vasilevskiy || Wells Fargo Center || 18,647 || 32–24–5 || 69 || [105] |- style="background:#B0C4DE;"| 62 || February 29 || Buffalo Sabres || 2–3 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 32–24–6 || 70 || [106] |-|-|- style="background:#cfc;"| 63 || March 2 || Montreal Canadiens || 4–3 || SO || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 33–24–6 || 72 || [107] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 64 || March 7 || Calgary Flames || 3–6 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 33–25–6 || 72 || [108] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 65 || March 9 || Philadelphia Flyers || 7–0 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 34–25–6 || 74 || [109] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 66 || March 14 || New York Rangers || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 35–25–6 || 76 || [110] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 67 || March 16 || @ Florida Panthers || 5–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,396 || 36–25–6 || 78 || [111] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 68 || March 19 || @ Vegas Golden Knights || 5–3 || || Vasilevskiy || T-Mobile Arena || 17,789 || 37–25–6 || 80 || [112] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 69 || March 21 || @ San Jose Sharks || 4–1 || || Vasilevskiy || SAP Center || 10,315 || 38–25–6 || 82 || [113] |- style="background:#B0C4DE;"| 70 || March 23 || @ Los Angeles Kings || 3–4 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Crypto.com Arena || 18,318 || 38–25–7 || 83 ||[114] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 71 || March 24 || @ Anaheim Ducks || 3–2 || OT || Johansson || Honda Center || 16,152 || 39–25–7 || 85 ||[115] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 72 || March 27 || Boston Bruins || 3–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 40–25–7 || 87 || [116] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 73 || March 30 || New York Islanders || 4–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 41–25–7 || 89 || [117] |- |-|- style="background:#fcc;"| 74 || April 1 || Detroit Red Wings || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 41–26–7 || 89 || [118] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 75 || April 3 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 4–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Scotiabank Arena || 18,648 || 42–26–7 || 91 || [119] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 76 || April 4 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 7–4 || || Tomkins || Bell Centre || 21,105 || 43–26–7 || 93 || [120] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 77 || April 6 || @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || || Vasilevskiy || PPG Paints Arena || 18,383 || 43–27–7 || 93 || [121] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 78 || April 9 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 5–2 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 44–27–7 || 95 || [122] |- style="background:#bce;"| 79 || April 11 || Ottawa Senators || 2–3 || SO || Tomkins || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 44–27–8 || 96 || [123] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 80 || April 13 || @ Washington Capitals || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 44–28–8 || 96 || [124] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 81 || April 15 || Buffalo Sabres || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 44–29–8 || 96 || [125] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 82 || April 17 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 6–4 || || Tomkins || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 45–29–8 || 98 || [126] |-|-| Lightning score listed first;
|- style="background:#fcc;"| 1 || April 21 || @ Florida Panthers || 2–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,356 || 0–1 || [127] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 2 || April 23 || @ Florida Panthers || 2–3 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,484 || 0–2 || [128] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 3 || April 25 || Florida Panthers || 3–5 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 0–3 || [129] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 4 || April 27 || Florida Panthers || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 1–3 || [130] |- style="background:#fcc;"| 5 || April 29 || @ Florida Panthers || 1–6 || || Vasilevskiy || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,750 || 1–4 || [131] |-|-| Lightning score listed first;
Final[132]
| Player | data-sort-type="number" | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | 44 | 100 | 144 | 8 | 22 | ||
| 81 | 46 | 44 | 90 | −16 | 14 | ||
| 79 | 40 | 41 | 81 | −21 | 34 | ||
| 78 | 13 | 63 | 76 | 18 | 76 | ||
| 82 | 26 | 49 | 75 | 1 | 79 | ||
| 82 | 24 | 22 | 46 | −16 | 27 | ||
| 80 | 20 | 25 | 45 | 2 | 38 | ||
| 82 | 6 | 27 | 33 | −3 | 21 | ||
| 81 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 7 | 104 | ||
| 77 | 2 | 22 | 24 | 8 | 10 | ||
| 34 | 2 | 17 | 19 | −16 | 16 | ||
| † | 17 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 4 | 6 | |
| 57 | 4 | 11 | 15 | −3 | 12 | ||
| 55 | 7 | 7 | 14 | −10 | 75 | ||
| 69 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 5 | 63 | ||
| 81 | 10 | 1 | 11 | −2 | 39 | ||
| 59 | 3 | 7 | 10 | −9 | 22 | ||
| 69 | 6 | 3 | 9 | −8 | 28 | ||
| 36 | 6 | 3 | 9 | −9 | 10 | ||
| 30 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 24 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 20 | ||
| 37 | 0 | 5 | 5 | −15 | 16 | ||
| 33 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 93 | ||
| † | 18 | 0 | 2 | 2 | −5 | 33 | |
| 13 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | ||
| 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −2 | 2 | ||
| ‡ | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
‡ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | data-sort-type="number" | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 0 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 7 | 7 | −1 | 2 | ||
| 5 | 5 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 2 | ||
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | −5 | 2 | ||
| 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −1 | 2 | ||
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −4 | 6 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | −3 | 0 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | −6 | 0 | ||
| 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 2 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | −2 | 2 | ||
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | −3 | 0 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −2 | 0 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −2 | 2 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 2 | ||
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −3 | 0 | ||
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 2 | ||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 52 | 3062:52 | 30 | 20 | 2 | 148 | 2.90 | 1477 | .900 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 26 | 24 | 1477:29 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 83 | 3.37 | 752 | .890 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 6 | 6 | 360:12 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 3.33 | 185 | .892 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | Award | data-sort-type="date" | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHL Second Star of the Week[138] | October 30, 2023 | ||
| NHL Second Star of the Week[139] | November 27, 2023 | ||
| NHL First Star of the Month[140] | December 1, 2023 | ||
| NHL First Star of the Week[141] | December 11, 2023 | ||
| 2024 National Hockey League All-Star Game[142] | January 4, 2024 | ||
| NHL First Star of the Week[143] | January 29, 2024 | ||
| NHL First Star of the Week[144] | March 18, 2024 | ||
| NHL First Star of the Week[145] | April 8, 2024 | ||
| 2023–2024 Art Ross Trophy winner[146] | April 18, 2024 |
| Player | Milestone | data-sort-type="date" | Reached |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waltteri Merela | 1st career NHL game | October 10, 2023 | |
| 500th career NHL game | October 10, 2023 | ||
| 1st career NHL game | October 15, 2023 | ||
| 800th career NHL game | October 15, 2023 | ||
| 300th career NHL game | October 17, 2023 | ||
| 2nd career NHL hat-trick | November 4, 2023 | ||
| 1st career NHL win | November 7, 2023 | ||
| 200th career NHL assist | November 9, 2023 | ||
| 1st career NHL assist | November 18, 2023 | ||
| 3rd career NHL hat-trick | November 24, 2023 | ||
| 1000th career NHL game | December 4, 2023 | ||
| 200th career NHL point | December 6, 2023 | ||
| 200th career NHL game | December 7, 2023 | ||
| 600th career NHL game | December 14, 2023 | ||
| 12th career NHL hat-trick | December 14, 2023 | ||
| 100th career NHL game | December 19, 2023 | ||
| 500th career NHL point | December 21, 2023 | ||
| 300th career NHL goal | December 27, 2023 | ||
| 500th career NHL game | December 31, 2023 | ||
| 1st career NHL game | January 4, 2024 | ||
| 1st career NHL game | January 6, 2024 | ||
| 1st career NHL game | January 6, 2024 | ||
| 1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point | January 9, 2024 | ||
| 500th career NHL win | January 9, 2024 | ||
| 1st career NHL game | January 11, 2024 | ||
| 1st career NHL game | January 13, 2024 | ||
| 800th career NHL point | January 13, 2024 | ||
| Waltteri Merela | 1st career NHL goal 1st career NHL point | January 18, 2024 | |
| 500th career NHL assist | January 18, 2024 | ||
| 100th career NHL game | January 20, 2024 | ||
| 1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point | January 23, 2024 | ||
| 5th career NHL hat-trick | January 23, 2024 | ||
| 400th career NHL game | January 25, 2024 | ||
| 1st career NHL goal 1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point | January 25, 2024 | ||
| 1100th career NHL point | January 25, 2024 | ||
| 700th career NHL point | January 27, 2024 | ||
| 700th career NHL game | February 19, 2024 | ||
| 4th career NHL hat-trick | March 14, 2024 | ||
| 400th career NHL game | March 27, 2024 | ||
| 200th career NHL point | April 3, 2024 | ||
| 300th career NHL point | April 9, 2024 | ||
| 13th career NHL hat-trick | April 9, 2024 | ||
| 100th career NHL game | April 11, 2024 | ||
| 400th career NHL game | April 11, 2024 |
| Player | Milestone | data-sort-type="date" | Reached |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st career playoff game | April 21, 2024 | ||
| 1st career playoff game | April 21, 2024 | ||
| 1st career playoff game | April 23, 2024 | ||
| 100th career playoff game | April 23, 2024 | ||
| 100th career playoff point | April 27, 2024 | ||
| 100th career playoff game | April 29, 2024 |
| Player | Record | Reached | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenth-most goals in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman passed Ondrej Palat (143). | October 14, 2023 | ||
| Seventh-most points in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point passed Alex Killorn (466). | October 17, 2023 | ||
| Tied for ninth-most goals in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman tied Fredrik Modin (145). | November 4, 2023 | ||
| Most five-point games in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed Vincent Lecavalier (3). | November 4, 2023 | ||
| Ninth-most goals in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman passed Fredrik Modin (145). | November 6, 2023 | ||
| Sixth-most games played in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed Pavel Kubina (662). | November 22, 2023 | ||
| Sixth-most points in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point passed Brad Richards (489). | November 24, 2023 | ||
| Most points in a single game in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov tied Doug Crossman (6). | November 24, 2023 | ||
| Third player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to play 1,000 career games with the franchise. Hedman was also the first defensemen in franchise history to play 1,000 games. | December 4, 2023 | ||
| Most consecutive games with an assist in Tampa Bay Lighting history (11). Kucherov passed Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards. | December 6, 2023 | ||
| Most goals in a single game in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Stamkos tied Martin St. Louis and Chris Kontos (4). | December 14, 2023 | ||
| Most shots in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Stamkos passed Vincent Lecavalier (3,166). | December 19, 2023 | ||
| Sixth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 500 career points with the franchise. | December 21, 2023 | ||
| Fourth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 300 career goals with the franchise. | December 27, 2023 | ||
| Most games played in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Stamkos passed Vincent Lecavalier (1,037). | December 31, 2023 | ||
| Fourth-most assists in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed Vincent Lecavalier (491). | January 7, 2024 | ||
| Eighth-most assists in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point passed Alex Killorn (268). | January 13, 2024 | ||
| Fourth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 800 career points with the team. | January 13, 2024 | ||
| Eighth-most goals in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman passed Brad Richards (150). | January 18, 2024 | ||
| Fourth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 500 assists. | January 18, 2024 | ||
| First defensemen to record 700 career points in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman is also the fifth Lightning player to record 700 points in team history. | January 27, 2024 | ||
| Tenth-most games played in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point passed Brad Richards (552). | February 13, 2024 | ||
| Most multi-assist games in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed Martin St. Louis (121). | February 25, 2024 | ||
| Least amount of games needed to record 100 points in Tampa Bay Lightning history (59 games). Kucherov passed his prior record (62 games). | February 25, 2024 | ||
| Most assists in a single game by a Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman (5). Raddysh also tied Martin St. Louis and Mark Recchi for the most assists in a single game by a Tampa Bay Lightning player (5). | March 9, 2024 | ||
| Tied most points in a single game by a Tampa Bay Lightning Defenseman. Raddysh tied Pavel Kubina and Doug Crossman (5). | March 9, 2024 | ||
| Second most games played in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman passed Vincent Lecavalier (1,037). | March 14, 2024 | ||
| Tied most points in a single game in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point tied Nikita Kucherov and Doug Crossman (6). | March 14, 2024 | ||
| Tied most hat tricks in a single season in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point tied Wendel Clark (3). | March 14, 2024 | ||
| Most points in a single season in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed his prior record (128). | April 3, 2024 | ||
| Most assists in a single season in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed his prior record (87). Kucherov also set the NHL record for most assists in a single season by a winger. Kucherov passed himself and Jaromír Jágr (87). | April 3, 2024 | ||
| First player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 100 assists in a single season. Kucherov became the fifth player, and first winger, to record 100 assists in a single season. | April 17, 2024 |
| Player | Record | Reached | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to appear in 100 career playoff games with the franchise. | April 23, 2024 | ||
| Third player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 100 points in the playoffs. | April 27, 2024 | ||
| Ninth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to appear in 100 career playoff games with the franchise. | April 29, 2024 |
The Lightning have been involved in the following transactions during the 2023–24 season.
| Date | Details | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To Colorado Avalanche Ross Colton | To Tampa Bay Lightning 2nd-round pick in 2023 | [147] | ||
| To Chicago Blackhawks Corey Perry | To Tampa Bay Lightning 7th-round pick in 2024 | [148] | ||
| To Nashville Predators 4th-round pick in 2024 | To Tampa Bay Lightning 4th-round pick in 2023 | [149] | ||
| To Minnesota Wild Maxim Cajkovic Patrick Maroon | To Tampa Bay Lightning 7th-round pick in 2024 | [150] | ||
| To Minnesota Wild Zach Bogosian | To Tampa Bay Lightning 7th-round pick in 2025 | [151] | ||
| To Anaheim Ducks Ty Taylor | To Tampa Bay Lightning Adam Henrique | [152] | ||
| To Edmonton Oilers Adam Henrique | ||||
| To San Jose Sharks Jack Thompson 3rd-round pick in 2024 | To Tampa Bay Lightning Anthony Duclair 7th-round pick in 2025 | [153] | ||
| To Arizona Coyotes 5th-round pick in 2027 | To Tampa Bay Lightning Matt Dumba 7th-round pick in 2025 | [154] | ||
| To Tampa Bay Lightning Ryan McDonagh EDM 4th-round pick in 2024 | [155] | |||
| Date | Player | Team | Contract term | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | [156] | ||||
| 2-year | [157] | ||||
| 1-year | [158] | ||||
| 3-year | [159] | ||||
| 2-year | [160] | ||||
| 2-year | [161] | ||||
| 1-year | [162] | ||||
| 1-year | [163] | ||||
| 4-year | [164] | ||||
| 1-year | [165] | ||||
| 1-year | [166] | ||||
| 1-year | [167] | ||||
| 1-year | [168] | ||||
| 3-year | [169] | ||||
| 3-year | [170] | ||||
| 1-year | [171] |
| Date | Player | Team | Ref |
|---|
| Date | Player | Via | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract termination | [172] | |||
| Contract termination | [173] [174] |
| Date | Player | Ref |
|---|
Key:
Contract is entry-level.
| Date | Player | Contract term | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | [175] | |||
| 2-year | ||||
| 8-year | [176] | |||
| 2-year | [177] | |||
| 3-year | [178] | |||
| 3-year | [179] | |||
| 2-year | [180] | |||
| 3-year | [181] | |||
| 2-year | [182] | |||
| 1-year | [183] | |||
| 1-year | [184] |
See also: List of Tampa Bay Lightning draft picks.
Below are the Tampa Bay Lightning's selections at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, which was held on June 28 and 29, 2023, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
| Round | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 371 | RW | Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL) | ||
| 4 | 1152 | Jayson Shaugabay | RW | Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) | |
| 6 | 179 | Warren Clark | D | Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) | |
| 7 | 1933 | Jack Harvey | C | Chicago Steel (USHL) | |
| 211 | Ethan Hay | C | Flint Firebirds (OHL) |