Welcome to what we expect to be a reoccurring series as the 2025-26 NHL season rolls on throughout the year. With free agency settling down to roster-filling roles, and the Tampa Bay Lightning seemingly set at this point, we take our first shot at what the Opening Night roster might look like.
The first thing we notice is that it bears a striking resemblance to the line-up throughout portions of last season. That seems to be by design. The Lightning didn’t go out of their way to add a lot of new players at the NHL level.