Lightning Trim Roster, Final Decision Looms & Stanley Cup 6th Anniversary | Daily Strike - September 28, 2026

The Tampa Bay Lightning are just three days away from opening the 2026-27 season, and the final roster picture is beginning to come into focus. On today's Daily Strike, Steve Versnick breaks down the latest round of roster moves after the Lightning reduced their Training Camp roster by 11 players following Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the Florida Panthers.

The Bolts now sit at 26 players as they prepare to submit their opening-night roster, with key decisions still to be made over the next 24 hours. We examine the latest cuts, waiver moves, and what the roster could look like when Tampa Bay opens the regular season against the New York Rangers on Thursday night.

One player who appears to have earned a spot is Conor Geekie, who discusses the improvements he's made in the faceoff circle and the growth he's shown throughout Training Camp. Plus, hear from Jon Cooper as he reflects on this year's camp and the competition that helped shape the final roster.

This week also marks the sixth anniversary of the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2020 Stanley Cup championship. On September 28, 2020, the Bolts defeated the Dallas Stars 2-0 in Game 6 to capture the franchise's second Stanley Cup, with Andrei Vasilevskiy recording his first career postseason shutout and Brayden Point scoring the game-winning goal. It's a championship team that continues to shape the culture and expectations of today's roster.

In today's episode:

• Lightning reduce the roster by 11 players
• Opening-night roster decisions are imminent
• Why Conor Geekie appears poised to make the team
• Jon Cooper's thoughts on Training Camp
• Team bonding activities and practice in Naples
• Lightning Launch Week continues around Tampa Bay
• This Day in Lightning History: The 2020 Stanley Cup championship clincher led by Andrei Vasilevskiy and Brayden Point
• Countdown to Opening Night and Saturday's Home Opener against the Washington Capitals

Subscribe to Daily Strike for daily Tampa Bay Lightning news, roster updates, game previews, player interviews, and everything you need to know as the Bolts begin their quest for another Stanley Cup.

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