YEAR IN REVIEW: Will Return of Hedman, Cernak Solve Lightning Injury MISERY in 2026?

Tampa Bay Lightning battle relentless injury woes as Nikita Kucherov racks up back-to-back Art Ross wins—yet remains overlooked in Hart Trophy debates. Can the Lightning defy the odds and maintain their playoff push despite missing key stars like Victor Hedman and Emil Lilleberg? The controversial Yanni Gord and Oliver Bjorkstrand trade resurfaces: did Tampa Bay pay too high a price, or does Gord’s resurgence justify the deal?

Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen break down Tampa Bay Lightning’s resilience, spotlighting unlikely heroes Darren Raddysh and Jake Guentzel stepping up amid adversity. The episode explores whether John Cooper deserves Jack Adams recognition for keeping the Lightning competitive, the team’s asset management ahead of the trade deadline, and the NHL’s apparent bias against Kucherov’s elite status. Will the Bolts’ depth and comeback power fuel another playoff run, or are they running out of steam as the season progresses?

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