Raw Charge
Summary
Lightning News: The Lightning took on the Panthers last night at Benchmark. This game had a lot less fireworks than last year and featured some honest-to-goodness hockey. The Panthers scored an ENG late in the game and won in Tampa by a 5-3 score. Jansen Harkins scored twice and Connor Geekie finished a nice 2-on-1 with Sam O’Reilly as the Lightning goal scorers. The two teams meet again on the other side of Alligator Alley on Saturday. [ Raw Charge ] Jansen Harkins did his part to stick around with the NHL club after scoring two goals last night. He’ll be fighting for a spot to stay in the NHL with the Lightning. Harkins played 44 games last year with Anaheim totaling 3 goals and 5 assists. He’s played 305 games across 7 NHL seasons and his father (Todd) and uncle (Brett) also spent a few years in the NHL in the 90s. [ NHL ] Raw Charge’s Top 20 Under 25 countdown has reached the top 5 with the emergence of Ethan Czata. The scrappy 19-year-old 56th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft is returning to the Guelph Storm of the OHL with another 2025 Lightning draft pick Grant Spada this season. [ Raw Charge ] Prior to the game against Florida last night, there’s been several players who have been gaining some momentum in the first two matches. Here’s three takeaways from the first two games. [ The Hockey Writers ] League News: Andrei Kuzmenko of the Pittsburgh Penguins is taking a leave of absence after his father, Alexander, was killed in a tragic bear attack on a fishing trip in Russia. Condolences to Andrei and his family back in Russia. [ ESPN ] On the last Morning News article a few days ago, I mentioned it seemed Columbus and Adam Fantilli were reportedly far apart in negotiations. That changed quickly as General Manage Don Waddell had hoped as Fantilli agreed to a 6 year, $82.5 million contract ($13.75M cap hit), ending his hold out and expected to report to practice today. [ Daily Faceoff ] Eight out of the 16 teams in each Conference will not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here’s how each of the eight teams in the Eastern Conference from last year can turn things around and make the dance this season. [ NHL ] A recent signing may have ripple effects on some future RFAs for the Lightning as Chicago re-signed 21 year old Oliver Moore (19th overall pick in 2023) to a 5 year, $21.25 million ($4.25M cap hit) extension. Moore has played 60 games the last two seasons and recorded 5 goals and 14 assists in 51 games last year averaging 12:51 average ice time. [ Chicago Tribune ] Justin is doing a deep dive into each team in the Atlantic Division to get ready for the upcoming season starting off with the Boston Bruins yesterday. Check back later for the 2026-27 Atlantic Division Preview. [ Raw Charge ]