Tampa Bay Lightning Finalized Opening Night Roster
The Lightning set their roster for the 2026-27 NHL campaign as two players remain sidelined with injuries.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Hockey
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced their official 25-man opening night roster for the 2026-27 NHL season. The roster announcement comes alongside news that forward Benjamin Rautiainen has been loaned to the Finnish Liiga team Tappara.
Why it matters
Setting the roster dictates the active lineup that will represent the franchise at the start of the regular season. Managing roster spots while navigating injury reports remains a critical factor for team success and depth management throughout the season.
The active roster features a balanced distribution of 15 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders. This group does not include Yanni Gourde or Dominic James, both of whom were ruled unavailable due to injury.
The players
Tampa Bay Lightning
This professional ice hockey team competes in the National Hockey League as a member of the Atlantic Division.
Benjamin Rautiainen
The forward was loaned to the Finnish Liiga team Tappara as part of the club's roster management.
Yanni Gourde
The forward is a professional player currently sidelined due to an injury.
Dominic James
The forward is a professional player currently sidelined due to an injury.
Tappara
Based in Finland, this professional hockey team competes in the Liiga.
The details
The team confirmed the final lineup composition to prepare for the upcoming regular season schedule. Forward Benjamin Rautiainen was moved to Tappara in Finland as part of the organizational roster adjustments.
Timeline
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced the season opening roster on September 28, 2026.
The roster is finalized for the 2026-27 NHL season.
Season Trajectory
The roster announcement initiates the competitive cycle for the Lightning and sets the initial depth chart for the franchise. This lineup serves as the foundation for the team's early-season standings push as they look to integrate players and manage injury-related absences.
The absence of Yanni Gourde and Dominic James forces an immediate rotation change for the opening night lineup. Fantasy owners and fans should adjust expectations for depth scoring while these two forwards remain on the injury report.
The takeaway
Roster management is a fluid process that requires teams to balance long-term depth with immediate health concerns. Fans should track the recovery progress of injured players as their return will likely trigger further roster adjustments in the coming weeks.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's performance throughout the year, visit the Tampa Hockey section.
