What makes the Syracuse Crunch and Tampa Bay Lightning partnership one of the best in the AHL? We go behind the scenes with Lukas Favale, the voice of the Syracuse Crunch, to take a deep dive into the Crunch's 2025-26 season and the players who could be part of Tampa Bay's future.

Lukas joins Backchecking the Bolts to recap Syracuse's season, discuss why the long-running Lightning–Crunch affiliation works so well, and identify some of the young players Lightning fans should keep an eye on.

We also talk about one of the most entertaining features on the Crunch's social media: Walk and Talk, where Lukas catches up with Crunch players as they walk to the arena and gives fans a more personal look at the players behind the jerseys

Follow Lukas Favale on X and Instagram @LukasFavale

Do you want to watch the Walk & Talks? Go to the Syracuse Crunch Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch

Find out more information on the Syracuse Crunch at: www.syracusecrunch.com

Watch their games on AHL TV at FloHockey

Listen to the Crunch at www.espnsyracuse.com (ESPN 1200 AM or 97.7 PM)

#TampaBayLightning #SyracuseCrunch #TBLightning #TBL #GoBolts #CrunchTime

The NHL continues to explore expansion opportunities—but could Houston become the league's 33rd franchise?

In this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, host Jason Linkes is joined by Matt Savage from the Mission Control: Houston Hockey Podcast to discuss one of hockey's hottest topics.

🏒 Topics include:

• Why Houston is considered a leading NHL expansion candidate
• Why the NHL values Houston as one of America's largest media markets
• The challenges of launching another professional sports franchise in an already crowded market
• Houston's hockey history and fan support
• What ownership and arena questions still need to be answered
• How Houston compares to other expansion candidates

If you're interested in NHL expansion, Houston hockey, the future of the NHL, or the business of professional sports, this episode is packed with insight.

Guest: Matt Savage – Mission Control: Houston Hockey Podcast
Host: Jason Linkes

Mission Control: Houston Hockey Podcast

X: @MCHockeyPodcast

Instagram: @MCHockeyPodcast

YouTube: @MCHockeyPodcast

#GoBolts #NHL #NHLExpansion #HoustonNHL #HoustonHockey #Hockey #NHLtoHouston #NHL33

Are the Tampa Bay Lightning actually better on paper heading into the new NHL season? On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, we take an in-depth look at the Lightning's offseason roster changes and whether they've improved enough to contend for another Stanley Cup.

We also tackle one of the biggest questions facing Tampa Bay: Could the Lightning survive a long-term injury to Andrei Vasilevskiy? How much of the team's success still depends on one of the NHL's elite goaltenders?

Plus, we discuss the future of franchise superstar Nikita Kucherov. When his current contract expires, what would a hometown discount look like for the Bolts?

Leave your thoughts in the comments: Are the Lightning better than they were when last season ended?

#GoBolts #TBL #TBLightning #NHL #HockeyPodcast #TampaBayLightning