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

How much of an advantage do NHL teams in Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Nevada, and other no state income tax states really have under the NHL salary cap?

In this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, host Jason Linkes sits down with renowned sports economist Victor Matheson, Professor of Economics at Holy Cross, to break down one of hockey's most debated topics. Does the salary cap truly create competitive balance, or do tax laws give certain franchises a significant edge?

The conversation also explores many of the biggest business issues facing professional hockey, including:

🏒 Do no state income tax teams have a real salary cap advantage?
💰 The economics behind NHL arena financing and taxpayer-funded stadiums
📈 Why franchise values have skyrocketed in recent years
🏟️ Which cities could become future NHL relocation destinations
🌎 Expansion vs. relocation: What's next for the NHL?
📊 The biggest economic challenges the NHL will face over the next decade
💵 How salary caps influence competitive balance across professional sports

Whether you're a hockey fan, sports business enthusiast, or simply interested in the economics behind professional sports, this episode provides an in-depth look at the financial forces shaping the NHL today and into the future.

🎙️ Guest: Victor Matheson – Sports Economist & Professor of Economics, College of the Holy Cross

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Turn on Notifications for more interviews covering the Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL news, player analysis, salary cap discussions, and the business of hockey.

#NHL #SalaryCap #VictorMatheson #SportsEconomics #TampaBayLightning #NHLBusiness #SportsBusiness

The Tampa Bay Lightning made two intriguing additions this offseason in John Carlson and Jeffrey Viel, but what should Lightning fans realistically expect?

On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, host Jason Linkes is joined by Patrick Present, Team Editor and Reporter covering the Anaheim Ducks for The Hockey News, to break down both of Tampa Bay's newest players and discuss the biggest story of the NHL offseason—the Leo Carlsson offer sheet.

Patrick Present's Social Media and Contacts:
Instagram: patrickcpresent

X: @PatrickCPresent

Facebook: PatCPresent

The Hockey News: https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks

If you enjoy in-depth Tampa Bay Lightning coverage featuring reporters from around the NHL, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS so you never miss an episode of Backchecking the Bolts.

#TampaBayLightning #GoBolts #LetsGoDucks #TBL #LeoCarlsson #AnaheimDucks #NHL #NHLFreeAgency

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been busy during NHL free agency, and we're breaking down everything you need to know on this episode of Backchecking the Bolts.

🏒 In this episode:

• * Complete breakdown of the Lightning's free agent signings
• Which players left Tampa Bay and how those departures impact the roster
• * The biggest signings from around the NHL and which teams improved the most

  * What these moves mean for the Lightning heading into the 2026-27 NHL season

Join the Backchecking the Bolts crew as they go beyond the headlines with analysis, opinions, and discussion on one of the busiest times of the NHL offseason.

📺 Listen & Watch
🎙️ YouTube: Backchecking the Bolts

Follow us for more Tampa Bay Lightning coverage:
🐦 X: @Tampa_Bolts_Pod
📸 Instagram: @BackcheckingTheBolts
📘 Facebook: Backchecking the Bolts

#TampaBayLightning #GoBolts #NHL #NHLFreeAgency #Lightning #TBL

On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, Jason and Justin break down the latest NHL Trade Frenzy as teams make major moves before the NHL Entry Draft.

🏒 Topics on this episode:

⚡ Darren Raddysh traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs

• How does Tampa Bay replace a key defenseman?
• Did the Lightning make the right move?

🦅 Alex Tuch traded to the Washington Capitals

• Washington adds size, scoring, and another veteran weapon
• Are the Capitals loading up for another playoff push?

🔥 Bowen Byram traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in a blockbuster deal

• Chicago sends a package including the #4 overall pick in the NHL Draft
• Did Buffalo make the right decision moving on from Byram?

🎙️ Plus, Jonah Ahrens from The Sabre Report Podcast joins the conversation with his reaction and analysis of the Byram trade from the Buffalo perspective.

We also open up the Backchecking the Bolts Mailbag and answer YOUR questions from social media!

🌎 Finally, Jason and Justin discuss the NHL’s latest expansion possibilities:
⭐ Could the league return to Texas with a new team in Houston or Austin?
⭐ Would another Southern NHL market work?

#GoBolts #TampaBayLightning #NHLTradeRumors #NHLDraft #NHLExpansion #NHL

Former Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Peter Taglianetti joins Backchecking the Bolts to look back on an incredible hockey journey that stretched from college hockey greatness to the biggest stage in the NHL.

Taglianetti was a member of the inaugural 1992-93 Tampa Bay Lightning team and shares stories about playing for an expansion franchise built by Phil Esposito, what the early days of Lightning hockey were really like, and how Tampa Bay began building its NHL identity.

Before arriving in Tampa, Peter played at Providence College under legendary coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello, was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets, and credits former Norris Trophy winner Randy Carlyle as an important mentor during his early NHL career.

Taglianetti also reflects on his championship years with the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992 alongside some of hockey’s greatest players.

Plus — hear the unbelievable story of Peter’s appearance in the famous 1993 Yokozuna Body Slam Challenge aboard the USS Intrepid, one of the most memorable crossover moments between the NHL and WWE.

Topics Include:
⚡ Joining the first-ever Tampa Bay Lightning roster
⚡ Playing for Phil Esposito
⚡ Lessons from Lou Lamoriello at Providence College
⚡ Being mentored by Randy Carlyle with the Winnipeg Jets
⚡ Winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins
⚡ Mario Lemieux, championship teams & NHL memories
⚡ The 1993 Yokozuna Body Slam Challenge

Subscribe to Backchecking the Bolts for Tampa Bay Lightning interviews, NHL stories, analysis, and conversations that go beyond the box score.

#GoBolts #TampaBayLightning #NHL #LetsGoPens #StanleyCup #WWE