Can J.J. Moser become the next great offensive defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning? Will Erik Cernak stay healthy enough to deliver a solid dose of grit to the Bolts' blueline? 

Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen look at one big question facing Moser and Cernak for the 2025-26 NHL season -- and explain why these two could be the key to how well the Lightning do defensively next season. We also look at Cernak's contract and ask whether there's any "buyer's remorse" based on his recent health concerns. 

Plus, we ask one big question about the NHL's national TV schedule --- why aren't more Canadian teams, like the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Winnipeg Jets, featured on American national TV games? 

Moser and Cernak as X Factors? Contract concerns? Canadian spotlights? Catch it all on Friday's Locked on Lightning! 

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Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen talk about their biggest concerns headed into next season with these two Lightning stars, predict how their seasons will look, and discuss some of the areas in which they could potentially grow. The two hosts also dive into the newly released NHL26 player ratings, offering their opinions on how the rankings look thus far.

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Is Tampa Bay Lightning star Brayden Point among the NHL's top five centers RIGHT NOW? 

Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen debate Point's evolving game and dissect where he ranks in comparison to stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Conor McDavid, Sasha Barkov, Jack Eichel, and others. They also debate whether Point can finally top the 100 point mark thanks to increased chemistry with Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel. 

Plus, which NHL team had the best free agency? Which team absolutely FUMBLED the offseason? Tune in for expert insights on the Bolts' path to glory and the league's most impactful roster shakeups. 

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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

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Tampa Bay Lightning's youth movement takes center stage. Can rising stars like Gage Goncalves and Conor Geekie propel the team to new heights? 

Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen analyze the Lightning's roster composition, balancing veteran experience with emerging talent. They explore the potential impact of young players on the team's future success, while addressing concerns about the aging core. The hosts dissect Victor Hedman's evolving role and the need for defensive reinforcements. 

Tune in for an in-depth look at the Lightning's draft pick strategy and how it shapes their competitive window. Will Tampa Bay's approach to team-building keep them in contention for years to come? 

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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

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Lightning's Olympic Hopefuls and Goaltending Dominance: Who's Heading to Team USA? 

Tampa Bay Lightning stars Jake Guentzel and Ryan McDonough secure spots on Team USA's initial 44-man Olympic camp roster. Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen analyze their chances of making the final cut and discuss potential Lightning representatives for other countries. The conversation shifts to Andrei Vasilevskiy's impressive 2025 season stats, including a .921 save percentage and 2.18 goals against average. A heated debate ensues over which Lightning championship team reigns supreme: the 2004 squad led by Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards, or the back-to-back 2020-2021 powerhouse? 

Tune in for expert insights on the Lightning's Olympic prospects, Vasilevskiy's return to form, and the ultimate showdown between Tampa Bay's greatest teams. 

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Jake Guentzel's Lightning debut ignites Tampa Bay offense while Steven Stamkos starts anew in Nashville. 

Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen dissect Guentzel's seamless transition to the Bolts, exploring his 41-goal season and unexpected defensive contributions. We break down how Guentzel's partnership with Kucherov and Point transformed Tampa's attack, potentially setting the stage for his first 100-point campaign. 

Simultaneously, they track Stamkos's journey to the Predators, analyzing the former captain's impact on Nashville's power play and locker room culture. We weigh Stamkos's legacy in Tampa against his current role in the Preds' rebuild. 

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Indeed 

Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Is Nikita Kucherov the NHL's most underrated superstar? Despite back-to-back Art Ross Trophy wins, the Tampa Bay Lightning forward often flies under the radar in discussions of the league's elite. 

Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen break down Kucherov's impressive stats, postseason struggles, and emotional playing style. They debate the Lightning's top five players, weighing offensive production against defensive contributions. Brandon Hagel's emergence as a key player and Anthony Cirelli's versatility take center stage in their analysis. 

Will Nikita Kucherov Win His THIRD STRAIGHT Scoring Title? | Top 5 Lightning Players RIGHT NOW 

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Gametime: Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. 

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FanDuel: Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. 

Indeed: Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning: The NHL's best current rivalry? 

In this Locked on Lightning Frenemy Crossover, Nick Morgan and Armando Velez break down the epic clash between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. From Stanley Cup victories to roster shake-ups, they analyze how these NHL powerhouses have built their dynasties. We explore the impact of key players like Nikita Kucherov and Matthew Tkachuk, dissect each team's salary cap strategies, and debate whether this is the league's hottest rivalry. With insights on defensive depth, goaltending prowess with Andrei Vasilevskiy and Sergei Bobrovsky, and potential playoff matchups, they offer a comprehensive look at these Eastern Conference titans. 

Will the Panthers' recent success continue, or can the Lightning reclaim their throne? Tune in for expert predictions and in-depth analysis of this thrilling NHL showdown. 

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Gametime 
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Monarch Money 
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FanDuel 
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Entering his 17th season and set to turn 35 years old, Nick and Greg explain why Victor Hedman is STILL one of the NHL's most elite blueliners -- and why Tampa Bay Lightning fans should expect another massive season from the Lightning captain despite his age. We also break down one surprising stat from Hedman's 2024-25 season that could provide a hint as to how Jon Cooper could use his captain a little differently in 2026. Plus, The Atheltic's Dom Luszczyszyn has released his list of the Best & Worst contracts in the NHL, and the Tampa Bay Lightning rank 1st in the league in terms of overall contract efficiency and boast the league's second best contract, Brandon Hagel. We look at the Lightning's Best & Worst Contracts, including one BIG surprise on the "worst" list.

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FanDuel
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The Tampa Bay Lightning have a strong core, but they could always use more up-and-coming stars. On today's show, Nick and Greg take a look at five breakout candidates that could have big years for the Bolts in 2025-26: Gage Goncalves, Emil Lilleberg, JJ Moser, Maxwell Crozier, and new addition Jakob Pelletier. What needs to happen for each of these players to put up career-best seasons for Jon Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning? 

Plus, it's never too early to make some bold predictions about the 2025-26 season! Where will the Lightning finish in the Atlantic Division? Will anyone in the division top Florida? Who will be the next up-and-coming team to challenge for the division title? We tackle these questions in our way-too-early Atlantic Division predictions. 

BREAKOUT STARS: Will Gage Goncalves, Jakob Pelletier, or Maxwell Crozier Have Big Years in 2026? 

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Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 

Gametime: Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. 

Monarch Money: Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. 

FanDuel: Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first $5 bet wins! FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)